NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It also establishes and revises various NASA programs relating to space exploration, research, and technology.
For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). NASA must report on certain details of these partnerships, including the respective amounts of government and private sector contributions.
The bill also provides for private sector involvement with the International Space Station (ISS), including authorizing private sector missions to the ISS to advance commercial spaceflight and requiring NASA to partner with the private sector to support the eventual deorbiting of the ISS.
In addition, NASA must continue to support improvements to space technology, including lunar communications. NASA must also evaluate and conduct research programs relating to experimental aircrafts, hypersonic research, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones).
The bill also establishes certain requirements relating to earth science and monitoring, including requiring NASA to evaluate greenhouse gas detection capabilities and to distribute relevant earth science data to the agricultural industry. It also provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program, which supports NASA's earth science research.
Finally, the bill requires several reports and evaluations of NASA programs and policies, including an external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a report on NASA's early cost estimates for missions.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8958 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8958
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 9, 2024
Mr. Lucas (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Babin, and Mr. Sorensen)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``NASA
Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2025.
TITLE II--EXPLORATION
Sec. 201. Continuity of purpose for space exploration.
Sec. 202. International contributions to human exploration.
Sec. 203. Artemis program.
Sec. 204. Reaffirmation of the Space Launch System.
Sec. 205. Human lunar landing capabilities.
Sec. 206. Advanced spacesuit capabilities.
TITLE III--SPACE OPERATIONS
Sec. 301. Report on continued United States presence in low earth
orbit.
Sec. 302. Microgravity research.
Sec. 303. International Space Station.
Sec. 304. Nongovernmental missions on the International Space Station.
Sec. 305. Report on suborbital crew missions.
Sec. 306. United States deorbit capabilities.
Sec. 307. Commercial low-earth orbit development.
TITLE IV--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 401. SBIR phase II flexibility.
Sec. 402. Lunar power purchase agreement program.
Sec. 403. Cryogenic fluid valve technology review.
Sec. 404. Lunar communications.
TITLE V--AERONAUTICS
Sec. 501. Definitions.
Sec. 502. Experimental aircraft demonstrations.
Sec. 503. Hypersonic research.
Sec. 504. Advanced materials and manufacturing technology.
Sec. 505. Unmanned aircraft system and advanced air mobility.
Sec. 506. Advanced capabilities for emergency response operations.
Sec. 507. Hydrogen aviation.
Sec. 508. High-performance chase aircraft.
Sec. 509. Collaboration with academia.
Sec. 510. National student unmanned aircraft systems competition
program.
Sec. 511. Decadal survey for national aeronautics research and
priorities review.
TITLE VI--SCIENCE
Sec. 601. Maintaining a balanced science portfolio.
Sec. 602. Evaluation of science mission cost-caps.
Sec. 603. Reexamination of decadal surveys.
Sec. 604. Assessment of science mission extensions.
Sec. 605. Landsat.
Sec. 606. Private earth observation data.
Sec. 607. Commercial satellite data.
Sec. 608. Greenhouse gas emission measurements.
Sec. 609. NASA data for agricultural applications.
Sec. 610. Planetary science portfolio.
Sec. 611. Planetary defense.
Sec. 612. Lunar discovery and exploration.
Sec. 613. Commercial lunar payload services.
Sec. 614. Planetary and lunar operations.
Sec. 615. Mars sample return.
Sec. 616. Hubble space telescope servicing.
Sec. 617. Great observatories mission and technology maturation.
Sec. 618. Nancy Grace Roman telescope.
Sec. 619. Chandra X-Ray observatory.
Sec. 620. Heliophysics research.
Sec. 621. Study on commercial space weather data.
Sec. 622. Geospace dynamics constellation.
TITLE VII--STEM EDUCATION
Sec. 701. National space grant college and fellowship program.
TITLE VIII--POLICY/NASA
Sec. 801. Major programs.
Sec. 802. NASA advisory council.
Sec. 803. NASA assessment of early cost estimates.
Sec. 804. Independent cost estimate.
Sec. 805. Office of science and technology policy report.
Sec. 806. National space advisory committee.
Sec. 807. Authorization for the transfer to NASA of funds from other
agencies for scientific or engineering
research or education.
Sec. 808. Procedure for launch services risk mitigation.
Sec. 809. Report on merits and options for establishing an institute
relating to space resources.
Sec. 810. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 811. Advancement of private sector human space activities.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives.
(3) Cislunar space.--The term ``cislunar space'' means the
region of space beyond low-Earth orbit out to and including the
region around the surface of the Moon.
(4) Commercial provider.--The term ``commercial provider''
means any person providing space services, primary control of
which is held by persons other than the Federal Government, a
State or local government, or a foreign government.
(5) Deep space.--The term ``deep space'' means the region
of space beyond low-Earth orbit, which includes cislunar space.
(6) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space
Station.
(7) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
(8) Orion.--The term ``Orion'' means the multipurpose crew
vehicle described under section 303 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18323).
(9) Space launch system.--The term ``Space Launch System''
means the Space Launch System authorized under section 302 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322).
(10) United states government astronaut.--The term ``United
States Government astronaut'' has the meaning given the term
``government astronaut'' in section 50905 of title 51, United
States Code, except that it does not include an individual who
is an international partner astronaut.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2025.
For fiscal year 2025, there are authorized to be appropriated to
NASA $25,224,640,000 as follows:
(1) For Exploration, $7,618,200,000.
(2) For Space Operations, $4,473,500,000.
(3) For Space Technology, $1,181,800,000.
(4) For Science, $7,334,200,000.
(5) For Aeronautic, $965,800,000.
(6) For Education, $135,000,000.
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services,
$3,044,440,000.
(8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and
Restoration, $424,100,000.
(9) For Inspector General, $47,600,000.
TITLE II--EXPLORATION
SEC. 201. CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) NASA continues to make progress in developing and
testing the Space Launch System, Orion, and associated ground
systems, including through the successful completion of the
Artemis I mission in November 2022 and through continued
preparations for the Artemis II crewed flight demonstration
mission.
(2) The number of spacefaring countries is increasing, and
foreign countries have expanded activities for space
exploration efforts, including efforts to explore and utilize
the Moon through human and robotic missions.
(3) A strong and ambitious space exploration program
conducted with international and commercial partners is
important to maintaining United States leadership in space and
enhancing United States international competitiveness.
(4) Clear mission objectives that tie to concrete, long-
term programmatic goals provide a measure to ensure
accountability, enhance public support for exploration
missions, and provide a clear signal of commitment to both
international and domestic partners.
(b) Continuity of Existing Capabilities and Programs.--
(1) As part of the human exploration activities of the
Administration, including progress on Artemis missions and
activities, the Administrator shall continue development of
space exploration elements pursuant to section 10811 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 20302).
(2) The Administrator shall leverage the private sector for
logistical services to the extent practical, consistent with
the Moon to Mars architecture requirements and in accordance
with section 50131 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress to maintain
continuity of purpose as described in section 201 of the 2017
NASA Transition Authorization Act (Public Law 115-10; 131 Stat.
21).
SEC. 202. INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMAN EXPLORATION.
Subsection (d) of section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(d) International Participation.--
``(1) In general.--In order to achieve the goal of
successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of
Mars, the President may invite the United States partners in
the International Space Station program and other countries, as
appropriate, to participate in an international initiative
under the leadership of the United States.
``(2) Limitation.--After January 1, 2025, the Administrator
shall not include an international contribution on the critical
path for any mission supporting the human exploration roadmap
developed pursuant to section 20302(b) of this title, or
section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (51 U.S.C.
20302 note; Public Law 115-10), unless the Administrator--
``(A) determines that the risk of under- or non-
performance by the international partner making the
contribution is low;
``(B) prepares a detailed plan to ensure that any
under- or non-performance of the international partner
will not result in significant cost increases,
disruption, or delay of United States space exploration
goals and objectives; and
``(C) transmits a report describing the basis for
the determination in subparagraph (A) and the plan in
subparagraph (B) to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate at least 30 days prior to entering into a
commitment with the international partner for such
contribution.
``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `critical
path' means any program element that, if delayed or cancelled,
or if modified in a way that significantly impacts performance,
would prevent, delay, or impede progress, or increase costs for
the overall program.''.
SEC. 203. ARTEMIS PROGRAM.
(a) Sense of Congress.--The following is the sense of Congress:
(1) Exploration of outer space, including exploration of
the lunar surface and cislunar space, provides benefits and
economic opportunity, including by inspiring future generations
and expanding the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics workforce needed to sustain United States
leadership in science, space, and technology.
(2) The lunar south pole is home to shadowed craters that
may contain water ice and other volatiles. Understanding the
nature of lunar polar volatiles, such as water ice, would
advance science related to the origin and evolution of
volatiles in the inner solar system and could facilitate the
long-term future of space exploration. Water ice lunar
resources have the potential to become an enabling component of
future space exploration missions throughout the solar system,
including crewed missions to Mars.
(3) Other countries have demonstrated technological
advances and successful robotic missions for lunar exploration
and have announced credible plans for long-term human
exploration of the Moon that include the intent to establish
lunar bases.
(4) United States leadership of and measurable progress on
the exploration of deep space is essential for guiding
development of norms related to operations on and around the
Moon and for other space destinations.
(5) It is in the national interest of the United States to
hold a leadership role in discussions of future norms governing
activities in space, including those on the lunar surface and
in cislunar space.
(b) In General.--In carrying out activities to enable a crewed
lunar landing under the Moon to Mars Program, the Administrator shall--
(1) use relevant elements set forth in section
10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167);
(2) continue to ensure that the elements under paragraph
(1) enable the human exploration of Mars, consistent with
section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167);
(3) engage with international partners, as appropriate, in
a manner that is consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C) the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167), and that increases redundancy,
efficiency, and cost savings; and
(4) leverage private sector capabilities as set forth in
subsection (c).
(c) Private Sector Capabilities on the Moon in Support of Lunar
Exploration Efforts.--
(1) Private sector capabilities.--The Administrator shall,
to the greatest extent practicable, use services of United
States private sector providers or engage in public-private
partnerships to procure logistical, augmenting, and supporting
capabilities and services for the human exploration of the Moon
or cislunar space.
(2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, to be
considered a United States private sector commercial service
provider, the provider must--
(A) be headquartered in the United States;
(B) be organized under the laws of the United
States or of a State;
(C) have more than 50 percent ownership by United
States citizens;
(D) employ United States citizens for the majority
of its positions;
(E) meet the requirement for components mined,
produced, or manufactured in the United States to total
at least 50 percent of the total cost;
(F) use United States launch vehicles;
(G) be majority-designed, majority-developed, and
majority-manufactured in the United States; and
(H) maintain substantial ties to the United States.
(d) Artemis Flight Rate and Safety.--To maintain the critical human
spaceflight production and operation skills necessary to safely conduct
human spaceflight activities in deep space, after the first crewed
lunar landing, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, seek
to carry out a flight rate of two crewed lunar landing missions
annually until lunar activities needed to enable a human mission to
Mars are completed.
SEC. 204. REAFFIRMATION OF THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.
(a) Space Launch System.--
(1) Development and cadence objectives.--Congress
reaffirms--
(A) support for the full development of
capabilities of the Space Launch System as set forth in
section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18322(c)).
(B) its commitment to the flight rate specified in
section 10812(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law
117-267; 51 U.S.C. 20301 note).
(2) Other uses.--The Administrator shall assess the utility
of the Space Launch System, in accordance with section 421(g)
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition
Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302
note), by entities other than NASA. Such assessment shall--
(A) estimate overall cost and schedule savings from
reduced transit times and the potential for increased
returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space
Launch System;
(B) describe any barriers or challenges that could
prevent or impede use of the Space Launch System by
entities other than NASA; and
(C) set forth recommendations, if any, for enabling
non-NASA uses of the Space Launch System and mitigating
any barriers and challenges described in subparagraph
(B).
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the following:
(1) NASA's progress towards achieving the flight rate
referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) and the expected launch of
the Space Launch System after which such cadence shall be
achieved.
(2) The results of the assessment conducted pursuant to
subsection (a)(2).
SEC. 205. HUMAN LUNAR LANDING CAPABILITIES.
(a) Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms that the Moon to Mars
program, as set forth in subsection (b) of section 10811 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-267; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note.; 136 Stat. 1732) shall
include human-rated lunar landing systems in accordance with paragraph
(2)(B)(v) of such subsection.
(b) Human Landing Capabilities.--
(1) The Administrator shall support the development and
demonstration of, and shall obtain, human-rated lunar landing
capabilities to further the goals of the human exploration
roadmap under section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law
115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note).
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that such human-rated
lunar landing capabilities meet all relevant requirements,
including requirements of the Moon to Mars program, and for
human-rating and certification.
(3) Any commercial provider from which the Administrator
obtains human-rated lunar landing capabilities must be a United
States private sector commercial service provider, as described
in section 203(c) of this Act.
(c) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress the following:
(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report--
(A) identifying the contribution over the past five
years, and the planned contribution from 2024-2029, of
government personnel, expertise, technologies and
infrastructure utilized and to be utilized in support
of design, development, or operations of human lunar
landing capabilities under this section; and
(B) setting forth details and the associated costs
of such government support, broken out according to the
areas of contributions specified in subparagraph (A),
as part of any development initiative for obtaining
human lunar landing capabilities.
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report that sets forth, for any agreement with a
United States private sector commercial provider for human
lunar landing capabilities, the following:
(A) The total value of the agreement when awarded.
(B) If different from the amount in subparagraph
(A), the total value of the agreement as of the date of
the enactment of this Act, and an explanation for any
change in value, as well as an identification of
whether NASA or the commercial partner is responsible
for meeting the change in value.
(C) The dollar amount invested and to be invested
by the Administration, and the dollar amount invested
and to be invested by the commercial provider.
(D) The full requirements, including human-rating
and safety requirements, for human lunar landing
capabilities under the agreement when awarded.
(E) If different from the amount specified in
subparagraph (C), the full requirements, including
human-rating and certification requirements, for the
human lunar landing capabilities under the agreement as
of the date of the enactment of this Act and an
explanation for any changes in requirements.
(F) A description of milestones and associated
payments provided for in the agreement, including the
following:
(i) An identification of all milestones
under the agreement.
(ii) The value of the associated payment
for each milestone identified under clause (i).
(iii) An identification of completed
milestones and the date of completion.
(iv) An identification of milestones which
have not yet been completed and an estimated
schedule for completion.
(v) The value of all NASA payments under
the agreement, outlays as of the date of the
enactment of this Act, and the amount which as
of the date of the enactment of this Act has
not yet been paid.
(vi) A description of any changes in
milestones and associated payments between the
date of contract award and the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(G) Any cost, schedule, and performance challenges
as of the date of the enactment of this Act in provider
performance of the agreement.
(H) A detailed justification of compliance with
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code.
(I) A detailed certification and of compliance with
section 50503 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, in consultation with any United States private
sector commercial service provider of human lunar landing
capabilities under this section, a report on any steps the
Administrator and such providers are taking to carry out the
following:
(A) Address cost, schedule, and performance
challenges faced by each commercial provider in
development and performance of human lunar landing
services described in paragraph (2)(G).
(B) Facilitate the timely availability of human
lunar landing capabilities of each provider to support
the schedule of Artemis missions in effect as of the
date of the enactment of this Act, as applicable to
each provider.
(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report on alternative approaches, and
implementation plans for such approaches, including an estimate
of needed budgetary resources, for a human lunar landing
capability that meets NASA human-rating and certification
requirements in the event challenges referred to in paragraph
(3)(A) cannot be overcome or the timeline specified in
paragraph (3)(B) cannot be met.
SEC. 206. ADVANCED SPACESUIT CAPABILITIES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Space suits and associated extravehicular activity
(EVA) technologies are critical exploration technologies that
are necessary for future human deep space exploration efforts,
including crewed missions to the Moon.
(2) The NASA civil service workforce at the Johnson Space
Center provides unique capabilities to design, integrate, and
validate Space Suits and associated EVA technologies.
(3) Maintaining a strong NASA core competency in the
design, development, manufacture, and operation of space suits
and related technologies allows NASA to be an informed
purchaser of competitively awarded commercial space suits and
subcomponents.
(4) According to a 2018 NASA Office of Inspector General
(OIG) report, current EVAs space suits, the Extravehicular
Mobility Units (EMUs), were developed in the late 1970s, are
reaching the end of their useful life, have experienced
multiple maintenance issues that threaten astronaut lives, and
no longer accommodate the varying sizes of a diverse astronaut
corps.
(5) The same NASA OIG report found that ``. . .
manufacturers of several critical suit components, including
the very fibers of the suits, have now gone out of business . .
. ,'' which further reinforces the importance of NASA's role in
maintaining a space suit core competency and limiting the risk
posed by outsourcing key national capabilities.
(6) The private sector currently is developing space suit
capabilities.
(7) Testing space suits and related technologies on the
International Space Station could reduce risk and improve
safety of such suits and technologies.
(b) In General.--The Administrator shall obtain advanced spacesuit
capabilities necessary to achieve the goals of NASA's human exploration
programs.
(c) Eligibility.--Any commercial provider from which the
Administrator obtains advanced spaceflight capabilities must be a U.S.
private sector commercial service provider, as set forth in section
203(c) of this Act.
(d) Preserving Expertise.--
(1) In carrying out subsection (b), NASA shall maintain the
internal expertise necessary to develop space suits for both
extravehicular activity and surface operations, including
through partnerships with the private sector.
(2) The Johnson Space Center shall continue to manage
NASA's spacesuit and extravehicular activity programs.
(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days from the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report--
(1) describing NASA's plans for--
(A) in-space testing of advanced spacesuit
capabilities, including--
(i) space suit tests which must be
conducted in microgravity in low-Earth orbit;
and
(ii) space suit tests that must be
conducted on the International Space Station
before decommissioning of the International
Space Station;
(B) transitioning from existing spacesuits in use
on the International Space Station to use of advanced
spacesuit capabilities;
(C) future use of advanced spacesuit capabilities
by government astronauts with any nongovernmental
platform in low-Earth orbit that is certified for use
by the Administration for government astronauts (as
such term is defined in section 50902(4) of title 51,
United States Code); and
(D) disposition of retired spacesuits used on the
Space Shuttle or the International Space Station; and
(2) including--
(A) a detailed justification of compliance with
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code; and
(B) a detailed certification and justification of
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United
States Code.
(f) Assessment of Extravehicular Mobility Unites Used on the ISS.--
(1) No later than 45 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with an independent science and technical engineering
organization to review the technical status and performance of
the Administration's existing extravehicular mobility units
(``EMUs''), to analyze the data associated with all mishaps,
anomalies, and off-nominal events related to the EMUs used by
government astronauts on the International Space Station over
the last 10 years, and to make recommendations to the
Administrator, as a result of such assessment.
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that the entity carrying
out the assessment in paragraph (1) consults with relevant
industry contractors regarding the Administration's EMUs and
EMU capabilities, and coordinates with the NASA Astronaut
Office in carrying out such assessment.
(3) The Administrator shall transmit the results of the
assessment in paragraph (1) to the appropriate committees of
Congress as soon as practicable and no later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--SPACE OPERATIONS
SEC. 301. REPORT ON CONTINUED UNITED STATES PRESENCE IN LOW EARTH
ORBIT.
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report containing information on the
following:
(1) The United States Government description of and plans
for implementation of the policy on an uninterrupted capability
for human space flight and operations in accordance with
section 70501(a) of title 51, United States Code, and section
201(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(b)) regarding United
States human space flight capabilities.
(2) The preparedness of the Administration to continue to
meet the requirements referred to in paragraph (1) under the
planned approach to deorbit the International Space Station by
not later than the end of calendar year 2031.
SEC. 302. MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH.
Paragraph (2) of section 40904 of title 51, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting the phrase ``use one or more microgravity
platforms, as determined appropriate by the Administrator, to''
before ``carry out, to the maximum extent''; and
(2) by striking ``International Space Station''.
SEC. 303. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) ISS is a unique facility that provides the United
States with capabilities in space that are currently unmatched;
NASA continues to make productive use of the ISS;
(2) the ISS serves several functions, including
establishing the United States as a leader in space activities,
acting as a beacon of international cooperation, and conducting
cutting-edge microgravity and observational research in low-
Earth orbit;
(3) NASA must complete certain objectives on the ISS to
facilitate deep space exploration efforts, including carrying
out human research and demonstrating exploration-related
technologies; and
(4) reducing crew size or cargo deliveries, or reducing
sustaining engineering capabilities, would reduce the
scientific output of the ISS and potentially increase the risk
to the ISS and its crew.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds that section 70907 of title 51,
United States Code, does not prohibit the operation of the
International Space Station after a specific year.
(c) Full Utilization.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that,
to ensure the greatest return on investments made by the United
States and the International Space Station partners in the
development, assembly, and operations of the International
Space Station, the Administrator should maximize the
utilization and productivity of the International Space Station
with respect to the priorities set forth in section 10816 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note), which
include research of the human research program, risk reduction
activities relevant to exploration technologies, the
advancement of United States leadership of basic and applied
space life and physical sciences, and other research and
development essential to Moon to Mars program activities.
(2) Amendment.--Section 502(a) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law
111-267; 42 U.S.C. 18352(a)), is amended by striking ``take
steps to''.
SEC. 304. NONGOVERNMENTAL MISSIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA seeks to enable a low-Earth orbit economy by
supporting commercial entities who seek to provide both
developing technologies, such as commercial low-Earth orbit
platforms, and technologies that already have been developed,
such as commercial spaceflight capabilities;
(2) nongovernmental missions involving crew or crew and
spaceflight participants on the International Space Station
carried out, as appropriate, pursuant to NASA policies and
procedures related to International Space Station operations,
and Federal Government laws and regulations, can provide
lessons and learning experiences for both government and
nongovernmental entities to inform the development of future
commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and a low-Earth orbit
economy; and
(3) the Administrator should, while safeguarding the
proprietary information of nongovernmental entities, share
lessons learned from private, nongovernmental missions on the
International Space Station to advance the commercial human
spaceflight industry, to promote the safety of future
commercial low-Earth orbit platforms, and to inform the
evolution of policies guiding such activities in low-Earth
orbit.
(b) Nongovernmental ISS Missions.--The Administrator may enter into
agreements to allow United States private sector commercial providers
to conduct one or more nongovernmental missions to the International
Space Station.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing information relating to the following:
(1) The number of nongovernmental missions to the ISS
planned.
(2) The number of nongovernmental missions to the ISS
completed.
(3) The extent to which commercial entities carrying out
nongovernmental missions on the ISS fully reimburse
Administration costs incurred by NASA in association with any
nongovernmental missions carried out on the International Space
Station.
(4) The extent to which private, nongovernmental missions
on the International Space Station impact the priorities
specified in section 10816 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-
167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note).
(5) The impact, if any, to operations of or activities on
the International Space Station that are not related to
nongovernmental missions on the International Space Station.
(6) A consideration of the extent to which any
nongovernmental missions on the ISS--
(A) conform with section 20102 of title 51, United
States Code;
(B) adhere to the requirements of section 50131 of
title 51, Untied States Code; and
(C) are consistent with the national security and
foreign policy interests of the United States.
(7) Any other issues or benefits related to nongovernmental
missions on the International Space Station that the
Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``crew'' and
``spaceflight participant'' have the meanings given such terms in
section 50902 of title 51, United States Code.
SEC. 305. REPORT ON SUBORBITAL CREW MISSIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the costs, benefits, risks, training requirements,
and policy or legal implications, including liability matters, of
launching United States Government personnel on commercial suborbital
vehicles.
SEC. 306. UNITED STATES DEORBIT CAPABILITIES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the International Space Station is aging and eventually
will need to be deorbited safely and disposed of in a
controlled manner; and
(2) to protect the safety of the public, and to avoid
interfering with other space operators or objects, NASA plans
to deorbit and disposition the International Space Station
through a controlled atmospheric reentry over an uninhabited
region.
(b) Authorization.--
(1) The Administrator shall acquire ISS deorbit
capabilities from a United States private sector commercial
service provider or providers.
(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall,
to the greatest extent practicable, not reduce or deprioritize
NASA activities conducted on and in support of the ISS to
support the development of United States deorbit capabilities.
(c) Costs.--
(1) Independent cost estimate.--Before entering into an
agreement for the capabilities described in subsection (b), the
Administrator shall obtain an independent life-cycle cost
estimate for the deorbit capability and shall report the
results of such estimate and five-year budget profile to the
appropriate committees of Congress.
(2) Report.--
(A) Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
detailing the Administration's plan for the financial,
logistical, and operational responsibilities associated
with the deorbit capability.
(B) Annually, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report, to
accompany the President's budget request, containing a
description of annual and lifecycle costs for
activities related to the deorbit of the International
Space Station and how such costs are shared among the
ISS partners.
SEC. 307. COMMERCIAL LOW-EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the
National Space Council, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a strategy for a robust and resilient architecture to advance
NASA and other relevant Federal Government civil research, development,
and operational requirements in low-Earth orbit. The architecture
should--
(1) include a mix of crewed and uncrewed platforms;
(2) consider an incremental approach to achieving the full
suite of capabilities necessary to meet Administration
research, development, and operational requirements in low-
Earth orbit;
(3) consider the requirements described in subsection (d);
and
(4) sustain and promote United States leadership and
international partnerships in carrying out low-Earth orbit
activities.
(b) Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress and make available to relevant
United States commercial industry entities, a detailed account of the
research, development, and operational requirements for NASA activities
in low-Earth orbit, including any requirements that could affect the
design, development, instrumentation, and long-term operations of
future United States commercial low-Earth orbit platforms. In preparing
the detailed account of research, development, and operational
requirements, the Administrator may consider the requirements of other
Federal agencies.
(c) Authorization.--The Administrator is authorized to enter into
agreements with one or more United States commercial providers, as such
term is defined in section 203(c) of this Act, to enable the
development and certification of a United States private, low-Earth
orbit platform, and to use such platform and platform capabilities to
achieve the goals set forth in the strategy under subsection (a),
sustain the priorities described in section 10816 of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public
Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note) and the activities under the Human
Exploration Roadmap pursuant to section 432(b)(2)(J) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of
2017 (Public Law 115-10) and to meet the requirements described in
subsection (b).
(d) Anchor Tenancy.--No later than November 15, 2025, the
Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress
the following:
(1) The results of a survey and assessment of the market
for capabilities and services that may be provided through
future United States commercial low-Earth orbit platform that
shall be prepared by an independent entity with appropriate
expertise.
(2) A detailed justification of compliance with section
30301 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) A detailed certification and justification of
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United States Code.
(e) Use of United States Launch and Reentry Services.--As a term of
an agreement entered into under to subsection (d), the Administrator
shall include a requirement for the use of United States commercially
provided launch and reentry services to support all Administration
activities under such agreement, in accordance with section 50131 of
title 51, United States Code, as applicable.
(f) Safety.--When an agreement under subsection (d) involves
government astronauts (as such term is defined in section 50902(4) of
title 51, United States Code), the Administrator shall protect the
safety of such government astronauts by ensuring that each platform
under the agreement meets all applicable human rating processes,
certification, and safety requirements.
TITLE IV--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 401. SBIR PHASE II FLEXIBILITY.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended in
subsection (cc) by striking ``and the Department of Education'' and
inserting ``the Department of Education, and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration''.
SEC. 402. LUNAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Study.--The Administrator may enter into an arrangement with an
independent entity with appropriate expertise to conduct a study
evaluating the feasibility of using power purchase agreements to
facilitate the development and deployment of lunar surface power.
(b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) may include
the following:
(1) An identification of facilities and technical
capabilities needed to support lunar surface power production.
(2) A demand forecast for lunar surface power, including
the following:
(A) Forecasted demand of both governmental and
nongovernmental users.
(B) To support the following:
(i) Near-term exploration activities.
(ii) Long-duration activities.
(3) Potential policy and legal issues associated with lunar
power purchase agreements between providers and the United
States Government, international partners, and other private
sector entities.
(c) Coordination.--In conducting the study under this section, the
Administrator may consult with the following:
(1) The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium.
(2) The Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce,
and other Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(3) International partners.
(4) Relevant private sector entities.
(d) Report.--Not later than 24 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator may submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report that includes the results of the study
conducted pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 403. CRYOGENIC FLUID VALVE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that advancing
cryogenic fluid valve technology would support the Administration's
efforts to improve cryogenic fluid management and improve space vehicle
reliability and efficiency.
(b) Technology and Research Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an
agreement with an independent research and development center
or other independent nonprofit organization, as determined
appropriate by the Administrator, to conduct a review of
cryogenic fluid valve technology in accordance with this
section.
(2) Review and assessment.--In accordance with any
agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (1), the center or
organization referred to in such paragraph shall review recent
advances in technologies related to cryogenic fluid valve use
in space applications and assess opportunities to improve such
cryogenic fluid valve technologies. The review shall include an
assessment of ongoing public and private sector research and
development efforts to improve cryogenic fluid valve
technologies, including support for research and development
activities to advance materials engineering for cryogenic fluid
valves.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, in accordance with any agreement entered into
pursuant to subsection (b)(1), the center or organization referred to
in such subsection shall submit to the Administrator and the
appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the results of
the review and assessment under subsection (b).
SEC. 404. LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Reliable communication and navigation capabilities are
essential for sustainable human and robotic exploration of the
Moon.
(2) NASA's LunaNet and LCRNS initiatives will enable
critical cislunar communications and navigation infrastructure.
(3) Fostering the development of commercial capabilities
can accelerate the deployment of lunar communication and
navigation services.
(b) Architecture.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop and
maintain a robust and resilient architecture for lunar
communications and navigation to support the Administration's
human and robotic lunar exploration activities. As part of
these efforts, the Administrator shall continue development and
implementation of the LunaNet architecture and the LCRNS
project.
(2) Objectives.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall--
(A) enable interoperable communications and
navigation services for cislunar missions;
(B) establish technical standards, consistent with
section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-113),
protocols, and interface requirements, in cooperation
with the private sector and other United States
Government agencies and international partners, as
necessary, for cislunar communications and navigation
services and systems;
(C) support NASA's Artemis program;
(D) support NASA's Science Mission Directorate
missions;
(E) support NASA's Space Operations Mission
Directorate;
(F) leverage NASA's space technology research,
development, and demonstration activities;
(G) enable the development and sustainable
operations of commercial cislunar communication and
navigation services by the United States private
sector;
(H) identify existing or potential customers for
cislunar communications and navigation services other
than the United States Government; and
(I) ensure that the long-term viability of such
systems are not dependent upon continued Government
market or other non-reimbursable government support and
that private sector capital is at risk.
(c) Procurement of Commercial Services.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b), the
Administrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable,
procure cislunar communications and navigation services from
commercial providers.
(2) Competition.--The Administrator shall use competitive
procedures to the maximum extent practicable when procuring
cislunar communications and navigation services.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
Congress a report on NASA's plans for procuring commercial
lunar communications and navigation services.
(d) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(1) LunaNet.--The term ``LunaNet'' means NASA's
architecture for standardized lunar communications, navigation,
and networking services.
(2) LCRNS.--The term ``LCRNS'' means NASA's Lunar
Communications Relay and Navigation Systems project.
TITLE V--AERONAUTICS
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air
mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean a transportation system that is
comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using
manned or unmanned aircraft.
(2) Eligible institution.--The term ``eligible
institution'' means--
(A) an institution of higher education;
(B) a nonprofit research institution;
(C) a high school; or
(D) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in
any of subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(3) Regional air mobility.--The term ``regional air
mobility'' means the movement of passengers or property by air
between 2 points using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies;
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds; and
(C) is not urban air mobility.
(4) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft
system'' has the meanings given such term in section 44801 of
title 49, United States Code.
(5) Urban air mobility.--The term ``urban air mobility''
means the movement of passengers or property by air between 2
points in different cities or 2 points within the same city
using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies; and
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds.
(6) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' means an unmanned aircraft
system traffic management system or service.
(7) X-plane.--The term ``X-plane'' means an experimental
aircraft that is--
(A) used to test and evaluate a new technology or
aerodynamic concept; and
(B) operated by NASA or the Department of Defense.
SEC. 502. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS.
(a) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with industry and
academia, shall conduct a study of past and future administration of
the experimental aircraft demonstrator program.
(b) Future Demonstrations.--The study under subsection (a) shall
identify systems, capabilities, and technologies that could be viable
candidates for maturation and demonstration through the development of
an experimental aircraft demonstrator. Such systems, capabilities, and
technologies may include technological advancements related to
structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, controls, and autonomous
capabilities. The study shall include a description of criteria and
performance metrics used to determine the readiness of a system,
capability, or technology to be demonstrated on a future experimental
aircraft demonstrator.
(c) Lessons Learned.--The study under subsection (a) also shall
include an assessment of lessons learned from the Administration's
previous experimental aircraft demonstration projects over the last
decade, including the projects set forth under section 10831 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167). This assessment shall include--
(1) a quantitative assessment of each experimental aircraft
demonstration project's ability to meet cost, schedule and
performance goals, as defined at the time of project
confirmation;
(2) the extent to which the project's objectives or
performance goals were changed or descoped;
(3) the extent to which the system, capability, or
technology that was the subject of the project was matured as a
result of its demonstration on an experimental aircraft
demonstrator; and
(4) the extent to which the project has contributed to
advancing the capabilities of and innovation in the United
States aircraft and aviation industries.
SEC. 503. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) basic and applied hypersonic research--
(A) is critical for enabling the development of
advanced high-speed aeronautical and space systems; and
(B) can improve understanding of technical
challenges related to high-speed and reusable vehicle
technologies, including those related to propulsion,
noise, advanced materials, and entry, descent, and
landing operations;
(2) investments in hypersonic research is critical to
sustaining United States global leadership in space and
aeronautics; and
(3) NASA efforts to study hypersonic research should
complement research supported by the Department of Defense and,
when appropriate, be conducted in partnership with universities
and industry.
(b) Hypersonic Research.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the
Secretary of the Department of Defense, and in consultation with
industry and academia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied
hypersonic research.
(c) Hypersonic Research Roadmap.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the
Secretary of the Department of Defense, and with industry and academic
institutions, shall update the hypersonic research roadmap required
under section 603 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C.
20302 note). In updating the research roadmap, the Administrator may
consider advancements in--
(1) system level design, analysis, and validation of
hypersonic aircraft technologies;
(2) propulsion capabilities and technologies;
(3) vehicle technologies to include vehicle flow physics
and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic
heating;
(4) advanced materials, including materials capable of
withstanding high temperatures and demonstrating durable
materials, and efforts to create models and simulate use of
such materials; and
(5) other areas of hypersonic research as determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(d) Report and Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
(1) transmit the updated research roadmap under subsection
(c) to the appropriate committees of Congress; and
(2) provide a briefing on the research conducted under
subsection (b), including how such research aligns with the
updated research roadmap under subsection (c).
SEC. 504. ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the appropriate committees
of Congress on the status of NASA activities relating to section
10831(e), the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Program,
and section 10831(f), regarding relevant Research Partnerships, as set
forth in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167).
SEC. 505. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that research and development related
to autonomous aviation is vital to ensure United States competitiveness
in the aviation autonomy as the National Airspace System evolves from
trajectory-based operations to collaborative and highly automated
operations.
(b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall, in collaboration with
the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration, the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, and appropriate representatives of
academia and industry, to continue its research activities in the
following:
(1) Sky for All, which seeks to establish a research and
development framework supporting national strategic planning
for a holistic airspace ecosystem to meet future needs of
increasingly complex airspace operations.
(2) Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Traffic Management (UTM),
addressing prototype technologies and developing a concept of
operations for integrated UAS traffic management. This research
considers--
(A) Mixed Airspace environments with increasingly
automated technologies;
(B) dynamic geofencing;
(C) congestion management;
(D) terrain avoidance to enable safe, efficient
low-altitude operations; and
(E) accelerating capabilities used to respond to
public emergencies.
(3) Airspace and operations research of autonomous vehicles
in the national airspace system, including autonomy flight
research and demonstrations by utilizing test ranges
established under section 44803, of title 49, United States
Code, or existing Federal and nonfederal test ranges and
testbeds to advance autonomous aircraft technology
architecture, beyond visual line of sight airspace operations
in the mixed airspace environment with safety management system
capabilities, balancing human-machine interactions for safer,
more efficient flight for advanced air mobility and emerging
autonomous aircraft for cargo and passenger market.
(4) Supply chain management, including development of
analysis and modeling capability and identify strategic gaps in
the aerospace supply chain, including for Advanced Air
Mobility.
(c) Brief.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the progress of the research under subsection
(b) and activities related to technology demonstration and technology
transfer.
SEC. 506. ADVANCED CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall leverage NASA-developed
tools and technologies to conduct research and development activities
under the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations
(ACERO) program to improve aerial responses to wildfires.
(b) Goals.--The research and development activities conducted under
subsection (a) may include the following:
(1) Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management
efforts to assist in the management, deconfliction, and
coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response efforts.
(2) Information sharing and real-time data exchange for
wildfire response teams.
(3) Development of an interoperable platform to provide
situational awareness of aerial assets during wildfire
response.
(4) Establishment of a multi-agency concept of operations,
which may involve Federal, State, and local government
agencies, to enable coordination of aerial activities for
wildfire response.
(c) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator--
(1) may coordinate and collaborate with other Federal,
State, and local government agencies, regional organizations,
and commercial partners and academic institutions involved in
wildfire management; and
(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult with
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid
duplication of activities.
(d) Prohibition.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, the
Administrator may not procure an unmanned aircraft system to
conduct activities described in this section if such unmanned
aircraft system is manufactured or assembled by a covered
foreign entity.
(2) Exemption.--The Administrator may waive the prohibition
under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the
Administrator--
(A) determines that the procurement of an unmanned
aircraft system is--
(i) in the national interest of the United
States; and
(ii) necessary for the sole purpose of
improving aerial responses to wildfires; and
(B) notifies the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate not later than 30 days after a determination
in the affirmative under subparagraph (A).
(e) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until December 31, 2029,
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing
the activities, including results, carried out pursuant to this section
2. Each such report, at minimum, shall contain the following:
(1) A description of any research and development
activities.
(2) A description of the Administrator's activities
pursuant to subsection (c).
(3) An assessment of the effectiveness of such activities
in preventing injuries and loss of life, protecting property,
and reducing economic damage.
(4) An identification of any topics related to improvement
of aerial responses to wildfires that could benefit from
further research.
(5) A description of any continuing efforts under this
section.
(6) Any other information determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(f) Definition.--In this section:
(1) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign
entity'' has the meaning given such term in section 1832 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public
Law 118-31).
(2) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft
system'' has the meaning given such term in section 44801 of
title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 507. HYDROGEN AVIATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, and taking into consideration the strategy developed
under and research conducted pursuant to section 1019 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63), the Administrator
shall carry out a research program on the emerging technologies related
to hydrogen aviation.
(b) Objectives.--The research under subsection (a) may include the
following:
(1) Safety and feasibility of onboard aircraft hydrogen
cryocompression and storage.
(2) Cryogenic storage cycling materials and system
longevity.
(3) Liquid hydrogen pumps for long term use.
(4) Compact lightweight liquid hydrogen gas compressors,
and tank level sensors for liquid hydrogen.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings of the
research under subsection (a).
SEC. 508. HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHASE AIRCRAFT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon high-
performance chase aircraft for providing research and mission
support; and
(2) NASA currently faces maintenance challenges related to
its aging high-performance aircraft fleet, which is resulting
in increased program costs.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Administrator
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on
the strategy of NASA relating to the following:
(1) Collaboration with the Department of Defense on efforts
for research and flight asset sharing to support NASA's
research mission support and pilot training requirements.
(2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to keep
NASA's current fleet of chase aircraft operational.
(3) To explore the use of 3D additive manufactured parts.
(4) Acquisition or using through loan, sharing, or other
agreements, as appropriate, Department of Defense aircraft to
support NASA's research and mission support activities, as
required.
SEC. 509. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) colleges and universities are hubs of research and
innovation, with expertise in various fields of science and
aeronautics;
(2) collaborating with academia allows NASA to access
cutting-edge research and expertise that can further enable
advancement in aeronautics research and technology and address
complex aeronautical challenges;
(3) a cutting-edge civil aeronautics research and
development program can inspire the next generation to pursue
education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, including aeronautics; and
(4) opportunities for students to participate in NASA-
supported academic research and development projects, such as
the University Leadership Initiative, the University Students
Research Challenge, and related aeronautic projects and
competitions, contributes to training the next generation and
developing the aeronautics workforce to support continued
United States leadership and economic growth in civil
aeronautics and aviation.
SEC. 510. NATIONAL STUDENT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COMPETITION
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall lead a national pilot
program to carry out unmanned aircraft systems technology competitions
for students at the high school and undergraduate level (in this
section referred to as ``competitions'') in which students shall
compete to design, create, and demonstrate an unmanned aircraft system.
(b) Competition Administration.--The Administrator shall award, on
a merit-reviewed, competitive basis, a grant to a nonprofit
organization, an institution of higher education, or a consortium
thereof, to administer the pilot program under subsection (a) (in this
section referred to as the ``competition administrator'').
(c) Award Criteria.--The Administrator shall ensure that the award
decision made under subsection (b) take into account the extent to
which the nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, or
consortium thereof--
(1) identifies a plan for engaging eligible institutions
from diverse geographic areas, including poor, rural, and
Tribal communities; and
(2) identifies a plan for connecting science, technology,
engineering, and medicine (STEM) activities to Administration
missions and centers.
(d) Competition Administrator Responsibilities.--In carrying out
the pilot program, the competition administrator shall be responsible
for the following:
(1) Awarding grants to nonprofit organizations,
institutions of higher educations, or a consortium thereof on a
merit-reviewed, competitive basis to host individual
competitions.
(2) Developing STEM curriculum to be utilized by the
competition awardees to help students make the connection
between such curriculum and the design, construction, and
demonstration of unmanned aircraft systems.
(3) Developing such curriculum to assist students in making
real-world connections to STEM content and educating students
on the relevance and significance of STEM careers.
(4) Ensuring competition awardees are supporting the
activities specified in subsection (f).
(5) Conducting performance evaluations of competitions,
including data collection, on the following:
(A) The number of students engaged.
(B) Geographic and institutional diversity of
participating schools and institutions of higher
education.
(6) Any other activities the Administrator finds necessary
to ensure the competitions are successful.
(e) Additional Considerations.--In awarding grants in subsection
(d), the competition administrator shall consider applications that
include a partnership with the State's space grant program under
chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code.
(f) Permitted Activities.--In carrying out the pilot program under
subsection (a), the competition administrator shall ensure competitions
occurring at both the high school and undergraduate levels--
(1) allow students to design, construct, and demonstrate an
unmanned aircraft system;
(2) allow students to compete with other teams in the
performance of the constructed unmanned aircraft system;
(3) connect to relevant missions and NASA Center activities
of the Administration;
(4) connect relevant STEM curriculum to the design,
construction, and demonstration of unmanned aircraft systems;
(5) support activities designed to help students make real-
world connections to STEM content and educate students on the
relevance and significance of STEM careers;
(6) are geographically dispersed in order to serve a broad
student population, including students in rural and underserved
communities; and
(7) encourage, to the greatest extent practicable, the
participation of students from groups historically
underrepresented in STEM.
(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than six months after the end of
the pilot program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the
accomplishments, lessons learned, any challenges in the implementation
of the pilot program, and recommendations for whether to continue the
pilot program.
SEC. 511. DECADAL SURVEY FOR NATIONAL AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND
PRIORITIES REVIEW.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Engaging the science and engineering communities, along
with industry, through the development of a National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine decadal survey in
aeronautics research and development can provide a science and
engineering community consensus on key research and development
priorities in national civil aeronautics programs.
(2) A decadal survey entails a comprehensive review of and
strategy and priorities for civil national aeronautics research
and development and prioritizes for the next decade.
(3) A decadal survey for civil aeronautics research and
development can serve as a guiding framework for strategic
planning and resource allocation in the field of civil
aeronautics for the coming decade.
(b) Study.--The Administrator in consultation with the heads of
other relevant Federal Government agencies and in accordance with
section 20305 of title 51. United States Code, shall seek to enter into
an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine (in this section referred to as the ``National
Academies'') to conduct a decadal survey of civil aeronautics research
and development for the 2025--2035 decade. The survey shall recommend
research priorities to sustain United States leadership in civil
aeronautics research and development and support a safe and sustainable
future for aviation. The survey may also include recommendations
related to the dissemination and transition of such research and
development to the United States commercial aviation and aircraft
industries, to enabling innovation, and to ensuring a world-class
workforce for aeronautics research and development and related United
States commercial industries and activities.
(c) Transmittal.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
the results of such survey, including any recommendations.
TITLE VI--SCIENCE
SEC. 601. MAINTAINING A BALANCED SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.
(a) Sense of Congress.--Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress
that--
(1) a balanced and adequately funded set of activities
consisting of research and analysis grant programs, technology
development, suborbital research activities, and small, medium,
and large space missions, contributes to a robust and
productive science program and serves as a catalyst for
innovation and discovery; and
(2) the Administrator should set NASA scientific priorities
by following the recommendations and guidance provided by the
scientific community through the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.
(b) Policy.--Congress reaffirms the policy of the United States set
forth in section 501(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10;
51 U.S.C. 20302 note), which states, ``It is the policy of the United
States to ensure, to the extent practicable, a steady cadence of large,
medium, and small science missions''.
SEC. 602. EVALUATION OF SCIENCE MISSION COST-CAPS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA science missions address compelling scientific
questions prioritized by the National Academies decadal
surveys, and often such missions exceed expectations in terms
of performance, longevity, and scientific impact;
(2) the Administrator should continue to pursue an
ambitious science program while also seeking to avoid excessive
cost growth, and which has the potential to affect the balance
across the Science portfolio and within the Science Divisions;
(3) audits by the NASA Inspector General and the Government
Accountability Office have reported that early cost estimates
for missions in the preliminary phases of conception and
development are immature and unreliable, and the cost of a
mission typically is not well-understood until the project is
further along in the development process;
(4) cost growth of a mission beyond its early cost
estimates is a challenge for budget planning and has the
potential to affect other missions in the Science Mission
Directorate portfolio, including through delays to future
mission solicitations; and
(5) relying on early cost estimates made prior to
preliminary design review for science missions which then
experience such cost growth may disincentivize program and cost
discipline moving forward.
(b) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a review of NASA practices related
to assessment and management of science missions subject to cost-caps.
The review shall--
(1) assess current cost-cap values and determine whether
existing cost-cap amounts are appropriate for different classes
of missions;
(2) consider the effectiveness of cost-caps in maintaining
a varied and balanced portfolio of mission types within the
Science Mission Directorate;
(3) describe the information NASA requires as part of a
proposal submission related to project cost estimates and
proposal compliance with cost caps, and assess whether such
required information provides sufficient insight or confidence
in the estimates;
(4) consider NASA processes for assessing proposed cost
estimates and accuracy of such assessments for past projects;
and
(5) for the period starting on January 1, 2000 and ending
on the date of the enactment of this Act--
(A) a list of--
(i) missions for which costs have exceeded
the associated cost cap; and
(ii) reason the mission costs exceeded the
cost-cap;
(B) an assessment of NASA's role in predicting,
preventing, or managing mission cost increases; and
(C) a description of the impact of increased
mission costs beyond the cost-caps on--
(i) the missions for which the cost-cap has
been breached; and
(ii) other missions within the applicable
division and within the Science Mission
Directorate.
SEC. 603. REEXAMINATION OF DECADAL SURVEYS.
Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 20305(c) by inserting ``, significant
changes to the NASA budget'' after ``growth''; and
(2) in section 30503(a), by adding at the end the
following: ``Such review shall include an assessment of whether
the prioritization of research and programmatic areas in the
decadal survey should be reconsidered to account for
significant changes to the NASA budget, if any.''.
SEC. 604. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS.
Section 30504(a)(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended
after ``the start of future missions'' by adding ``or impacts ongoing
operations of other missions within the division of the Science Mission
Directorate.''.
SEC. 605. LANDSAT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the appropriate committees
of Congress--
(1) describing the Administrator's efforts to comply with
the requirements outlined in section 60134 of title 51, United
States Code;
(2) assessing what aspects of Landsat NEXT or any other
Landsat observations--
(A) can be provided by private sector data-buys or
service procurements; and
(B) could--
(i) meet associated science requirements
while maintaining or exceeding the quality,
integrity, and continuity of the Landsat
observational capabilities and performance,
including requirements necessary to ensure
high-quality calibrated data continuity and
traceability with the 50-year Landsat data
record; and
(ii) comply with nondiscriminatory
availability of unenhanced data and public
archiving of data pursuant to section 60141 and
60142 of title 51, United States Code, and all
other relevant federal laws, regulations, and
policies related to open science and data
accessibility;
(3) any potential tradeoffs or other impacts of
subparagraph (A) or (B) that could reduce the benefit of
Landsat data for scientific and applied uses or reduce the
Federal Government's ability to make such data available for
the widest possible use; and
(4) recommendations and opportunities for the Federal
Government to--
(A) adjust science requirements to better reflect
commercially available solutions without reducing
quality, integrity, and continuity of data;
(B) comply with section 60141 and 60142 of title
51, United States Code while also protecting the
proprietary data and competitiveness of the commercial
providers;
(C) mitigate any potential tradeoffs or impacts
identified under paragraph (3); and
(D) otherwise accommodate private sector data-buys
or service procurements to further compliance with
section 60134 of title 51, United States Code.
SEC. 606. PRIVATE EARTH OBSERVATION DATA.
(a) Amendments.--Section 18371 of title 42, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating the contents of section 18371 as
subsection (a);
(2) by inserting after subsection (a), as redesignated, the
following:
``(b) In updating the civil Earth observation strategic
implementation plan pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall consider commercial Earth
observation data, as appropriate, that can be purchased or accessed by
the Federal Government to meet Earth observation requirements.''.
(b) Government Accountability Office Report.--Not later than 12
months after the release of the next civil Earth observation strategic
implementation plan update under section 18371(a) of title 42, United
States Code, the Comptroller General shall report to the appropriate
committees of Congress an assessment of the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy's implementation of 18371(b) of title 42,
United States Code, as amended.
SEC. 607. COMMERCIAL SATELLITE DATA.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states
that the goal for the Earth Science program of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (referred to in this
section as ``NASA'') shall be to pursue a program of Earth
observations, research, and applications activities to better
understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human
activities affect its ability to do so in the future.
(2) Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states
that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible
and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements
of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and
scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-
based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data,
services, distribution, and applications from a commercial
provider.
(3) The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial
SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2019 to identify,
validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support
the Earth science research and application goals.
(4) The Administrator of NASA has--
(A) determined that the pilot program described in
paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the
final evaluation entitled ``Commercial SmallSat Data
Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report'' issued in
2020;
(B) established a formal process for evaluating and
onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot
program;
(C) increased the number of commercial vendors and
commercial data products available through such pilot
program; and
(D) expanded procurement arrangements with
commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide
commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to
federally funded researchers.
(b) Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 603 of title 51, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition program
``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish within the
Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to
acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth
remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific,
operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and
where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers
to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by
the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and
international partners.
``(b) Data Publication and Transparency.--The terms and conditions
of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under
the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent--
``(1) the publication of commercial data or imagery for
scientific purposes; or
``(2) the publication of information that is derived from,
incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or
imagery of a vendor.
``(c) Authorization.--In carrying out the program under this
section, the Administrator may--
``(1) procure the commercial Earth remote sensing data and
imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research
and applications in accordance with subsection (a);
``(2) establish or modify end-use license terms and
conditions to allow for the use of procured commercial Earth
remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-
funded users, consistent with the goals of the program; and
``(3) as practicable, procure commercial Earth remote
sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to support--
``(A) nonscientific applications; and
``(B) nonmilitary activities of Federal agencies.
``(d) United States Vendors.--Commercial Earth remote sensing data
and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors.
``(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives a report that includes the following
information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses
of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section:
``(1)(A) In the case of the initial report, a list of all
agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing
data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report.
``(B) For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements
that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and
imagery to NASA during the reporting period.
``(2) A description of the end-use license terms and
conditions for each such vendor.
``(3) A description of the manner in which each such
agreement is advancing scientific research and applications,
including priorities recommended by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.
``(4) Information specifying whether the Administrator has
entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal
agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal
Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for chapter
603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new item:
``60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.''.
SEC. 608. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION MEASUREMENTS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) observation and measurement of greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide and methane are of critical importance to
understand the sources of these emissions;
(2) additional tools can improve the precise detection of
methane leaks from natural gas lines and production facilities
to reduce economic losses and to reduce unintentional release
of this potent greenhouse gas;
(3) observation of such gases is best accomplished with a
combination of space-based and ground-based instruments;
(4) in 2022, NASA cancelled the Geostationary Carbon Cycle
Observatory, a competitively selected, Principal Investigator-
led instrument under development that is designed to make
space-based observations of greenhouse gases, including carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane, as well as vegetation
health over the western hemisphere from geosynchronous orbit;
and
(5) in 2023, the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory PI-
led project team delivered an unvalidated instrument assembly
and flight spares to NASA as part of the project closeout
activities.
(b) Hardware.--
(1) The Administrator shall assess the hardware and, to the
maximum extent practicable, seek to validate the instrument
delivered to the Administration under the contract for the
development of GeoCarb, which shall include an assessment of
capabilities of the delivered hardware, including potential
repurposed uses or science contributions.
(2) The Administrator, within 6 months of the date of the
enactment of this Act, shall provide a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress regarding the results of the
assessment conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) and if
appropriate based on the assessment, a list of potential launch
opportunities, including cost and schedule associated with such
opportunities.
(c) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other
relevant agencies, shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to
develop a science-based strategy to assess and evaluate the use
of present and future greenhouse gas monitoring and detection
capabilities, including ground-based, airborne, and space-based
sensors and integration of data relating to such monitoring and
detection from other indicators, to detect large methane
emission events (commonly referred to as ``methane super-
emitters'').
(2) Requirements.--The strategy described in subsection (a)
shall include the following elements:
(A) Development of a proposed definition for the
term ``methane super-emitter''.
(B) Examination of whether and how current and
planned Federal greenhouse gas monitoring and detection
capabilities may be leveraged to monitor and detect
methane super-emitters, and identify key gaps in such
capabilities.
(C) Examination of the effectiveness of the U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Center and Greenhouse Gas Monitoring and
Measurement Interagency Working Group in facilitating
interagency collaboration for greenhouse gas monitoring
and detection, data standards, stewardship, and data
integration, including activities related to monitoring
and detecting methane super-emitters.
(D) Examination of actions taken by Federal
agencies and departments in response to the National
Strategy to Advance an Integrated U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Measurement, Monitoring, and Information System,
including progress towards pathways to enhance the
scientific and operational value of information
regarding methane super-emitters.
(E) Consideration of options for the Federal
Government to partner with nongovernmental entities,
including State and local governments, academia,
nonprofit organizations, commercial industry, and
international organizations, to effectively leverage
greenhouse gas monitoring and detection capabilities to
monitor and detect methane super-emitters.
(F) Consideration of options for the Federal
Government to validate and verify technologies and data
developed or collects by nongovernmental entities,
academia, nonprofit organizations, commercial industry,
and international organizations related to monitoring
and detecting methane super-emitters.
(G) Recommendations regarding the activities under
subparagraphs (A) through (F), as appropriate.
(d) Use of Strategy.--The Administrator may use the strategy
described in subsection (a) to inform the planning of research and
development activities regarding greenhouse gas monitoring and
detection, including methane super-emitters.
(e) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
execution of the agreement between the Administrator and the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under subsection (a),
the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report on the strategy described in subsection (a).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Greenhouse gas monitoring and detection.--The term
``greenhouse gas monitoring and detection'' means the direct
observation, from space or in-situ, or collection of
measurement data pertaining to, greenhouse gas emissions and
levels.
(2) Geocarb.--The term ``GeoCarb'' shall mean the
Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory.
SEC. 609. NASA DATA FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) NASA has decades of experience in space-based
scientific Earth observations and measurements, including data,
trends and modeling.
(2) NASA Earth science data, which includes data on
precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, soil moisture,
and vegetation health, has been used to inform the
decisionmaking of agricultural producers and aid.
(3) NASA applies its scientific data and models to inform
and support the agricultural community and engages in
innovative collaborations such as the NASA Acres and NASA
Harvest agricultural consortia.
(4) NASA uses space-based Earth observations and science
and applications to support farmers in efforts to conserve
water and other resources, improve farm management and crop
yield, and facilitate the stability of the national food
supply.
(5) NASA's upcoming Earth System Observatory will benefit
the agricultural community by improving observations critical
for measuring and understanding cropland conditions, water
availability, early onset crop disease, soil moisture, and
other crop and rangeland management indicators.
(6) Increased engagement between NASA and the agricultural
community can support agricultural producers, bolster the
national food supply, and improve agricultural research,
science, and technology.
(b) Data Dissemination.--NASA shall continue to partner with other
relevant Federal agencies, as practicable, to disseminate water, soil,
vegetation, land-use, and other relevant NASA Earth observation and
science data, information and tools to support American agricultural
producers. Such partnerships may include activities such as--
(1) continuing the leverage NASA Earth science water data
and information to enable efficient use of resources, inform
irrigation decisions, and support local innovation and control
of water management;
(2) supporting agriculture decisionmaking by increasing the
accessibility and useability of NASA Earth science data,
information, and tools relevant to the impact of disease,
weather, precipitation, and other environmental factors on
agricultural production; or
(3) making available NASA earth science measurements and
data to advance precision agricultural capabilities relevant to
the needs and requirements of agriculture producers.
(c) Commercial.--In conducting the activities in subsection (b),
the Administrator shall ensure that NASA's provision of such Earth
science data, information and tools does not compete with United States
private sector commercial providers.
(d) Application of Space-Based Data.--The Administrator shall
further the goal for the NASA's Earth science and applications program
of securing practical benefits for society, as set forth in section
60501 of title 51, United States Code, by continuing to collaborate
with relevant federal agencies to develop mechanisms to transition, as
appropriate, relevant NASA Earth science research findings, data,
information, models, and capabilities to operational governmental and
private sector entities focused on addressing the needs of the
agricultural user community.
(e) Partnering.--In carrying out subsections (b) and (d), NASA
shall, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with other
relevant Federal agencies, where appropriate, continue to engage State
and local government agencies, institutions of higher education,
agriculture producer organizations, and other relevant stakeholder and
user communities from the public and private sectors to improve
dissemination of NASA Earth science data, information, and tools
relevant to the needs of agricultural producers and the agriculture
industry, in accordance with the goal for the Administration's Earth
science and applications program set forth in section 60501 of title
51, United States Code, and relevant recommendations of the most recent
decadal survey on Earth science and applications from space.
SEC. 610. PLANETARY SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) planetary science missions advance the scientific
understanding of the solar system and the place of humans in it
while also advancing the design and operations of spacecraft
and robotic engineering; and
(2) Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship programs allow
NASA to fund a range of missions that vary in size, cost, and
complexity; maintaining balance across these mission classes
allows for a broad scope of discoveries and scientific
advances.
(b)(1) Mission Priorities Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms the
direction in section 502(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10;
51 U.S.C. 20302 note) that, in accordance with the priorities
established in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey, The
Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent possible, the
completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship
missions at the cadence recommended by the most recent Planetary
Science Decadal Survey.
(2) Adjustments.--Consistent with the set of missions described in
paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data
and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the
Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission
priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing budget
projections.
(c) Planetary Mission Cadence.--Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the
Administrator should seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to
maintain a launch cadence of 36 months for missions in the Discovery
Program and 60 months for the New Frontiers Program.
SEC. 611. PLANETARY DEFENSE.
(a) Section 18387 of title 41, United States Code, is amended in
subsection (b) by striking ``implement before September 30, 2012,'' and
inserting ``, in coordination with the NASA Administrator, maintain and
regularly update''.
(b) Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 71103--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``Developing policy and recommending'' and inserting
``Policy on near-Earth objects and''
(B) by striking ``Within 2 years after October 15,
2008, the'' and inserting ``The'';
(C) after ``Policy shall'', by inserting ``, in
coordination with the Administrator, maintain and
regularly update'';
(D) by striking ``(1) develop''; and
(E) in paragraph (2), by striking ``recommend'' and
inserting ``recommendations for''; and
(2) in chapter 711--
(A) by adding the following:
``SEC. 71105. PLANETARY DEFENSE COORDINATION OFFICE.
``(a) Office.--As directed in section 10825 of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public
Law 117-167), the Administrator shall maintain an office within the
Planetary Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate to be
known as the `Planetary Defense Coordination Office'.
``(b) Responsibilities.--Consistent with the direction in section
10825 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167) the Planetary Defense
Coordination Office under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) plan, develop, and implement a program to survey
threats posed by near-Earth objects equal to or grater than 140
meters in diameter, as required by section 321(d)(1) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2005 (Public Law 109-155; 119 Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 71101
note prec.);
``(2) identify, track, and characterize potentially
hazardous near-Earth objects, issue warnings of the effects of
potential impacts of such objects, and investigate strategies
and technologies for mitigating the potential impacts of such
objects; and
``(3) assist in coordinating government planning for a
response to a potential impact of a near-Earth objects.''.
(B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for
chapter 711 of title 51, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new item:
``71105. Planetary Defense Coordination Office.''.
SEC. 612. LUNAR DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall carry out, within the
Science Mission Directorate, a program to accomplish science objectives
for the Moon, with an organizational structure that aligns
responsibility, authority, and accountability, as recommended by the
most recent decadal survey for planetary science and astrobiology.
(b) Objectives and Requirements.--In carrying out the program in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall direct the Science Mission
Directorate, in consultation with the Exploration Systems Development
Mission Directorate and the Space Technology Mission Directorate, to
define high-priority lunar science objectives informed by decadal and
other scientific consensus recommendations, and related requirements of
an integrated Artemis science strategy for human and robotic missions
to the Moon.
(c) Instrumentation.--The program in subsection (a) should assess
the need for and facilitate the development of instrumentation to
support the scientific exploration of the Moon.
SEC. 613. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Administrator's encouragement and support for
commercial services for lunar surface delivery capabilities and
other related services serves the national interest; and
(2) commercial providers benefit from an approach that
places low-cost, noncritical instruments on initial deliveries
using small- and medium-size landers before proceeding to
larger landers for more complex payloads.
(b) Commercial Lunar Payload Services.--The Administrator is
authorized to establish a Commercial Lunar Payload Services program
within the Science Mission Directorate for the purposes of procuring,
from one or more United States private sector commercial service
providers, as defined in section 203(c) of this Act, services for
delivery of NASA science payloads, and the payloads of other NASA
mission directorates, as appropriate and practicable, to the lunar
surface.
(c) Relationship to Other Mission Directorates.--A Mission
Directorate outside of the Science Mission Directorate that seeks to
obtain commercial lunar payload services under the program established
in subsection (b) shall provide funding for--
(1) any payload, instrument or other item sponsored by the
Mission Directorate for delivery through the program; and
(2) the cost of the commercial lunar payload services
obtained by the Science Mission Directorate on behalf of the
outside Mission Directorate.
(d) Implementation.--In implementing any such activities pursuant
to subsection (b), the Administrator shall--
(1) conduct updated market research on the commercial lunar
economy and identify any changes since the last market
analysis;
(2) assess NASA's needs from and role in and contribution
to the commercial lunar delivery market;
(3) based on such needs identified in paragraph (2), assess
the effectiveness of the task order approach in advancing
commercial development of lunar delivery services, including an
assessment of the appropriate number of providers necessary to
support NASA commercial lunar delivery needs, and identify any
challenges and recommendations for improvement; and
(4) strengthen procedures related to the selection,
manifesting, interfaces, and requirements of payloads and other
relevant factors that could contribute to minimizing future
NASA-directed changes to projects following commercial lunar
payload service contract awards.
(e) Management Plan.--Not later than 90 days from the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, informed by the
activities conducted under subsection (c), prepare and implement a
management plan with clear leadership authority and responsibility for
the program authorized in subsection (b).
(f) Briefings.--Not later than 180 days from the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the implementation of the management plan in
subsection (d).
(g) Coordination.--The Administrator shall ensure coordination
between Science Mission Directorate, other Mission Directorates, and
the Moon to Mars Program on the administration of the program in
subsection (b) to ensure alignment of goals for lunar delivery
services.
SEC. 614. PLANETARY AND LUNAR OPERATIONS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) existing NASA lunar and Martian orbital missions are
operating well beyond their planned mission lifespans;
(2) the United States relies on these aging missions for
observations, communications relay, and other operations to
support critical NASA missions; and
(3) the United States plans to increase its activities on
and around both the Moon and Mars in coming years.
(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan to ensure
continuity of operations and sufficient observational and operational
capabilities on and around the Moon and Mars necessary to continue to
enable a robust science program and human exploration program for the
Moon and Mars well into the future. Such plan shall consider
opportunities to engage both private and international partners in
future operations.
SEC. 615. MARS SAMPLE RETURN.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, lead a Mars Sample Return program to
enable the return to Earth of scientifically-selected samples from the
surface of Mars for study in terrestrial laboratories, consistent with
the recommendations of the National Academies decadal surveys for
planetary science.
(b) Approach.--The Administrator shall pursue the program in
subsection (a) on a timeline and in a manner necessary to--
(1) Sustain United States leadership in the scientific
exploration of Mars;
(2) maintain NASA capabilities to land and operate robotic
spacecraft on the surface of Mars;
(3) preserve the unique and long-term institutional
expertise related to operations on the Martian surface; and
(4) maintain a balanced and robust planetary science
division portfolio within current budget levels without
significant increases.
(c) Implementation Plan.--The Administrator shall, as soon as
practicable and no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan and
timeline for the implementation of a Mars Sample Return program
pursuant to this section with the goal of enabling the highest
scientific return for the resources invested. Such plan shall include a
design and mission architecture and establish realistic cost and
schedule estimates to enable such goal.
SEC. 616. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING.
Not later than 90 days from the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall submit a report to the appropriate committees
of Congress that includes the results of any study or studies conducted
in the last five years regarding the technical feasibility of using
private sector capabilities to extend science operations of or safely
reboost the Hubble Space Telescope.
SEC. 617. GREAT OBSERVATORIES MISSION AND TECHNOLOGY MATURATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Space-based telescopes known as NASA's Great
Observatories have enabled major scientific advances across a
broad range of astrophysics disciplines and have significantly
furthered our understanding of the universe and the stars and
galaxies within;
(2) NASA has previously faced challenges in meeting cost
and schedule requirements for major Astrophysics missions,
including the James Webb Space Telescope; and
(3) the Astrophysics division would benefit from a focused
effort to mature large-scale space-based mission concepts and
technologies prior to ultimate implementation.
(b) Establishment.--The Administrator may establish, within an
Astrophysics program, a Great Observatories Mission and Technology
Maturation project (referred to in this section as a ``Project'') to
mature the large-scale space-based mission concepts and technologies
needed for a future mission within the program, as informed by the
recommendations of the most recent decadal survey in astronomy and
astrophysics.
(c) Activities.--A project established under subsection (b) shall
inform the design and development of future large-scale space-based
missions within an Astrophysics program by conducting activities which
may include--
(1) assessing the appropriate scope for any future mission;
(2) determining the range of capabilities and technology
readiness of such capabilities needed for a mission;
(3) informing the development and maturation of science and
technologies needed for such mission; and
(4) assessing technology readiness to inform mission
planning.
(d) Costs.--The independent life-cycle cost estimate conducted
under section 30307 of title 51, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, for a large-scale space-based mission resulting from successful
completion of a Project established under subsection (b) shall include
an accounting of all costs spent on maturation of the mission through
such Project.
(e) Report.--Starting on February 1, 2025, and continuing annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the progress and impacts of any
Projects established under subsection (b) within Astrophysics programs.
SEC. 618. NANCY GRACE ROMAN TELESCOPE.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall continue development of
the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as directed in subsection
10823(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167).
(b) Notification.--The Administrator shall notify the appropriate
committees of Congress if the amount of life-cycle funding for the
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope program exceeds $4,000,000,000.
(c) International Partnerships.--NASA shall solicit international
participation on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope program to
increase scientific return and maximize investment.
SEC. 619. CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY.
The Administrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, take
no action to reduce or otherwise preclude continuation of the science
operations of the Chandra X-Ray Telescope prior to the completion and
consideration of the earlier of the next triennial review of mission
extensions for the Astrophysics division conducted pursuant to section
30504 of title 51, United States Code, or NASA's ongoing operations
paradigm change review.
SEC. 620. HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA heliophysics research advances the scientific
understanding of the Sun, its impact on the Earth and near-
Earth environment, and the Sun's interactions with other bodies
in the solar system, the interplanetary medium, and the
interstellar medium;
(2) fundamental science supported by the Heliophysics
division is critical to improving space weather observations
forecasting capabilities, which contribute to--
(A) fortifying national security and other
critically important space-based and ground-based
assets;
(B) improving the resilience of the Nation's energy
infrastructure; and
(C) protecting human health in space; and
(3) the Heliophysics Division should continue to maximize
the scientific return on investment of its portfolio through
maintaining a balanced portfolio that includes research and
analysis, including multidisciplinary research initiatives,
technology development, space-based missions and suborbital
flight projects that include both directed and strategic
missions and principal investigator-led, competitively
solicited missions, informed by the science priorities and
guidance of the most recent decadal survey in solar and space
physics.
(b) Program Management.--The Administrator shall--
(1) maintain an Explorer Announcement of Opportunity
cadence of two year and shall alternate between small and mid-
sized missions;
(2) enable a regular selection of Missions of Opportunity;
(3) restructure the Solar Terrestrial Probes program as a
cost-capped competitively selected line of moderate-scale
principal investigator led missions; and
(4) request information regarding commercial services
potentially able to continue or improve heliophysics research
efforts.
SEC. 621. STUDY ON COMMERCIAL SPACE WEATHER DATA.
(a) Study.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
shall conduct a study of whether commercially-available data could
advance space weather research.
(b) Contents.--The study shall include--
(1) an assessment of commercial capabilities useable and
commercial data suitable to obtain space weather data that
meets or exceeds the science and technical standards and
requirements of the Administration, including--
(A) data that is generated or able to be generated
by commercial providers;
(B) commercially available small spacecraft;
(C) opportunities for hosted NASA payloads on
commercial spacecraft; and
(D) commercial solutions for data processing
applicable to space weather science;
(2) recommendations and opportunities for the Federal
Government to adjust science requirements to better reflect
commercially available solutions for space weather data without
reducing quality of data or to otherwise accommodate private
sector data-buys or service procurements; and
(3) options, where appropriate, for potential partnerships
or use of NASA prize authority and competitions, as appropriate
and practicable, to obtain access to such data identified in
paragraph (1) that--
(A) meet or exceed the science and technical
standards and requirements of the Administration;
(B) may fill gaps or supplement NASA space-based
heliophysics observations and measurement for advancing
space weather research; and
(C) are not duplicative of activities conducted
pursuant to chapter 606 of title 51, United States
Code.
(c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the appropriate
committees of Congress containing the results of the study provided
under subsection (a).
SEC. 622. GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission could enable scientific
discoveries that will transform understanding of the processes that
govern the dynamics of the Earth's upper atmospheric envelope that
surrounds and protects the planet.
(b) Assessment.--Not later than September 5, 2024, The
Administrator shall transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress
a report including--
(1) the schedule and budget profile to launch the Geospace
Dynamics Constellation mission by the end of the decade to
fulfill the recommendations of the heliophysics decadal survey;
(2) challenges in execution of the Geospace Dynamics
Constellation mission; and
(3) consideration of whether there is a technologically
feasible commercially-available alternative to obtain similar
data, and the associated costs.
TITLE VII--STEM EDUCATION
SEC. 701. NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Amendments.--Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 40303, by striking subsections (d) and (e);
(2) in section 40304--
(A) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the
following:
``(c) Solicitations.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall issue a
solicitation from space grant consortia for the award of grants
or contracts under this section at the conclusion of the award
cycle for fiscal Year 2020 to 2024. The Administrator shall
implement the allocation guidance from section 40304(e) during
each fiscal year covered by the award cycle.
``(2) Proposals.--A lead institution of a space grant
consortium that seeks a grant or contract under this section
shall submit, on behalf of such space grant consortium, an
application to the Administrator at such time and in such
manner and accompanied by such information as the Administrator
may require.
``(3) Awards.--The Administrator shall award 1 or more
multi-year grants or contracts, disbursed in annual
installments, to the lead institution of an eligible space
grant consortium of--
``(A) each of the 50 States of the United States;
``(B) the District of Columbia; and
``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.''; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (d) the
following:
``(e) Allocation of Funding.--
``(1) Program implementation.--
``(A) In general.--To carry out the purposes set
forth in section 40301 of this title, each fiscal year,
of the funds appropriated for this program of that
fiscal year, the Administrator shall allocate not less
than 85 percent among eligible space grant consortia as
follows:
``(i) The space grant consortia identified
in paragraph 40304(c)(3) shall each receive an
equal share.
``(ii) The territories of Guam and the U.S.
Virgin Islands shall each receive funds equal
to one-fifth of the share for each space grant
consortium.
``(2) Program administration.--
``(A) In general.--Each fiscal year, of the funds
made available for the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program, the Administrator shall allocate
not more than 10 percent for the administration of the
program.
``(B) Costs covered.--The funds allocated under
paragraph (1)(A) of this section shall cover all costs
of the Administration associated with the
administration of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program, including--
``(i) direct costs to the program,
including costs relating to support services
and civil service salaries and benefits;
``(ii) indirect general and administrative
costs of centers and facilities of the
Administration; and
``(iii) indirect general and administrative
costs of the Administration headquarters.
``(3) Special opportunities.--Each fiscal year, of the
funds made available for the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship program, the Administrator shall allocate not more
than 5 percent to lead institutions of Space Grant Consortia
for grants to carry out innovative approaches and programs to
further science and education relating to the missions of the
Administration pursuant to subsection (b).''.
(b) Review.--The Administrator shall make arrangements for an
independent external review of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program to--
(1) evaluate its management, accomplishments, approach to
funding allocation as described in section 40303(e) of title
51, United States Code, and responsiveness to the purposes and
goals defined in chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code;
and
(2) propose any statutory updates that may be needed to
implement recommendations of the review.
(c) Report.--Not later than nine months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report on the
independent external review of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program described in subsection (a) to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
TITLE VIII--POLICY/NASA
SEC. 801. MAJOR PROGRAMS.
Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is amended in
subsection (a)(1) by striking ``7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012'' and
inserting ``7120.5F, dated August 3, 2021''.
SEC. 802. NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Section 20113(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by
adding ``and Congress'' after ``advice to the Administration''.
SEC. 803. NASA ASSESSMENT OF EARLY COST ESTIMATES.
Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a review of the development, application, and
assessment of early cost estimates made prior to preliminary design
review for NASA missions. The review shall include--
(1) an assessment of the processes that NASA uses to--
(A) form early-stage cost estimates;
(B) evaluate costs associated with proposals for
missions; and
(C) monitor and manage estimates throughout
execution of program;
(2) an assessment of any other relevant processes that NASA
uses to estimate the costs of missions, including directed and
competitively selected, principal-investigator-led Science
Mission Directorate missions, during the early phases of
mission development, prior to setting an Agency Baseline
Commitment, and NASA's application of such cost estimates in
the management of its programs;
(3) for the period starting on January 1, 2000, and ending
on the date of the enactment of this Act, a list of--
(A) missions costing over $250,000,000 and the
associated cost estimate at proposal;
(B) changes to the cost estimates from formulation
to implementation to final cost;
(C) patterns in factors contributing to changes in
cost estimates; and
(D) lessons learned from missions with accurate
cost estimates; and
(4) any such recommendations that the Comptroller General
determines are appropriate.
SEC. 804. INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.
Section 30307 of title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``analysis'' and
inserting ``estimate''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Before any funds may be obligated
for implementation'' and inserting ``After the
Administrator completes the preliminary design
review'';
(B) by striking ``analysis'' and inserting
``estimate''; and
(C) by inserting after the first sentence, ``No
funds may be obligated for implementation of the
project before the Administrator reports the results of
the life-cycle cost estimate to Congress.''.
SEC. 805. OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY REPORT.
Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Office
of Technology, Policy, and Strategy shall prepare and submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the efforts of
the Office during the previous calendar year and priorities of the
Office for the upcoming calendar year, as practicable.
SEC. 806. NATIONAL SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Section 121 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1991 (Public Law 101-611; 51 U.S.C.
20111 note) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``users' advisory
group'' and inserting ``national space advisory committee'';
(2) by striking ``Users' Advisory Group'' in each place
that it appears and inserting ``National Space Advisory
Committee'': and
(3) by adding the following after subsection (b):
``(c) Annual Report.--The Committee shall submit an annual report
to the Administrator and to Congress describing the activities and
recommendations of the Committee.''.
SEC. 807. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TRANSFER TO NASA OF FUNDS FROM OTHER
AGENCIES FOR SCIENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING RESEARCH OR
EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``In the performance of its functions'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--In the performance of its functions'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Treatment.--Funds available to any department or
agency of the Federal Government for scientific or engineering
research or education, or the provision of facilities therefor,
shall, subject to the approval of the head of such department
or agency or as delegated pursuant to such department's or
agency's regulation, be available for transfer, in whole or in
part, to the Administration for such use as is consistent with
the purposes for which such funds were appropriated. Funds so
transferred shall be merged with the appropriation to which
transferred, except that such transferred funds shall be
limited to the awarding of grants or cooperative agreements for
scientific or engineering research or education.''.
(b) Annual Information on Funds Transferred.--
(1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall include
in the annual budget justification materials of the
Administration, as submitted to Congress with the President's
budget request under section 1105 of title 31, United States
Code, information describing the activities conducted under
subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51, United States Code
(as amended by subsection (a)), during the immediately
preceding fiscal year.
(2) Contents.--The information referred to in paragraph (1)
shall contain a description of each transfer of funds under the
authority provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of
section 20113 of title 51, United States Code (as added and
amended, respectively, by this section), during the immediately
preceding fiscal year, including the following:
(A) An identification of the department or agency
of the Federal Government from which such funds were
transferred.
(B) The total amount of funds so transferred,
disaggregated by each such department or agency.
(C) The purposes for which such funds were
appropriated to each agency or department.
(D) The program or activity of the Administration
to which such funds were made available by each such
transfer.
(E) The purposes of each such administration
program or activity, and the amount of funding
appropriated to the Administration for such purposes.
(c) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of enactment
of the section, the Administrator of the Administration shall submit to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the following:
(1) A summary of the value of the authority provided for in
paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 209113 of title 51,
United States Code (as added and amended, respectively, by this
section), including the extent to which such authority has
benefited the Administration and its ability to meet its needs,
achieve its mission, or more effectively conduct interagency
collaborations.
(2) An identification of any barriers or challenges to
implementing such authority, or otherwise to managing funding
required to conduct joint programs and award jointly funded
grants and cooperative agreements by the administration with
other Federal departments and agencies to advance the missions
of each such department and agency.
SEC. 808. PROCEDURE FOR LAUNCH SERVICES RISK MITIGATION.
(a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
for an independent external assessment of the effectiveness and
efficiency of NASA's approach towards launch services risk mitigation
in the Administration's Procedural Requirements 8610.7D.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days from the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress the following:
(1) The report of the assessment conducted under subsection
(a).
(2) NASA response to the findings of the report, if any.
SEC. 809. REPORT ON MERITS AND OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTE
RELATING TO SPACE RESOURCES.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator and Secretary shall jointly
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the
merits of, and options for, establishing an institute relating to space
resources to advance the objectives of NASA and the Department in
maintaining United States preeminence in space. Such objectives shall
include the following:
(1) Identifying, developing, and distributing space
resources, including by encouraging the development of
foundational science and technology.
(2) Reducing the technological risks associated with
identifying, developing, and distributing space resources.
(3) Research to maximize the responsible use of space
resources.
(4) Developing options for using space resources to--
(A) support current and future space architectures,
programs, and missions; and
(B) enable such architectures, programs, and
missions that would not otherwise be possible.
(b) Additional Matters.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall also include the following assessments of the Administrator and
the Secretary:
(1) Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to
space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.
(2) Whether partnering with institutions of higher
education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive
industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing
information available to the institute with respect to
advancing the objectives described in subsection (a).
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Commerce.
(2) Extractive industry.--The term ``extractive industry''
means companies and individuals involved in the processes of
extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and
dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.
(3) Institute of higher education.--The term ``institution
of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(5) Space resource.--
(A) In general.--The term ``space resource'' means
an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``space resource''
includes a raw, natural material or energy source.
SEC. 810. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
Section 20116 of title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' after
``Presidential Report.--''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by redesignating subsection (b) as paragraph
(2); and
(B) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by
striking ``section'' and inserting ``subsection'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating subsection (c) as paragraph
(3); and
(B) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by
striking ``section'' and inserting ``subsection''; and
(4) by inserting at the end the following:
``(b) Congressional Reports and Notices.--Any report or notice
provided to Congress by NASA shall be provided to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
concurrently with its delivery to any other Committee or office.
``(c) Reports on International Agreements.--If the United States
becomes a signatory to an international agreement concerning outer
space activities, the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report containing a copy of such agreement.''.
SEC. 811. ADVANCEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR HUMAN SPACE ACTIVITIES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Private space activities are increasing and expanding,
and contribute to United States scientific, economic, and
strategic leadership in space.
(2) According to section 217(a) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989,
``the extension of human life beyond Earth's atmosphere,
leading ultimately to the establishment of space settlements,
will fulfill the purposes of advancing science, exploration,
and development and will enhance the general welfare''.
(3) Other countries are investing in and expanding national
space activities.
(4) Continued advancement of commercial space activities
can reduce the cost of space access.
(5) NASA partnerships with United States commercial
entities, including in NASA's robotic and human exploration of
the Moon under the Artemis program, in accordance with the Moon
to Mars Program under section 10811 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act (Public Law 117-
167), and provide opportunities to gain important lessons
learned on nongovernmental activities in cislunar space and on
the surface of the Moon that can inform future evolution of
commercial activities in cislunar space and on the lunar
surface, as appropriation, and the development of policy,
legal, regulatory matters necessary to support such commercial
endeavors.
(6) As a leading organization for space exploration and
activities, and a significant partner in cutting edge space
technologies, NASA should pursue missions using private human
spaceflight capabilities to foster the competitive and
innovative development of such activities.
(b) Amendment.--Section 20102(c) of title 51, United States code is
amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) United States Private Sector Use of and Human Presence in
Space.--Congress declares that the general welfare of the United States
requires that the Administration seek and encourage, to the maximum
extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space, including by
facilitating the expansion of the United States private sector use of
and human presence in Earth orbit, cislunar space, and beyond.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-701.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-701.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 595.
Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5606-5623)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8958.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5627-5628)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21, 1 Present (Roll no. 441). (text: CR H5606-5621)
Roll Call #441 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21, 1 Present (Roll no. 441). (text: CR H5606-5621)
Roll Call #441 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.