Spring 2021

The Aerospace Advocate

AIAA PUBLIC POLICY UPDATES

AIAA Members Advocated for Aerospace During CVD

Our 23^rd annual Congressional Visits Day program, held vir­tually 15–19 March, was a huge success! Approximately 150 members representing 34 states and 31 sections took part, and state teams held virtual meetings with about 200 congressional offices to advocate for the aerospace community. They promoted AIAA’s 2021 key issues and called on Congress to support the people and the companies in the aerospace sector by providing adequate funding for programs and mis­sions, increasing investments in research and development, and enabling a diverse and robust workforce pipeline. They also explained how the sector is critical for addressing climate change and providing significant opportunity for young people of all races and economic conditions to tackle complex challenges.

We hope to continue this outreach by encouraging our members to invite our elected officials to participate in AIAA section events and activities and to educate them on issues impacting the aerospace community.

AIAA to Host Sustainability Policy Webinar

Sponsored by Pratt & Whitney

The Institute will host a webinar, titled “Sustainability in Flight – The Government’s Role in Achieving Decarbonization,” in collaboration with the Aero Club of Washington, on 26 April (1100–1200 hrs ET). Key government officials will share their perspectives on achieving decarbonization in aviation. While the aviation industry has made significant strides in the cooperation, innovation, and education required among all stakeholders, important policy decisions must occur to help deliver on this goal.

The expert panel will discuss the major focus areas and necessary advancements in the sector for the next five years, as well as the long-term roadmap necessary to reducing its carbon footprint. This timely session will explore the Biden Administration’s priorities, the role of Congress in creating incentives for technology development, NASA’s vision to advance the newest R&D technologies for achieving our low carbon future, and needed regulations and international collaboration to be led by the FAA.

Register now!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

COVID Relief Package Signed Into Law

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan includes a provision creating a public–private partnership between the federal government and aviation manufacturers to protect employees at risk of being laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic. Additionally, the package gives agencies funds to cover certain contractor costs and to keep skilled personnel and workers in a ready state during the COVID-19 response through the end of the fiscal year. Small businesses—essential to the A&D supply chain—will also benefit from $7.25 billion being made available to the paycheck protection program. AIAA applauded the bill’s passage.

Several Aerospace-Related Agency Officials Confirmed by the Senate

Those senior administration officials include Gen. Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks as Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce, Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy, and Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation.

House Bill Aims to Significantly Boost NSF

The National Science Foundation for the Future Act (H.R. 2225) would add a “Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions” and recommends Congress approximately double the agency’s overall budget over five years. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration’s “American Jobs Plan” includes $50 billion for NSF, a portion of which would be for the creation of a technology directorate.

Manufacturing Office Proposed

The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act (S. 997) would create a new Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy overseen by a chief manufacturing officer (CMO) in the Executive Office of the President. It would also provide a comprehensive survey and cross administration management of efforts to ensure global leadership in manufacturing, and establish the Federal Strategy and Coordinating Council on Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation.

Immigration Bills Introduced in House and Senate

Among many different provisions, the U.S. Citizenship Act (H.R. 1177 and S. 348) would exempt foreign students who receive doctoral degrees in certain STEM fields from a U.S. institution from numerical caps on visas. For the nonimmigrant H-1B visa category used by high-skilled workers, the bill would grant work authorization to the spouses of H-1B holders and enable the government to prioritize H-1B allocations to employers that offer the highest wages.

Legislation Supporting Domestic Space Launch Industry Reintroduced

The American Space Commerce Act (H.R. 1369) would extend existing space launch tax incentives for an additional ten years for companies that launch their payloads from the United States. This could free up more capital to allow American space companies to continue to invest in developing new technology and launching future space missions domestically.

House Bill Would Expand Federal R&D, Extend Tech Economy

The Innovation Centers Acceleration Act (H.R. 476) would complement a nationwide effort to compete with China economically by placing renewed emphasis on sectors key to economic resiliency and productivity, including biomedical technology and advanced manufacturing.

New House Task Force to Examine Defense Supply Chain Threats

Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) will co-chair a group of House Armed Services Committee members to look at threats to and vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base. Their work will last at least three months and could run for up to six months.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

Biden Administration Unveils FY2022 Budget Priorities

President Biden recently released his first discretionary budget proposal, which totals $1.5 trillion and calls for a 16% boost to nondefense funds. Top line numbers for pertinent departments and agencies include:

• $715 billion for DOD ($11 billion more than FY21 enacted)

• $24.7 billion for NASA ($1.5 billion more than FY21 enacted)

• $916 million for NIST ($128 million more than FY21 enacted)

• $6.9 billion for NOAA ($1.4 billion more than FY21 enacted)

• $10.2 billion for NSF ($1.7 billion more than FY21 enacted)

The administration’s full FY22 budget request will be released later this spring.

*FAA’s FY22 allocation not provided in administration’s skinny budget

Bill Nelson Nominated as Next NASA Administrator

The former senator from Florida would become the agency’s 14^th administrator. He has served as the senior Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which oversees NASA’s portfolio. AIAA Associate Fellow and former NASA astronaut, Pam Melroy, has been nominated to be the agency’s deputy administrator.

Biden Taps First Cyber Director

Chris Inglis, a former National Security Agency deputy director, has been nominated as the first national cyber director. The role coordinates the defense of civilian agencies and review agencies’ cyber budgets. It was established through a provision in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act.

Biden Administration Retains National Space Council

It is not yet known how the council will be configured or what its priorities may be. AIAA joined 16 other organizations in a letter to White House chief of staff Ron Klain urging the administration to keep the National Space Council. The Institute has since commended the decision and has called for the continuation of the Users’ Advisory Group.

Interim Security Strategy Calls for Safety and Security of Outer Space

On 3 March, the Biden Administration issued the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, which helps agency plan budgets and strategies. It notes that the United States will explore and use outer space but also ensure space remains safe and stable. It also identifies China as the United States’ primary competitor.

President Issues Order to Reinforce Scientific Integrity Policies

The memorandum assigns the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) primary responsibility for scientific integrity across the government. It also requires science agencies to designate a “chief science officer” and all agencies to designate a separate “scientific integrity official” to monitor the implementation and improvement of related policies.

FAA Issues New Performance-Based Rule For Space Launch, Re-Entry

The new Part 450 final rule contains requirements for obtaining a vehicle operator license, safety requirements, and terms and conditions of a vehicle operator license. It took effect on 21 March and came out of recommendations from the National Space Council.

U.S. Space Force to Establish New Command

The new Space Systems Command (SSC) will be located at Los Angeles Air Force Base and will oversee the development of next-generation technologies, as well as the procurement of satellites and launch services. The SSC will take over responsibilities currently performed by the Space and Missile Systems Center and by the Space Force launch wings in Florida and California.

Stefanie Tompkins is DARPA’s New Director

Tompkins, a former Army intelligence officer, was a program manager and deputy director of DARPA's Strategic Technology Office from 2007 to 2017. Most recently, she was vice president for research and technology transfer at the Colorado School of Mines.