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fork(2) [soylentnews.org] writes:

      The Senate subcommittee on space, science and competitiveness met to discuss NASA on July 13 for the first time in over a year (the last was in March 2015). For clarity, the Senate's website [senate.gov] describes this subcommittee as follows:

The Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness has responsibility for science, technology, engineering, and math research and development and policy; standards and measurement; and civil space policy. The Subcommittee conducts oversight on the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Technical Information Service. Advancements in science and technology are vital to the nation's continued economic security, innovation, and competitiveness.

      From SpaceNews [spacenews.com]:

Both members and witnesses at the July 13 hearing of the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee argued that NASA was making good progress implementing key elements of the human space exploration program developed in the aftermath of the 2010 decision by the Obama Administration to cancel the Constellation program.

"Human space exploration and innovation are integral to the mission of NASA," said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the subcommittee, in his opening statement. "That's why this subcommittee will work to provide NASA with the security and stability that is necessary as the agency transitions from one administration to the next."

Cruz indicated he was particularly concerned about the Space Launch System heavy-lift vehicle and Orion crew spacecraft, the two largest elements of NASA's human spaceflight plans. "What are the lessons we can learn from the cancellation of the Constellation program and what steps should Congress take to ensure that the Space Launch System and Orion don't face the same fate in the years to come?" he asked later in the hearing.

[...]

Other witnesses said a future decision to cancel SLS in particular could have international ramifications. "If we don't develop heavy lift, I assure you the Chinese will," said Mike Gold, vice president of Washington operations for Space Systems Loral. "If we do not develop this critical capacity, we will be behind China, who is making, frankly, all of the right decisions."

      It's unclear what threats to NASA programs are posed by the next administration. Candidates from the two major parties have offered few, if any indication about what their space policy positions are. SpaceNews continues:

It's also unclear what steps the committee will take to address their concerns about a transition. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), ranking member of the subcommittee, suggested a NASA authorization bill would be one solution. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to reauthorize NASA and provide the agency with the stability and consistency of purpose that is needed to achieve the ambitious goals that we have set for our space program," he said.

      On reauthorizing NASA, SpacePolicyOnline [spacepolicyonline.com] says:

There has been no action on a new NASA authorization bill this year, although Republican and Democratic Senators at yesterday's Senate Commerce Committee hearing on NASA and American leadership in space expressed enthusiasm for passing a bill before the end of the year. The House passed a FY2015 (yes, 2015, not 2016) bill last year that could be a vehicle for Senate action, or a completely new bill could be introduced. Although time is getting short, if there is agreement on both sides of the aisle and both sides of Capitol Hill, a bill can pass quickly. The goal is to provide stability to NASA programs during the presidential transition. A major area of disagreement between Republicans and Democrats is NASA spending on earth science research. Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill argue that it should not be a priority for NASA because other agencies can fund it while NASA focuses on space exploration. The White House and congressional Democrats argue that earth science research is an essential NASA activity and a critical element of a balanced portfolio of programs.

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