IV 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1052 In the House of Representatives, U. S., November 13, 2018 RESOLUTION Affirming United States-Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization.

Whereas the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Australia are treaty allies; Whereas United States and Australia defense cooperation extends back 100 years, to the Battle of Hamel in World War I; Whereas the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, also referred to as the ANZUS Treaty, has formed the framework of the United States-Australia alliance since 1951; Whereas the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, also referred to as AUSMIN, has contributed to a deeper partnership between the two nations; Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that, The United States and Australia have been cooperating in civil space for more than 50 years ; Whereas the United States Apollo missions and subsequent space science and exploration conducted by the United States benefitted greatly from the partnership with our Australian allies; Whereas Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the surface of the Moon were relayed to Houston through the Honeysuckle Creek site in Australia; Whereas NASA also notes that, The Canberra complex is an integral component of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), the world’s largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications system ; Whereas the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is one of NASA’s largest tracking and communication facilities outside the United States; Whereas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey and Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot signed a 25-year agreement for continued cooperation on space cooperation, including on space tracking; Whereas the United States and Australian governments have jointly committed to expanding Space Situational Awareness (SSA); Whereas United States-Australia cooperation on SSA is critical to maximize defense capabilities, monitoring environmental changes, avoiding space congestion and collisions, and protecting against exploitation from the growing counter-space capabilities of our adversaries; Whereas, on September 24, 2017, the Government of Australia under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull committed to creating the Australian Space Agency, with operations beginning on July 1, 2018; and Whereas the Australian Space Agency commenced operations on July 1, 2018: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) commends the Australian Government in constituting the Australian Space Agency; (2) recognizes the value in United States-Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization, including on terrestrial research, commercial activities, and human and robotic space exploration; (3) supports international cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization and other forms of space diplomacy as being in the national interest of the United States; (4) encourages the Department of State to support and facilitate international cooperation with Australia on space research, exploration, and utilization through diplomatic efforts, including through the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) forum and multilateral initiatives with Japan, Canada, the European Union, and other partners of both the United States and Australia; and (5) supports deeper cooperation with our Australian allies in contributing each country’s unique strengths and resources to mutual prosperity and security.

Karen L. Haas, Clerk.