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Congressman Bill Posey’s (R-Rockledge) bipartisan Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act, which streamlines the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) licensing and permitting process of hybrid launch vehicles to allow for licensed commercial space support flights, was approved as part of the FAA Reauthorization bill and is headed for the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Our landmark, bipartisan legislation creates a foundation for more companies to engage in human space flight activities and support commercial space operations,” said Congressman Posey. “Companies would like to utilize space support vehicles to train crews and spaceflight participants by exposing them to the physiological effects encountered in spaceflight or conduct research in reduced gravity environments.”

Recent FAA and GAO reports issued last year recommended that the FAA examine its current regulatory framework for space support vehicles and suggested legislative or regulatory changes, as applicable. Posey’s bill will further open up this new market so more commercial space companies looking to train space flight participants and conduct space related research can participate in these activities. Posey said that spaceports like those in Florida would like to attract these companies to operate out of their facilities.