International Space Station Guaranteed Access Plan for Integrated Launch and Low Earth Rendezvous Act or ISS GAP FILLER Act - Authorizes appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for Space Shuttle operations and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.
Requires: (1) the utilization flights ULF-4 and ULF-5 to be considered part of the Space Shuttle baseline flight manifest to ensure adequate logistics and on-orbit spares are available to the International Space Station (ISS); and (2) the flight of one additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS.
Authorizes NASA to: (1) continue Space Shuttle operations through FY2012; and (2) maintain the capability to safely fly at least two Shuttle missions per year through FY2012.
Directs the Administrator of NASA to suspend any NASA activity that, if continued, would inhibit or preclude the continued safe and effective operation of the Space Shuttle through FY2012.
Requires an assessment of the actions that have been taken and are planned to be taken to fully comply with the intent of the recertification recommendation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
Sets forth provisions for a crewed vehicle demonstration of a capsule and associated crew escape system capable of carrying astronauts to the ISS and returning them safely to Earth.
Requires an evaluation of the actions necessary to human-rate Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.
Directs the Administrator to initiate discussions with representatives of the European Space Agency to determine the feasibility of development of a human-rated space transportation system to provide a backup capability to the Russian Soyuz.
Sets forth provisions concerning the development of a means of providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the ISS.
Requires a commercial space launch range study.
Restricts the use of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle to only those missions carrying astronauts beyond low Earth orbit.
Provides for discussions among space-faring nations of a common docking system standard.
Authorizes the President to make extraordinary payments to the Russian Federal Space Agency or any entity under such agency for equipment and services related to the ISS.
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 7062 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7062
To authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to develop a plan to guarantee access to the
International Space Station, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 25, 2008
Mr. Feeney (for himself, Mr. Pearce, and Mr. Weldon of Florida)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to develop a plan to guarantee access to the
International Space Station, 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 ``International
Space Station Guaranteed Access Plan For Integrated Launch and Low
Earth Rendezvous Act'' or the ``ISS GAP FILLER Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS
Sec. 201. Flight manifest.
Sec. 202. Authorization of Space Shuttle operations through fiscal year
2012.
Sec. 203. Suspension of activities that would inhibit or preclude
continued operation of the Space Shuttle
through fiscal year 2012.
Sec. 204. Shuttle recertification.
TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Sec. 301. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 302. Domestic crewed vehicle demonstration.
Sec. 303. Human rating requirements.
Sec. 304. International crewed vehicle initiative.
Sec. 305. ISS crew transfer and crew rescue capability.
Sec. 306. Commercial space launch range study.
Sec. 307. Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle use.
Sec. 308. Exploration crew rescue.
TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF EXTRAORDINARY PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Sec. 401. Authorization of extraordinary payments.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has been the preeminent leader in
human spaceflight for nearly 50 years. Under NASA's leadership,
this Nation has engaged many countries, including former
adversaries, in a series of peaceful space missions that have
contributed to mutual trust and understanding that continue to
this day.
(2) The planning and development of the International Space
Station is the culmination of many of these collaborations,
bringing together through NASA's leadership a number of foreign
partners to invest and participate in its construction and
operation. It is the most technologically challenging and
complex project ever undertaken. The United States has been the
largest contributor, having invested approximately
$100,000,000,000 developing, building, and transporting
components of the International Space Station to orbit.
(3) Based on previous agreements signed in 1998 between
NASA and the Russian Space Agency ROSCOSMOS, the United States
is obligated to provide crew rescue capability for 4 space
station crew members at all times. With the space station crew
size currently limited to 3, the United States is fulfilling
its space station emergency crew rescue obligation by paying
Russia for those capabilities using the 3-person Soyuz
capsules, which are the only manned spacecraft capable of
remaining on-orbit for up to 6 months at a time.
(4) In January 2004, the President directed NASA to honor
our international commitments to complete the assembly of the
International Space Station and retire the Space Shuttle by
2010, as recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation
Board. The directive also called for the development of a new
system to enable astronauts to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
This system, the Constellation System, consisting of the Orion
crew exploration vehicle and Ares launch vehicle, would also be
capable of traveling to the International Space Station but
would not be available until 4 years after the projected
retirement of the Space Shuttle. This plan was ratified by
Congress in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155).
(5) Congress reaffirms the goals of the United States
Vision for Space Exploration to return to the Moon as a first
step to further exploration of the solar system. In order to
accomplish these goals, it is imperative to develop the Ares V
launch system, giving the United States the heavy lift
capability to return humans to the Moon, and to places beyond.
(6) The plan also called for NASA to rely on Russia to fly
United States astronauts to the International Space Station
during the gap between Shuttle retirement and the initial
operational capability of the new Constellation system. In
addition to buying Soyuz vehicles from Russia to fulfill the
U.S. crew rescue obligation, NASA plans to buy Soyuz launch
services from Russia at a cost that has not yet been negotiated
but is expected to exceed $1,000,000,000.
(7) One of the guiding principles articulated in National
Security Presidential Directive 49, United States National
Space Policy, states, ``The United States considers space
capabilities--including the ground and space segments and
supporting links--vital to its national interests. Consistent
with this policy, the United States will preserve its rights,
capabilities, and freedom of action in space; dissuade or deter
others from either impeding those rights or developing
capabilities intended to do so; take those actions necessary to
protect its space capabilities; respond to interference; and
deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities
hostile to U.S. national interests.''
(8) In order to make purchases from Russia, NASA has been
granted an exception, through the year 2011, to the Iran, North
Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (Public Law 106-178).
Since there is roughly a 3-year lead time to build Soyuz
vehicles, NASA is concerned that unless the 110th Congress
extends the exception, NASA faces a lack of Soyuz capabilities
beginning in 2012, which effectively ends United States access
to the International Space Station.
(9) The International Space Station is nearing completion,
with remaining missions scheduled to be concluded by summer
2010. The Station's crew size will increase to 6, enabling the
full utilization of its laboratories and research facilities in
a micro-gravity environment for the decade to come. Routine and
assured access to the Station is critical if we are to
capitalize on our investment.
(10) Other nations are now investing heavily to develop
manned spaceflight and robotic capabilities. During the gap
following retirement of the Space Shuttle, these nations are
expected to enhance their space capabilities, jeopardizing our
Nation's preeminence and our ability to influence other space-
faring nations, contrary to the national policy (National
Security Presidential Directive 49). United States influence in
world affairs and our ability to shape future peaceful uses in
space will be imperiled.
(11) Congress believes it is imperative that NASA reduce
our Nation's dependence on foreign launch providers to access
the International Space Station. While some lapse in United
States manned spaceflight capabilities is tolerable, the gap
has expanded to 5 years, and if development problems are
encountered, the gap will continue to grow. A 5-year or more
gap is too long to rely on other nations to access the
International Space Station, the bulk of which we have
provided.
(12) Without assured access, the United States may have to
abandon the International Space Station until the Constellation
system is operational, giving other nations exclusive access to
a laboratory largely built with United States technology and
funding. That situation is unacceptable. Clearly, a new
approach is needed, and this Act is a first step in a new
direction.
(13) Extending Space Shuttle operations for 2 additional
years will reduce the gap and allow the United States to
evaluate the capabilities of emerging space-faring nations.
Based on their technological progress and their policies and
programs, future United States policymakers will decide whether
it is appropriate to continue funding the Space Shuttle.
(14) The cost of extending Space Shuttle operations shall
be funded by additional appropriations to NASA. It is contrary
to Congress' intent that extended Space Shuttle operations will
be funded by cutting Constellation development or by reducing
NASA's science and aeronautics research programs.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space
Station.
(3) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--In addition to amounts otherwise authorized for
NASA, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to
remain available until expended--
(1) for fiscal year 2010 for Space Shuttle operations,
$3,333,700,000, of which--
(A) $300,000,000 shall be for an additional Space
Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer to the International Space Station; and
(B) $50,000,000 shall be to augment funding for
Space Operations Mission Directorate program reserves
and Shuttle Transition and Retirement activities;
(2) for fiscal year 2010 for Exploration Systems Mission
Directorate, $2,000,000,000 to be used to accelerate the
initial operating capability of the Orion Crew Exploration
Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and associated
ground support systems;
(3) for fiscal year 2011 for Space Shuttle operations,
$3,094,400,000, of which $50,000,000 shall be to augment
funding for Space Operations Mission Directorate program
reserves and Shuttle Transition and Retirement activities; and
(4) for fiscal year 2012 for Space Shuttle operations,
$3,156,000,000, of which $50,000,000 shall be to augment
funding for Space Operations Mission Directorate program
reserves and Shuttle Transition and Retirement activities.
(b) Intent of Congress.--It is the intent of Congress that amounts
authorized to be appropriated in subsection (a) shall be in addition
to, and shall not supplant, amounts appropriated for NASA's other
mission directorates.
TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS
SEC. 201. FLIGHT MANIFEST.
(a) Baseline Manifest.--In addition to the Space Shuttle flights
listed as part of the baseline flight manifest as of January 1, 2008,
the Utilization flights ULF-4 and ULF-5 shall be considered part of the
Space Shuttle baseline flight manifest to ensure adequate logistics and
on-orbit spares are available to the International Space Station.
(b) Additional Flight To Deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to
the ISS.--In addition to the flying of the baseline manifest described
in subsection (a), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to
fly 1 additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer to the International Space Station.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR
2012.
(a) Authorization.--NASA is authorized--
(1) to continue Space Shuttle operations through fiscal
year 2012; and
(2) to maintain the capability to safely fly at least 2
Space Shuttle missions per year through fiscal year 2012.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
the complete results of the Shuttle Extension Study. The study shall
include an analysis of the actions necessary, and the anticipated
costs, to continue safely operating the Space Shuttle through fiscal
year 2012.
SEC. 203. SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD INHIBIT OR PRECLUDE
CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE THROUGH FISCAL
YEAR 2012.
The Administrator shall suspend any activity of NASA that, if
continued, would inhibit or preclude the continued safe and effective
operation of the Space Shuttle through fiscal year 2012.
SEC. 204. SHUTTLE RECERTIFICATION.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a complete
assessment of the actions that have been taken and are planned to be
taken to fully comply with the intent of the recertification
recommendation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. The report
shall include an analysis of the actions necessary and the anticipated
costs to comply with the recertification requirements of the Space
Shuttle or a rationale for waiving those requirements through fiscal
year 2012.
TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
SEC. 301. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of the Congress that sole dependence on a foreign
country for human access to space and to the International Space
Station fails to ensure our freedom of action in space, fails to
protect our space capabilities, and fails to safeguard our
approximately $100,000,000,000 investment in the International Space
Station. Furthermore, such total dependence on a foreign country
diminishes our influence with other space-faring nations.
SEC. 302. DOMESTIC CREWED VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a notice of intent
and solicit proposals to enter into a funded, competitively awarded
Space Act Agreement with 2 or more commercial entities for a crewed
vehicle demonstration.
(b) Goal of Crewed Vehicle Demonstration.--The goal of the crewed
vehicle demonstration is the design, development, and rapid prototyping
of a capsule and associated crew escape system capable of carrying at
least 2 astronauts to, and docking with, the International Space
Station and returning such astronauts safely to Earth. Such a system
must be capable of being carried to the ISS using existing United
States launch vehicles, such as Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle-class
vehicles, or existing European Space Agency launch vehicles, such as
the Ariane 5.
SEC. 303. HUMAN RATING REQUIREMENTS.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator, in consultation with other agencies as appropriate,
shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a comprehensive evaluation of the actions
necessary, and the estimated costs, to human-rate Evolved Expendable
Launch Vehicles. The report shall include a plan to accomplish
upgrading Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles to enable human missions.
SEC. 304. INTERNATIONAL CREWED VEHICLE INITIATIVE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The European Space Agency (ESA) has been a long-time
friend and ally of the United States in both manned and
unmanned space ventures.
(2) ESA has demonstrated impressive capabilities with the
Columbus orbital laboratory module, the Ariane launch vehicle,
and the Automated Transfer Vehicle, which has successfully
demonstrated the ability to rendezvous and dock with the
International Space Station.
(3) Recent proposals have been under review to develop a
European manned space transportation capability based on the
Automated Transfer Vehicle.
(4) If such a transportation capability could be developed,
it might offer another alternative for crewed access to the
International Space Station, thereby improving the safety and
redundancy for the overall human-rated Earth-to-orbit
transportation system.
(b) Initiate Discussions.--Immediately after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate discussions with the
appropriate representatives of the European Space Agency to determine
the feasibility of jointly developing a human-rated space
transportation system based on the Automated Transfer Vehicle and
whether such system could be developed on an accelerated schedule to
provide a backup capability to the Russian Soyuz.
SEC. 305. ISS CREW TRANSFER AND CREW RESCUE CAPABILITY.
(a) Evaluation of Options.--In order to stimulate and enable the
rapid design, development, and prototyping of a means of providing crew
transfer and crew rescue services for the International Space Station,
the Administrator shall evaluate and compare--
(1) the proposals submitted under section 302 for
commercial crewed vehicle demonstrations and the feasibility of
upgrading Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles to enable human
missions as described in section 303; and
(2) the feasibility of developing an Automated Transfer
Vehicle-based crew transfer and crew rescue capability with the
European Space Agency under section 304.
(b) Report of Evaluation.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other
agencies, shall--
(1) select the course of action, based on the evaluation
under subsection (a), that will best provide safe and effective
crew transfer and crew rescue services for the International
Space Station; and
(2) transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing
the evaluation and comparison under subsection (a) and the
rationale for the selection made in paragraph (1), including
the decision-making criteria used by the Administrator.
(c) Contracting Authority.--On the 30th day after the report
required by subsection (b)(2) has been transmitted, the Administrator
shall have the authority to enter into contracts and take any other
actions necessary to further the course of action selected under
subsection (b)(1).
(d) Crew Transfer and Crew Rescue Services Contract.--
(1) In general.--If the Administrator selects the
commercial crewed vehicle demonstration option and if a
commercial provider demonstrates the capability to provide
International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue
services and to satisfy NASA ascent, reentry, and International
Space Station proximity operations safety requirements, NASA
shall enter into a contract with that commercial provider for a
portion of NASA's anticipated International Space Station crew
transfer and crew rescue requirements from the time the
commercial provider commences operations under contract with
NASA through calendar year 2016, with an option to extend the
period of performance through calendar year 2020.
(2) Intent of congress.--To the extent that the
Administrator selects the commercial crewed vehicle
demonstration option, it is the intent of Congress that the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) facilitate the transfer of NASA-developed
technologies to potential United States commercial crew
transfer and rescue service providers, consistent with
United States law; and
(B) make use of United States commercially provided
International Space Station crew transfer and crew
rescue services, if those commercial services have
demonstrated the capability to meet NASA-specified
ascent, reentry, and International Space Station
proximity operations safety requirements.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Administrator for the program described in this section--
(A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(B) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
(C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
(2) Specifications.--The amounts authorized in paragraph
(1) are to remain available until expended and are in addition
to amounts authorized to be appropriated under title I.
(f) Additional Technologies Authorization of Appropriations.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year
2011 $50,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the provision
of International Space Station-compatible docking adaptors and other
relevant technologies to the entity that successfully demonstrates the
commercial crewed vehicle capability.
SEC. 306. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH RANGE STUDY.
(a) Study by Interagency Committee.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall work with other appropriate Federal
agencies to establish an interagency committee to conduct a study to--
(1) identify the issues and challenges associated with
establishing a space launch range and facilities that are fully
dedicated to commercial space missions in close proximity to
Federal launch ranges or other Federal facilities; and
(2) develop a coordinating mechanism such that States
seeking to establish such commercial space launch ranges will
be able to effectively and efficiently interface with the
Federal Government concerning issues related to the
establishment of such commercial launch ranges in close
proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal facilities.
(b) Report.--The Director shall, not later than May 31, 2010,
submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 307. ORION CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE USE.
In order to efficiently utilize the advanced capabilities of the
Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, NASA shall restrict the use of the
Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle to only those missions carrying
astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, to the maximum extent practicable.
SEC. 308. EXPLORATION CREW RESCUE.
In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts whose space
vehicles have become disabled, the Administrator shall enter into
discussions with the appropriate representatives of space-faring
nations who have or plan to have crew transportation systems capable of
orbital flight or flight beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of
agreeing on a common docking system standard that is not proprietary to
any one country or manufacturer.
TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF EXTRAORDINARY PAYMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF EXTRAORDINARY PAYMENTS.
(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in
section 6 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act
(Public Law 106-178), the President is authorized to make extraordinary
payments in connection with the International Space Station to the
Russian Federal Space Agency, or any organization or entity under the
jurisdiction or control of the Russian Federal Space Agency, for
equipment and services related to transportation to and from, rescue
from, and provision, maintenance, and operation of, the International
Space Station.
(b) Limitations.--The authority under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be limited to payments for services provided
before July 1, 2016; and
(2) may not be used for the purchase of--
(A) any cargo services provided by a Progress
vehicle after December 31, 2011; or
(B) any crew transportation or rescue services
provided by a Soyuz vehicle after a United States
commercial provider of crew transportation and rescue
services demonstrates the capability to meet mission
requirements of the International Space Station.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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