Utah legislators praise NASA authorization bill's progress

WASHINGTON — When the Senate Commerce Committee passed the NASA authorization bill on Thursday, it gave a glimmer of hope to the future of Utah's solid rocket motor industry.

Solid rocket motors are produced by ATK Space Systems, in Promontory, Box Elder County, and when President Barack Obama announced in February that the direction of the nation's space program would change to new technologies, it led to more than 1,600 layoffs at Utah companies and fears in states with space-related industries.

Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, R-Utah, held a press conference Thursday to say the legislation heading to the full U.S. Senate is not a done deal, but it is a step in the right direction.

"Today, after six months of work, we have taken an important first step away from the abyss," Hatch said. "The bill that came out of committee today does not address all the issues, but it holds the potential of maintaining our civilian solid rocket motor rocket capability."

Republican Rep. Rob Bishop, who represents northern Utah — where most of ATK's Utah employees live — promised to carry the momentum from the Senate Commerce Committee's vote to the U.S. House of Representatives.

"In addition to displacing thousands of uniquely skilled space and defense workers, Obama's earlier plan would severely handicap missile defense capabilities essential to our national defense and the security of our country," Bishop said. "It is irresponsible to place the political agendas of few over the safety and security of all."

This story was reported from Salt Lake City