WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36), Chairman of the House Space Subcommittee, released the following statement in the aftermath of last week’s failed launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket.

“While I am thankful no one was hurt by last week’s failed Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, this near-disaster underscores the critical need for the United States to end our dependence on a single foreign rocket for our transportation to space.  With the Russian Soyuz spacecraft grounded indefinitely and no other options available, American astronauts now have no way to get to the ISS.  It is imperative we prioritize the capability of launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.  Schedule slips and delays from our commercial crew program partners must stop.  As Chairman of the House Space Subcommittee, I will continue working with NASA to investigate last week’s failure, and I am committed to finding a way to end this dependence on Russia.”

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