Spring 2022

The Aerospace Advocate

As a benefit of your AIAA membership, we provide quarterly updates on public policy issues of relevance to the aerospace community.

AIAA PUBLIC POLICY UPDATES

AIAA Members Advocated for Aerospace During CVD

Our 24th annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD) program was held virtually 14–18 March. Approximately 115 members representing 31 states and 31 sections took part, and state teams held virtual meetings with 180 congressional offices to advocate for the aerospace community. They promoted AIAA’s key issues and called on lawmakers to address the ongoing needs of the industry.

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

AIAA Executive Director Testifies Before Congress

Dan Dumbacher testified before the House Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Technology on 1 March. The hearing, titled “Keeping Our Sights on Mars Part 3: A Status Update and Review of NASA’s Artemis Initiative,” examined the status of plans and progress on NASA’s Artemis initiative; reviewed challenges related to the implementation of those activities; and considered the factors that contribute to the overall success in the nation’s moon to Mars efforts. Dumbacher outlined important factors needed to capitalize on the rapidly evolving capabilities in the aerospace sector and required for successful complex space endeavors.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

FY22 Ominibus Appropriations Finally Clears Congress

Nearly six months into the current fiscal year and after two continuing resolutions, Congress passed an omnibus spending package funding the federal government through September. The $1.5 trillion bill includes $728.5 billion for the DOD ($119.2 billion for RDT&E), $18.1 billion for the FAA, $24 billion for NASA, $1 billion for NIST, $5.9 billion for NOAA, and $8.8 billion for the NSF. AIAA issued a statement applauding its passage. The Institute called on lawmakers to return to regular order passing appropriations on time and to continue providing initiatives for recovery from the pandemic to ensure that the United States retains global aerospace leadership.

Bipartisan House Bills Would Update Satellite Licensing Rules

The Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act would accelerate the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) satellite licensing procedures, while requiring the regulator to create new performance requirements for space safety and orbital debris. Meanwhile, the Secure Space Act would bar the FCC from granting licenses to foreign entities that the U.S. government deems a threat to the country’s supply chain or national security. Both bills await committee consideration.

Senate Confirms Pentagon Officials

William LaPlante will serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the position previously held by Ellen Lord. He was the former Air Force acquisition chief from 2013 to 2015 and was most recently chief executive of Draper. Additionally, Andrew Hunter will lead the Air Force’s research, development, and acquisition activities worth more than $54 billion a year across more than 550 acquisition programs.

Legislation Taxing Commercial Space Exploration Introduced in House

The Securing Protections Against Carbon Emissions (SPACE) Tax Act would create new excise taxes on commercial space flights carrying human passengers for purposes other than scientific research. More specifically, the bill would establish a 10 percent per-passenger tax on the price of a commercial flight to space. Crew and government astronauts would not be required to pay the tax.

EXECUTIVE UPDATES

President’s Budget Request Submitted to Congress

President Biden released his fiscal year 2023 budget request, totaling $1.6 trillion in discretionary funding, in late March. Top line numbers for pertinent departments and agencies include:

• $773 billion for DOD ($30 billion more than FY22 enacted)

• $15.2 billion for FAA ($2.9 billion less than FY22 enacted)

• $26 billion for NASA ($2 billion more than FY22 enacted)

• $6.9 billion for NOAA ($1 billion more than FY22 enacted)

• $10.5 billion for NSF ($1.7 billion more than FY22 enacted)

The defense request includes $130.1 billion for research and development—the Pentagon’s largest-ever request in that category—that will help accelerate research into hypersonics and artificial intelligence. The Space Force is requesting $24.5 billion, roughly 40 percent more than the president’s FY22 request. Also, the budget expands opportunities for civil space situational awareness and supports the long-term sustainability of the space environment, an issue AIAA has advocated for, by requesting $88 million for the Office of Space Commerce, $72 million more than FY22 enacted.

In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing National Strategy Released

In early April, the White House issued new recommendations for addressing challenges with In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). The strategy outlines six strategic goals to realize the benefits of ISAM capabilities, including advancing ISAM research and development, accelerating the emerging ISAM commercial industry, and inspiring the future space workforce.

OSTP Director Resigns Amid Controversy

Eric Lander resigned in February following accusations that he's been demeaning in his treatment of staff. Dr. Alondra Nelson is serving as acting director until a new director is confirmed by the Senate. President Biden has not yet nominated Lander’s replacement. Francis Collins is performing the duties of science advisor to the president.

FAA Chief and AST Head Step Down

Steve Dickson stepped down as FAA administrator in late March. He departed less than three years into his five-year term. Billy Nolen, the agency’s chief of safety, will serve in the acting role until the president nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Also in late March, Wayne Monteith, associate administrator for the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, departed the agency. He will be transitioning to another role outside of government.

Lead-Based Aviation Fuels to be Banned by FAA

Small aircraft using lead-based gasoline will transition to alternative fuels by the end of 2030 in an attempt to cut the largest source of the toxic chemical in the environment. The FAA said the effort will be based on four pillars of action, including developing unleaded fuels infrastructure and assessing commercial viability, supporting research and development and technology innovations, evaluating and authorizing safe unleaded fuels, and establishing any necessary policies.

FCC and NTIA to Address Spectrum Allocation Coordination

Both agencies announced an initiative to improve coordination across federal agencies on radio spectrum management. Among steps the FCC and NTIA now resolve to take are updating an outdated memorandum of understanding between them, revamping technical collaboration among industries and agencies, and developing a national spectrum strategy. This comes after a highly publicized dispute about whether the rollout of 5G networks would disrupt navigation equipment on commercial airliners.

Commerce Department Rolls Out Prototype Space Catalog for Traffic Management

NOAA has released a prototype cloud-based system that catalogs satellite and debris location data in space to predict collisions in an increasingly busy orbit. The newly unveiled open architecture data repository (OADR) combines information from government and commercial sources to perform satellite collision notifications, launch monitoring, space object reentry, space debris awareness, and other space traffic management services. NOAA has also sought input from industry on data products, services, and capabilities to support its OADR.

U.S. and Allies Strengthen Cooperation in Space

The United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have signed the Combined Space Operations Vision 2031. The document states that the seven nations will generate and improve cooperation, coordination, and interoperability opportunities to sustain freedom of action in space, optimize resources, enhance mission assurance and resilience, and prevent conflict.

NSF Establishes New Directorate

The Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships will assume responsibility for certain existing NSF programs focused on technology commercialization and it will eventually launch new marquee initiatives such as a set of “Regional Innovation Accelerators” across the United States. However, the ultimate scope of the directorate is still being debated in Congress.

Space Force to Restructure its Acquisition Organization

The U.S. Space Systems Command—the Space Force organization that oversees procurement of new technology—has proposed a new structure built around five program executive offices: Assured Access to Space; Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications; Space Domain Awareness and Combat Support; Communications & Positioning Navigation and Timing; and Space Sensing.

DOD Technology Chief Outlines R&D Strategy

The document identifies three technology strategy pillars underlying the vision, as well as 14 critical technology areas that build on the 11 modernization priorities set out under the Trump Administration.