CNN —The top two lawmakers on the US Senate’s space and science subcommittee are pushing federal regulators to accelerate the approval of commercial space launches, arguing that the current pace could cost the United States its edge in the new space race.
‘Keeping pace with industry demand’The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is responsible for protecting public safety while simultaneously greenlighting a growing number of commercial space launches, which have quadrupled in just four years.
The FAA has already licensed 104 launches this year, compared to 26 launches in 2019.
We cannot be our own worst enemy when it comes to beating China to the moon and Mars,” Schmitt told CNN.
The senators are now asking Coleman to respond to several questions, including what additional resources he may need to accelerate the launch licensing process, by November 28.
Persons:
Kyrsten Sinema, Eric Schmitt, Kelvin Coleman, ”, “, Coleman, Senators Kyrsten Sinema, Al Drago, Eva Marie Uzcategui, we’re, William Gerstenmaier, Sinema, Schmitt of Missouri, ” Schmitt
Organizations:
CNN, United, Federal Aviation, FAA, Transportation, Senators, Bloomberg, Getty, Elon, SpaceX, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Regulators, Republican, China
Locations:
United States, Arizona, China, Beijing