To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to space resources, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6638 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 6638

To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute 
          relating to space resources, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 11, 2025

 Mrs. Foushee (for herself and Mr. Webster of Florida) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
                             and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute 
          relating to space resources, 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. REPORT ON MERITS AND OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTE 
              RELATING TO SPACE RESOURCES.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration (NASA) and Secretary of Commerce shall jointly 
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 merits of, and options 
for, establishing an institute relating to space resources to advance 
the objectives of NASA and the Department of Commerce in maintaining 
United States preeminence in space. Such objectives shall include the 
following:
            (1) Identifying, developing, and distributing space 
        resources, including by encouraging the development of 
        foundational science, industrial capability, and technology.
            (2) Reducing the technological and business risks 
        associated with identifying, developing, and distributing space 
        resources.
            (3) Research to maximize the responsible use of space 
        resources.
            (4) Developing options for using space resources to carry 
        out the following.
                    (A) Support current and future space architectures, 
                programs, business, and missions.
                    (B) Enable such architectures, programs, business, 
                and missions that would not otherwise be possible.
                    (C) Supplement the supply of such resources 
                available on Earth.
    (b) Additional Matters.--The report required under subsection (a) 
shall also include the following assessments of the Administrator of 
NASA and the Secretary of Commerce:
            (1) Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to 
        space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.
            (2) Whether partnering with institutions of higher 
        education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive 
        industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing 
        information available to the institute with respect to 
        advancing the objectives described in such subsection.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Extractive industry.--The term ``extractive industry'' 
        means companies and individuals involved in the processes of 
        extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and 
        dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.
            (2) Institute of higher education.--The term ``institution 
        of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001(a)).
            (3) Space resource.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``space resource'' means 
                an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``space resource'' 
                includes a raw, natural material or energy source.
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