House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) applauded this week’s successful launch and landing of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The Falcon 9 rocket landed upright on solid ground at Cape Canaveral after launching into space. The landing represents the first time that the company has gently landed post-launch and marks an important step forward in the development of a reusable rocket.
The landing is not the first time that a vertical take-off rocket has managed to land upright following a launch into space. The private spaceflight company Blue Origin landed its New Shepard rocket post-launch in November, though that rocket is not as complex as the Falcon 9, which was designed to go both faster and higher in space than the New Shepard.
“America’s space innovators continue to inspire us as they set new records and reach new milestones,” Smith said. “Congratulations to SpaceX on its successful launch and landing of the Falcon 9 rocket. This is yet another reason why the SPACE Act that Congress recently passed is so important.”
The landmark bipartisan SPACE Act serves to encourage private American space companies in continuing to invest in crucial research, development and testing without concern about the threat of new and overbearing government regulations.
Smith partnered with lead sponsor of the bill House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to see the legislation through final passage in the House and Senate. The legislation was recently signed into law by President Obama.