Rep. Jim Bridenstine’s (R-Okla.) American Space Renaissance bill directs the Defense Department to give United States-developed rocket engines a 25 percent price reduction in procurements starting in 2023 to discourage use of Russian engines.
The bill describes a U.S.-developed engine as one that uses articles, materials and supplies substantially derived from supplies mined, produced or manufactured in the U.S. That is, unless these materials are deemed too expensive or inconsistent with public interest. The engine also has to not be subject to a Buy American Act exemption.
“If you have a domestic engine, you will not lose on cost,” Bridenstine said last week, unveiling his bill to a packed house at the 32nd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. His bill touches on everything from military to civil to commercial space issues.
Bridenstine said his bill also provides payload owners with a tax credit of up to 10 percent of the insured value for launches on U.S.-developed rockets. He said the goal is to incentivize launch and encourage flight on domestic vehicles, rather than Russian rockets.
The bill includes a number of other space launch provisions. The legislation creates a military version of NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) program, directing the Air Force secretary to provide at least $27.6 million over competitively-procured four launches. NASA’s VLCS program provides small satellites access to low-earth orbit (LEO).
The bill also adds a requirement to existing federal law governing Operationally Responsive Space (ORS), directing the head of the ORS office to prioritize market research and the identification of commercial capabilities and services when developing capabilities. It also directs the head to certify to congressional defense committees, before starting the development of any program, that no commercial capability or service, with or without minor modifications, can meet the requirements for which such a program is being developed.
Another launch provision directs the Air Force to provide no less than $4 million to study the potential for non-domestic launch services providers on allied territory to serve as a backup for national security launch missions.
Bridenstine, a member of the House Armed Services (HASC) and the House Science, Space and Technology (SST) committees, does not expect the bill to pass as a standalone measure. Instead, he plans on breaking it up and inserting its language into other pieces of legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), he said.
Read more about Bridenstine’s bill at spacerenaissanceact.com.