THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1246

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the multinational lunar architecture alliance.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's strategic, mid-Pacific, near-equatorial location; Moon/Mars-like terrain; resident expertise engaging multiple aerospace-related technologies; and long-standing ties with space-faring nations worldwide, afford strategic assets and capabilities that can be leveraged to realize humankind's full potential in space, and enable the State to engage as a major contributor and beneficiary of the global space enterprise.

     The legislature also finds that for the past half century, Hawaii has played a seminal role in developing our national space program, beginning with astronaut training for the Apollo lunar missions and the development of world-class observatories on the Island of Hawaii.  Over the past four decades, the University of Hawaii, the United States military, and numerous companies statewide have pioneered nationally-funded programs in planetary geosciences, satellite communications, space-based remote sensing and environmental monitoring, deep-space surveillance, and other areas employing aerospace-related technologies.  Yet, new opportunities are forthcoming in this industry that are ideally suited for the State, many of which hold substantial scientific, educational, and commercial promise for residents statewide.

     The legislature additionally finds that an expanded and diversified space economy, based upon innovative commercial utilization of lunar resources, including lunar mining, harvesting of space-based solar power, and the development of cis-lunar propellant depots, could enrich terrestrial civilizations, help preserve the Earth's fragile environment, and ultimately enable sustainable human exploration on Mars and throughout the solar system.  However, sustainable space settlement will require advances in key technologies such as life support systems, telecommunications, power generation, and food production.  Terrestrial-based testing and evaluation of these technologies will play an indispensable role in their long-term development and implementation.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii county's Moon-like terrain affords an ideal environment for multinational teams to develop, test, and validate such technologies, which subsequently would enable participation opportunities for local scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote the formation of a multinational alliance comprised of representatives from governmental, industrial, and research institutions to provide recommendations and guidance for the development of a prototype lunar architecture on the Island of Hawaii and to support the organization and execution of an international lunar development summit in the county of Hawaii during the fall of 2017 that will help launch a prototype lunar architecture and formulate strategies for enabling public-private partnerships to promote and facilitate implementation of multinational research and commercial ventures on the Moon.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the multinational lunar architecture alliance to be administratively attached to the office of aerospace development in the department of business, economic development, and tourism to guide the development and implementation of a prototype lunar architecture in the county of Hawaii.

     (b)  The alliance shall be comprised of representatives from:

     (1)  Hawaii-based organizations, including but not limited to the office of aerospace development, the Pacific international space center for exploration systems, and the Hawaii space exploration analog and simulation program;

     (2)  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including but not limited to the Space Portal at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center and the Exploration Integration and Science Office at the Johnson Space Center;

     (3)  Other appropriate federal agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Aviation Administration, United States Pacific Command, and United States Army Pacific Command;

     (4)  Other national space agencies;

     (5)  The Lunar Exploration and Analysis Group;

     (6)  The Universities Space Research Association, including the Lunar and Planetary Institute;

     (7)  Major corporations representing aerospace, information technology, renewable energy, robotics, manufacturing, and other appropriate industrial sectors;

     (8)  National space advocacy organizations, including but not limited to the National Space Society, Lunar Explorers Society, Space Frontiers Foundation, and American Astronautical Society;

     (9)  International space agencies and organizations, including but not limited to the International Lunar Exploration Working Group, International Space Exploration Coordination Group, and Committee on Space Research; and

    (10)  The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

     (c)  The alliance shall hold its first organizational teleconference, coordinated by the office of aerospace development, by August 1, 2017.

     (d)  Working in collaboration with the office of aerospace development, the alliance shall develop an agenda and invitational list for staging an international lunar development summit in the county of Hawaii in October 2017.  The summit shall focus on identifying the major goals and challenges associated with the design and validation of a prototype lunar architecture in Hawaii, as well as formulation of strategies for enabling public-private partnerships to support the organization and implementation of multinational research activities and commercial ventures on the lunar surface and in cis-lunar space.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Multinational Lunar Architecture Alliance; Office of Aerospace Development; Lunar Development Summit

 

Description:

Establishes the multinational lunar architecture alliance to be administratively attached to the office of aerospace development in the department of business, economic development, and tourism to guide the development and implementation of a prototype lunar architecture in the county of Hawaii.  Requires the alliance to conduct its first teleconference by 8/1/17.  Requires the alliance to stage a lunar development summit in Hawaii county in October 2017.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.