IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 473 

To declare that space launch is a developmental activity, not a form of 

transportation, and that a process exists for investigating commercial 

space launch reentry activities. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 2, 2019 

Mr. BABIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

RESOLUTION 

To declare that space launch is a developmental activity, 

not a form of transportation, and that a process exists 

for investigating commercial space launch reentry activities. 

Whereas H.R. 3942, the Commercial Space Launch Act, was 

introduced in the House of Representatives on September 

21, 1983, referred exclusively to the Committee on 

Science and Technology of the House of Representatives, 

and signed into law as Public Law 98–575 on September 

30, 1984; 

Whereas the Commercial Space Launch Act (Public Law 98– 

575) established the commercial space launch industry 35 

years ago; 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
2 

•HRES 473 IH 

Whereas the Commercial Space Launch Act (Public Law 98– 

575) forms the basis of commercial space legislation and 

is codified as chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code; 

Whereas chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code, establishes the licensing, experimental permit, and monitoring 

processes required for commercial space launch and reentry activities; 

Whereas commercial space launch regulations are published 

in parts 400 through 460 of chapter III of title 14, Code 

of Federal Regulations (as of the date of the adoption of 

this resolution); 

Whereas commercial space launch licensees— 

(1) are required by Federal statute and regulation to 

submit an accident investigation plan as part of a launch 

application and to submit to Federal Government observer access at licensee sites; and 

(2) are, under such chapter 509, subject to modifications, prohibitions, preemptions, suspensions, and revocations of licenses and to administrative hearings, judicial 

review, and investigations and inquiries; 

Whereas the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

of the House of Representatives (in this resolution referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’), through both oversight 

and legislation, has, since the 1960s, been the lead entity 

in addressing the tragic loss of life related to catastrophic 

spaceflight accidents; 

Whereas after a fire occurred in the Apollo 1 capsule during 

ground tests on January 7, 1967, which resulted in the 

deaths of Edward White, Gus Grissom, and Roger 

Chaffee, the Committee held a series of oversight hearings into the cause; 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
3 

•HRES 473 IH 

Whereas, as a result of these efforts, the Committee, in the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1968 (Public Law 90–67), required the establishment of the independent Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, resulting in the first time Congress addressed 

issues relating to space accidents; 

Whereas the Committee held extensive oversight hearings 

after the Space Shuttle Challenger and Space Shuttle Columbia accidents, and considered legislation related to 

space accident investigations that was referred exclusively 

to the Committee; 

Whereas chapter 707 of title 51, United States Code, established the Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission, pursuant to provisions from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–155) and in response 

to the Space Shuttle Columbia accident; 

Whereas the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (referred 

to in this resolution as the ‘‘Board’’) found ‘‘[I]t is unlikely that launching a space vehicle will ever be as routine an undertaking as commercial air travel—certainly 

not in the lifetime of anybody who reads this.’’; 

Whereas the Board continued by reporting ‘‘Columbia’s failure to return home is a harsh reminder that the Space 

Shuttle is a developmental vehicle that operates not in 

routine flight but in the realm of dangerous exploration.’’; 

Whereas the Board concluded, ‘‘[b]ecause of the dangers of 

ascent and re-entry, because of the hostility of the space 

environment, and because we are still relative newcomers 

to this realm, operation of the Shuttle and indeed all 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
4 

•HRES 473 IH 

human spaceflight must be viewed as a developmental activity. It is still far from a routine, operational undertaking. Throughout the Columbia accident investigation, 

the Board has commented on the widespread but erroneous perception that the Space Shuttle as somehow 

comparable to civil or military air transport. They are 

not comparable; the inherent risks of spaceflight are vastly higher, and our experience level with spaceflight is 

vastly lower . . . . The Board urges NASA leadership, 

the architects of U.S. space policy, and the American 

people to adopt a realistic understanding of the risks and 

rewards of venturing into space.’’; 

Whereas Rule X(1)(p) of the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 116th Congress, assigns the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology jurisdiction 

over ‘‘astronautical research and development, including 

resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities’’, ‘‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration’’, ‘‘National 

Space Council’’, and ‘‘Outer space, including exploration 

and control thereof’’; and 

Whereas the Rules of the Committee on Science, Space, and 

Technology of the House of Representatives for the 

116th Congress state that the Subcommittee on Space 

and Aeronautics ‘‘Shall have jurisdiction over the following subject matter: all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development; national 

space policy, including access to space; sub-orbital access 

and applications; National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractors and government-operated 

labs; space commercialization, including commercial space 

activities related to the Department of Transportation 

and Department of Commerce; exploration and use of 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
5 

•HRES 473 IH 

outer space; international space cooperation; the National 

Space Council; space applications, space communications 

and related matters; Earth remote sensing policy; civilian 

aviation research, development, and demonstration programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; space law; 

other appropriate matters referred by the Chair, and relevant oversight.’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) declares that space launch is a develop3 mental activity, not a form of transportation; and 

4 (2) finds that a process exists for investigating 

5 commercial space launch and reentry activities. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS