Huntsville Leader

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Dale W. Strong (AL-05) joined his colleagues on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for a full committee markup of H.R. 8958, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

This bill provides comprehensive support for advancements in human space exploration, prioritizing missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It also addresses near-term space priorities, including the continued operation of the International Space Station, development of the Space Launch System, and maintaining a U.S. presence in low-Earth orbit.

During today’s committee markup, Rep. Strong advocated for North Alabama’s continued leadership in space and highlighted the critical role the region plays within the nation’s space ecosystem.

“We must ensure our astronauts return to the moon before the Chinese accomplish a crewed landing. I'm very proud of North Alabama's role in the success of the Artemis mission. NASA's Human Landing System Program (HLS) is managed at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Today's committee activity reaffirms North Alabama’s commitment to vital propulsion systems, launch vehicles, and state-of-the-art engineering technologies that are essential to nearly every facet of NASA’s mission,” said Representative Strong.

Rep. Strong’s amendment #79 provides NASA with direction and policy certainty for the Human Landing System (HLS) Program and future Artemis missions. Specifically, this amendment gives NASA the ability and flexibility to work with at least two HLS providers, ensuring greater safety and mission success.

Rep. Strong’s full remarks:

“I'm pleased that this legislation authorizes critical elements of NASA's Artemis Program including human lunar landing capabilities. It is essential for the U.S. to remain the global leader in space exploration. We must ensure our astronauts return to the moon before the Chinese accomplish a crewed landing. I'm very proud of North Alabama's role in the success of the Artemis mission. NASA's human landing system program is managed at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Numerous contractors and commercial space companies call North Alabama home, including 1,400 employees who manufacture and test engines in support of human landing system."

"This bipartisan amendment supports two critical aspects of NASA's Artemis mission and the human landing system. It authorizes the cargo lander variants necessary to build a sustained human presence on the moon and mandates at least two providers to ensure dissimilar redundancy for the human landing system."

"I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment and provide certainty and direction for NASA to develop this mission-critical element of the Artemis program.”

"Mr. Chairman," he concluded, "I yield back.”