Rohrabacher Proposes $100 Million "Space and Aeronautics Prize"

Rohrabacher Proposes $100 Million "Space and Aeronautics Prize" - November 6, 2004
by Douglas O. Jobes

"I am convinced a new generation of space entrepreneurs is ready to make their mark in contributing to low Earth orbit development, as well as returning to the Moon." - Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, October 8, 2004, in a speech before the U.S. House of Representatives.

A staunch supporter of private efforts to develop space, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has again taken the lead by introducing the new "Space and Aeronautics Prize Act" of 2004.

In Recommendation 5.2 of its June 2004 report, the President's Space Commission suggested that Congress support the development of commercial space activities by "creating significant monetary prizes for the accomplishment of space missions and/or technology developments."

Submitted as H.R. 5336 to the House of Representatives on October 8, the Space and Aeronautics Prize Act is a step exactly in the right direction. This legislation mandates the creation of a "National Endowment for Space and Aeronautics" to oversee not only a $100 million contest, but much more.

The Endowment's specific objectives include:

Furthering the public's knowledge and appreciation of the Earth, the Earth's atmosphere, human and robotic spaceflight and science missions, and celestial bodies in space;
Carrying out a program to award cash prizes for private in space development "... in conjunction with, or independent of... NASA;
Creating a program for tasteful advertising of commercial products in conjunction with private space efforts or with NASA; and
Encouraging private gifts of real and personal property to support the efforts of private space developers or NASA.

Section 4 of the Act describes an "Orbital Demonstration Prize" so reminiscent of, and a clear extension of, the recently completed $10 million Ansari X-Prize competition. Burt Rutan and Paul Allen, take note! A prize of up to $100,000,000 is proposed in this bill for the first private group to successfuly pilot a three-person-capacity ship three laps around Earth orbit.

So does the Space and Aeronautics Act have a chance of passing into law?

It is difficult to say - but all space advocates who want to see humanity one day establish a permanent settlement in space should immediately contact their Congressmen and express their strong support of this legislation. As so vividly illustrated by the recent X-Prize competition, the ingenuity and innovation that can be generated by private sector space development efforts means any goal is achievable if a strong incentive for investment exists.

CONTACTING YOUR CONGRESSMEN. The Contact Congress and Media page on the Institute website provides links to the Congressmen and Senators for your district, as well as links to local and national media. Send an email or letter today expressing your support of the Space and Aeronautics Prize Act!

Links

Space and Aeronautics Prize Act - Full text of Rohrabacher's H.R. 5336 legislation.

Status in Congress - Current status and other details about the Space and Aeronautics Prize Act can be viewed anytime by clicking this link.

Rohrabacher's Speech Introducing the Act - October 8 speech of Rep. Rohrabacher before the House of Representatives announcing the new Space and Aeronautics Prize Act.