Space, regulation, the Outer Space Treaty, and yesterday’s Senate hearing
Yesterday the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce committee held a hearing, organized by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), entitled “Reopening the American Frontier: Reducing Regulatory Barriers and Expanding American Free Enterprise in Space.”
You can watch the hearing here. There have also been a number of stories last night and today that summarized the testimony during this hearing.
- Space executives ask for updated regulations, more aid
- Cruz interested in updating Outer Space Treaty to support commercial space activities
- Blue Origin and other space companies urge Congress to boost FAA’s funding
- Cruz looks to boost space industry
- To infinity and beyond: Ted Cruz looks to encourage commercial space exploration
- Private Aerospace Leaders Meet With Senate To Streamline Space Exploration
Having watched the full hearing, I think that most of these stories did not capture well the full political context and significance of yesterday’s event. They focused on Cruz’s advocacy for private space and the call for less and more streamlined regulation by the witnesses. They missed a great deal else.
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