WASHINGTON- Adam Smith (D-Wash), who is the House Armed Services Committee Chairman (HASC), confirmed that Congress in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act would boost financing for space launch machinery to sustain commercial businesses.
The matter yet to be determined is how much more financing and the Senate Armed Services Committee projected an additional of $30 million in the year 2021 as part of a long-term venture of $250 million over six years.
On 30 June, during a consultation call with journalists, Smith confirmed that the House and the Senate would see out a negotiation on the amount; however that will not be hard since the two chambers concur on the reason why the financing is required. Despite whether it is $150 million or $250 million, it is a little amount of money compared to what they will be their expenditure on launch.
The U.S. Space Force requested $560.9 million on its 2021 budget for National Security Space Launch R&D and about $1 billion for launch services procurement.
Smith’s check adds $150 million, primarily for ventures focused on the competition of the National Security Space Launch phase 3.
The Air Force department will reward two contracts this summer for the NSSL on the procurement of phase 2. Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are among the contenders in the program.
The bill of Smith supports the strategy of Air Force in selecting two providers in Phase 2 however speeds the Air Force timeline to commence venturing in technologies for Phase 3.
The Air Force confirmed that it intended to start investing in Phase 3 by the year 2023; however, Smith doubts that the two firms that do not get successful in Phase 2 might leave the national security space launch marketplace and that the government could stop that by speeding up investments.
Smith stated that keeping additional players in the game is vital in maintaining competition and encouraging innovation. He added that he is personally encouraged that the Senate has a voice in the current year and they did not in the last year and that they are evolving in that discussion, he opinionated that they could reconcile and meet the goals.
Smith stated that the trouble is that formerly the two Phase 2 winners are selected, there is no more contest for some years. He added that it is the reason he wants economic back up for the companies to stop them from exiting the national security launch.
