II
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2780
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 5, 2019
Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To establish a training facility to support functions and activities relating to the licensing of commercial space launch and reentry activities, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Licensing Innovations and Future Technologies in Space Act
or the LIFTS Act
.
Commercial space licensing training facility
In general
The Secretary of Transportation, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Secretary of Commerce, shall establish a facility (referred to in this section as the training facility
) at which Federal employees may receive training on functions and activities relating to the licensing of commercial space launch and reentry activities.
Requirements
The training facility shall—
provide initial and recurrent training relating to the requirements set forth in section 50905 of title 51, United States Code, and any relevant regulations promulgated under that section;
coordinate with institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) to develop curricula; and
coordinate with industry partners to ensure that training facility curricula incorporates new and emerging spaceflight technology, including automatic flight termination systems and reusable launch vehicles.
Selection of location
The training facility shall be located at a current center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that—
has expertise relating to the design and testing of space propulsion systems;
is capable of conducting a wide range of testing capabilities, including large thrust-level atmospheric and altitude engines and engine systems test capabilities;
has a commercial space industry presence;
has sufficient restricted airspace to conduct any necessary testing or field demonstration; and
has readily available buildings, facilities, and other resources to minimize the need for the construction of new facilities.
Implementation plan
In general
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop, and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, an implementation plan with respect to the establishment of the training facility.
Employee skills and knowledge assessment
In developing the implementation plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Transportation shall—
in collaboration with such organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate, develop and carry out an employee skills and knowledge assessment for employees of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, and
use the results of the assessment to inform the development of the implementation plan.
Briefing
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on progress toward completion of the implementation plan under paragraph (1).
Appropriate committees of Congress defined
In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
