The world recently welcomed home two American astronauts from an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Millions watched as Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore departed the ISS and boarded a SpaceX Dragon Crew vehicle. After a 17-hour journey, they landed safely off the Florida coast. The astronauts’ return to Earth is a welcome development for their loved ones. It also shines light on a fairly new dynamic in space exploration, as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) increasingly partners with private enterprise.

Mississippi Embraces Private Space Industry

For decades, Mississippi has been at the center of America’s journeys to space. Mississippians at Stennis Space Center tested the rockets that sent Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in the 60s. The site eventually became the country’s largest rocket-testing facility. Today, NASA is once again working to return humans to the moon, and it is achieving that goal hand-in-hand with private industry. In the U.S. Senate, I have been working to help Mississippi transition to this new era of space activity.

During the Obama administration, officials tried to halt the construction of Stennis’ A-3 test stand, citing changes in NASA’s programming. I fought to keep the project open and persuaded Congress to finish the job. That decision ultimately proved to be a wise one. The private space industry bloomed, and the investment encouraged companies to choose Stennis as their testing site – bringing expertise, jobs, and inspiration to the Magnolia State.

In 2023, rocket production company Relativity Space expanded its work at Stennis by leasing the A-3 test stand. Soon, launch provider Evolution Space began constructing Stennis’ first solid propulsion center. The company was so impressed with Mississippi that it chose to relocate here from California.

Congress Helps Unleash Growing Enterprises

Lawmakers must do everything we can to support growing space enterprises. When a new startup emerges, bureaucrats are tempted to drown it in complex regulations. I recently introduced legislation that would act as a firewall against that tendency to create burdensome standards. The bill would establish an advisory committee, which would be responsible for streamlining the rules governing the commercial space industry.

Overregulation would get in the way of space expansion, but it is not the only risk to progress. Today, over 900,000 pieces of loose debris are endangering the 4,000 military, scientific, and commercial satellites orbiting the earth. My colleagues and I recently introduced legislation to address this situation. The SAFE Orbit Act would make it easier to identify and begin removing these scraps.

Commercial Space Promotes National Security

Much of this harmful debris came from anti-satellite weapons testing conducted by our two greatest adversaries, China and Russia. The amount of debris is a sign that Beijing and Moscow have been investing heavily in their space programs. They are building the capabilities to threaten American space assets, including our communications satellites.

The U.S. must take their intentions seriously. We should face these dangers with the combined resources of the private sector and the federal government. In my work leading the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have the opportunity to do just that. I am committed to working with private innovators, military officials, and elected leaders to protect American security now and in the years to come.