[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4412 Engrossed in House (EH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4412
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize the programs of 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 ``National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2014''.
(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 2014.
TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT
Subtitle A--Exploration
Sec. 201. Space exploration policy.
Sec. 202. Stepping stone approach to exploration.
Sec. 203. Space Launch System.
Sec. 204. Orion crew capsule.
Sec. 205. Space radiation.
Sec. 206. Planetary protection for human exploration missions.
Subtitle B--Space Operations
Sec. 211. International Space Station.
Sec. 212. Barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the ISS's National
Laboratory by commercial companies.
Sec. 213. Utilization of International Space Station for science
missions.
Sec. 214. International Space Station cargo resupply services lessons
learned.
Sec. 215. Commercial crew program.
Sec. 216. Space communications.
TITLE III--SCIENCE
Subtitle A--General
Sec. 301. Science portfolio.
Sec. 302. Radioisotope power systems.
Sec. 303. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose.
Sec. 304. University class science missions.
Sec. 305. Assessment of science mission extensions.
Subtitle B--Astrophysics
Sec. 311. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 312. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy.
Sec. 313. James Webb Space Telescope.
Sec. 314. National Reconnaissance Office telescope donation.
Sec. 315. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope.
Sec. 316. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.
Subtitle C--Planetary Science
Sec. 321. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 322. Near-Earth objects.
Sec. 323. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships.
Sec. 324. Research on near-earth object tsunami effects.
Sec. 325. Astrobiology strategy.
Sec. 326. Astrobiology public-private partnerships.
Sec. 327. Assessment of Mars architecture.
Subtitle D--Heliophysics
Sec. 331. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 332. Review of space weather.
Subtitle E--Earth Science
Sec. 341. Goal.
Sec. 342. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 343. Venture class missions.
Sec. 344. Assessment.
TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. Aeronautics research goals.
Sec. 403. Unmanned aerial systems research and development.
Sec. 404. Research program on composite materials used in aeronautics.
Sec. 405. Hypersonic research.
Sec. 406. Supersonic research.
Sec. 407. Research on NextGen airspace management concepts and tools.
Sec. 408. Rotorcraft research.
Sec. 409. Transformative aeronautics research.
Sec. 410. Study of United States leadership in aeronautics research.
TITLE V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 501. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 502. Space Technology Program.
Sec. 503. Utilization of the International Space Station for technology
demonstrations.
TITLE VI--EDUCATION
Sec. 601. Education.
Sec. 602. Independent review of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program.
Sec. 603. Sense of Congress.
TITLE VII--POLICY PROVISIONS
Sec. 701. Asteroid Retrieval Mission.
Sec. 702. Termination liability sense of Congress.
Sec. 703. Baseline and cost controls.
Sec. 704. Project and program reserves.
Sec. 705. Independent reviews.
Sec. 706. Commercial technology transfer program.
Sec. 707. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory
Council.
Sec. 708. Cost estimation.
Sec. 709. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major
Administration acquisition programs.
Sec. 710. Facilities and infrastructure.
Sec. 711. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts.
Sec. 712. Space Act Agreements.
Sec. 713. Human spaceflight accident investigations.
Sec. 714. Fullest commercial use of space.
Sec. 715. Orbital debris.
Sec. 716. Review of orbital debris removal concepts.
Sec. 717. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for
research, development, and education.
Sec. 718. Fundamental space life and physical sciences research.
Sec. 719. Restoring commitment to engineering research.
Sec. 720. Liquid rocket engine development program.
Sec. 721 Remote satellite servicing demonstrations.
Sec. 722. Information technology governance.
Sec. 723. Strengthening Administration security.
Sec. 724. Prohibition on use of funds for contractors that have
committed fraud or other crimes.
Sec. 725. Protection of Apollo landing sites.
Sec. 726. Astronaut occupational healthcare.
Sec. 727. Sense of Congress on access to observational data sets.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Administration.
(3) Orion crew capsule.--The term ``Orion crew capsule''
means the multipurpose crew vehicle described in section 303 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
(4) Space act agreement.--The term ``Space Act Agreement''
means an agreement created under the authority to enter into
``other transactions'' under section 20113(e) of title 51,
United States Code.
(5) Space launch system.--The term ``Space Launch System''
means the follow-on Government-owned civil launch system
developed, managed, and operated by the Administration to serve
as a key component to expand human presence beyond low-Earth
orbit, as described in section 302 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18322).
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2014.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration for
fiscal year 2014 $17,646,500,000 as follows:
(1) For Space Exploration, $4,113,200,000, of which--
(A) $1,918,200,000 shall be for the Space Launch
System, of which $318,200,000 shall be for Exploration
Ground Systems;
(B) $1,197,000,000 shall be for the Orion crew
capsule;
(C) $302,000,000 shall be for Exploration Research
and Development; and
(D) $696,000,000 shall be for Commercial Crew
Development activities.
(2) For Space Operations, $3,778,000,000, of which
$2,984,100,000 shall be for the International Space Station
Program.
(3) For Science, $5,151,200,000, of which--
(A) $1,826,000,000 shall be for Earth Science;
(B) $1,345,000,000 shall be for Planetary Science,
with up to $30,000,000 for the Astrobiology Institute;
(C) $668,000,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
(D) $658,200,000 shall be for the James Webb Space
Telescope; and
(E) $654,000,000 shall be for Heliophysics.
(4) For Aeronautics, $566,000,000.
(5) For Space Technology, $576,000,000.
(6) For Education, $116,600,000.
(7) For Cross-Agency Support, $2,793,000,000.
(8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and
Restoration, $515,000,000.
(9) For Inspector General, $37,500,000.
TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT
Subtitle A--Exploration
SEC. 201. SPACE EXPLORATION POLICY.
(a) Policy.--Human exploration deeper into the solar system shall
be a core mission of the Administration. It is the policy of the United
States that the goal of the Administration's exploration program shall
be to successfully conduct a crewed mission to the surface of Mars to
begin human exploration of that planet. The use of the surface of the
Moon, cis-lunar space, near-Earth asteroids, Lagrangian points, and
Martian moons may be pursued provided they are properly incorporated
into the Human Exploration Roadmap described in section 70504 of title
51, United States Code.
(b) Vision for Space Exploration.--Section 20302 of title 51,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Orion crew capsule.--The term `Orion crew capsule'
means the multipurpose crew vehicle described in section 303 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
``(2) Space launch system.--The term `Space Launch System'
means the follow-on Government-owned civil launch system
developed, managed, and operated by the Administration to serve
as a key component to expand human presence beyond low-Earth
orbit, as described in section 302 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18322).''.
(c) Key Objectives.--Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to accelerate the development of capabilities to
enable a human exploration mission to the surface of Mars and
beyond through the prioritization of those technologies and
capabilities best suited for such a mission in accordance with
the Human Exploration Roadmap under section 70504 of title 51,
United States Code.''.
(d) Use of Non-United States Human Space Flight Transportation
Capabilities.--Section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(a) Use of Non-United States Human Space Flight Transportation
Capabilities.--
``(1) In general.--NASA may not obtain non-United States
human space flight capabilities unless no domestic commercial
or public-private partnership provider that the Administrator
has determined to meet safety and affordability requirements
established by NASA for the transport of its astronauts is
available to provide such capabilities.
``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
term `domestic commercial provider' means a person providing
space transportation services or other space-related
activities, the majority control of which is held by persons
other than a Federal, State, local, or foreign government,
foreign company, or foreign national.''.
(e) Repeal of Space Shuttle Capability Assurance.--Section 203 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2010 (42 U.S.C. 18313) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b);
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(b) and (c), respectively.
SEC. 202. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION.
(a) In General.--Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration
``(a) In General.--In order to maximize the cost effectiveness of
the long-term space exploration and utilization activities of the
United States, the Administrator shall direct the Human Exploration and
Operations Mission Directorate, or its successor division, to develop a
Human Exploration Roadmap to define the specific capabilities and
technologies necessary to extend human presence to the surface of Mars
and the sets and sequences of missions required to demonstrate such
capabilities and technologies.
``(b) International Participation.--The President should invite the
United States partners in the International Space Station program and
other nations, as appropriate, to participate in an international
initiative under the leadership of the United States to achieve the
goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of
Mars.
``(c) Roadmap Requirements.--In developing the Human Exploration
Roadmap, the Administrator shall--
``(1) include the specific set of capabilities and
technologies that contribute to extending human presence to the
surface of Mars and the sets and sequences of missions
necessary to demonstrate the proficiency of these capabilities
and technologies with an emphasis on using or not using the
International Space Station, lunar landings, cis-lunar space,
trans-lunar space, Lagrangian points, and the natural
satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, as testbeds, as
necessary, and shall include the most appropriate process for
developing such capabilities and technologies;
``(2) include information on the phasing of planned
intermediate destinations, Mars mission risk areas and
potential risk mitigation approaches, technology requirements
and phasing of required technology development activities, the
management strategy to be followed, related International Space
Station activities, and planned international collaborative
activities, potential commercial contributions, and other
activities relevant to the achievement of the goal established
in section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2014;
``(3) describe those technologies already under development
across the Federal Government or by nongovernment entities
which meet or exceed the needs described in paragraph (1);
``(4) provide a specific process for the evolution of the
capabilities of the fully integrated Orion crew capsule with
the Space Launch System and how these systems demonstrate the
capabilities and technologies described in paragraph (1);
``(5) provide a description of the capabilities and
technologies that need to be demonstrated or research data that
could be gained through the utilization of the International
Space Station and the status of the development of such
capabilities and technologies;
``(6) describe a framework for international cooperation in
the development of all technologies and capabilities required
in this section, as well as an assessment of the risks posed by
relying on international partners for capabilities and
technologies on the critical path of development;
``(7) describe a process for utilizing nongovernmental
entities for future human exploration beyond lunar landings and
cis-lunar space and specify what, if any, synergy could be
gained from--
``(A) partnerships using Space Act Agreements (as
defined in section 2 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2014); or
``(B) other acquisition instruments;
``(8) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an addendum
from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory
Council, and an addendum from the Aerospace Safety Advisory
Panel, each with a statement of review of the Human Exploration
Roadmap that shall include--
``(A) subjects of agreement;
``(B) areas of concern; and
``(C) recommendations; and
``(9) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an
examination of the benefits of utilizing current Administration
launch facilities for trans-lunar missions.
``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update such Human
Exploration Roadmap as needed but no less frequently than every 2 years
and include it in the budget for that fiscal year transmitted to
Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, and describe--
``(1) the achievements and goals reached in the process of
developing such capabilities and technologies during the 2-year
period prior to the submission of the update to Congress; and
``(2) the expected goals and achievements in the following
2-year period.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `Orion crew capsule'
and `Space Launch System' have the meanings given such terms in section
20302.''.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a copy
of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed under section 70504
of title 51, United States Code, to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate.
(2) Updates.--The Administrator shall transmit a copy of
each updated Human Exploration Roadmap to 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 7 days after such Human Exploration
Roadmap is updated.
SEC. 203. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Space Launch System is the most practical approach
to reaching the Moon, Mars, and beyond, and Congress reaffirms
the policy and minimum capability requirements for the Space
Launch System contained in section 302 of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010
(42 U.S.C. 18322);
(2) the primary goal for the design of the fully integrated
Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go
beyond low-Earth orbit, is to safely carry a total payload to
enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond
over the course of the next century as required in section
302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)); and
(3) In order to promote safety and reduce programmatic
risk, the Administrator shall budget for and undertake a robust
ground test and uncrewed and crewed flight test and
demonstration program for the Space Launch System and the Orion
crew capsule and shall budget for an operational flight rate
sufficient to maintain safety and operational readiness.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
President's annual budget requests for the Space Launch System and
Orion crew capsule development, test, and operational phases should
strive to accurately reflect the resource requirements of each of those
phases, consistent with the policy established in section 201(a) of
this Act.
(c) In General.--Given the critical importance of a heavy-lift
launch vehicle and crewed spacecraft to enable the achievement of the
goal established in section 201(a) of this Act, as well as the
accomplishment of intermediate exploration milestones and the provision
of a backup capability to transfer crew and cargo to the International
Space Station, the Administrator shall make the expeditious
development, test, and achievement of operational readiness of the
Space Launch System and the Orion crew capsule the highest priority of
the exploration program.
(d) Government Accountability Office Review.--Not later than 270
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall transmit 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 on the Administration's
acquisition of ground systems in support of the Space Launch System.
The report shall assess the extent to which ground systems acquired in
support of the Space Launch System are focused on the direct support of
the Space Launch System and shall identify any ground support projects
or activities that the Administration is undertaking that do not solely
or primarily support the Space Launch System.
(e) Utilization Report.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence,
shall prepare a report that addresses the effort and budget required to
enable and utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch System
configuration described in section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18322(c)). This report shall also include consideration of the
technical requirements of the scientific and national security
communities related to such Space Launch System and shall directly
assess the utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using such
Space Launch System for national security and space science missions.
The Administrator shall transmit such report to 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 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(f) Naming Competition.--Beginning not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act and concluding not later than 1 year
after such date of enactment, the Administrator shall conduct a well-
publicized competition among students in elementary and secondary
schools to name the elements of the Administration's exploration
program, including--
(1) a name for the deep space human exploration program as
a whole, which includes the Space Launch System, the Orion crew
capsule, and future missions; and
(2) a name for the Space Launch System.
(g) Advanced Booster Competition.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Associate Administrator of the
Administration shall transmit 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--
(A) describes the estimated total development cost
of an advanced booster for the Space Launch System;
(B) details any reductions or increases to the
development cost of the Space Launch System which may
result from conducting a competition for an advanced
booster; and
(C) outlines any potential schedule delay to the
Space Launch System 2017 Exploration Mission-1 launch
as a result of increased costs associated with
conducting a competition for an advanced booster.
(2) Competition.--If the Associate Administrator reports
reductions pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), and no adverse
schedule impact pursuant to paragraph (1)(C), then the
Administration shall conduct a full and open competition for an
advanced booster for the Space Launch System to meet the
requirements described in section 302(c) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010
(42 U.S.C. 18322(c)), to begin as soon as practicable after the
development of the upper stage has been initiated.
SEC. 204. ORION CREW CAPSULE.
(a) In General.--The Orion crew capsule shall meet the practical
needs and the minimum capability requirements described in section 303
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
(b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate--
(1) detailing those components and systems of the Orion
crew capsule that ensure it is in compliance with section
303(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b));
(2) detailing the expected date that the Orion crew capsule
will be available to transport crew and cargo to the
International Space Station; and
(3) certifying that the requirements of section 303(b)(3)
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) will be met by the
Administration.
SEC. 205. SPACE RADIATION.
(a) Strategy and Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a space
radiation mitigation and management strategy and implementation
plan to enable the achievement of the goal established in
section 201 that includes key research and monitoring
requirements, milestones, a timetable, and an estimate of
facility and budgetary requirements.
(2) Coordination.--The strategy shall include a mechanism
for coordinating Administration research, technology,
facilities, engineering, operations, and other functions
required to support the strategy and plan.
(3) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the
strategy and plan to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(b) Space Radiation Research Facilities.--The Administrator, in
consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies,
shall assess the national capabilities for carrying out critical
ground-based research on space radiation biology and shall identify any
issues that could affect the ability to carry out that research.
SEC. 206. PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION MISSIONS.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with
the National Academies for a study to explore the planetary protection
ramifications of potential future missions by astronauts such as to the
lunar polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the
surface of Mars.
(b) Scope.--The study shall--
(1) collate and summarize what has been done to date with
respect to planetary protection measures to be applied to
potential human missions such as to the lunar polar regions,
near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the surface of
Mars;
(2) identify and document planetary protection concerns
associated with potential human missions such as to the lunar
polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the
surface of Mars;
(3) develop a methodology, if possible, for defining and
classifying the degree of concern associated with each likely
destination;
(4) assess likely methodologies for addressing planetary
protection concerns; and
(5) identify areas for future research to reduce current
uncertainties.
(c) Completion Date.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the results of
the study to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
Subtitle B--Space Operations
SEC. 211. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The International Space Station is an ideal testbed for
future exploration systems development, including long-duration
space travel.
(2) The use of the private market to provide cargo and crew
transportation services is currently the most expeditious
process to restore domestic access to the International Space
Station and low-Earth orbit.
(3) Government access to low-Earth orbit is paramount to
the continued success of the International Space Station and
National Laboratory.
(b) In General.--The following is the policy of the United States:
(1) The United States International Space Station program
shall have two primary objectives: supporting achievement of
the goal established in section 201 of this Act and pursuing a
research program that advances knowledge and provides benefits
to the Nation. It shall continue to be the policy of the United
States to, in consultation with its international partners in
the International Space Station program, support full and
complete utilization of the International Space Station.
(2) The International Space Station shall be utilized to
the maximum extent practicable for the development of
capabilities and technologies needed for the future of human
exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and shall be considered in
the development of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed
under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) The Administrator shall, in consultation with the
International Space Station partners--
(A) take all necessary measures to support the
operation and full utilization of the International
Space Station; and
(B) seek to minimize, to the extent practicable,
the operating costs of the International Space Station.
(4) Reliance on foreign carriers for crew transfer is
unacceptable, and the Nation's human space flight program must
acquire the capability to launch United States astronauts on
United States rockets from United States soil as soon as is
safe and practically possible, whether on Government-owned and
operated space transportation systems or privately owned
systems that have been certified for flight by the appropriate
Federal agencies.
(c) Reaffirmation of Policy.--Congress reaffirms--
(1) its commitment to the development of a commercially
developed launch and delivery system to the International Space
Station for crew missions as expressed in the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-155), the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-422),
and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-267);
(2) that the Administration shall make use of United States
commercially provided International Space Station crew transfer
and crew rescue services to the maximum extent practicable;
(3) that the Orion crew capsule shall provide an
alternative means of delivery of crew and cargo to the
International Space Station, in the event other vehicles,
whether commercial vehicles or partner-supplied vehicles, are
unable to perform that function; and
(4) the policy stated in section 501(b) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010
(42 U.S.C. 18351(b)) that the Administration shall pursue
international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to
maximize International Space Station logistics supply,
maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to
International Space Station systems sustainability, and offset
and minimize United States operations costs relating to the
International Space Station.
(d) Assured Access to Low-earth Orbit.--Section 70501(a) of title
51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Policy Statement.--It is the policy of the United States to
maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and
operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an essential instrument
of national security and the capability to ensure continued United
States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization
of space.''.
(e) Repeals.--
(1) Use of space shuttle or alternatives.--Chapter 701 of
title 51, United States Code, and the item relating to such
chapter in the table of chapters for such title, are repealed.
(2) Shuttle pricing policy for commercial and foreign
users.--Chapter 703 of title 51, United States Code, and the
item relating to such chapter in the table of chapters for such
title, are repealed.
(3) Shuttle privatization.--Section 50133 of title 51,
United States Code, and the item relating to such section in
the table of sections for chapter 501 of such title, are
repealed.
(f) Extension Criteria Report.--Not later than 1 year 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 a report on the feasibility of extending
the operation of the International Space Station that includes--
(1) criteria for defining the International Space Station
as a research success;
(2) any necessary contributions to enabling execution of
the Human Exploration Roadmap developed under section 70504 of
title 51, United States Code;
(3) cost estimates for operating the International Space
Station to achieve the criteria required under paragraph (1);
(4) cost estimates for extending operations to 2024 and
2030;
(5) an assessment of how the defined criteria under
paragraph (1) respond to the National Academies Decadal Survey
on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space; and
(6) an identification of the actions and cost estimate
needed to deorbit the International Space Station once a
decision is made to deorbit the laboratory.
(g) Strategic Plan for International Space Station Research.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Administrator,
academia, other Federal agencies, the International Space
Station National Laboratory Advisory Committee, and other
potential stakeholders, shall develop and transmit 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 strategic plan for conducting
competitive, peer-reviewed research in physical and life
sciences and related technologies on the International Space
Station through at least 2020.
(2) Plan requirements.--The strategic plan shall--
(A) be consistent with the priorities and
recommendations established by the National Academies
in its Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical
Sciences in Space;
(B) provide a research timeline and identify
resource requirements for its implementation, including
the facilities and instrumentation necessary for the
conduct of such research; and
(C) identify--
(i) criteria for the proposed research,
including--
(I) a justification for the
research to be carried out in the space
microgravity environment;
(II) the use of model systems;
(III) the testing of flight
hardware to understand and ensure its
functioning in the microgravity
environment;
(IV) the use of controls to help
distinguish among the direct and
indirect effects of microgravity, among
other effects of the flight or space
environment;
(V) approaches for facilitating
data collection, analysis, and
interpretation;
(VI) procedures to ensure
repetition of experiments, as needed;
(VII) support for timely
presentation of the peer-reviewed
results of the research;
(VIII) defined metrics for the
success of each study; and
(IX) how these activities enable
the Human Exploration Roadmap described
in section 70504 of title 51, United
States Code;
(ii) instrumentation required to support
the measurements and analysis of the research
to be carried out under the strategic plan;
(iii) the capabilities needed to support
direct, real-time communications between
astronauts working on research experiments
onboard the International Space Station and the
principal investigator on the ground;
(iv) a process for involving the external
user community in research planning, including
planning for relevant flight hardware and
instrumentation, and for utilization of the
International Space Station, free flyers, or
other research platforms;
(v) the acquisition strategy the
Administration plans to use to acquire any new
support capabilities which are not operational
on the International Space Station as of the
date of enactment of this Act, and the criteria
the Administration will apply if less than full
and open competition is selected; and
(vi) defined metrics for success of the
research plan.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall transmit 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 on the
progress of the organization chosen for the management
of the International Space Station National Laboratory
as directed in section 504 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42
U.S.C. 18354).
(B) Specific requirements.--The report shall assess
the management, organization, and performance of such
organization and shall include a review of the status
of each of the 7 required activities listed in section
504(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18354(c)).
SEC. 212. BARRIERS IMPEDING ENHANCED UTILIZATION OF THE ISS'S NATIONAL
LABORATORY BY COMMERCIAL COMPANIES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) enhanced utilization of the International Space
Station's National Laboratory requires a full understanding of
the barriers impeding such utilization and actions needed to be
taken to remove or mitigate them to the maximum extent
practicable; and
(2) doing so will allow the Administration to encourage
commercial companies to invest in microgravity research using
National Laboratory research facilities.
(b) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with the National Academies for an assessment to--
(1) identify barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the
International Space Station's National Laboratory;
(2) recommend ways to encourage commercial companies to
make greater use of the International Space Station's National
Laboratory, including corporate investment in microgravity
research; and
(3) identify any legislative changes that may be required.
(c) Transmittal.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 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 the assessment described in
subsection (b).
SEC. 213. UTILIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR SCIENCE
MISSIONS.
The Administrator shall utilize the International Space Station
for Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit wherever it
is practical and cost effective to do so.
SEC. 214. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CARGO RESUPPLY SERVICES LESSONS
LEARNED.
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that--
(1) identifies the lessons learned to date from the
Commercial Resupply Services contract;
(2) indicates whether changes are needed to the manner in
which the Administration procures and manages similar services
upon the expiration of the existing Commercial Resupply
Services contract; and
(3) identifies any lessons learned from the Commercial
Resupply Services contract that should be applied to the
procurement and management of commercially provided crew
transfer services to and from the International Space Station.
SEC. 215. COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that once
developed and certified to meet the Administration's safety and
reliability requirements, United States commercially provided crew
transportation systems offer the potential of serving as the primary
means of transporting American astronauts and international partner
astronauts to and from the International Space Station and serving as
International Space Station emergency crew rescue vehicles. At the same
time, the budgetary assumptions used by the Administration in its
planning for the Commercial Crew Program have consistently assumed
significantly higher funding levels than have been authorized and
appropriated by Congress. It is the sense of Congress that credibility
in the Administration's budgetary estimates for the Commercial Crew
Program can be enhanced by an independently developed cost estimate.
Such credibility in budgetary estimates is an important factor in
understanding program risk.
(b) Objective.--The objective of the Administration's Commercial
Crew Program shall be to assist the development of at least one crew
transportation system to carry Administration astronauts safely,
reliably, and affordably to and from the International Space Station
and to serve as an emergency crew rescue vehicle as soon as practicable
within the funding levels authorized. The Administration shall not use
any considerations beyond this objective in the overall acquisition
strategy.
(c) Safety.--Consistent with the findings and recommendations of
the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, the Administration shall--
(1) ensure that, in its evaluation and selection of
contracts for the development of commercial crew transportation
capabilities, safety is the highest priority; and
(2) seek to ensure that minimization of the probability of
loss of crew shall be an important selection criterion of the
Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Contract.
(d) Cost Minimization.--The Administrator shall strive through the
competitive selection process to minimize the life cycle cost to the
Administration through the planned period of commercially provided crew
transportation services.
(e) Transparency.--Transparency is the cornerstone of ensuring a
safe and reliable commercial crew transportation service to the
International Space Station. The Administrator shall, to the greatest
extent practicable, ensure that every commercial crew transportation
services provider has provided evidence-based support for their costs
and schedule.
(f) Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 30 days after the Federal
Acquisition Regulation-based contract for the Commercial Crew
Transportation Capability Contract is awarded, the
Administrator shall arrange for the initiation of an
Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate for--
(A) all activities associated with the development,
test, demonstration, and certification of commercial
crew transportation systems;
(B) transportation and rescue services required by
the Administration for International Space Station
operations through calendar year 2020 or later if
Administration requirements so dictate; and
(C) the estimated date of operational readiness for
the program each assumption listed in paragraph (2) of
this subsection.
(2) Assumptions.--The Independent Cost and Schedule
Estimate shall provide an estimate for each of the following
scenarios:
(A) An appropriation of $600,000,000 over the next
3 fiscal years.
(B) An appropriation of $700,000,000 over the next
3 fiscal years.
(C) An appropriation of $800,000,000 over the next
3 fiscal years.
(D) The funding level assumptions over the next 3
fiscal years that are included as part of commercial
crew transportation capability contract awards.
(3) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after initiation
of the Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall transmit the results of the
Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate.
(g) Implementation Strategies.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of
the Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate under subsection
(f), the Administrator shall transmit 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 4 distinct implementation
strategies based on such Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate
for the final stages of the commercial crew program.
(2) Requirements.--These options shall include--
(A) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of
$600,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years;
(B) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of
$700,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years;
(C) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of
$800,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years; and
(D) a strategy that has yet to be considered
previously in any budget submission but that the
Administration believes could ensure the flight
readiness date of 2017 for at least one provider.
(3) Inclusions.--Each strategy shall include the
contracting instruments the Administration will employ to
acquire the services in each phase of development or
acquisition and the number of commercial providers the
Administration will include in the program.
SEC. 216. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS.
(a) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan, in consultation
with relevant Federal agencies, for updating the Administration's space
communications and navigation architecture for low-Earth orbital and
deep space operations so that it is capable of meeting the
Administration's communications needs over the next 20 years. The plan
shall include lifecycle cost estimates, milestones, estimated
performance capabilities, and 5-year funding profiles. The plan shall
also include an estimate of the amounts of any reimbursements the
Administration is likely to receive from other Federal agencies during
the expected life of the upgrades described in the plan. At a minimum,
the plan shall include a description of the following:
(1) Steps to sustain the existing space communications and
navigation network and infrastructure and priorities for how
resources will be applied and cost estimates for the
maintenance of existing space communications network
capabilities.
(2) Upgrades needed to support space communications and
navigation network and infrastructure requirements, including
cost estimates and schedules and an assessment of the impact on
missions if resources are not secured at the level needed.
(3) Projected space communications and navigation network
requirements for the next 20 years, including those in support
of human space exploration missions.
(4) Projected Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System
requirements for the next 20 years, including those in support
of other relevant Federal agencies, and cost and schedule
estimates to maintain and upgrade the Tracking and Data Relay
Satellite System to meet projected requirements.
(5) Steps the Administration is taking to meet future space
communications requirements after all Tracking and Data Relay
Satellite System third-generation communications satellites are
operational.
(6) Steps the Administration is taking to mitigate threats
to electromagnetic spectrum use.
(b) Schedule.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan developed
under this section to 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 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--SCIENCE
Subtitle A--General
SEC. 301. SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.
(a) Balanced and Adequately Funded Activities.--Section 803 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010
(124 Stat. 2832) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 803. OVERALL SCIENCE PORTFOLIO--SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.
``Congress reaffirms its sense, expressed in the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010, that a
balanced and adequately funded set of activities, consisting of
research and analysis grants programs, technology development, small,
medium, and large space missions, and suborbital research activities,
contributes to a robust and productive science program and serves as a
catalyst for innovation and discovery.''.
(b) Decadal Surveys.--In proposing the funding of programs and
activities for the Administration for each fiscal year, the
Administrator shall to the greatest extent practicable follow guidance
provided in the current decadal surveys from the National Academies'
Space Studies Board.
SEC. 302. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that conducting
deep space exploration requires radioisotope power systems, and
establishing continuity in the production of the material needed to
power these systems is paramount to the success of these future deep
space missions. It is further the sense of Congress that Federal
agencies supporting the Administration through the production of such
material should do so in a cost effective manner so as not to impose
excessive reimbursement requirements on the Administration.
(b) Analysis of Requirements and Risks.--The Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator, in consultation
with other Federal agencies, shall conduct an analysis of--
(1) the requirements of the Administration for radioisotope
power system material that is needed to carry out planned, high
priority robotic missions in the solar system and other surface
exploration activities beyond low-Earth orbit; and
(2) the risks to missions of the Administration in meeting
those requirements, or any additional requirements, due to a
lack of adequate radioisotope power system material.
(c) Contents of Analysis.--The analysis conducted under subsection
(b) shall--
(1) detail the Administration's current projected mission
requirements and associated timeframes for radioisotope power
system material;
(2) explain the assumptions used to determine the
Administration's requirements for the material, including--
(A) the planned use of advanced thermal conversion
technology such as advanced thermocouples and Stirling
generators and converters; and
(B) the risks and implications of, and
contingencies for, any delays or unanticipated
technical challenges affecting or related to the
Administration's mission plans for the anticipated use
of advanced thermal conversion technology;
(3) assess the risk to the Administration's programs of any
potential delays in achieving the schedule and milestones for
planned domestic production of radioisotope power system
material;
(4) outline a process for meeting any additional
Administration requirements for the material;
(5) estimate the incremental costs required to increase the
amount of material produced each year, if such an increase is
needed to support additional Administration requirements for
the material;
(6) detail how the Administration and other Federal
agencies will manage, operate, and fund production facilities
and the design and development of all radioisotope power
systems used by the Administration and other Federal agencies
as necessary;
(7) specify the steps the Administration will take, in
consultation with the Department of Energy, to preserve the
infrastructure and workforce necessary for production of
radioisotope power systems and ensure that its reimbursements
to the Department of Energy associated with such preservation
are equitable and justified; and
(8) detail how the Administration has implemented or
rejected the recommendations from the National Research
Council's 2009 report titled ``Radioisotope Power Systems: An
Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space
Exploration''.
(d) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of
the analysis to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 303. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE.
Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(10) The direction of the unique competence of the
Administration to the search for life's origin, evolution,
distribution, and future in the Universe. In carrying out this
objective, the Administration may use any practicable ground-
based, airborne, or space-based technical means and spectra of
electromagnetic radiation.''.
SEC. 304. UNIVERSITY CLASS SCIENCE MISSIONS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that principal
investigator-led small orbital science missions, including CubeSat
class, University Explorer (UNEX) class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class,
and Venture class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science at
low cost, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and
enable participants in the program to acquire skills in systems
engineering and systems integration that are critical to maintaining
the Nation's leadership in space and to enhancing the United States
innovation and competitiveness abroad.
(b) Review of Principal Investigator-led Small Orbital Science
Missions.--The Administrator shall conduct a review of the science
missions described in subsection (a). The review shall include--
(1) the status, capability, and availability of existing
small orbital science mission programs and the extent to which
each program enables the participation of university scientists
and students;
(2) the opportunities such mission programs provide for
scientific research;
(3) the opportunities such mission programs provide for
training and education, including scientific and engineering
workforce development, including for the Administration's
scientific and engineering workforce; and
(4) the extent to which commercial applications such as
hosted payloads, free flyers, and data buys could provide
measurable benefits for such mission programs, while preserving
the principle of independent peer review as the basis for
mission selection.
(c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 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 on the
review required under subsection (b) and on recommendations to enhance
principal investigator-led small orbital science missions conducted by
the Administration in accordance with the results of the review
required by subsection (b).
SEC. 305. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS.
Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``Sec. 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions
``(a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out biennial
reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess the cost and
benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection
for those missions that exceed their planned missions' lifetime. The
assessment shall take into consideration how extending missions impacts
the start of future missions.
``(b) Consultation and Consideration of Potential Benefits of
Instruments on Missions.--When deciding whether to extend a mission
that has an operational component, the Administrator shall consult with
any affected Federal agency and shall take into account the potential
benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond their planned
mission lifetime.
``(c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit 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
the same time as the submission to Congress of the Administration's
annual budget request for each fiscal year, a report detailing any
assessment required by subsection (a) that was carried out during the
previous year.''.
Subtitle B--Astrophysics
SEC. 311. DECADAL CADENCE.
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and
small astrophysics missions.
SEC. 312. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGY.
(a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for the study
and exploration of extrasolar planets, including the use of the
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope,
a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other
telescope, spacecraft, or instrument as appropriate. Such strategy
shall--
(1) outline key scientific questions;
(2) identify the most promising research in the field;
(3) indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in
existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet
research goals;
(4) identify opportunities for coordination with
international partners, commercial partners, and other not-for-
profit partners; and
(5) make recommendations on the above as appropriate.
(b) Use of Strategy.--The Administrator shall use the strategy to--
(1) inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities
of the Administration as they relate to extrasolar planet
research and exploration; and
(2) provide a foundation for future activities and
initiatives.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report
to the Administrator, and to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the
strategy developed under subsection (a).
SEC. 313. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the James Webb Space Telescope will revolutionize our
understanding of star and planet formation and how galaxies
evolved, and advance the search for the origins of the
universe;
(2) the James Webb Space Telescope will enable American
scientists to maintain their leadership in astrophysics and
other disciplines;
(3) the James Webb Space Telescope program is making steady
progress towards a launch in 2018;
(4) the on-time and on-budget delivery of the James Webb
Space Telescope is a high congressional priority; and
(5) maintaining this progress will require the
Administrator to ensure that integrated testing is
appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to enable
potential issues to be identified and addressed early enough to
be handled within the James Webb Space Telescope's development
schedule prior to launch.
SEC. 314. NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE TELESCOPE DONATION.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate outlining the
cost of the Administration's potential plan for developing the Wide-
Field Infrared Survey Telescope as described in the 2010 National
Academies' astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey, including an
alternative plan for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 2.4,
which includes the donated 2.4-meter aperture National Reconnaissance
Office telescope. Due to the budget constraints on the Administration's
science programs, this report shall include--
(1) an assessment of cost efficient approaches to develop
the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope;
(2) a comparison to the development of mission concepts
that exclude the utilization of the donated asset;
(3) an assessment of how the Administration's existing
science missions will be affected by the utilization of the
donated asset described in this section; and
(4) a description of the cost associated with storing and
maintaining the donated asset.
SEC. 315. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Administrator, to the extent practicable, should make progress on the
technologies and capabilities needed to position the Administration to
meet the objectives of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope
mission, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies' astronomy and
astrophysics decadal survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific
productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. It
is further the sense of Congress that the Wide-Field Infrared Survey
Telescope mission has the potential to enable scientific discoveries
that will transform our understanding of the universe.
(b) Continuity of Development.--The Administrator shall ensure that
the concept definition and pre-formulation activities of a Wide-Field
Infrared Survey Telescope mission continue while the James Webb Space
Telescope is being completed.
SEC. 316. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY.
The Administrator shall not use any funding appropriated to the
Administration for fiscal year 2014 for the shutdown of the
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or for the preparation
therefor.
Subtitle C--Planetary Science
SEC. 321. DECADAL CADENCE.
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to
ensure to the greatest extent practicable that the Administration
carries out a balanced set of planetary science programs in accordance
with the priorities established in the most recent decadal survey for
planetary science. Such programs shall include, at a minimum--
(1) a Discovery-class mission at least once every 24
months;
(2) a New Frontiers-class mission at least once every 60
months; and
(3) at least one Flagship-class mission per decadal survey
period, including a Europa mission with a goal of launching by
2021.
SEC. 322. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Near-Earth objects pose a serious and credible threat
to humankind, as many scientists believe that a major asteroid
or comet was responsible for the mass extinction of the
majority of the Earth's species, including the dinosaurs,
approximately 65,000,000 years ago.
(2) Similar objects have struck the Earth or passed through
the Earth's atmosphere several times in the Earth's history and
pose a similar threat in the future.
(3) Several such near-Earth objects have only been
discovered within days of the objects' closest approach to
Earth, and recent discoveries of such large objects indicate
that many large near-Earth objects remain to be discovered.
(4) The efforts undertaken by the Administration for
detecting and characterizing the hazards of near-Earth objects
should continue to seek to fully determine the threat posed by
such objects to cause widespread destruction and loss of life.
(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``near-
Earth object'' means an asteroid or comet with a perihelion distance of
less than 1.3 Astronomical Units from the Sun.
(c) Near-Earth Object Survey.--The Administrator shall continue to
detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics
of near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter
in order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the Earth,
pursuant to the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act (42
U.S.C. 16691). It shall be the goal of the Survey program to achieve 90
percent completion of its near-Earth object catalogue (based on
statistically predicted populations of near-Earth objects) by 2020.
(d) Warning and Mitigation of Potential Hazards of Near-Earth
Objects.--Congress reaffirms the policy set forth in section 20102(g)
of title 51, United States Code (relating to detecting, tracking,
cataloguing, and characterizing asteroids and comets).
(e) Program Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy and the Administrator shall transmit to 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 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, an
initial report that provides--
(1) recommendations for carrying out the Survey program and
an associated proposed budget;
(2) analysis of possible options that the Administration
could employ to divert an object on a likely collision course
with Earth; and
(3) a description of the status of efforts to coordinate
and cooperate with other countries to discover hazardous
asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and implement
that strategy in the event of the discovery of an object on a
likely collision course with Earth.
(f) Annual Reports.--Subsequent to the initial report the
Administrator shall annually transmit 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
provides--
(1) a summary of all activities carried out pursuant to
subsection (c) since the date of enactment of this Act,
including the progress toward achieving 90 percent completion
of the survey described in subsection (c); and
(2) a summary of expenditures for all activities carried
out pursuant to subsection (c) since the date of enactment of
this Act.
(g) Study.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other relevant
Federal agencies, shall carry out a technical and scientific assessment
of the capabilities and resources to--
(1) accelerate the survey described in subsection (c); and
(2) expand the Administration's Near-Earth Object Program
to include the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and
characterization of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects
less than 140 meters in diameter.
(h) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of
the assessment carried out under subsection (g) to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 323. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Administration should seek to leverage the capabilities of the private
sector and philanthropic organizations to the maximum extent
practicable in carrying out the Near-Earth Object Survey program in
order to meet the goal of the Survey program.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, Transportation of the Senate a report describing
how the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to detect,
track, catalogue, and categorize near-Earth objects.
SEC. 324. RESEARCH ON NEAR-EARTH OBJECT TSUNAMI EFFECTS.
(a) Report on Potential Tsunami Effects From Near-earth Object
Impact.--The Administrator, in collaboration with the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant
agencies, shall prepare a report identifying and describing existing
research activities and further research objectives that would increase
our understanding of the nature of the effects of potential tsunamis
that could occur if a near-Earth object were to impact an ocean of
Earth.
(b) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the report
required and prepared under 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.
SEC. 325. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY.
(a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for
astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the
most promising research in the field, and indicate the extent to which
the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search
for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe.
The strategy shall include recommendations for coordination with
international partners.
(b) Use of Strategy.--The Administrator shall use the strategy
developed under subsection (a) in planning and funding research and
other activities and initiatives in the field of astrobiology.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report
to the Administrator, and to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the
strategy developed under subsection (a).
SEC. 326. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, Transportation of the Senate a report describing how
the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to study
life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe.
SEC. 327. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE.
(a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with the National Academies to assess--
(1) the Administration's revised post-2016 Mars exploration
architecture and its responsiveness to the strategies,
priorities, and guidelines put forward by the National
Academies' planetary science decadal surveys and other relevant
National Academies Mars-related reports;
(2) the long-term goals of the Administration's Mars
Exploration Program and such program's ability to optimize the
science return, given the current fiscal posture of the
program;
(3) the Mars architecture's relationship to Mars-related
activities to be undertaken by agencies and organizations
outside of the United States; and
(4) the extent to which the Mars architecture represents a
reasonably balanced mission portfolio.
(b) Transmittal.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of
the assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate.
Subtitle D--Heliophysics
SEC. 331. DECADAL CADENCE.
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and
small heliophysics missions.
SEC. 332. REVIEW OF SPACE WEATHER.
(a) Review.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, in consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Director of
the National Science Foundation, and heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies
to provide a comprehensive study that reviews current and planned
ground-based and space-based space weather monitoring requirements and
capabilities, identifies gaps, and identifies options for a robust and
resilient capability. The study shall inform the process of identifying
national needs for future space weather monitoring, forecasts, and
mitigation. The National Academies shall give consideration to
international and private sector efforts and collaboration that could
potentially contribute to national space weather needs. The study shall
also review the current state of research capabilities in observing,
modeling, and prediction and provide recommendations to ensure future
advancement of predictive capability.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 14 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report
containing the results of the study provided under subsection (a) to
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
Subtitle E--Earth Science
SEC. 341. GOAL.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Administration is being asked to undertake important Earth science
activities in an environment of increasingly constrained fiscal
resources, and that any transfer of additional responsibilities to the
Administration, such as climate instrument development and measurements
that are currently part of the portfolio of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, should be accompanied by the provision of
additional resources to allow the Administration to carry out the
increased responsibilities without adversely impacting its
implementation of its existing Earth science programs and priorities.
(b) General.--The Administrator shall continue to carry out a
balanced Earth science program that includes Earth science research,
Earth systematic missions, competitive Venture class missions, other
missions and data analysis, mission operations, technology development,
and applied sciences, consistent with the recommendations and
priorities established in the National Academies' Earth Science Decadal
Survey.
(c) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall collaborate with other
Federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, non-government entities, and international partners, as
appropriate, in carrying out the Administration's Earth science
program. The Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind
instruments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies
for operations.
(d) Reimbursement.--Whenever responsibilities for the development
of sensors or for measurements are transferred to the Administration
from another agency, the Administration shall seek, to the extent
possible, to be reimbursed for the assumption of such responsibilities.
SEC. 342. DECADAL CADENCE.
In carrying out section 341(b), the Administrator shall seek to
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and
small Earth science missions.
SEC. 343. VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Administration's Venture
class missions provide opportunities for innovation in the Earth
science program, offer low-cost approaches for high-quality competitive
science investigations, enable frequent flight opportunities to engage
the Earth science and applications community, and serve as a training
ground for students and young scientists. It is further the sense of
Congress that the Administration should seek to increase the number of
Venture class projects to the extent practicable as part of a balanced
Earth science program.
SEC. 344. ASSESSMENT.
The Administrator shall carry out a scientific assessment of the
Administration's Earth science global datasets for the purpose of
identifying those datasets that are useful for understanding regional
changes and variability, and for informing applied science research.
The Administrator shall complete and transmit the assessment to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio will help
maintain the United States status as a leader in aviation,
enhance the competitiveness of the United States in the world
economy and improve the quality of life of all citizens;
(2) aeronautics research is essential to the
Administration's mission, continues to be an important core
element of the Administration's mission and should be
supported;
(3) the Administrator should coordinate and consult with
relevant Federal agencies and the private sector to minimize
duplication and leverage resources; and
(4) carrying aeronautics research to a level of maturity
that allows the Administration's research results to be
transitioned to the users, whether private or public sector, is
critical to their eventual adoption.
SEC. 402. AERONAUTICS RESEARCH GOALS.
The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration maintains a
strong aeronautics research portfolio ranging from fundamental research
through integrated systems research with specific research goals,
including the following:
(1) Enhance airspace operations and safety.--The
Administration's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall
address research needs of the Next Generation Air
Transportation System and identify critical gaps in technology
which must be bridged to enable the implementation of the Next
Generation Air Transportation System so that safety and
productivity improvements can be achieved as soon as possible.
(2) Improve air vehicle performance.--The Administration's
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall conduct research
to improve aircraft performance and minimize environmental
impacts. The Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate shall consider and pursue concepts
to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel consumption while
maintaining high safety standards, and shall conduct research
related to the impact of alternative fuels on the safety,
reliability and maintainability of current and new air
vehicles.
(3) Strengthen aviation safety.--The Administration's
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall proactively
address safety challenges associated with current and new air
vehicles and with operations in the Nation's current and future
air transportation system.
(4) Demonstrate concepts at the system level.--The
Administration's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall
mature the most promising technologies to the point at which
they can be demonstrated in a relevant environment and shall
integrate individual components and technologies as appropriate
to ensure that they perform in an integrated manner as well as
they do when operated individually.
SEC. 403. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and other Federal
agencies, shall carry out research and technological development to
facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aerial systems into the
National Airspace System, including--
(1) positioning and navigation systems;
(2) sense and avoid capabilities;
(3) secure data and communication links;
(4) flight recovery systems; and
(5) human systems integration.
(b) Roadmap.--The Administrator shall update a roadmap for unmanned
aerial systems research and development and transmit this roadmap to
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 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(c) Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Activities.--Section 31504
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``Operational
flight data derived from these cooperative agreements shall be made
available, in appropriate and usable formats, to the Administration and
the Federal Aviation Administration for the development of regulatory
standards.'' after ``in remote areas.''.
SEC. 404. RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS USED IN AERONAUTICS.
(a) Purpose of Research.--The Administrator shall continue the
Administration's cooperative research program with industry to identify
and demonstrate more effective and safe ways of developing,
manufacturing, and maintaining composite materials for use in
airframes, subsystems, and propulsion components.
(b) Exposure of Research to Next Generation of Engineers and
Technicians.--To the extent practicable, the Administration's
cooperative research program with industry on composite materials shall
provide timely access to that research to the next generation of
engineers and technicians at universities, community colleges, and
vocational schools, thereby helping to develop a workforce ready to
take on the development, manufacture, and maintenance of components
reliant on advanced composite materials.
(c) Consultation.--The Administrator, in overseeing the
Administration's work on composite materials, shall consult with
relevant Federal agencies and partners in industry to accelerate safe
development and certification processes for new composite materials and
design methods while maintaining rigorous inspection of new composite
materials.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
detailing the Administration's work on new composite materials and the
coordination efforts among Federal agencies and industry partners.
SEC. 405. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall
develop and transmit 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 research and development roadmap for
hypersonic aircraft research with the objective of exploring hypersonic
science and technology using air-breathing propulsion concepts, through
a mix of theoretical work, basic and applied research, and development
of flight research demonstration vehicles. The roadmap shall prescribe
appropriate agency contributions, coordination efforts, and technology
milestones.
SEC. 406. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the ability to fly commercial aircraft over land at
supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the environment or
on local communities could open new global markets and enable
new transportation capabilities; and
(2) continuing the Administration's research program is
necessary to assess the impact in a relevant environment of
commercial supersonic flight operations and provide the basis
for establishing appropriate sonic boom standards for such
flight operations.
(b) Roadmap for Supersonic Research.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and
transmit 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 roadmap that allows for flexible funding
profiles for supersonic aeronautics research and development with the
objective of developing and demonstrating, in a relevant environment,
airframe and propulsion technologies to minimize the environmental
impact, including noise, of supersonic overland flight in an efficient
and economical manner. The roadmap shall include--
(1) the baseline research as embodied by the
Administration's existing research on supersonic flight;
(2) a list of specific technological, environmental, and
other challenges that must be overcome to minimize the
environmental impact, including noise, of supersonic overland
flight;
(3) a research plan to address such challenges, as well as
a project timeline for accomplishing relevant research goals;
(4) a plan for coordination with stakeholders, including
relevant government agencies and industry; and
(5) a plan for how the Administration will ensure that
sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate with relevant
Federal agencies.
SEC. 407. RESEARCH ON NEXTGEN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND TOOLS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation with
other Federal agencies, review at least annually the alignment and
timing of the Administration's research and development activities in
support of the NextGen airspace management modernization initiative,
and shall make any necessary adjustments by reprioritizing or
retargeting the Administration's research and development activities in
support of the NextGen initiative.
(b) Annual Reports.--The Administrator shall report to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate annually regarding the progress of the
Administration's research and development activities in support of the
NextGen airspace management modernization initiative, including details
of technologies transferred to relevant Federal agencies for eventual
operation implementation, consultation with other Federal agencies, and
any adjustments made to research activities.
SEC. 408. ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall
prepare and transmit 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 roadmap for research relating to
rotorcraft and other runway-independent air vehicles, with the
objective of developing and demonstrating improved safety, noise, and
environmental impact in a relevant environment. The roadmap shall
include specific goals for the research, a timeline for implementation,
metrics for success, and guidelines for collaboration and coordination
with industry and other Federal agencies.
SEC. 409. TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator, in looking
strategically into the future and ensuring that the Administration's
Center personnel are at the leading edge of aeronautics research,
should encourage investigations into the early-stage advancement of new
processes, novel concepts, and innovative technologies that have the
potential to meet national aeronautics needs. The Administrator shall
continue to ensure that awards for the investigation of these concepts
and technologies are open for competition among Administration civil
servants at its Centers, separate from other awards open only to non-
Administration sources.
SEC. 410. STUDY OF UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP IN AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with
the National Academies for a study to benchmark the position of the
United States in civil aeronautics research compared to the rest of the
world. The study shall--
(1) seek to define metrics by which relative leadership in
civil aeronautics research can be determined;
(2) ascertain how the United States compares to other
countries in the field of civil aeronautics research and any
relevant trends; and
(3) provide recommendations on what can be done to regain
or retain global leadership, including--
(A) identifying research areas where United States
expertise has been or is at risk of being overtaken;
(B) defining appropriate roles for the
Administration;
(C) identifying public-private partnerships that
could be formed; and
(D) estimating the impact on the Administration's
budget should such recommendations be implemented.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the results of the study
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 V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that space technology is critical to--
(1) enabling a new class of Administration missions beyond
low-Earth orbit;
(2) developing technologies and capabilities that will make
the Administration's missions more affordable and more
reliable; and
(3) improving technological capabilities and promoting
innovation for the Administration and the Nation.
SEC. 502. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) Amendment.--Section 70507 of title 51, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70507. Space Technology Program authorized
``(a) Program Authorized.--The Administrator shall establish a
Space Technology Program to pursue the research and development of
advanced space technologies that have the potential of delivering
innovative solutions and to support human exploration of the solar
system or advanced space science. The program established by the
Administrator shall take into consideration the recommendations of the
National Academies' review of the Administration's Space Technology
roadmaps and priorities, as well as applicable enabling aspects of the
Human Exploration Roadmap specified in section 70504. In conducting the
space technology program established under this section, the
Administrator shall--
``(1) to the maximum extent practicable, use a competitive
process to select projects to be supported as part of the
program;
``(2) make use of small satellites and the Administration's
suborbital and ground-based platforms, to the extent
practicable and appropriate, to demonstrate space technology
concepts and developments; and
``(3) undertake partnerships with other Federal agencies,
universities, private industry, and other spacefaring nations,
as appropriate.
``(b) Small Business Programs.--The Administrator shall organize
and manage the Administration's Small Business Innovation Research
program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program within the Space
Technology Program.
``(c) Nonduplication Certification.--The Administrator shall
include in the budget for each fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress
under section 1105(a) of title 31, a certification that no project,
program, or mission undertaken by the Space Technology Program is
duplicative of any other project, program, or mission conducted by
another office or directorate of the Administration.''.
(b) Collaboration, Coordination, and Alignment.--The Administrator
shall ensure that the Administration's projects, programs, and
activities in support of technology research and development of
advanced space technologies are fully coordinated and aligned and that
results from such work are shared and leveraged within the
Administration. Projects, programs, and activities being conducted by
the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in support of
research and development of advanced space technologies and systems
focusing on human space exploration should continue in that
Directorate. The Administrator shall ensure that organizational
responsibility for research and development activities in support of
human space exploration not initiated as of the date of enactment of
this Act is established on the basis of a sound rationale. The
Administrator shall provide the rationale in the report specified in
subsection (d).
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, 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
comparing the Administration's space technology investments with the
high-priority technology areas identified by the National Academies in
the National Research Council's report on the Administration's Space
Technology Roadmaps. The Administrator shall identify how the
Administration will address any gaps between the agency's investments
and the recommended technology areas, including a projection of funding
requirements.
(d) Annual Report.--The Administrator shall include in the
Administration's annual budget request for each fiscal year the
rationale for assigning organizational responsibility for, in the year
prior to the budget fiscal year, each initiated project, program, and
mission focused on research and development of advanced technologies
for human space exploration.
(e) Table of Sections Amendment.--The item relating to section
70507 in the table of sections for chapter 705 of title 51, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``70507. Space Technology Program authorized.''.
SEC. 503. UTILIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR TECHNOLOGY
DEMONSTRATIONS.
The Administrator shall utilize the International Space Station and
commercial services for space technology demonstration missions in low-
Earth orbit whenever it is practical and cost effective to do so.
TITLE VI--EDUCATION
SEC. 601. EDUCATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Administration's missions are an inspiration for
Americans and in particular for the next generation, and that
this inspiration has a powerful effect in stimulating interest
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (in this
section referred to as ``STEM'') education and careers;
(2) the Administration's Office of Education and mission
directorates have been effective in delivering Administration
educational content because of the strong engagement of
Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration's
education and outreach activities; and
(3) the Administration should be a central partner in
contributing to the goals of the National Science and
Technology Council's Federal Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-Year Strategic Plan.
(b) In General.--The Administration shall continue its education
and outreach efforts to--
(1) increase student interest and participation in STEM
education;
(2) improve public literacy in STEM;
(3) employ proven strategies for improving student learning
and teaching;
(4) provide curriculum support materials; and
(5) create and support opportunities for professional
development for STEM teachers.
(c) Organization.--In order to ensure the inspiration and
engagement of children and the general public, the Administration shall
continue its STEM education and outreach activities within the Science,
Aeronautics Research, Space Operations, and Exploration Mission
Directorates.
(d) Continuation of Education and Outreach Activities and
Programs.--The Administrator shall continue to carry out education and
outreach programs and activities through the Office of Education and
the Administration mission directorates and shall continue to engage,
to the maximum extent practicable, Administration and Administration-
supported researchers and engineers in carrying out those programs and
activities.
(e) Continuation of Space Grant Program.--The Administrator shall
continue to operate the National Space Grant College and Fellowship
program through a national network consisting of a State-based
consortium in each State that provides flexibility to the States, with
the objective of providing hands-on research, training, and education
programs, with measurable outcomes, to enhance America's STEM education
and workforce.
(f) Reaffirmation of Policy.--Congress reaffirms its commitment to
informal science education at science centers and planetariums as set
forth in section 616 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. 40907).
SEC. 602. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, which was
established in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 2486 et seq.), has been an
important program by which the Federal Government has partnered with
State and local governments, universities, private industry, and other
organizations to enhance the understanding and use of space and
aeronautics activities and their benefits through education, fostering
of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary space research and training,
and supporting Federal funding for graduate fellowships in space-
related fields, among other purposes.
(b) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with
the National Academies for--
(1) a review of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program, including its structure and capabilities
for supporting science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics education and training consistent with the National
Science and Technology Council's Federal Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-Year Strategic
Plan; and
(2) recommendations on measures, if needed, to enhance the
Program's effectiveness and mechanisms by which any increases
in funding appropriated by Congress can be applied.
(c) National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program
Amendments.--
(1) Purposes.--Section 40301 of title 51, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(5);
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(6) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(7) support outreach to primary and secondary schools to
help support STEM engagement and learning at the K-12 level and
to encourage K-12 students to pursue postsecondary degrees in
fields related to space.''.
(2) Regional consortium.--Section 40306 of title 51, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3)
as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following new paragraph:
``(2) Inclusion of 2-year institutions.--A space grant
regional consortium designated in paragraph (1)(B) may include
one or more 2-year institutions of higher education.''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``paragraphs
(2)(C) and (3)(D)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (3)(C)
and (4)(D)''.
SEC. 603. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator should make the
continuation of the Administration's Minority University Research and
Education Program a priority in order to further STEM education for
underrepresented students.
TITLE VII--POLICY PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. ASTEROID RETRIEVAL MISSION.
(a) Asteroid Retrieval Report.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, 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 on the proposed Asteroid
Retrieval Mission. Such report shall include--
(1) a detailed budget profile, including cost estimates for
the development of all necessary technologies and spacecraft
required for the mission;
(2) a detailed technical plan that includes milestones and
a specific schedule;
(3) a description of the technologies and capabilities
anticipated to be gained from the proposed mission that will
enable future human missions to Mars which could not be gained
by lunar missions;
(4) a description of the technologies and capabilities
anticipated to be gained from the proposed mission that will
enable future planetary defense missions, against impact
threats from near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140
meters in diameter, which could not be gained by robotic
missions; and
(5) a complete assessment by the Small Bodies Assessment
Group and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Advisory Council of how the proposed mission is in the
strategic interests of the United States in space exploration.
(b) Mars Flyby Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, an independent, private systems engineering and
technical assistance organization contracted by the Human Exploration
Operations Mission Directorate shall transmit 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 analyzing the proposal for a Mars
Flyby human spaceflight mission to be launched in 2021. Such report
shall include--
(1) a technical development, test, fielding, and operations
plan using the Space Launch System and other systems to
successfully mount a Mars Flyby mission by 2021;
(2) a description of the benefits in scientific knowledge
and technologies demonstrated by a Mars Flyby mission to be
launched in 2021 suitable for future Mars missions; and
(3) an annual budget profile, including cost estimates, for
the development test, fielding, and operations plan to carry
out a Mars Flyby mission through 2021 and comparison of that
budget profile to the 5-year budget profile contained in the
President's Budget request for fiscal year 2015.
(c) Assessment.--Not later than 60 days after transmittal of the
report specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall transmit to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate an assessment by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Advisory Council of whether the proposal for a
Mars Flyby Mission to be launched in 2021 is in the strategic interests
of the United States in space exploration.
(d) Crewed Mission.--The report transmitted under subsection (b)
may consider a crewed mission with the Space Launch System in cis-lunar
space prior to the Mars Flyby mission in 2021.
SEC. 702. TERMINATION LIABILITY SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that:
(1) The International Space Station, the Space Launch
System, and the Orion crew capsule will enable the Nation to
continue operations in low-Earth orbit and to send its
astronauts to deep space. The James Webb Space Telescope will
revolutionize our understanding of star and planet formation
and how galaxies evolved and advance the search for the origins
of our universe. As a result of their unique capabilities and
their critical contribution to the future of space exploration,
these systems have been designated by Congress and the
Administration as priority investments.
(2) In addition, contractors are currently holding program
funding, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of
dollars, to cover the potential termination liability should
the Government choose to terminate a program for convenience.
As a result, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are
unavailable for meaningful work on these programs.
(3) According to the Government Accountability Office, the
Administration procures most of its goods and services through
contracts, and it terminates very few of them. In fiscal year
2010, the Administration terminated 28 of 16,343 active
contracts and orders--a termination rate of about 0.17 percent.
(4) The Administration should vigorously pursue a policy on
termination liability that maximizes the utilization of its
appropriated funds to make maximum progress in meeting
established technical goals and schedule milestones on these
high-priority programs.
SEC. 703. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS.
Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``Procedural
Requirements 7120.5c, dated March 22, 2005'' and inserting
``Procedural Requirements 7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012''; and
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ``beginning 18 months
after the date the Administrator transmits a report under
subsection (e)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``beginning 18 months
after the Administrator makes such determination''.
SEC. 704. PROJECT AND PROGRAM RESERVES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
judicious use of program and project reserves provides the
Administration's project and program managers with the flexibility
needed to manage projects and programs to ensure that the impacts of
contingencies can be mitigated.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act the Administrator shall transmit 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--
(1) the Administration's criteria for establishing the
amount of reserves held at the project and program levels;
(2) how such criteria relate to the agency's policy of
budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level; and
(3) the Administration's criteria for waiving the policy of
budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level and alternative
strategies and mechanisms aimed at controlling program and
project costs when a waiver is granted.
SEC. 705. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS.
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit 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--
(1) the Administration's procedures for conducting
independent reviews of projects and programs at lifecycle
milestones and how the Administration ensures the independence
of the individuals who conduct those reviews prior to their
assignment;
(2) the internal and external entities independent of
project and program management that conduct reviews of projects
and programs at life cycle milestones; and
(3) how the Administration ensures the independence of such
entities and their members.
SEC. 706. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM.
Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, while protecting national security'' after ``research
community''.
SEC. 707. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ADVISORY
COUNCIL.
(a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with
the National Academy of Public Administration to assess the
effectiveness of the NASA Advisory Council and to make recommendations
to Congress for any change to--
(1) the functions of the Council;
(2) the appointment of members to the Council;
(3) qualifications for members of the Council;
(4) duration of terms of office for members of the Council;
(5) frequency of meetings of the Council;
(6) the structure of leadership and Committees of the
Council; and
(7) levels of professional staffing for the Council.
In carrying out the assessment, the Academy shall also assess the
impacts of broadening the Council's role to advising Congress, and any
other issues that the Academy determines could potentially impact the
effectiveness of the Council. The Academy shall consider the past
activities of the NASA Advisory Council, as well as the activities of
other analogous federal advisory bodies in conducting its assessment.
The results of the assessment, including any recommendations, shall be
transmitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(b) Consultation and Advice.--Section 20113(g) of title 51, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``and Congress'' after ``advice to
the Administration''.
(c) Sunset.--Subsection (b) shall expire on September 30, 2014.
SEC. 708. COST ESTIMATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that realistic
cost estimating is critically important to the ultimate success of
major space development projects. The Administration has devoted
significant efforts over the past five years to improving its cost
estimating capabilities, but it is important that the Administration
continue its efforts to develop and implement guidance in establishing
realistic cost estimates.
(b) Guidance and Criteria.--The Administrator shall provide to
programs and projects and in a manner consistent with the
Administration's Space Flight Program and Project Management
Requirements--
(1) guidance on when an Independent Cost Estimate and
Independent Cost Assessment should be used; and
(2) the criteria to be used to make such a determination.
(c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 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--
(1) describing efforts to enhance internal cost estimation
and assessment expertise;
(2) describing the mechanisms the Administration is using
and will continue to use to ensure that adequate resources are
dedicated to cost estimation;
(3) listing the steps the Administration is undertaking to
advance consistent implementation of the joint cost and
schedule process;
(4) identifying criteria used by programs and projects in
determining when to conduct an Independent Cost Estimate and
Independent Cost Assessment; and
(5) listing--
(A) the costs of each individual Independent Cost
Estimate or Independent Cost Assessment activity
conducted in fiscal year 2011, fiscal year 2012, and
fiscal year 2013;
(B) the purpose of the activity;
(C) identification of the primary Administration
unit or outside body that conducted the activity; and
(D) key findings and recommendations.
(d) Updated Report.--Subsequent to submission of the report under
subsection (c), for each subsequent year, the Administrator shall
provide an update of listed elements in conjunction with subsequent
congressional budget justifications.
SEC. 709. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN MAJOR
ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITION PROGRAMS.
(a) Revised Regulations Required.--Not later than 270 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the
Administration Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to
provide uniform guidance and recommend revised requirements for
organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major
acquisition programs in order to address elements identified in
subsection (b).
(b) Elements.--The revised regulations required by subsection (a)
shall, at a minimum--
(1) address organizational conflicts of interest that could
potentially arise as a result of--
(A) lead system integrator contracts on major
acquisition programs and contracts that follow lead
system integrator contracts on such programs,
particularly contracts for production;
(B) the ownership of business units performing
systems engineering and technical assistance functions,
professional services, or management support services
in relation to major acquisition programs by
contractors who simultaneously own business units
competing to perform as either the prime contractor or
the supplier of a major subsystem or component for such
programs;
(C) the award of major subsystem contracts by a
prime contractor for a major acquisition program to
business units or other affiliates of the same parent
corporate entity, and particularly the award of
subcontracts for software integration or the
development of a proprietary software system
architecture; or
(D) the performance by, or assistance of,
contractors in technical evaluations on major
acquisition programs;
(2) ensure that the Administration receives advice on
systems architecture and systems engineering matters with
respect to major acquisition programs from objective sources
independent of the prime contractor;
(3) require that a contract for the performance of systems
engineering and technical assistance functions for a major
acquisition program contains a provision prohibiting the
contractor or any affiliate of the contractor from
participating as a prime contractor or a major subcontractor in
the development of a system under the program; and
(4) establish such limited exceptions to the requirement in
paragraphs (2) and (3) as may be necessary to ensure that the
Administration has continued access to advice on systems
architecture and systems engineering matters from highly-
qualified contractors with domain experience and expertise,
while ensuring that such advice comes from sources that are
objective and unbiased.
SEC. 710. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Administration must reverse the deteriorating
condition of its facilities and infrastructure, as this
condition is hampering the effectiveness and efficiency of
research performed by both the Administration and industry
participants making use of Administration facilities, thus
reducing the competitiveness of the United States aerospace
industry;
(2) the Administration has a role in providing laboratory
capabilities to industry participants that are economically
viable as commercial entities and thus are not available
elsewhere;
(3) to ensure continued access to reliable and efficient
world-class facilities by researchers, the Administration
should seek to establish strategic partnerships with other
Federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry, as
appropriate; and
(4) decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or
modernize existing facilities must be made in the context of
meeting future Administration and other Federal agencies'
laboratory needs, including those required to meet the
activities supporting the Human Exploration Roadmap required by
section 70504 of title 51, United States Code.
(b) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States that the
Administration maintain reliable and efficient facilities and that
decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or modernize existing
facilities be made in the context of meeting future Administration
needs.
(c) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan that has the goal
of positioning the Administration to have the facilities, laboratories,
tools, and approaches necessary to address future Administration
requirements. Such plan shall identify--
(1) future Administration research and development and
testing needs;
(2) a strategy for identifying facilities that are
candidates for disposal, that is consistent with the national
strategic direction set forth in--
(A) the National Space Policy;
(B) the National Aeronautics Research, Development,
Test, and Evaluation Infrastructure Plan;
(C) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Acts; and
(D) the Human Exploration Roadmap specified in
section 70504 of title 51, United States Code;
(3) a strategy for the maintenance, repair, upgrading, and
modernization of the Administration's laboratories, facilities,
and equipment;
(4) criteria for prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks
and also for upgrading or modernizing laboratories, facilities,
and equipment and implementing processes, plans, and policies
for guiding the Administration's Centers on whether to
maintain, repair, upgrade, or modernize a facility and for
determining the type of instrument to be used;
(5) an assessment of modifications needed to maximize usage
of facilities that offer unique and highly specialized benefits
to the aerospace industry and the American public; and
(6) implementation steps, including a timeline, milestones,
and an estimate of resources required for carrying out the
plan.
(d) Policy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall establish and make publically
available a policy that guides the Administration's use of existing
authorities to out-grant, lease, excess to the General Services
Administration, sell, decommission, demolish, or otherwise transfer
property, facilities, or infrastructure. This policy shall establish
criteria for the use of authorities, best practices, standardized
procedures, and guidelines for how to appropriately manage property,
infrastructure, and facilities.
(e) Transmittal.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan
developed under subsection (c) to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(f) Establishment of Capital Fund.--The Administrator shall
establish a capital fund for the modernization of facilities and
laboratories. The Administrator shall ensure to the maximum extent
practicable that all financial savings achieved by closing outdated or
surplus facilities at an Administration Center shall be made available
to that Center for the purpose of modernizing the Center's facilities
and laboratories and for upgrading the infrastructure at the Center.
(g) Report on Capital Fund.--Expenditures and other activities of
the fund established under subsection (f) shall require review and
approval by the Administrator and the status, including the amounts
held in the capital fund, shall be reported to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate in
conjunction with the Administration's annual budget request
justification for each fiscal year.
SEC. 711. DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE OF COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC PARTS.
(a) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Supplement to the
Federal Acquisition Regulation to address the detection and
avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts.
(2) Contractor responsibilities.--The revised regulations
issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall provide that--
(A) Administration contractors who supply
electronic parts or products that include electronic
parts are responsible for detecting and avoiding the
use or inclusion of counterfeit electronic parts or
suspect counterfeit electronic parts in such products
and for any rework or corrective action that may be
required to remedy the use or inclusion of such parts;
and
(B) the cost of counterfeit electronic parts and
suspect counterfeit electronic parts and the cost of
rework or corrective action that may be required to
remedy the use or inclusion of such parts are not
allowable costs under Administration contracts,
unless--
(i) the covered contractor has an
operational system to detect and avoid
counterfeit parts and suspect counterfeit
electronic parts that has been reviewed and
approved by the Administration or the
Department of Defense;
(ii) the covered contractor provides timely
notice to the Administration pursuant to
paragraph (4); or
(iii) the counterfeit electronic parts or
suspect counterfeit electronic parts were
provided to the contractor as Government
property in accordance with part 45 of the
Federal Acquisition Regulation.
(3) Suppliers of electronic parts.--The revised regulations
issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall--
(A) require that the Administration and
Administration contractors and subcontractors at all
tiers--
(i) obtain electronic parts that are in
production or currently available in stock from
the original manufacturers of the parts or
their authorized dealers, or from suppliers who
obtain such parts exclusively from the original
manufacturers of the parts or their authorized
dealers; and
(ii) obtain electronic parts that are not
in production or currently available in stock
from suppliers that meet qualification
requirements established pursuant to
subparagraph (C);
(B) establish documented requirements consistent
with published industry standards or Government
contract requirements for--
(i) notification of the Administration; and
(ii) inspection, testing, and
authentication of electronic parts that the
Administration or an Administration contractor
or subcontractor obtains from any source other
than a source described in subparagraph (A);
(C) establish qualification requirements,
consistent with the requirements of section 2319 of
title 10, United States Code, pursuant to which the
Administration may identify suppliers that have
appropriate policies and procedures in place to detect
and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect
counterfeit electronic parts; and
(D) authorize Administration contractors and
subcontractors to identify and use additional suppliers
beyond those identified pursuant to subparagraph (C)
provided that--
(i) the standards and processes for
identifying such suppliers comply with
established industry standards;
(ii) the contractor or subcontractor
assumes responsibility for the authenticity of
parts provided by such suppliers as provided in
paragraph (2); and
(iii) the selection of such suppliers is
subject to review and audit by appropriate
Administration officials.
(4) Timely notification.--The revised regulations issued
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall require that any Administration
contractor or subcontractor who becomes aware, or has reason to
suspect, that any end item, component, part, or material
contained in supplies purchased by the Administration, or
purchased by a contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or
on behalf of, the Administration, contains counterfeit
electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts, shall
provide notification to the applicable Administration
contracting officer within 30 calendar days.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the revised regulations
specified in subsection (a) have been implemented, 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 updating the Administration's
actions to prevent counterfeit electronic parts from entering the
supply chain as described in its October 2011 report pursuant to
section 1206(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18444(d)).
(c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``electronic part''
means a discrete electronic component, including a microcircuit,
transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode that is intended for use in a
safety or mission critical application.
SEC. 712. SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS.
(a) Cost Sharing.--To the extent that the Administrator determines
practicable, the funds provided by the Government under a funded Space
Act Agreement shall not exceed the total amount provided by other
parties to the Space Act Agreement.
(b) Need.--A funded Space Act Agreement may be used only when the
use of a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is not
feasible or appropriate, as determined by the Associate Administrator
for Procurement.
(c) Public Notice and Comment.--The Administrator shall make
available for public notice and comment each proposed Space Act
Agreement at least 30 days before entering into such agreement, with
appropriate redactions for proprietary, sensitive, or classified
information.
(d) Transparency.--The Administrator shall publicly disclose on the
Administration's website and make available in a searchable format each
Space Act Agreement, with appropriate redactions for proprietary,
sensitive, or classified information, not later than 60 days after such
agreement is signed.
(e) Annual Report.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the end of
each fiscal year, 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 on the use of Space Act
Agreement authority by the Administration during the previous
fiscal year.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include for each Space Act
Agreement in effect at the time of the report--
(A) an indication of whether the agreement is a
reimbursable, nonreimbursable, or funded Space Act
Agreement;
(B) a description of--
(i) the subject and terms;
(ii) the parties;
(iii) the responsible--
(I) mission directorate;
(II) center; or
(III) headquarters element;
(iv) the value;
(v) the extent of the cost sharing among
Federal Government and non-Federal sources;
(vi) the time period or schedule; and
(vii) all milestones; and
(C) an indication of whether the agreement was
renewed during the previous fiscal year.
(3) Anticipated agreements.--The report shall also include
a list of all anticipated reimbursable, nonreimbursable, and
funded Space Act Agreements for the upcoming fiscal year.
(4) Cumulative program benefits.--The report shall also
include, with respect to the Space Act Agreements covered by
the report, a summary of--
(A) the technology areas in which research projects
were conducted under such agreements;
(B) the extent to which the use of the Space Act
Agreements--
(i) has contributed to a broadening of the
technology and industrial base available for
meeting Administration needs; and
(ii) has fostered within the technology and
industrial base new relationships and practices
that support the United States; and
(C) the total amount of value received by the
Federal Government during the fiscal year pursuant to
such Space Act Agreements.
SEC. 713. HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS.
Section 70702(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) any other orbital or suborbital space vehicle
carrying humans--
``(A) that is owned by the Federal Government; or
``(B) that is being used pursuant to a contract or
Space Act Agreement, as defined in section 2 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2014, with the Federal Government
for carrying a researcher or payload funded by the
Federal Government; or''.
SEC. 714. FULLEST COMMERCIAL USE OF SPACE.
(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 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 on
current and continuing efforts by the Administration to ``seek and
encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use
of space,'' as described in section 20102(c) of title 51, United States
Code.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an assessment of the Administration's efforts to comply
with the policy;
(2) an explanation of criteria used to define compliance;
(3) a description of programs, policies, and activities the
Administration is using, and will continue to use, to ensure
compliance;
(4) an explanation of how the Administration could expand
on the efforts to comply; and
(5) a summary of all current and planned activities
pursuant to this policy.
(c) Barriers to Fullest Commercial Use of Space.--Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
transmit 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 on current and continuing efforts
by the Administration to reduce impediments, bureaucracy, redundancy,
and burdens to ensure the fullest commercial use of space as required
by section 20102(c) of title 51, United States Code.
SEC. 715. ORBITAL DEBRIS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that orbital debris poses serious
risks to the operational space capabilities of the United States and
that an international commitment and integrated strategic plan are
needed to mitigate the growth of orbital debris wherever possible.
Congress finds the delay in the Office of Science and Technology
Policy's submission of a report on the status of international
coordination and development of mitigation strategies to be
inconsistent with such risks.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Coordination.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate with a report on the status of
efforts to coordinate with countries within the Inter-Agency
Space Debris Coordination Committee to mitigate the effects and
growth of orbital debris as required by section 1202(b)(1) of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(1)).
(2) Mitigation strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall provide the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate with a report on the status of the orbital debris
mitigation strategy required under section 1202(b)(2) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(2)).
SEC. 716. REVIEW OF ORBITAL DEBRIS REMOVAL CONCEPTS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the amount
of orbital debris in low-Earth orbit poses risks for human activities
and robotic spacecraft and that this debris may increase due to
collisions between existing debris objects. Understanding options to
address and remove orbital debris is important for ensuring safe and
effective spacecraft operations in low-Earth orbit.
(b) Review.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other
relevant Federal agencies, shall solicit and review concepts and
technological options for removing orbital debris from low-Earth orbit.
The solicitation and review shall also address the requirements for and
feasibility of developing and implementing each of the options.
(c) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide a report to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on the solicitation and review required
under subsection (b).
SEC. 717. USE OF OPERATIONAL COMMERCIAL SUBORBITAL VEHICLES FOR
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION.
(a) Policy.--The Administrator shall develop a policy on the use of
operational commercial reusable suborbital flight vehicles for carrying
out scientific and engineering investigations and educational
activities.
(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan on the
Administration's use of operational commercial reusable suborbital
flight vehicles for carrying out scientific and engineering
investigations and educational activities. The plan shall--
(1) describe the purposes for which the Administration
intends to use such vehicles;
(2) describe the processes required to support such use,
including the criteria used to determine which scientific and
engineering investigations and educational activities are
selected for a suborbital flight;
(3) describe Administration, space flight operator, and
supporting contractor responsibilities for developing standard
payload interfaces and conducting payload safety analyses,
payload integration and processing, payload operations, and
safety assurance for Administration-sponsored space flight
participants, among other functions required to fly
Administration-sponsored payloads and space flight participants
on operational commercial suborbital vehicles;
(4) identify Administration-provided hardware, software, or
services that may be provided to commercial reusable suborbital
space flight operators on a cost-reimbursable basis, through
agreements or contracts entered into under section 20113(e) of
title 51, United States Code; and
(5) describe the United States Government and space flight
operator responsibilities for liability and indemnification
with respect to commercial suborbital vehicle flights that
involve Administration-sponsored payloads or activities,
Administration-supported space flight participants, or other
Administration-related contributions.
(c) Assessment of Capabilities and Risks.--The Administrator shall
assess and characterize the potential capabilities and performance of
commercial reusable suborbital vehicles for addressing scientific
research, including research requiring access to low-gravity and
microgravity environments, for carrying out technology demonstrations
related to science, exploration, or space operations requirements, and
for providing opportunities for educating and training space scientists
and engineers, once those vehicles become operational. The assessment
shall also characterize the risks of using potential commercial
reusable suborbital flights to Administration-sponsored researchers and
scientific investigations and flight hardware.
(d) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan and assessment
described in subsections (b) and (c) to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(e) Annual Progress Reports.--In conjunction with the
Administration's annual budget request justification for each fiscal
year, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
describing progress in carrying out the Commercial Reusable Suborbital
Research Program, including the number and type of suborbital missions
planned in each fiscal year.
(f) Indemnification and Liability.--The Administrator shall not
proceed with a request for proposals, award any contract, commit any
United States Government funds, or enter into any other agreement for
the provision of a commercial reusable suborbital vehicle launch
service for an Administration-sponsored spaceflight participant until
transmittal of the plan and assessment specified in subsections (b) and
(c), the liability issues associated with the use of such systems by
the United States Government have been addressed, and the liability and
indemnification provisions that are planned to be included in such
contracts or agreements have been 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.
SEC. 718. FUNDAMENTAL SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It the sense of Congress that fundamental,
discovery-based space life and physical sciences research is critical
for enabling space exploration, protecting humans in space, and
providing societal benefits, and that the space environment facilitates
the advancement of understanding of the life sciences and physical
sciences. Space life and physical science research contributes to
advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research,
and provides careers and training opportunities in academia, Federal
laboratories, and commercial industry. Congress encourages the
Administrator to augment discovery-based fundamental research and to
establish requirements reflecting the importance of such research in
keeping with the priorities established in the National Academies'
decadal survey entitled ``Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration:
Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era''.
(b) Budget Request.--The Administrator shall include as part of the
Administration's annual budget request for each fiscal year a budget
line for fundamental space life and physical sciences research, devoted
to competitive, peer-reviewed grants, that is separate from the
International Space Station Operations account.
(c) Strategic Plan.--
(1) Development.--The Administrator, in consultation with
academia, other Federal agencies, and other potential
stakeholders, shall develop a strategic plan for carrying out
competitive, peer-reviewed fundamental space life science and
physical sciences and related technology research, among other
activities, consistent with the priorities in the National
Academies' decadal survey described in subsection (a).
(2) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the
strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 719. RESTORING COMMITMENT TO ENGINEERING RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
engineering excellence has long been a hallmark of the Administration's
ability to make significant advances in aeronautics and space
exploration. However, as has been noted in recent National Academies
reports, increasingly constrained funding and competing priorities have
led to an erosion of the Administration's commitment to basic
engineering research. This research provides the basis for the
technology development that enables the Administration's many
challenging missions to succeed. If current trends continue, the
Administration's ability to attract and maintain the best and brightest
engineering workforce at its Centers as well as its ability to remain
on the cutting edge of aeronautical and space technology will continue
to erode and will threaten the Administration's ability to be a world
leader in aeronautics research and development and space exploration.
(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan for restoring a
meaningful basic engineering research program at the Administration's
Centers, including, as appropriate, collaborations with industry,
universities, and other relevant organizations. The plan shall identify
the organizational approach to be followed, an initial set of basic
research priorities, and a proposed budget.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan specified in
subsection (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.
SEC. 720. LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
The Administrator shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to
ensure that any next generation liquid rocket engine made in the United
States for national security space launch objectives can contribute, to
the extent practicable, to the space programs and missions carried out
by the Administration.
SEC. 721 REMOTE SATELLITE SERVICING DEMONSTRATIONS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Administration plays a key role in demonstrating
the feasibility of using robotic technologies for a spacecraft
that could autonomously access, inspect, repair, and refuel
satellites;
(2) demonstrating this feasibility would both assist the
Administration in its future missions and provide other Federal
agencies and private sector entities with enhanced confidence
in the feasibility to robotically refuel, inspect, repair, and
maintain their satellites in both near and distant orbits; and
(3) the capability to refuel, inspect, repair, and maintain
satellites robotically could add years of functional life to
satellites.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
describing the Administration's--
(1) activities, tools, and techniques associated with the
ultimate goal of autonomously servicing satellites using
robotic spacecraft;
(2) efforts to coordinate its technology development and
demonstrations with other Federal agencies and private sector
entities that conduct programs, projects, or activities on on-
orbit satellite inspection and servicing capabilities;
(3) efforts to leverage the work of these Federal agencies
and private sector entities into the Administration's plans;
(4) accomplishments to date in demonstrating various
servicing technologies;
(5) major technical and operational challenges encountered
and mitigation measures taken; and
(6) demonstrations needed to increase confidence in the use
of the technologies for operational missions, and the timeframe
for these demonstrations.
SEC. 722. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
information security is central to the Administration's ability to
protect information and information systems vital to its mission.
(b) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the Administration's
Information Technology Governance. The study shall include an
assessment of--
(1) the resources available for overseeing Administration-
wide information technology operations, investments, and
security measures and the Chief Information Officer's
visibility into and access to those resources;
(2) the effectiveness of the Administration's decentralized
information technology structure, decisionmaking processes and
authorities and its ability to enforce information security;
and
(3) the impact of providing the Chief Information Officer
approval authority over information technology investments that
exceed a defined monetary threshold and any potential impacts
of the Chief Information Officer having such authority on the
Administration's missions, flights programs and projects,
research activities, and Center operations.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit a report detailing the
results of the study conducted under subsection (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.
SEC. 723. STRENGTHENING ADMINISTRATION SECURITY.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Following the public disclosure of security and export
control violations at its research centers, the Administration
contracted with the National Academy of Public Administration
to conduct an independent assessment of how the Administration
carried out Foreign National Access Management practices and
other security matters.
(2) The assessment by the National Academy of Public
Administration concluded that ``NASA networks are
compromised'', that the Administration lacked a standardized
and systematic approach to export compliance, and that
individuals within the Administration were not held accountable
when making serious, preventable errors in carrying out Foreign
National Access Management practices and other security
matters.
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administration shall report to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on how it plans
to address each of the recommendations made in the security assessment
by the National Academy of Public Administration and the
recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office and the
Administration's Office of the Inspector General regarding security and
safeguarding export control information.
(c) Review.--Within one year of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall report to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
its assessment of how the Administration has complied with the
recommendations described in subsection (b).
SEC. 724. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE
COMMITTED FRAUD OR OTHER CRIMES.
None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made
available for fiscal year 2014 or any fiscal year thereafter for the
Administration may be used to enter into a contract with any offeror or
any of its principals if the offeror certifies, pursuant to the Federal
Acquisition Regulation, that the offeror or any of its principals--
(1) within a three-year period preceding this offer has
been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against it
for--
(A) commission of fraud or a criminal offense in
connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or
performing a public (Federal, State, or local) contract
or subcontract;
(B) violation of Federal or State antitrust
statutes relating to the submission of offers; or
(C) commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery,
bribery, falsification or destruction of records,
making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal
criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property;
(2) are presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or
civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of
any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (1); or
(3) within a three-year period preceding this offer, has
been notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount that
exceeds $3,000 for which the liability remains unsatisfied.
SEC. 725. PROTECTION OF APOLLO LANDING SITES.
(a) Assessment.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, in consultation with all relevant agencies of the
Federal Government and other appropriate entities and individuals,
shall carry out a review and assessment of the issues involved in
protecting and preserving historically important Apollo Program lunar
landing sites and Apollo program artifacts residing on the lunar
surface, including those pertaining to Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. The
review and assessment shall, at a minimum, include determination of
what risks to the protection and preservation of those sites and
artifacts exist or may exist in the future, what measures are required
to ensure such protection and preservation, the extent to which
additional domestic legislation or international treaties or agreements
will be required, and specific recommendations for protecting and
preserving those lunar landing sites and artifacts.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall transmit 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
the assessment required under subsection (a).
SEC. 726. ASTRONAUT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHCARE.
(a) In General.--The National Academies' Institute of Medicine
report ``Health Standards for Long Duration and Exploration
Spaceflight: Ethics Principles, Responsibilities, and Decision
Framework'' found that the Administration has ethical responsibilities
for and should adopt policies and processes related to health standards
for long duration and exploration spaceflights that recognize those
ethical responsibilities. In particular, the report recommended that
the Administration ``provide preventative long-term health screening
and surveillance of astronauts and lifetime health care to protect
their health, support ongoing evaluation of health standards, improve
mission safety, and reduce risks for current and future astronauts''.
(b) Response.--The Administration shall prepare a response to the
National Academies report recommendation described in subsection (a).
The response shall include the estimated budgetary resources required
for the implementation of those recommendations, and any options that
might be considered as part of the response.
(c) Transmittal.--The response required under subsection (b) shall
be transmitted to 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 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 727. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ACCESS TO OBSERVATIONAL DATA SETS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Administration should
prioritize the development of tools and interfaces that make publicly
available observational data sets more easy to access, analyze,
manipulate, and understand for students, teachers, and the American
public at large, with a particular focus on K-12 and undergraduate STEM
education settings.
Passed the House of Representatives June 9, 2014.
Attest:
Clerk.
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4412
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and for other purposes.