Bill Overview
Title: ISS Extension Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends U.S. support and use of the International Space Station through FY2030.
Sponsors: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: People involved with or benefiting from the International Space Station
Estimated Size: 30000
- The ISS is a cooperative program run by NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
- Extending US support maintains international partnerships and enables continued research opportunities.
- Approximately 240 people from 19 nations have visited the ISS as of 2023, indicating a broad base of international involvement.
- Current astronauts, future astronauts, and all scientific researchers planning to work on or with the ISS will be directly impacted.
- Global researchers who use ISS data for scientific experimentation across various disciplines will be affected.
Reasoning
- The policy affects a niche population directly involved in and benefiting from the ISS. Many Americans indirectly benefit through technological advancements and educational outputs.
- Not everyone in the U.S. will experience a direct impact; hence, we include various perspectives, including those not directly involved with the space industry.
- Budget limitations suggest prioritizing benefits towards research, technological advancements, and industry stakeholders involved with or reliant on the ISS.
- Interviews include people across diverse geographies and occupations related to the policy's potential impact, providing comprehensive insights into its effects.
- It is important to balance scientific advancement and fiscal responsibility. Potential impacts on wellbeing scores vary significantly among different stakeholders.
Simulated Interviews
NASA Engineer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ISS Extension Act is crucial for the continuity of our projects and international partnerships.
- This extension allows us to plan long-term research on ISS-related initiatives, improving outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Space Technology Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The continuation of the ISS is pivotal for our company, allowing us to innovate further.
- It provides a stable platform for testing our technologies, which is invaluable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Space-related Policy Researcher (New York City, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act will bolster my research and provides a rich case study for international collaboration.
- It secures a framework for sustained international relations and cooperation in space.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Space Tourism Agency Owner (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extending ISS support enriches our space tourism offerings and enhances public interest.
- This is good for business and for inspiring future generations of space enthusiasts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
University Professor (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ISS Extension Act is a teaching tool and influences educational content significantly.
- Our students gain from research opportunities linked with the ISS.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired Observatory Operator (Rural Montana)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great for space exploration but less relevant in my daily life post-retirement.
- Seeing continued support for space exploration is comforting but doesn't impact me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Graduate Student in Astrophysics (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ISS Extension Act ensures continuity and critical data for my research.
- It’s foundational for the next phases of my academic and professional careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Retired Engineer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see sustained support for the ISS but feel leftovers are indirect to my current life.
- It validates the work we did during my career, to know it continues to matter.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Public School STEM Teacher (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ISS Extension Act helps integrate cutting-edge content into my lessons.
- Students are inspired by real-world applications of science from the ISS.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Biotech Researcher (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The continuation of ISS means our research on microgravity will not face disruptions.
- It's vital for discoveries that impact health and biotechnology sectors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 2: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 3: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 5: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 10: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 100: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Key Considerations
- International collaboration and commitments with ISS partners may influence policy decisions and fiscal responsibilities.
- Maintenance of the ISS is critical to ensure safety standards and avoid costly repairs or risks to astronauts.
- Budget fluctuations or unexpected space mission expenditures may affect overall cost estimates.