spacetoday.net: Senate introduces NASA authorization bill

Posted: Sun, Nov 10, 2019, 7:57 AM ET (1257 GMT)
US Capitol

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a NASA authorization bill Wednesday that would extend the life of the International Space Station. The bill, whose lead sponsor is Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), would authorize ISS operations to be extended from 2024 to 2030, while directing NASA to assist increased commercial activities in low Earth orbit. The bill also supports the ISS by extending a waiver to sanctions under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act so that the agency can continue to work with Russia through 2030. The bill directs NASA to have the Block 1B version of the Space Launch System ready by the third flight of the rocket, a faster timetable than NASA currently plans. The bill authorizes several programs and missions, from NASA's education office to the WFIRST astronomy mission, than NASA has sought to cancel. The Senate Commerce Committee will mark up the bill next Wednesday.