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Science and Innovation

U.S. Needs Nuclear Spacecraft To Compete With China, NASA Official Says

| Posted in Articles

Originally published in: UPI NASA and U.S. aerospace experts urged Congress on Wednesday to invest more quickly and heavily in development of nuclear-powered spacecraft Wednesday to stay ahead of such competitors as China. The space agency believes spacecraft powered by a nuclear thermal rocket reach Mars in just three to four months, which is about half the time required by…

Beyer Applauds House Passage Of Bipartisan Scientific Research And Innovation Legislation

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), a senior member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today celebrated the adoption of H.R. 2225, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, and H.R. 3593, the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act, both of which passed in the House of Representatives last night with broad bipartisan support. “This legislation will support…

Rep. Beyer In Scientific American: It’s Time For Congress to Support Fusion Energy

| Posted in Opinion Pieces

Originally Published in Scientific American The existential threat of the climate emergency poses perhaps the greatest danger to human health and prosperity we have ever faced. And it carries with it a particular challenge: even with current growth in renewable energy development, a significant portion of future energy is projected to be supplied by…

Members Of Bipartisan Fusion Energy Caucus Seek Energy Department Update On Congressional Directives

| Posted in Press Releases

Yesterday, members of Congress’ bipartisan Fusion Energy Caucus wrote to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm seeking updates on the Department of Energy’s progress in implementing directives from Congress to support the development of key fusion energy projects. The letter, led by Fusion Energy Caucus founder Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), was signed by Reps. Susan Wild (D-PA), Steve Cohen…

Chairman Beyer Opening Statement for Hearing on Earth Science and Climate Change Activities at NASA

| Posted in Speeches and Floor Statements

Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics is holding a hearing titled, “NASA’s Earth Science and Climate Change Activities: Current Roles and Future Opportunities.” Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Rep. Don Beyer’s (D-VA), opening statement for the record is below. Good morning and welcome to today’s…

Science Committee Members Statement on Scientific Integrity Task Force

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, the federal scientific integrity task force convened for the first time. The 46-person task force, comprised of members from more than two dozen government agencies, was mandated by the Biden Administration in a January memorandum, Restoring Trust in Government through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policy Making. Its mission is to review then effectiveness of agency…

Artemis, Space Situational Awareness Among Top Priorities for New Space Subcommittee Chair

| Posted in Articles

Originally published in: Space Policy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) is getting a crash course in the breadth and complexities of issues facing NASA and commercial space as the new chair of the House space subcommittee. With one hearing behind him, he is gearing up for more to educate himself before making up his mind on thorny issues like who should own Human Landing Systems or what agency…

What’s next for the National Space Council

| Posted in Articles

Originally published in Politico CROSS BORDER ADVOCACY: The Planetary Society’s annual Day of Action on Wednesday, which traditionally only canvases the halls of Congress, included the Canadian Parliament for the first time, Brendan Curry, the chief of Washington operations at the nonprofit, told us. Nearly 150 members of the society — who are not space professionals but…

Widespread Support For Nelson Nomination To Lead NASA

| Posted in Articles

Originally published in: Space News President Joe Biden’s nomination of former senator Bill Nelson as the next administrator of NASA has won widespread support from both members of Congress and the broader space community. The White House announced March 19 its formal intent to nominate Nelson, a Democrat who served three terms in the Senate from Florida, as NASA administrator. The…

SLS Hot Fire Test a Success on Second Try

| Posted in Articles

Originally published in: Space Policy Today’s second test of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage appears to be a complete success, although engineers must review all the data before making a definitive determination. The first attempt in January ended after just 67 seconds because of conservative test parameters that were set.  Not so today. The four RS-25 engines actually…