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REP. CALVERT APPLAUDS SPACESHIPONE FOR SECOND LAUNCH INTO SPACE
Washington,
Monday, October 04, 2004 -
Congressmen Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX) today commended the pilot, crew and designers of SpaceShipOne on their successful launch in to low Earth orbit for the second time in two weeks, winning the much-sought after Ansari X prize of $10 million.
Calvert and Ortiz are the Congressional sponsors of the bipartisan bill, INVEST In Space Now Act of 2003, which encourages investment in companies, both large and small, that are creating cost effective, commercial Space Launch Vehicles (SLVs) and Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs). SpaceShipOne is the first privately funded commercial Space Launch Vehicle to launch into space, and return within one week.
“We are very hopeful that the success of SpaceShipOne will focus the attention of the nation – and the world – on the promise of commercial space flight,” Calvert and Ortiz said. “Our bill to reward private investors with a tax credit would generate much-needed investment in this market, allowing private businessmen to jump start the commercial space industry in the United States.”
“The importance of this bill is that it rewards private investors with a tax credit, one that passes through the start‑up companies to their investors,” said Ortiz. “This credit will help provide the lion’s share of the start‑up investment the industry needs. Like the Deltas, American Airlines and Continentals of today ‑‑ who built their industry on the basic science of the Wright brothers – these emerging commercial space launch companies want to build an industry of commercial travel in near‑earth space on the science of space pioneers throughout the last three decades.”
“The U.S. has led the world in space exploration and science, and now we have an opportunity to continue that leadership in the commercial space transportation field to include commercial launch vehicles, space tourism and space flight,” said Calvert, who serves on the House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “Our bill will provide financial incentives to those who follow in the footsteps of pioneers like Burt Rutan and the SpaceShipOne team.”
Ortiz and Calvert, both of whom also serve on the House Armed Services Committee, introduced this bill in the 107th Congress and the 108th Congress. The Ways and Means Committee has yet to schedule a hearing on the bill.
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