Reasserting American Leadership in Space Act or REAL Space Act - Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to plan to return to the Moon by 2022 and to develop a sustained human presence there in order to promote exploration, commerce, science, and U.S. preeminence in space as a stepping stone for future exploration of Mars and other destinations.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1446 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1446
To direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to plan to
return to the Moon and develop a sustained human presence on the Moon.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 9, 2013
Mr. Posey (for himself, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Culberson, Mr.
Aderholt, Mr. Stockman, Mr. Olson, Mr. Bishop of Utah, and Mr. Poe of
Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to plan to
return to the Moon and develop a sustained human presence on the Moon.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reasserting American Leadership in
Space Act'' or the ``REAL Space Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The 109th Congress passed the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 overwhelmingly,
establishing as the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration's priority human space flight goal: ``To develop
a sustained human presence on the Moon . . . to promote
exploration, commerce, science, and United States preeminence
in space as a stepping stone for the future exploration of Mars
and other destinations.''.
(2) The 110th Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed the vision
of returning to the Moon as an integral part of exploring
further into our solar system through the passage of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2008, expressing support for ``the broad goals of the space
exploration policy of the United States, including the eventual
return to and exploration of the Moon and other destinations in
the solar system and the important national imperative of
independent access to space''.
(3) The 111th Congress, in the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010, called for the
development of a heavy lift capability of greater than 130
metric tons consisting of the Space Launch System (SLS) and
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) to pursue exploration, yet
fell short on explicitly stating a clear destination.
(4) The 112th Congress has reaffirmed this commitment to
the development of a heavy lift capability.
(5) A sustained human presence on the Moon will allow
astronauts and researchers the opportunity to leverage new
technologies in addressing the challenges of sustaining life on
another celestial body, lessons which are necessary and
applicable as we explore further into our solar system, to Mars
and beyond.
(6) A sustained human presence on the Moon would once again
inspire and engage public interest in our space program,
motivating young people to excel in the vital subjects of math
and science, subjects in which American students lag behind our
international competitors.
(7) A sustained human presence on the Moon would challenge
American industry to continue to develop technologies that not
only enhance our exploration programs but can be applied across
all disciplines of science.
(8) The commercial applications of space technologies have
had tens of billions of dollars in economic impact, including
products from semiconductors and aircraft controls to scratch-
resistant lenses and water purification systems.
(9) The healthcare technologies derived from our space
program, such as the portable x-ray machine, the MRI, advanced
life-saving diagnostics, and the implantable heart aid, have
saved and improved countless lives.
(10) Space is the world's ultimate high ground, returning
to the Moon and reinvigorating our human space flight program
is a matter of national security.
(11) Technologies developed and sustained by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration's human space flight
program, such as liquid and solid rocket propulsion,
environmental and life support systems, and communications,
navigation, and control systems are important to our military.
(12) China and Russia, understanding the economic and
strategic importance of human space flight, have declared their
intentions of colonizing the Moon and are advancing their lunar
exploration plans.
(13) It is strategically important that the United States
possess and maintain the capabilities of unfettered operation
in the space domain, and not cede the space domain to other
nations.
SEC. 3. MISSION.
In accordance with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005, which established as the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's priority goal: ``To
develop a sustained human presence on the Moon . . . to promote
exploration, commerce, science, and United States preeminence in space
as a stepping stone for the future exploration of Mars and other
destinations.'', and in accordance with the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008, which endorsed ``the
broad goals of the space exploration policy of the United States,
including the eventual return to and exploration of the Moon and other
destinations in the solar system and the important national imperative
of independent access to space'', the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration shall plan to return to the Moon by 2022 and develop a
sustained human presence on the Moon, in order to promote exploration,
commerce, science, and United States preeminence in space as a stepping
stone for the future exploration of Mars and other destinations. The
budget requests and expenditures of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration shall be consistent with achieving this goal.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Space.
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