Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama
Federal Budget Situation
U.S. Human Space Flight & Exploration Policy
A fiscal “sword of Damocles” hangs over our national defense. Defense budgets, already slashed by nearly one-half trillion dollars, face the prospect of another crippling cut of an additional $500 billion if Congress fails to develop an alternative to the sequestration budget scenario. The serious degradation to national security that sequestration will have on the DOD budget is well known by the administration and the Congress. A number of very serious alternatives are being considered including better use of information technology; reduction of contract services (e.g. Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance); deferral of some Military Construction; Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) in 2013 and 2015; elimination of two forward-stationed Army heavy brigades; and consideration of maintaining a smaller nuclear force. The coming elections and a possible lame-duck session dealing with deferred decisions on sequestration, taxes, debt, and transportation, all contribute to another year of acrimonious indecision which is neither in the best interests of our Nation’s security nor Huntsville’s economic future.
We are grateful to the members of our Congressional Delegation for their leadership in the debate regarding our nation’s space policy. Global competition for preeminence in space is challenging the once-dominant U.S. position. With the recent retirement of the Space Shuttle, the U.S. no longer has the capability to transport its astronauts to and from orbit on its own transportation systems – placing our Nation in an unseemly position. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 calls for the development of a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and Space Launch System (SLS) by 2016 to explore beyond Low Earth Orbit, and to serve as a backup transportation system for the International Space Station (ISS). Over 1,900 local jobs are currently supporting the SLS and ISS. A smooth transition to the follow-on Space Launch System and recognition of MSFC’s National leadership role in space transportation systems development is critical to a healthy MSFC and surrounding Redstone community. Finally, it is important that MSFC’s Center Management and Operations activities are adequately funded from NASA’s Cross Agency Support budget line.
Community Impacts: While direct impacts on the Huntsville community are moderated by the diversity of our broad based capabilities, there are segments of our aerospace and defense industrial base that will see reductions. We anticipate some loss of jobs and growth opportunity as a direct result of the decisions made by the President and DOD particularly as it relates to Aviation Modernization and the drive to reduce reliance on contract services (SETA) while at the same time accepting cuts in governmentally resourced positions. Although the Huntsville community deplores the loss of a single job, the impacts of the Budget Control Act of 2011 on the non-sequestered 2013 Budget appear manageable. Based on the diversity of our community, and the recent completion of BRAC 2005 decisions, we find that Huntsville/Madison County and Redstone Arsenal are well positioned to become home to displaced organizations around our Armed Forces should a renewed round of BRAC be initiated.
• Support full funding for the Space Launch System ($2.64B) and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle ($1.4B) as defined in the 2010 Authorization Act. In doing so, ensure that Space Launch System funding is focused toward the development of the flight vehicle and not ground processing systems and facilities. Also, ensure that Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle test flights are not financed with Space Launch System funds.
Sequestration, on the other hand, would have devastating implications. Alabama ranks fourth in the nation for defense spending at 8.6 percent of its GDP. About half, or $7 billion, of the state’s defense revenue went to contractors and defense personnel at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville/Madison County. Huntsville/Madison County ranks 5th in the nation for communities who received the most defense money. Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce figures show Redstone Arsenal agencies, including NASA, and program offices currently employ more than 36,000 people who manage more than $100 billion in total pass through annual federal budgets. Sequestration would have a major effect on the Huntsville/Madison County community potentially creating an additional ten percent reduction in defense spending. The resultant loss in income directly tracks to reductions in tax revenues affecting schools, roads, public services, housing, etc. This is on top of the cost to our nation’s defense and aerospace programs, and the gutting of the infrastructure that supports these.
Requested Action: • The Chamber encourages the Congressional delegation to continue their efforts to take the necessary action to avoid a protracted Continuing Resolution situation, repeal sequestration, and insure a more equitable distribution of debt reduction among all federal programs without further cuts in the aerospace and defense industry beyond the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Requested Action:
• Ensure that the Space Launch System is capable of delivering at least 130 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit, is in service by no later than 2017, develops the core and upper stages in parallel, and is focused on enabling beyond Earth orbit applications as soon as possible. • Support the SLS advanced booster and advanced development efforts as a means of bringing more affordable solutions to NASA. • Support Marshall’s leadership role in the management of the Space Launch System and its National role in enabling future government and commercial space transportation systems. • Support core MSFC operations by fully funding NASA’s Cross Agency Support budget line item.
Small Satellite and Launch System Initiative During the last two years, Huntsville has gained recognition in the development and operation of very small satellites (less than 400 pounds). The U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/ Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT, or SMDC) demonstrated that SMDC-ONE (a 9 pound nanosatellite) could provide effective military utility. NASA MSFC’s FASTSAT (a 400 pound microsatellite) proved to be a cost effective platform for six key DOD and NASA payloads, and validated the ability of a microsatellite to deploy a cubesat (nanosatellite). The key enabling technologies, systems engineering, and propulsion expertise required for the design, development, launch and operation of nanosatellites, microsatellites and small spacecraft constellations reside in Huntsville area industries, research universities and government agencies. As importantly, the Army, NASA MSFC, local government, industry and academia have established collaborative relationships that synergistically combine this expertise to develop small satellites. The ability to launch
low cost satellites with mission-specific payloads on demand is vitally important. SMDC, NASA MSFC, the Army Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Missiles and Space, industry and academia have partnered to develop a small dedicated launch system, capable of placing small satellites into orbit at a recurring cost of just $1M per launch. Additionally, Huntsville has been selected for the development of revolutionary commercial air launch system, the “Stratolauncher”, with the ability to deploy small satellites on demand. These launch systems support dynamic combat specific requirements associated with a current threat, and provide low cost access to space for government or commercial payloads. Such low-cost launch systems do not exist anywhere in the world today. The unique mix of government, industry and academia with expertise in this technology area, makes Huntsville perfectly suited to develop such a game-changing capability for the Army, NASA, and commercial space.
Requested Action: • The Chamber requests that the delegation work with DoD and NASA to support budgets for the development of responsive low-cost space capabilities, including nanosatellites, and microsatellites, their accompanying launch systems, and key enabling technologies. • The Chamber requests that language be passed into law establishing the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command in Huntsville as “The Center for Small Satellite Development” (CS2D) to address Army ground component war fighter requirements, as well as other DoD requirements, and that a new line item be included in the DoD budget for this purpose. • The combined strengths of Redstone/NASA and the Huntsville Technical Community make Huntsville the clear best choice for advancing US capabilities in the increasingly competitive international space arena of small satellites. • The Chamber requests the delegation engage in discussions with the FAA about creating a FAA Commercial Space Technology Center in Huntsville.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Test Site for Integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations into the National Airspace System (NAS) Congress directed the FAA to designate six test sites for evaluating the safe operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the national airspace system NAS in the 2012 Defense Authorization Act. Testing is required to be conducted in “non-exclusionary airspace” and the FAA must “coordinate with and leverage the resources of the Department of Defense [DoD] and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA].” The FAA has until June 28, 2012 to select the proposed sites. The mission activities, installation attributes and capabilities of Redstone Arsenal, when linked with the NAS of the Huntsville, Tennessee Valley and northern Alabama region, provide an ideal test location for this project. Redstone Arsenal personnel are already working with the FAA on integrating unmanned and manned aircraft operations. In March 2011, the U.S. Army Unmanned Systems Airspace Project Office (USAIC PO), located at Redstone Arsenal, was designated by DoD to lead a task force working work with the FAA on a nearly identical project to developed a Ground Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) system, an integral part of the legislation’s requirement to “develop detection techniques … and to validate sensor integration and operation of unmanned aircraft systems.” The GB-
SAA provides “sense and avoid” capabilities for UAS to replicate the “see and avoid” requirements now in place that require human presence in aircraft operating in the NAS. USAIC PO is also working with Airborne Sense and Avoid (ABSAA) technologies to permit UAS operation independent of ground based systems. This work has led to FAA approval to operate UAS equipped with the initial ABSAA system in the NAS. Selecting Redstone Arsenal as a location for the “non-exclusionary airspace” testing would maximize the effectiveness of the new DoD/NASA/FAA initiative to test interoperability in the NAS with the existing DoD/FAA project completed in protected airspace. Requested Action: • The Chamber requests the support of the Alabama Congressional Delegation to help advance Redstone as a test site for the FAA’s UAS NAS. Based on the limited number of test sites authorized and the requirement for geographic and climatic diversity, the competition for designation as one of the six sites will probably be intense. The support of the Congressional Delegation could help ensure a serious and robust analysis and consideration by the FAA of Huntsville’s proposal.
Infrastructure The prospect of future rounds of Base Realignment and Closure make infrastructure improvements a top priority for the community. The economic success of our region is reliant upon effective transportation networks that can efficiently move commuters, freight, and services that are vital for continued growth and development of the Tennessee Valley inclusive of Redstone Arsenal. We urge Congress to develop a new highway bill that focuses upon metropolitan mobility, provides for an equitable distribution of highway and transit funds in metropolitan areas, and does not increase the local share for federally-matched road and transit projects. The Chairman of the Madison County Commission and the Mayors of Huntsville and Madison have jointly endorsed the following key projects currently included in the State’s Transportation Improvement Program as the top road priorities for the region: • US 72 East/ARC Corridor V: Funding be allocated and appropriated through the ARC budget as soon as possible to fund this much needed corridor. • US 231 North and South Overpasses and Corridor Improvements: Funding for the construction of the scheduled improvements at Memorial Parkway and Mastin Lake Road. Funding is also requested for the preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, and construction of the planned capacity projects required for Memorial Parkway and Mountain Gap Road and Winchester Road. • Martin Road Widening: Fund the widening of Martin Road from Zierdt Road to Laracy Drive. • Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd/Northern Bypass - Interchange at Memorial Parkway to Highway 72 East: Funding for this construction project. • Research Park Boulevard from I-565 to North of US 72: Requested Action: Funding for this improvement project. • US 72 West from Providence Main to County Line Road: Improvements to US 72 West using National Highway System funds. • Winchester Road from Naugher Road to New Market Road: Provide funding to construct improvements on the next phase of Winchester Road. • Wall Triana and Highway 53 Improvements