IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 109 

Expressing support for the CubeSat Launch Initiative and recognizing the 

development of WeissSat–1. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 27, 2018 

Mr. MAST (for himself, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. DUNN, Ms. WASSERMAN

SCHULTZ, Mr. DESANTIS, Mr. CRIST, Mr. POSEY, Mr. WEBSTER of Florida, Mr. ROSS, Mr. SOTO, and Mr. BILIRAKIS) submitted the following 

concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, 

Space, and Technology 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the CubeSat Launch Initiative and 

recognizing the development of WeissSat–1. 

Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) established the CubeSat Launch Initiative in 

2008 to provide access to space for small satellites 

(‘‘CubeSats’’) developed by the NASA Centers and programs, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations; 

Whereas the CubeSat Launch Initiative gives CubeSat developers access to a low-cost pathway to conduct research 

in the areas of science, exploration, technology development, education, and operations; 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HCON 109 IH 

Whereas the CubeSat Launch Initiative advances NASA’s 

strategic goals and objectives; 

Whereas CubeSat research is essential for military, educational, technological, and medical advancements; 

Whereas increased citizen access to space benefits the United 

States, both societally and economically; 

Whereas students, educators, researchers, and companies 

gain knowledge and experience from conducting CubeSat 

missions; 

Whereas the CubeSat Development Team at The Weiss 

School, a prekindergarten through 8th grade school in 

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, designed the ‘‘WeissSat– 

1’’ that was selected by NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative in 2017 to be launched as an auxiliary payload in 

2019; 

Whereas The Weiss School’s debate team discovered limiting 

factors to broader participation and societal benefit of the 

CubeSat Launch Initiative and brought that research to 

the attention of Congress; 

Whereas, currently, the CubeSat Launch Initiative in fiscal 

year 2017 received $4.8 million in contributions from the 

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, 

Science Mission Directorate, Space Technology Mission 

Directorate, and the Office of Education; 

Whereas NASA’s fiscal year 2018 budget request proposed 

eliminating the Office of Education (OE) and ‘‘its portfolio of OE-funded activities programs at the nine NASA 

centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’’; 

Whereas the House of Representatives passed an appropriations Act funding the Office of Education at $90 million 

and, House Report 115–231, reads ‘‘The Committee unVerDate Sep 11 2014 01:46 Feb 28, 2018 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC109.IH HC109

lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HCON 109 IH 

derstands that the Office of Education is undergoing a 

series of internal reviews and assessments; NASA shall 

brief the Committee when these assessments are concluded’’; 

Whereas the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an appropriations Act funding the Office of Education at $100 

million and, Senate Report 115–139, reads ‘‘The Committee does not agree with the proposed cancellation of 

the activities within Education and has provided funding 

for the programs for the upcoming fiscal year. However, 

if NASA determines that the programs would be better 

managed, executed, and evaluated in other places within 

NASA, the Committee is not averse to considering funding these activities either within a revised Education directorate or other alternative locations’’; 

Whereas Congress recognizes that NASA is reorganizing the 

Office of Education, and it is a critical moment for 

American educators, students, and STEM innovators, 

through their elected Representatives and Senators, to 

identify programs under the Office of Education that 

must be preserved and expanded; 

Whereas the ultimate validation of this program is when 

CubeSats are launched and operating in space; 

Whereas the limiting factor of getting CubeSats into space is 

lack of program awareness; 

Whereas more awareness leads to the utilization of a low-cost 

pathway to conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations in space; 

Whereas NASA’s Educational Resource Centers have promoted science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 

(STEM) engagement through public outreach; 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
4 

•HCON 109 IH 

Whereas the Astronaut Memorial Foundation supports 

NASA’s engagement and outreach through the Educational Resource Center and contributions to the Foundation allow for greater awareness of CubeSats to academia and industry; 

Whereas many students dream of space exploration and have 

interest in STEM careers; and 

Whereas without access to and awareness of available programs such as the CubeSat Launch Initiative, those 

dreams may be unrealized: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This concurrent resolution may be cited as the 

5 ‘‘WeissSat–1 Resolution’’. 

6 SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

7 It is the sense of Congress that— 

8 (1) as the National Aeronautics and Space Ad9 ministration’s Office of Education is undergoing in10 ternal reviews and assessments to determine the ap11 propriate structure of the office moving forward, the 

12 CubeSat Launch Initiative must continue to thrive 

13 and expand as a priority of Congress and an enabler 

14 of American innovation; and 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
5 

•HCON 109 IH 

1 (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin2 istration should prioritize awareness of the CubeSat 

3 Launch Initiative in annual budget proposals. 

Æ 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS