GAO Testimony Cites Critical Issues for the FAA and Commercial Space Launch Industry

The Government Accountability Office offered testimony [1:25 hr vid] Wednesday morning before the before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the US House. The initial GAO statement was entitled: Commercial Space Transportation: Development of the Commercial Space Launch Industry Presents Safety Oversight Challenges for FAA and Raises Issues Affecting Federal Role.

The report cites seven critical issues that must be resolved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the federal regulatory scheme to better ensure the edevelopment of commercial space launch activities.

Two Congressional Committee subcommittees held hearings on safety within the commercial space launch industry as the President and his advisors continue to review space launch policies. Here are various statements and press coverage reports: one, two, three, four, five, and six.