[SatNews] "...the satellite industry has harnessed the power of space to serve national security, to connect every corner of the world, and deliver entertainment to people on every continent."

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) testified today on the satellite industry’s leading role in the commercialization of space at a hearing held by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Space Subcommittee. SIA President Patricia Cooper provided testimony on behalf of the Association, referencing SIA’s 2013 State of the Satellite Industry Report. “The satellite industry is proud to lead the way for the safe, successful, and sustained commercialization of space,” said Patricia Cooper in her oral remarks. “In our more than fifty years of experience, the satellite industry has harnessed the power of space to serve national security, to connect every corner of the world, and deliver entertainment to people on every continent. We fly a third of satellites on orbit and have posted 10 percent average annual growth over the past decade, sustaining a robust worldwide space economy.” SIA’s full testimony can be found at www.sia.org.

In addition, full information regarding the hearing is available at: http://science.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-space-hearing-commercial-space The House Subcommittee on Space has legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development including national space policy, commercial space activities relating to the Departments of Transportation and Commerce; international space cooperation and space law; space communications and related matters, and earth remote sensing policy.

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing worldwide representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. Since its creation more than 18 years ago, SIA has advocated for the unified voice of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org SIA Executive Members include: Artel, LLC.; The Boeing Company; The DIRECTV Group; EchoStar Satellite Services LLC; Harris CapRock Communications; Hughes Network Systems, LLC; Intelsat, S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security