Ruppersberger Delivers Keynote Address at Intelligence Symposium in Texas 

(San Antonio, Texas)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) delivered a keynote address today at the Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (GEOINT) Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.  Congressman Ruppersberger, Chairman of the Technical and Tactical (T& T) Intelligence Subcommittee, believes America is in danger of losing its preeminence in space. 

The Congressman conducted a series of roundtable discussions with government leaders and private satellite companies recently.  He released a report highlighting important changes that need to be made to American space policy to recapture American dominance of the skies.  The report found: 
     • America needs to reform current export regulations that hinder the space industry, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulation, or ITAR.
     • Funding for research and development must be increased and happen before manufacturing starts.
     • Commercial imagery must be considered under certain circumstances to utilize the latest in technology while also keeping costs down.
     • America needs a comprehensive plan or road map for our satellite infrastructure known as overhead architecture – including imagery, signals and communications.
     • We need to reinvigorate science and technology education to rebuild our space workforce.

“Satellites keep us safe.  We use satellites and their imagery for everything from operating GPS navigation systems in our cars to providing real-time data to our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Satellites assist in reconnaissance missions and allow us to keep an eye on important developments around the world.  We must make these important changes to make sure we don’t fall behind in space in the future,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). 

Since the report was released last year, progress has been made.  Language in the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2010 approved by the House Intelligence Committee this June required the Director of National Intelligence to review the ITAR regulations and determine what satellites and components could safely be taken off the list of sensitive technologies subject to export controls.  This would allow American space companies to sell their technology to the United States as well as overseas – a practice that is currently prohibited – as long at it doesn’t cause a security risk.

With his colleagues on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee and the T & T Intelligence Subcommittee, Congressman Ruppersberger has also been working to encourage collaboration between different agencies including NASA, the intelligence community, and the Department of Defense. By sharing technologies such as space craft mission software, each agency can learn from the other and save critical dollars by preventing redundancy.  The savings can then be spent in other areas of our space program.  

Congressman Ruppersberger and other Members of the Intelligence Committee are also working with the Obama Administration to restructure our satellite acquisition program and consider purchasing commercial satellites when appropriate.  European countries have mastered this practice.  It allows them to purchase the latest in privately-developed technology at a reduced cost.  The savings are used to fund other important space programs.  Congressman Ruppersberger is also working with the Administration to create a comprehensive road map for overall overhead architecture. 

“Great strides have been made in space, but more needs to be done for the United States to reclaim its preeminence in space.  We have some of the best minds and dedicated scientists, mathematicians and engineers working on this goal.  I know we can achieve it together.  We must create a robust space industry now so younger generations of Americans choose a career in space later,” said Congressman Ruppersberger.   

Click here to watch a clip of the Congressman’s speech, http://www.blip.tv/file/2741102.  The GEOINT Symposium brings together members of the defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities.   
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