No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7273 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7273
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 30, 2026
Mr. Babin (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Haridopolos, and Mrs. Foushee)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``NASA
Reauthorization Act of 2026''.
(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 2026.
TITLE II--EXPLORATION
Sec. 201. Continuity of purpose for space exploration.
Sec. 202. Artemis program.
Sec. 203. Reaffirmation of the Space Launch System.
Sec. 204. Human-rated lunar landing capabilities.
Sec. 205. Advanced spacesuit capabilities.
TITLE III--SPACE OPERATIONS
Subtitle A--Policy
Sec. 301. Report on continued United States presence in low-Earth
orbit.
Sec. 302. United States strategy for low-Earth orbit.
Sec. 303. Risk of losing access to low-Earth orbit.
Subtitle B--International Space Station
Sec. 311. International Space Station.
Sec. 312. Maintenance of service for International Space Station.
Sec. 313. Nongovernmental human missions on the International Space
Station.
Sec. 314. United States deorbit capabilities.
Subtitle C--Future Activities and Other Provisions
Sec. 321. Commercial low-Earth orbit development.
Sec. 322. Report on suborbital crew missions.
Sec. 323. Orbital debris research and development.
Sec. 324. Lunar communications and navigation.
Sec. 325. Celestial time standardization.
TITLE IV--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 401. SBIR phase II flexibility.
Sec. 402. Lunar power purchase agreement feasibility study.
Sec. 403. Cryogenic fluid valve technology review.
TITLE V--AERONAUTICS
Sec. 501. Definitions.
Sec. 502. Experimental aircraft demonstrations.
Sec. 503. Hypersonics research.
Sec. 504. Advanced materials and manufacturing technology.
Sec. 505. Unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility.
Sec. 506. Advanced capabilities for emergency response operations.
Sec. 507. Hydrogen aviation.
Sec. 508. High-performance chase aircraft.
Sec. 509. Collaboration with academia.
Sec. 510. Decadal survey for national aeronautics research.
Sec. 511. Making advancements in commercial hypersonics.
TITLE VI--SCIENCE
Sec. 601. Maintaining a balanced science portfolio.
Sec. 602. Implementation of science mission cost-caps.
Sec. 603. Reexamination of decadal surveys.
Sec. 604. Landsat.
Sec. 605. Private earth observation data.
Sec. 606. Commercial satellite data.
Sec. 607. NASA data for agricultural applications.
Sec. 608. Planetary science portfolio.
Sec. 609. Planetary defense.
Sec. 610. Lunar discovery and exploration.
Sec. 611. Commercial lunar payload services.
Sec. 612. Planetary and lunar operations.
Sec. 613. Mars sample return.
Sec. 614. Hubble space telescope servicing.
Sec. 615. Great observatories mission and technology maturation.
Sec. 616. Nancy Grace Roman space telescope.
Sec. 617. Heliophysics research.
Sec. 618. Study on commercial space weather data.
Sec. 619. Geospace dynamics constellation.
Sec. 620. Technology development for wildland fire science, management,
and mitigation.
Sec. 621. Implementation of recommendations by the National Wildland
Fire Management and Mitigation Commission.
TITLE VII--STEM EDUCATION
Sec. 701. National space grant college and fellowship program.
Sec. 702. Skilled technical workforce education outreach.
TITLE VIII--POLICY OF NASA
Sec. 801. Major programs.
Sec. 802. NASA advisory council.
Sec. 803. NASA assessment of early cost estimates.
Sec. 804. Independent cost estimate.
Sec. 805. Authorization for the transfer to NASA of funds from other
agencies for scientific or engineering
research or education.
Sec. 806. Report on merits and options for establishing an institute
relating to space resources.
Sec. 807. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 808. Contract flexibility.
Sec. 809. GAO report.
Sec. 810. NASA public-private talent program.
Sec. 811. Report on Space Act agreements.
Sec. 812. Mentoring.
Sec. 813. Restriction on Federal funds relating to certain space and
scientific activities of the People's
Republic of China.
Sec. 814. Rule of construction.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives.
(3) Cislunar space.--The term ``cislunar space'' means the
region of space beyond low-Earth orbit out to and including the
region around the surface of the Moon.
(4) Commercial provider.--The term ``commercial provider''
means any person providing space services or space-related
capabilities, primary control of which is held by persons other
than the Federal Government, a State or local government, or a
foreign government.
(5) Deep space.--The term ``deep space'' means the region
of space beyond low-Earth orbit, which includes cislunar space.
(6) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space
Station.
(7) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
(8) Orion.--The term ``Orion'' means the multipurpose crew
vehicle described under section 303 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18323).
(9) Space launch system.--The term ``Space Launch System''
means the Space Launch System authorized under section 302 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322).
TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2026.
For fiscal year 2026, there are authorized to be appropriated to
NASA $24,438,336,000, as follows:
(1) For Exploration, $7,783,000,000.
(2) For Space Operations, $4,175,000,000.
(3) For Science, $7,250,000,000.
(4) For Aeronautics, $935,000,000.
(5) For Space Technology, $920,500,000.
(6) For Education, $143,000,000.
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services,
$3,000,000,000.
(8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and
Restoration, $185,336,000.
(9) For Inspector General, $46,500,000.
TITLE II--EXPLORATION
SEC. 201. CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) NASA continues to make progress in developing and
testing the Space Launch System, Orion, and associated ground
systems, including through the successful completion of the
Artemis I mission in November 2022 and through continued
preparations for the Artemis II crewed flight demonstration
mission.
(2) The number of spacefaring countries is increasing, and
foreign countries have expanded activities for space
exploration efforts, including efforts to explore and utilize
the Moon through human and robotic missions.
(3) A strong and ambitious space exploration program
conducted with international and commercial partners is
important to maintaining United States leadership in space and
enhancing United States international competitiveness.
(4) Clear mission objectives that tie to concrete, long-
term programmatic goals provide a measure to ensure
accountability, enhance public support for exploration
missions, and provide a clear signal of commitment to both
international and domestic partners.
(b) Continuity of Existing Capabilities and Programs.--
(1) As part of the human exploration activities of the
Administration, including progress on Artemis missions and
activities, the Administrator shall continue development of
space exploration elements pursuant to section 10811 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 20302).
(2) The Administrator shall leverage the private sector for
logistical services to the extent practical, consistent with
the Moon to Mars architecture requirements and in accordance
with section 50131 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress to maintain
continuity of purpose as described in section 201 of the 2017
NASA Transition Authorization Act (Public Law 115-10; 131 Stat.
21).
SEC. 202. ARTEMIS PROGRAM.
(a) Sense of Congress.--The following is the sense of Congress:
(1) Exploration of outer space, including exploration of
the lunar surface and cislunar space, provides benefits and
economic opportunity, including by inspiring future generations
and expanding the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics workforce needed to sustain United States
leadership in science, space, and technology.
(2) The lunar south pole is home to shadowed craters that
may contain water ice and other volatiles. Understanding the
nature of lunar polar volatiles, such as water ice, would
advance science related to the origin and evolution of
volatiles in the inner solar system and could facilitate the
long-term future of space exploration. Water ice lunar
resources have the potential to become an enabling component of
future space exploration missions throughout the solar system,
including crewed missions to Mars.
(3) Other countries have demonstrated technological
advances and successful robotic missions for lunar exploration
and have announced credible plans for long-term human
exploration of the Moon that include the intent to establish
lunar bases.
(4) United States leadership of and measurable progress on
the exploration of deep space is essential for guiding
development of norms related to operations on and around the
Moon and for other space destinations.
(5) It is in the national interest of the United States to
hold a leadership role in discussions of future norms governing
activities in space, including those on the lunar surface and
in cislunar space.
(b) In General.--In carrying out activities to enable Artemis
missions under the Moon to Mars Program set forth in section 10811 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2022 (Public Law 117-167), the Administrator shall--
(1) use relevant elements set forth in section
10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167);
(2) continue to ensure that the elements under paragraph
(1) enable the human exploration of Mars, consistent with
section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167);
(3) engage with international partners, as appropriate, in
a manner that is consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C) the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167), and that increases redundancy,
efficiency, and cost savings; and
(4) leverage capabilities provided by United States
commercial providers, as appropriate and practicable.
(c) United States Commercial Provider Capabilities in Support of
Lunar Exploration Efforts.--The Administrator may enter into agreements
with United States commercial providers or engage in public-private
partnerships to procure capabilities and services to support the human
exploration of the Moon or cislunar space.
SEC. 203. REAFFIRMATION OF THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.
(a) Space Launch System.--
(1) Development and cadence objectives.--Congress
reaffirms--
(A) support for the full development of
capabilities of the Space Launch System as set forth in
section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
18322(c)); and
(B) its commitment to the flight rate of the
integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle
missions set forth in section 10812(b) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 20301 note).
(2) Other uses.--The Administrator shall assess the demand
for the Space Launch System by entities other than NASA and
shall break out such demand according to the relevant Federal
agency or nongovernment sector. This assessment may--
(A) estimate cost and schedule savings from reduced
transit times and the potential for increased returns
enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space Launch
System;
(B) describe any barriers or challenges that could
impede use of the Space Launch System by entities other
than NASA; and
(C) identify potential actions and costs associated
with overcoming barriers and challenges described in
subparagraph (B).
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the following:
(1) NASA's progress towards achieving the flight rate
referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) and the expected launch of
the integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle
missions after which such cadence shall be achieved.
(2) The results of the assessment conducted pursuant to
subsection (a)(2).
SEC. 204. HUMAN-RATED LUNAR LANDING CAPABILITIES.
(a) Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms that the Moon to Mars
program set forth in section 10811 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51
U.S.C. 20302 note.; 136 Stat. 1732) shall include human-rated lunar
landing systems.
(b) Human-Rated Lunar Landing Capabilities.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall carry out the
following:
(A) Support the development and demonstration of,
and shall obtain, human-rated lunar landing
capabilities, including lunar ascent capabilities, to
further the goals of the human exploration roadmap
under section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017
(Public Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note) and the Moon
to Mars Program set forth in section 10811 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167).
(B) Ensure that such human-rated lunar landing
capabilities meet all relevant requirements, including
requirements of the Moon to Mars program, and for
human-rating and certification.
(C) Ensure any commercial provider from which the
Administrator obtains human-rated lunar landing
capabilities is a United States commercial provider.
(2) Implementation.--In carrying out paragraph (1)(A)--
(A) the Administrator may include uncrewed lunar
landing services; and
(B) the Administrator shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations for such purpose, seek
to obtain such capabilities from not fewer than two
commercial providers.
(c) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress the following:
(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report--
(A) identifying the contribution over the past five
years, and the planned contribution for 2026 through
2030, of government personnel, expertise, technologies
and infrastructure utilized and to be utilized in
support of design, development, or operation of human
lunar landing capabilities under this section; and
(B) setting forth details and the associated costs
of such government support, broken out according to the
areas of contribution specified in subparagraph (A), as
part of any development initiative for obtaining human
lunar landing capabilities.
(2) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report that sets forth, for any agreement with a
United States commercial provider for human lunar landing
capabilities, the following:
(A) The total value of the agreement when awarded.
(B) If different from the amount in subparagraph
(A), the total value of the agreement as of the date of
the enactment of this Act, and an explanation for any
change in value, as well as an identification of
whether NASA or the commercial partner is responsible
for meeting the change in value.
(C) The dollar amount invested and to be invested
by the Administration, and the dollar amount invested
and to be invested by the commercial partner.
(D) The full requirements, including human-rating
and safety requirements, for human lunar landing
capabilities under the agreement when awarded.
(E) If different from the amount specified in
subparagraph (C), the full requirements, including
human-rating and certification requirements, for the
human lunar landing capabilities under the agreement as
of the date of the enactment of this Act and an
explanation for any changes in requirements.
(F) A description of milestone and associated
payments provided for in the agreement, including the
following:
(i) An identification of all milestones
under the agreement.
(ii) The value of the associated payment
for each milestone identified under clause (i).
(iii) An identification of completed
milestones and the date of completion.
(iv) An identification of milestones which
have not yet been completed and an estimated
schedule for completion.
(v) The value of all NASA payments under
the agreement, outlays as of the date of the
enactment of this Act, and the amount which as
of the date of the enactment of this Act has
not yet been paid.
(vi) A description of any changes in
milestones and associated payments between the
date of contract award and the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(G) Any cost, schedule, and performance challenges
as of the date of the enactment of this Act in provider
performance of the agreement.
(H) A detailed justification of compliance with
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code.
(I) A detailed certification and justification of
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United
States Code.
(3) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, in consultation with any United States commercial
provider that is party to an agreement with NASA for human
lunar landing capabilities under this section, a report on any
steps the Administrator and such providers are taking to carry
out the following:
(A) Address cost, schedule, and performance
challenges faced by each commercial provider in
development and performance of human lunar landing
capabilities described in paragraph (2)(G).
(B) Facilitate the timely availability of human
lunar landing capabilities of each provider to support
the schedule of Artemis missions in effect as of the
date of the enactment of this Act, as applicable to
each provider.
(4) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, a report on any alternative approaches, and
implementation plans for any Artemis mission, including an
estimate of needed budgetary resources, for a human lunar
landing capability that meets NASA human-rating and
certification requirements in the event challenges referred to
in paragraph (3)(A) cannot be overcome or the timeline
specified in paragraph (3)(B) cannot be met.
SEC. 205. ADVANCED SPACESUIT CAPABILITIES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Space suits and associated extravehicular activity
(EVA) technologies are critical exploration technologies that
are necessary for crewed missions to low-Earth orbit and future
human deep space exploration efforts, including to the lunar
vicinity and surface of the Moon.
(2) The NASA civil service workforce at the Johnson Space
Center provides unique capabilities to design, integrate, and
validate Space Suits and associated EVA technologies.
(3) Maintaining a strong NASA core competency in the
design, development, manufacture, and operation of space suits
and related technologies allows NASA to be an informed
purchaser of competitively awarded commercial space suits and
subcomponents.
(4) According to a 2018 NASA Office of Inspector General
(OIG) report, current EVAs space suits, the Extravehicular
Mobility Units (EMUs), were developed in the late 1970s, are
reaching the end of their useful life, have experienced
multiple maintenance issues that threaten astronaut lives, and
no longer accommodate the varying sizes of a diverse astronaut
corps.
(5) The same NASA OIG report found that ``manufacturers of
several critical suit components, including the very fibers of
the suits, have now gone out of business'', which further
reinforces the importance of NASA's role in maintaining a space
suit core competency and limiting the risk posed by outsourcing
key national capabilities.
(6) The private sector currently is developing space suit
capabilities.
(7) Testing space suits and related technologies on the ISS
could reduce risk and improve safety of such suits and
technologies.
(b) In General.--The Administrator shall obtain advanced spacesuit
capabilities necessary to achieve the goals of NASA's human spaceflight
exploration programs.
(c) Eligibility.--Any commercial provider from which the
Administrator obtains advanced spaceflight capabilities must be a
United States commercial provider, as set forth in section 203(c) of
this Act.
(d) Preserving Spacesuit Expertise.--
(1) In carrying out subsection (b), NASA shall maintain the
internal expertise necessary to develop space suits for both
extravehicular activity and surface operations, including
through partnerships with the private sector.
(2) The Johnson Space Center shall continue to manage
NASA's spacesuit and extravehicular activity programs.
(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days from the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report--
(1) describing NASA's plans for--
(A) in-space testing of advanced spacesuit
capabilities, including--
(i) space suit tests which must be
conducted in microgravity in low-Earth orbit;
and
(ii) space suit tests that must be
conducted on the ISS before decommissioning of
the ISS;
(B) transitioning from existing spacesuits in use
on the ISS to use of advanced spacesuit capabilities;
(C) future use of advanced spacesuit capabilities
by government astronauts with any nongovernmental
platform in low-Earth orbit that is certified for use
by the Administration for government astronauts (as
such term is defined in section 50902(4) of title 51,
United States Code); and
(D) disposition of retired spacesuits used on the
Space Shuttle or the ISS; and
(2) including--
(A) a detailed justification of compliance with
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code; and
(B) a detailed certification and justification of
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United
States Code.
(f) Assessment of Extravehicular Mobility Units Used on the ISS.--
(1) No later than 45 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement
with an independent science and technical engineering
organization to review the technical status and performance of
the Administration's existing extravehicular mobility units
(``EMUs''), to analyze the data associated with all mishaps,
anomalies, and off-nominal events related to the EMUs used by
government astronauts on the ISS over the last 10 years, and to
make recommendations to the Administrator, based on the results
of such assessment.
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that the entity carrying
out the assessment in paragraph (1) consults with relevant
industry contractors regarding the Administration's EMUs and
EMU capabilities, and coordinates with the NASA Astronaut
Office in carrying out such assessment.
(3) The Administrator shall transmit the results of the
assessment in paragraph (1) to the appropriate committees of
Congress as soon as practicable and no later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--SPACE OPERATIONS
Subtitle A--Policy
SEC. 301. REPORT ON CONTINUED UNITED STATES PRESENCE IN LOW-EARTH
ORBIT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing an accounting of
the following:
(1) The five, ten, and twenty-year United States objectives
for low-Earth orbit activities.
(2) The type and extent of capabilities using low-Earth
orbit platforms the Federal Government requires to support such
United States objectives.
(3) A description of the Federal Government's current and
planned future compliance with the following:
(A) The policy on maintaining an uninterrupted
capability for human space flight and operations in
low-Earth orbit, in accordance with section 70501(a)(1)
of title 51, United States Code.
(B) Section 201(b) of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42
U.S.C. 18311(b)) regarding United States human space
flight capabilities.
(4) The preparedness of the United States to continue to
satisfy the statutory direction referred to in paragraph (3)
under the planned approach to deorbit the ISS by not later than
the end of calendar year 2031.
SEC. 302. UNITED STATES STRATEGY FOR LOW-EARTH ORBIT.
(a) Strategy.--Not later than 210 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the
National Space Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy, or
other appropriate interagency coordinating body, shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a strategy for a robust and
resilient architecture to advance NASA and other relevant Federal
Government research, development, and operational requirements in low-
Earth orbit. Such architecture should--
(1) include a mix of crewed and uncrewed platforms;
(2) consider an incremental approach to achieving the full
suite of capabilities necessary to satisfy research,
development, and operational requirements for NASA activities
in low-Earth orbit;
(3) consider the requirements described in subsection (b);
and
(4) sustain and promote United States leadership and
international partnerships in carrying out low-Earth orbit
activities.
(b) Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress and make available to relevant
United States commercial industry entities, an accounting of the
research, development, and operational requirements for NASA activities
in low-Earth orbit, including any requirements that could affect the
design, development, instrumentation, or long-term operations of future
United States commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and supporting
capabilities. In preparing such accounting, the Administrator may
consider the requirements of other relevant Federal agencies.
SEC. 303. RISK OF LOSING ACCESS TO LOW-EARTH ORBIT.
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that evaluates the risk posed by a potential gap in
access to a low-Earth orbit platform on science and technology research
and development conducted by NASA and private entities. The report
shall describe the following:
(1) The NASA science and exploration programs that may be
adversely affected by the lack of a United States presence in
low-Earth orbit.
(2) The effects that such a gap would have on the
following:
(A) The United States competitiveness in science
and technology.
(B) The development of the United States-based
commercial space industry.
(3) Potential options and associated costs for preventing
such a gap, including the following:
(A) Implementing the strategy described in section
306.
(B) Supporting the operation of the ISS beyond
2030.
(C) Increasing investment in and accelerating
development of commercial space stations.
(D) Working with international partners to
establish alternative means for conducting research in
low-Earth orbit.
Subtitle B--International Space Station
SEC. 311. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the ISS is a unique facility that provides the United
States with capabilities in space that are currently unmatched;
NASA continues to make productive use of the ISS;
(2) the ISS serves several functions, including
establishing the United States as a leader in space activities,
acting as a beacon of international cooperation, and conducting
cutting-edge microgravity and observational research in low-
Earth orbit;
(3) NASA must complete certain objectives on the ISS to
facilitate deep space exploration efforts, including carrying
out human research and demonstrating exploration-related
technologies; and
(4) reducing crew size or cargo deliveries, or reducing
sustaining engineering capabilities, would reduce the
scientific output of the ISS and potentially increase the risk
to the ISS and its crew.
(b) Full Utilization.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that,
to ensure the greatest return on investments made by the United
States and the ISS partners in the development, assembly, and
operations of the ISS, the Administrator should maximize the
utilization and productivity of the ISS with respect to the
priorities set forth in section 10816 of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note), which include
research of the human research program, risk reduction
activities relevant to exploration technologies, the
advancement of United States leadership of basic and applied
space life and physical sciences, and other research and
development essential to Moon to Mars program activities.
(2) Amendment.--Section 502(a) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law
111-267; 42 U.S.C. 18352(a)), is amended by striking ``take
steps to''.
SEC. 312. MAINTENANCE OF SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to appropriations for such purpose, the
Administrator shall maintain a flight cadence necessary to support the
health and safety of the ISS crew and the full and productive
utilization of the ISS through its operational lifetime, consistent
with the certification date of the ISS. In maintaining such flight
cadence, the Administrator shall seek to carry out not less than the
average annual cadence for the immediately preceding three fiscal years
of crew and cargo flights on United States vehicles certified under
NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program as of the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive the requirement under
subsection (a) upon submission of a written determination to Congress
that--
(1) the health and safety of the ISS requires a reduction
in flights; or
(2) the ISS has concluded its operational lifetime.
SEC. 313. NONGOVERNMENTAL HUMAN MISSIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) nongovernmental human missions on the ISS carried out,
as appropriate, pursuant to NASA policies and procedures, and
other Federal Government laws and regulations, can provide
lessons and learning experiences for both government and
nongovernment entities to inform the development of future
commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and a low-Earth orbit
economy; and
(2) the Administrator should share lessons learned from
nongovernmental human missions on the ISS to advance the
commercial human spaceflight industry, to promote the safety of
future commercial low-Earth orbit platforms, and to inform the
evolution of policies guiding such activities in low-Earth
orbit.
(b) Nongovernmental Human Missions on the ISS.--The Administrator
may enter into one or more agreements to enable one or more United
States commercial providers to conduct nongovernmental human missions
on the ISS pursuant to NASA policies and procedures, and Federal
Government laws and regulations.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing information relating to the following:
(1) The number of nongovernmental human missions on the ISS
planned.
(2) The number of nongovernmental human missions on the ISS
completed.
(3) The extent to which commercial entities carrying out
nongovernmental human missions on the ISS fully reimburse costs
incurred by NASA in association with any nongovernmental
missions carried out on the ISS.
(4) The extent to which nongovernmental human missions on
the ISS impact the priorities specified in section 10816 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note).
(5) The impact, if any, to operations of or activities on
the ISS that are not related to nongovernmental human missions
on the ISS.
(6) The extent to which any nongovernmental human mission
on the ISS--
(A) conforms with section 20102 of title 51, United
States Code;
(B) adheres to the requirements of section 50131 of
title 51, United States Code; and
(C) is consistent with the national security or
foreign policy interests of the United States.
(7) Any other issues related to nongovernmental human
missions on the ISS that the Comptroller General determines are
appropriate for review as part of undertaking the report in
subsection (c).
SEC. 314. UNITED STATES DEORBIT CAPABILITIES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the ISS is aging and eventually will need to be
deorbited safely and disposed of in a controlled manner; and
(2) to protect the safety of the public, and to avoid
interfering with other space operators or objects, NASA plans
to deorbit and disposition the ISS through a controlled
atmospheric reentry over an uninhabited region.
(b) Acquisition of ISS Deorbit Capabilities.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall acquire ISS
deorbit capabilities from one or more United States commercial
providers.
(2) Implementation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, not
reduce or deprioritize NASA activities conducted on and in
support of the ISS to support the acquisition of United States
deorbit capabilities.
(c) Costs.--
(1) Independent cost estimate.--For the deorbit
capabilities described in subsection (b), the Administrator
shall obtain, not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of the Act, an independent life-cycle cost estimate
for such deorbit capabilities and shall report the results of
such estimate and a five-year budget profile to the appropriate
committees of Congress.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress
a report detailing the Administration's plan for the
financial, logistical, and operational responsibilities
associated with the deorbit capability.
(B) Further reports.--The Administrator shall
annually submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report, to accompany the President's budget
request, containing a description of the annual and
cumulative lifecycle expenditures for the preceding
year on activities related to the deorbit of the ISS
and how such costs are shared among the ISS partners.
Subtitle C--Future Activities and Other Provisions
SEC. 321. COMMERCIAL LOW-EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator is authorized to enter into
agreements with one or more United States commercial providers to
enable the development and certification of, and procure capabilities
related to, a United States private, low-Earth orbit platform or
platforms, and to use such platform or platforms and related
capabilities to--
(1) further the strategy under section 302(a);
(2) sustain the priorities described in section 10816 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note) and the
activities under the Human Exploration Roadmap pursuant to
section 432(b)(2)(J) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law
115-10); and
(3) satisfy the requirements described in section 302(b).
(b) Anchor Tenancy.--Not later than November 15, 2026, the
Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress
the following:
(1) The results of a survey and assessment of the market
for capabilities and services that may be provided through
future United States commercial low-Earth orbit platforms that
shall be prepared by an independent entity with appropriate
expertise.
(2) A detailed justification of compliance with section
30301 of title 51, United States Code.
(3) A detailed certification and justification of
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United States Code.
(c) Use of United States Launch and Reentry Services.--As a term of
an agreement entered into under to subsection (a), the Administrator
shall include a requirement for the use of United States commercially-
provided launch and reentry services to support all Administration
activities under the agreement, in accordance with section 50131 of
title 51, United States Code, as applicable.
(d) Safety.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
Committees of Congress a determination on the applicability of
Administration human rating processes, certification, and requirements
for platforms used for services under this section and the
circumstances and arrangements under which such processes,
certification, and requirements would apply.
SEC. 322. REPORT ON SUBORBITAL CREW MISSIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the costs, benefits, risks, training requirements,
and policy or legal implications, including liability matters, of
launching United States Government personnel on commercial suborbital
vehicles.
SEC. 323. ORBITAL DEBRIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that NASA's
research and development activities related to understanding and
mitigating the hazards posed by orbital debris are critical to ensuring
the continued safe operation of NASA missions, including the safety of
humans living and working in space, and such activities further enable
scientific and technological advances that can be leveraged by the
broader space operations community to foster a sustainable space
environment.
(b) Research and Development.--The Administrator shall, to the
extent practicable, conduct research and development to advance
scientific understanding and technological capabilities related to
orbital debris characterization and mitigation.
(c) Considerations.--In conducting the research and development
described in subsection (b), the Administrator may consider activities
that--
(1) improve the characterization and modeling of the space
environment, including the characterization and modeling of
objects of both natural and anthropogenic origins that cannot
be directly characterized by ground-based measurements;
(2) leverage space weather research and development
elements within NASA's Heliophysics program, to the extent
appropriate and in accordance with the priorities established
in the most recent solar and space physics decadal survey;
(3) support the application of relevant research, tools,
and technologies to advance orbital debris characterization and
mitigation and the transfer of such research, tools, and
technologies to stakeholders, as appropriate and practicable;
and
(4) involve coordination with other relevant Federal
entities that have a shared interest in technologies and
research advanced under this section.
SEC. 324. LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Reliable communication and navigation capabilities are
essential for sustainable human and robotic exploration of the
Moon, Mars, and other deep space destinations.
(2) Fostering the development of commercial capabilities
can accelerate the deployment of lunar communication and
navigation services that could support the Artemis program, and
the Moon to Mars program.
(b) Authorization.--The Administrator is authorized to ensure the
availability of a robust and resilient lunar communications and
navigation architecture that will support NASA's human and robotic
lunar exploration activities and requirements.
(c) Study and Plan.--To inform the development in subsection (a),
the Administrator shall develop a study and prepare a plan to--
(1) ensure the availability of interoperable communication
and navigation services for NASA missions on the lunar surface
and in cislunar space;
(2) coordinate with the private sector, other Federal
agencies, and, as appropriate, international partners, to
establish technical standards in accordance with section 12(d)
of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-113), protocols, and interface requirements for
lunar communications and navigation services and systems,
including relevant information technology and cybersecurity
standards and practices;
(3) support NASA lunar activities;
(4) leverage NASA's space technology research, development,
and demonstration activities related to space communications
and navigation; and
(5) evaluate the opportunities, benefits, feasibility,
challenges, and possible risks of using commercial cislunar
communication and navigation services, as appropriate, by
United States commercial providers.
SEC. 325. CELESTIAL TIME STANDARDIZATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States leadership of a sustained presence on the
Moon and in deep space exploration is important for advancing
science, exploration, commercial growth, and international
partnership;
(2) the Artemis and Moon to Mars programs of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will involve
governmental, commercial, academic, and international partners
where there is a need for interoperability between systems;
(3) the use of Coordinated Universal Time has challenges
when used beyond Earth at other celestial bodies, due to
relativistic effects;
(4) the United States should lead in developing time
standardization for the Moon and other celestial bodies other
than Earth to support interoperability and safe and sustainable
operations; and
(5) development of such standardization will advance United
States leadership in standards setting for global
competitiveness, and will benefit other spacefaring countries
and entities.
(b) Development of Celestial Time Standardization.--The
Administrator of NASA, in consultation with the Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy, shall carry out the following:
(1) Enable the development of celestial time
standardization, including by leading the study and definition
of a coordinated lunar time.
(2) Develop a strategy to implement a coordinated lunar
time that would support future operations and infrastructure on
and around the Moon.
(3) In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2)--
(A) coordinate with relevant Federal entities,
including the Department of Commerce, the Department of
Defense, the Department of State, and the Department of
Transportation; and
(B) consult with--
(i) relevant private sector entities;
(ii) relevant academic entities; and
(iii) relevant international standards
setting bodies and international partners.
(4) Incorporate the following features of a coordinated
lunar time, to the extent practicable, in the development of
the strategy developed pursuant to paragraph (2):
(A) Traceability to Coordinated Universal Time.
(B) Accuracy sufficient to support precision
navigation and science.
(C) Resilience to loss of contact with Earth.
(D) Scalability to space environments beyond the
Earth-Moon system.
(c) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the strategy
developed pursuant to subsection (b)(2), including relevant plans,
timelines, and resources required for the implementation of a
coordinated lunar time pursuant to such strategy.
TITLE IV--SPACE TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 401. SBIR PHASE II FLEXIBILITY.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended in
subsection (cc) by striking ``and the Department of Education'' and
inserting ``the Department of Education, and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration''.
SEC. 402. LUNAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY.
(a) Study.--The Administrator may enter into an arrangement with an
independent entity with appropriate expertise to conduct a study
evaluating the feasibility of using power purchase agreements to
facilitate the private sector development and deployment of lunar
surface power capabilities.
(b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) may include
the following:
(1) An identification of facilities and technical
capabilities needed to support lunar surface power production.
(2) A description and assessment of the types and technical
readiness of technologies that could be used to provide the
United States with access to lunar surface power, and an
estimated timeline of availability of such technologies.
(3) A demand forecast for lunar surface power capabilities,
including the following:
(A) Forecasted demand of both governmental and
nongovernmental users.
(B) To support the following:
(i) Near-term exploration activities.
(ii) Long-duration activities.
(iii) Capabilities allowing activities
throughout the lunar night.
(4) An identification of lessons learned from Federal
Government experience with power purchase agreements, including
a description of any relevant Federal Government use of power
purchase agreements, and a description of how such lessons
learned could inform or be applied to future United States
lunar power purchase agreements.
(5) Potential policy and legal issues associated with lunar
power purchase agreements between providers and the United
States Government, international partners, and other private
sector entities.
(c) Coordination.--In conducting the study under this section, the
Administrator may consult with the following:
(1) The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium.
(2) The Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce,
and other Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(3) International partners.
(4) Relevant private sector entities.
(d) Report.--Not later than 24 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results
of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 403. CRYOGENIC FLUID VALVE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that advancing
cryogenic fluid valve technology would support the Administration's
efforts to improve cryogenic fluid management and improve space vehicle
reliability and efficiency.
(b) Technology and Research Review.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Administrator shall enter into an agreement with an
independent research and development center or other independent
nonprofit organization, as determined appropriate by the Administrator,
to conduct a review of cryogenic fluid valve technology in accordance
with this section. The organization shall review recent advances in
technologies related to cryogenic fluid valve use in space applications
and assess opportunities to improve cryogenic fluid valve technologies,
including support for research and development activities to advance
materials engineering for cryogenic fluid valves.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the organization conducting the review shall
submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress
a report detailing the results of the review conducted under this
section.
TITLE V--AERONAUTICS
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air
mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean a transportation system that is
comprised of urban air mobility and regional air mobility using
manned or unmanned aircraft.
(2) Regional air mobility.--The term ``regional air
mobility'' means the movement of passengers or property by air
between 2 points using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies;
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds; and
(C) is not urban air mobility.
(3) Unmanned aircraft.--The term ``unmanned aircraft''
means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of
direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
(4) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned aircraft
system'' means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements
(including communication links and the components that control
the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to
operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.
(5) Urban air mobility.--The term ``urban air mobility''
means the movement of passengers or property by air between 2
points in different cities or 2 points within the same city
using an airworthy aircraft that--
(A) has advanced technologies, such as distributed
propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift,
nontraditional power systems, or autonomous
technologies; and
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than
1,320 pounds.
(6) UTM.--The term ``UTM'' means an unmanned aircraft
system traffic management system or service.
SEC. 502. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS.
(a) Study.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with industry and
academia, shall conduct a study of NASA's administration of past and
ongoing NASA experimental aircraft demonstrator projects.
(b) Future Demonstrations.--The study under subsection (a) shall
include an identification of flight research activities, systems,
capabilities, and technologies that could be viable candidates for
experimental aircraft demonstrator projects. Such activities, systems,
capabilities, and technologies may include technological advancements
related to structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, controls, and
autonomous capabilities. The study shall include a description of
criteria and performance metrics used to determine the readiness of an
activity, system, capability, or technology for incorporation into an
experimental aircraft demonstrator project.
(c) Lessons Learned.--The study under subsection (a) also shall
include an assessment of lessons learned from NASA's administration of
past and ongoing experimental aircraft demonstration projects over the
last decade, including the projects set forth under section 10831 of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2022 (Public Law 117-167). Such assessment shall include--
(1) a quantitative assessment of each experimental aircraft
demonstration project's ability to meet cost, schedule and
performance goals, as defined at the time of project
confirmation;
(2) the extent to which each project's objectives or
performance goals were changed or descoped, and the rationale
for such change or descoping;
(3) the extent to which the system, capability, or
technology that was the subject of each project was matured as
a result of its demonstration on an experimental aircraft
demonstrator; and
(4) the extent to which each project has contributed, or is
likely to contribute in the future, to advancing the
capabilities of and innovation in the United States aircraft
and aviation industries.
SEC. 503. HYPERSONICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) basic and applied hypersonics research--
(A) is critical for enabling the development of
advanced high-speed aeronautical and space systems; and
(B) can improve understanding of technical
challenges related to high-speed and reusable vehicle
technologies, including those related to propulsion,
noise, advanced materials, and entry, descent, and
landing operations;
(2) investments in hypersonics research are critical to
sustaining United States global leadership in space and
aeronautics; and
(3) NASA efforts to study hypersonics research should
complement research supported by the Department of Defense and,
when appropriate, be conducted in partnership with universities
and industry.
(b) Hypersonics Research.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the
Secretary of the Department of Defense, and in consultation with
industry and academia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied
hypersonics research.
(c) Hypersonics Research Roadmap.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and with
industry and academic institutions, shall update the hypersonics
research roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public
Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note). In updating the research roadmap,
the Administrator may consider advancements in--
(1) system level design, analysis, and validation of
hypersonics aircraft technologies;
(2) propulsion capabilities and technologies;
(3) vehicle technologies, including vehicle flow physics
and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic
heating;
(4) advanced materials, including materials capable of
withstanding high temperatures and demonstrating durable
materials, and efforts to create models and simulate use of
such materials; and
(5) other areas of hypersonics research as determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
(d) Report and Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
(1) transmit the updated research roadmap under subsection
(c) to the appropriate committees of Congress; and
(2) provide a briefing on the research conducted under
subsection (b), including how such research aligns with the
updated research roadmap under subsection (c).
SEC. 504. ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the status of NASA
activities pursuant to subsections (e) and (f) of section 10831 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167; 51 U.S.C. 40102 note; relating to the advanced
materials and manufacturing technology program and research
partnerships, respectively), as well as other NASA activities.
SEC. 505. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that research and development related
to autonomous aviation is vital to ensure United States competitiveness
as the National Airspace System evolves from trajectory-based
operations to collaborative and highly automated operations.
(b) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall, in collaboration with
the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration, the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, and appropriate representatives of
academia and industry, continue its research on unmanned aircraft
systems and advanced air mobility, including research related to UTM
and autonomous capabilities, as practicable.
(c) Brief.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the progress of the research under subsection
(b).
SEC. 506. ADVANCED CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall leverage NASA-developed
tools and technologies to conduct research and development activities
under the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations
(ACERO) project, or appropriate successor project or projects, to
improve aerial responses to wildfires.
(b) Goals.--The research and development activities conducted under
subsection (a) may include the following:
(1) Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management
efforts to assist in the management, deconfliction, and
coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response efforts.
(2) Information sharing and real-time data exchange for
wildfire response teams.
(3) Development of an interoperable platform to provide
situational awareness of aerial assets during wildfire
response.
(4) Establishment of a multi-agency concept of operations,
which may involve Federal, State, and local government
agencies, to enable coordination of aerial activities for
wildfire response.
(c) Collaboration.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator--
(1) may coordinate and collaborate with other Federal,
State, and local government agencies, regional organizations,
and commercial partners and academic institutions involved in
wildfire management; and
(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult with
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid
duplication of activities.
(d) Prohibition.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, the
Administrator may not procure an unmanned aircraft system to
conduct activities described in this section if such unmanned
aircraft system is manufactured or assembled by a covered
foreign entity.
(2) Exemption.--The Administrator may waive the prohibition
under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the
Administrator--
(A) determines that the procurement of an unmanned
aircraft system is--
(i) in the national interest of the United
States; and
(ii) necessary for the sole purpose of
improving aerial responses to wildfires; and
(B) notifies the appropriate committees of Congress
not later than 30 days after a determination in the
affirmative under subparagraph (A).
(e) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until December 31, 2031,
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing the activities, including results, carried
out pursuant to this section. Each such report, at minimum, shall
contain the following:
(1) A description of any research and development
activities.
(2) A description of the Administrator's activities
pursuant to subsection (c).
(3) An identification of any topics related to improvement
of aerial responses to wildfires that could benefit from
further research.
(4) A description of any continuing efforts under this
section.
(5) Any other information determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
(f) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered foreign
entity'' has the meaning given such term in section 1832 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law
118-31).
SEC. 507. HYDROGEN AVIATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations for
such purpose, and taking into consideration the strategy developed
under and research conducted pursuant to section 1019 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63), the Administrator may
carry out research on emerging technologies related to hydrogen
aviation.
(b) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on NASA research activities
under subsection (a) and any associated findings.
SEC. 508. HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHASE AIRCRAFT.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon high-
performance chase aircraft for providing research and mission
support; and
(2) NASA currently faces maintenance challenges related to
its aging high-performance aircraft fleet, which is resulting
in increased program costs.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Administrator
shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on
the strategy of NASA relating to the following:
(1) Collaboration with the Department of Defense on efforts
for research and flight asset sharing to support NASA's
research mission support and pilot training requirements.
(2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to keep
NASA's current fleet of chase aircraft operational, including
potential use of 3D additive manufactured parts.
(3) Strategies for acquiring or using through loan,
sharing, or other agreements, as appropriate, Department of
Defense aircraft to support NASA's research and mission support
activities, as required.
SEC. 509. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) colleges and universities are hubs of research and
innovation, with expertise in various fields of science and
aeronautics;
(2) collaborating with academia allows NASA to access
cutting-edge research and expertise that can further enable
advancements in aeronautics research and technology and address
complex aeronautical challenges;
(3) a cutting-edge civil aeronautics research and
development program can inspire the next generation to pursue
education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, including aeronautics; and
(4) opportunities for students to participate in NASA-
supported academic research and development projects, such as
the University Leadership Initiative, the University Students
Research Challenge, and related aeronautic projects and
competitions, contributes to training the next generation and
developing the aeronautics workforce to support continued
United States leadership and economic growth in civil
aeronautics and aviation.
SEC. 510. DECADAL SURVEY FOR NATIONAL AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) engaging the science and engineering communities, along
with industry, through the development of a National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine decadal survey in
aeronautics research and development can provide a science and
engineering community consensus on key research and development
priorities in national civil aeronautics programs;
(2) a decadal survey--
(A) entails a comprehensive review of and strategy
and priorities for civil national aeronautics research
and development; and
(B) prioritizes such research and development for
the next decade; and
(3) a decadal survey for civil aeronautics research and
development can serve as a guiding framework for NASA's and
other relevant Federal agencies' strategic planning and
resource allocation in the field of civil aeronautics research
and development for the coming decade.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) in title 51, United States Code, sections addressing
NASA's decadal surveys for aeronautics research include
sections 20305 and 40703; and
(2) the most recent National Academies' Decadal Survey of
Civil Aeronautics was published in 2006.
(c) Study.--In accordance with section 20305 of title 51, United
States Code, the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other
relevant Federal Government agencies, as appropriate, shall enter into
an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine to conduct a decadal survey of civil aeronautics research
for the 2026 through 2036 decade. The survey shall recommend research
and programmatic priorities to sustain United States leadership in
civil aeronautics research and development and support a safe and
sustainable future for aviation. The survey may also include
recommendations for the following:
(1) Enabling innovation.
(2) Ensuring a world-class workforce for aeronautics
research and development and related United States commercial
industries and activities.
(3) The dissemination and transition of such research and
development to the United States commercial aviation and
aircraft industries.
(d) Transmittal.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress the results of such survey,
including any recommendations.
SEC. 511. MAKING ADVANCEMENTS IN COMMERCIAL HYPERSONICS.
(a) In General.--In conducting the hypersonics research in
accordance with section 40112(d) of title 51, United States Code, the
Administrator may establish the Making Advancements in Commercial
Hypersonics Program (in this section referred to as the ``Program''),
which shall facilitate opportunities for testing of high-speed aircraft
and other technologies that advance scientific research and technology
development related to hypersonic aircraft.
(b) Limitation.--The Program under subsection (a) shall not fund
the development of technologies that are supported by such testing
opportunities.
(c) Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator, acting through the Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate, shall develop a strategic plan for activities
under subsection (a) that aligns with the research roadmap under
section 503 of this Act.
(d) Coordination, Consultation and Collaboration.--
(1) The Administrator shall ensure coordination between the
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and other Mission
Directorates, as appropriate, to identify technologies eligible
for testing opportunities under the Program.
(2) The Administrator shall consult and seek to collaborate
with, as appropriate, with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on
activities related to the Program, including development,
testing, and evaluation of high-speed aircraft and related
technologies.
(e) Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress, and the Committee on Armed Services of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate--
(1) not later than 80 days after the date of the enactment
of this section, a report that--
(A) describes activities of the program established
under subsection (a); and
(B) includes the strategic plan produced under
subsection (c); and
(2) not later than one year after the date of the enactment
of this Act and annually thereafter, a report describing
progress in carrying out the program, including the number and
type of testing opportunities executed in the previous fiscal
year and planned for the upcoming fiscal year.
(f) Research Security.--Nothing under this section authorizes the
Administrator to develop, implement, or execute an agreement related to
technologies under this section with any entity of concern, a foreign
business entity, or a foreign country of concern.
(g) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) Entity of concern.--The term ``entity of concern'' has
the meaning given such term in section 10114 of the Research
and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law
117-167; 42 U.S.C. 18912).
(2) Foreign business entity.--The term ``foreign business
entity'' means an entity that is majority-owned or majority-
controlled (as such term is defined in section 800.208 of title
31, Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation), or
minority owned greater than 25 percent by--
(A) any governmental organization of a foreign
country of concern; or
(B) any other entity that is--
(i) known to be owned or controlled by any
governmental organization of a foreign country
of concern; or
(ii) organized under, or otherwise subject
to, the laws of a foreign country of concern.
(3) Foreign country of concern.--The term ``foreign country
of concern'' has the meaning given such term in section 9901 of
title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15
U.S.C. 4651).
(4) High-speed aircraft.--The term ``high-speed aircraft''
means an aircraft operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1,
including supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.
(5) Hypersonic.--The term ``hypersonic'' means flights
operating at speeds that exceed Mach 5.
(6) Supersonic.--The term ``supersonic'' means flights
operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1 but less than Mach 5.
TITLE VI--SCIENCE
SEC. 601. MAINTAINING A BALANCED SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.
(a) Sense of Congress.--Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress
that--
(1) a balanced and adequately funded set of activities
consisting of research and analysis grant programs, technology
development, suborbital research activities, and small, medium,
and large space missions, contributes to a robust and
productive science program and serves as a catalyst for
innovation and discovery; and
(2) the Administrator should set science priorities by
following the recommendations and guidance provided by the
scientific community through the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.
(b) Policy Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms the policy of the
United States set forth in section 501(c) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public
Law 115-10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note), which states, ``It is the policy of
the United States to ensure, to the extent practicable, a steady
cadence of large, medium, and small science missions''.
SEC. 602. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCIENCE MISSION COST-CAPS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA science missions address compelling scientific
questions prioritized by the National Academies decadal
surveys, and often such missions exceed expectations in terms
of performance, longevity, and scientific impact;
(2) the Administrator should continue to pursue an
ambitious science program while also seeking to avoid excessive
cost growth that has the potential to affect the balance across
the Science portfolio and within the Science Divisions;
(3) audits by the NASA Inspector General and the Government
Accountability Office have reported that early cost estimates
for missions in the preliminary phases of conception and
development are immature and unreliable, and the cost of a
mission typically is not well-understood until the project is
further along in the development process;
(4) cost growth of a mission beyond its early cost
estimates is a challenge for budget planning and has the
potential to affect other missions in the Science Mission
Directorate portfolio, including through delays to future
mission solicitations; and
(5) relying on early cost estimates made prior to
preliminary design review for science missions which then
experience such cost growth may disincentivize program and cost
discipline moving forward.
(b) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a review of NASA practices related
to establishment of and compliance with cost caps of competitively-
selected, principal investigator-led science missions. The review
shall--
(1) assess current cost cap values and determine whether
existing cost-cap amounts are appropriate for different classes
of missions;
(2) consider the effectiveness of cost caps in maintaining
a varied and balanced portfolio of mission types within the
Science Mission Directorate;
(3) describe the information NASA requires as part of a
proposal submission related to project cost estimates and
proposal compliance with cost caps, and assess whether such
required information provides sufficient insight or confidence
in the estimates;
(4) consider NASA processes for assessing proposed cost
estimates and the accuracy of such assessments for past
competitively-selected, principal investigator-led science
missions; and
(5) for the period starting on January 1, 2000, and ending
on the date of the enactment of this Act--
(A) a list of--
(i) competitively-selected, principal
investigator-led science missions for which
costs have exceeded the associated cost cap;
and
(ii) reason the mission costs exceeded the
cost-cap;
(B) an assessment of NASA's role in predicting,
preventing, or managing competitively-selected,
principal investigator-led science mission cost
increases; and
(C) a description of the impact of increased
competitively-selected, principal investigator-led
science mission costs beyond the cost caps on--
(i) the missions for which the cost cap has
been breached; and
(ii) other missions within the applicable
division and within the Science Mission
Directorate.
SEC. 603. REEXAMINATION OF DECADAL SURVEYS.
Title 51, United States Code, is amended in section 20305(c) by
inserting ``, significant changes to the NASA budget'' after
``growth''.
SEC. 604. LANDSAT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the appropriate committees
of Congress describing--
(1) the Administrator's efforts to comply with section
60134 of title 51, United States Code;
(2) aspects of Landsat NEXT or any other Landsat
observations that--
(A) could be provided by private sector data-buys
or service procurements; and
(B) could--
(i) meet associated science requirements
while maintaining or exceeding the quality,
integrity, and continuity of the Landsat
observational capabilities and performance,
including requirements necessary to ensure
high-quality calibrated data continuity and
traceability with the 50-year Landsat data
record; and
(ii) comply with nondiscriminatory
availability of unenhanced data and public
archiving of data pursuant to section 60141 and
60142 of title 51, United States Code, and all
other relevant Federal laws, regulations, and
policies related to open science and data
accessibility;
(3) any potential tradeoffs or other impacts of
subparagraphs (A) or (B) that could reduce the benefit of
Landsat data for scientific and applied uses or reduce the
Federal Government's ability to make such data available for
the widest possible use; and
(4) recommendations and opportunities for the Federal
Government to mitigate potential tradeoffs or impacts
identified under paragraph (3) or to otherwise facilitate
private sector data-buys or service procurements.
SEC. 605. PRIVATE EARTH OBSERVATION DATA.
(a) Amendments.--Section 702 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18371) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Director of OSTP'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) In General.--The Director of OSTP''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Considerations.--In updating the civil Earth observation
strategic implementation plan pursuant to subsection (a), the Director
of OSTP shall consider commercial Earth observation data, as
appropriate, that can be purchased or accessed by the Federal
Government to meet Earth observation requirements.''.
(b) Government Accountability Office Report.--Not later than 12
months after the release of the next civil Earth observation strategic
implementation plan update under section 702(a) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42
U.S.C. 18371(a)), the Comptroller General shall report to the
appropriate committees of Congress an assessment of the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy's implementation of section
702(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18371(b)), as amended.
SEC. 606. COMMERCIAL SATELLITE DATA.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states
that the goal for the Earth Science program of NASA shall be to
pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and
applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it
supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to
do so in the future.
(2) Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states
that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible
and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements
of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and
scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-
based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data,
services, distribution, and applications from a commercial
provider.
(3) The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial
SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2017 to identify,
validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support
the Earth science research and application goals.
(4) The Administrator of NASA has--
(A) determined that the pilot program described in
paragraph (3) has been a success, as described in the
final evaluation entitled ``Commercial SmallSat Data
Acquisition Program Pilot Evaluation Report'' issued in
2020;
(B) established a formal process for evaluating and
onboarding new commercial vendors in such pilot
program;
(C) increased the number of commercial vendors and
commercial data products available through such pilot
program; and
(D) expanded procurement arrangements with
commercial vendors to broaden user access to provide
commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to
federally funded researchers.
(b) Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 603 of title 51, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition program
``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish within the
Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to
acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth
remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific,
operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and
where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers
to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by
the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and
international partners.
``(b) Data Publication and Transparency.--The terms and conditions
of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under
the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent--
``(1) the publication of commercial data or imagery for
scientific purposes; or
``(2) the publication of information that is derived from,
incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or
imagery of a vendor.
``(c) Authorization.--In carrying out the program under this
section, the Administrator may--
``(1) procure the commercial Earth remote sensing data and
imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research
and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and
``(2) establish or modify end-use license terms and
conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured
commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals
other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the
program.
``(d) United States Vendors.--Commercial Earth remote sensing data
and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors.
``(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives a report that includes the following
information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses
of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section:
``(1)(A) In the case of the initial report, a list of all
agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing
data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report.
``(B) For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements
that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and
imagery to NASA during the reporting period.
``(2) A description of the end-use license terms and
conditions for each such vendor.
``(3) A description of how each such agreement advances
scientific research and applications, including priorities
recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine decadal surveys.
``(4) Information specifying whether the Administrator has
entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal
agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal
Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for chapter
603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new item:
``60307. Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program.''.
SEC. 607. NASA DATA FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) NASA has decades of experience in space-based
scientific Earth observations and measurements, including data,
trends and modeling.
(2) NASA Earth science data, which includes data on
precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, soil moisture,
and vegetation health, has been used to inform the
decisionmaking of agricultural producers.
(3) NASA applies its scientific data and models to inform
and support the agricultural community and engages in
innovative collaborations such as the NASA Acres and NASA
Harvest agricultural consortia.
(4) NASA uses space-based Earth observations and science
and applications to support farmers in efforts to conserve
water and other resources, improve farm management and crop
yield, and facilitate the stability of the national food
supply.
(5) NASA's upcoming Earth System Observatory will benefit
the agricultural community by improving observations critical
for measuring and understanding cropland conditions, water
availability, early onset crop disease, soil moisture, and
other crop and rangeland management indicators.
(6) Increased engagement between NASA and the agricultural
community can support agricultural producers, bolster the
national food supply, and improve agricultural research,
science, and technology.
(b) Data Dissemination.--NASA shall continue to partner with other
relevant Federal agencies, as practicable, to disseminate water, soil,
vegetation, land-use, and other relevant NASA Earth observation and
science data, information and tools to support American agricultural
producers. Such partnerships may include activities such as--
(1) continuing to leverage NASA Earth science water data
and information to enable efficient use of resources, inform
irrigation decisions, and support local innovation and control
of water management;
(2) supporting agriculture decisionmaking by increasing the
accessibility and useability of NASA Earth science data,
information, and tools relevant to the impact of disease,
weather, precipitation, and other environmental factors on
agricultural production; or
(3) making available, to the greatest extent practicable,
NASA earth science measurements and data to advance precision
agricultural capabilities relevant to the needs and
requirements of agricultural producers.
(c) Application of Space-Based Data.--The Administrator shall, in
furtherance of the goal for the NASA's Earth science and applications
program of securing practical benefits for society, as set forth in
section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, continue to collaborate
with relevant Federal agencies to develop mechanisms to transition, as
appropriate, relevant NASA Earth science research findings, data,
information, models, and capabilities to operational governmental and
private sector entities focused on addressing the needs of the
agricultural user community.
(d) Partnering.--In carrying out subsections (b) and (d), NASA
shall, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with other
relevant Federal agencies, where appropriate, continue to engage State
and local government agencies, institutions of higher education,
agriculture producer organizations, and other relevant stakeholder and
user communities from the public and private sectors to improve
dissemination of NASA Earth science data, information, and tools
relevant to the needs of agricultural producers and the agriculture
industry, in accordance with the goal for the Administration's Earth
science and applications program set forth in section 60501 of title
51, United States Code, and relevant recommendations of the most recent
decadal survey on Earth science and applications from space.
SEC. 608. PLANETARY SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) planetary science missions advance the scientific
understanding of the solar system and the place of humans in it
while also advancing the design and operations of spacecraft
and robotic engineering; and
(2) Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship programs allow
NASA to fund a range of missions that vary in size, cost, and
complexity; maintaining balance across these mission classes
allows for a broad scope of discoveries and scientific
advances.
(b) Mission Priorities Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms the
direction in section 502(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10;
51 U.S.C. 20302 note) that--
(1) in accordance with the priorities established in the
most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey, the Administrator
shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the
completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and
Flagship missions at the cadence recommended by the most recent
Planetary Science Decadal Survey; and
(2) consistent with the set of missions described in
paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of
scientific data and steady development of capabilities and
technologies, the Administrator may seek, if necessary,
adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope in light
of changing budget projections.
SEC. 609. PLANETARY DEFENSE.
(a) Section 808 of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18387), is amended
in subsection (b) by striking ``implement, before September 30, 2012,''
and inserting ``, in coordination with the NASA Administrator, maintain
and regularly update''.
(b) Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 71103--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``Developing policy and recommending'' and inserting
``Policy on near-Earth objects and'';
(B) by striking ``Within 2 years after October 15,
2008, the'' and inserting ``The'';
(C) after ``Policy shall'', by inserting ``, in
coordination with the Administrator, maintain and
regularly update'';
(D) by striking ``(1) develop''; and
(E) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(2) recommend''
and inserting ``recommendations for''; and
(2) in chapter 711--
(A) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 71105. Planetary defense coordination office
``(a) Office.--As directed in section 10825 of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public
Law 117-167), the Administrator shall maintain an office within the
Planetary Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate to be
known as the `Planetary Defense Coordination Office'.
``(b) Responsibilities.--Consistent with the direction in section
10825 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167) the Planetary Defense
Coordination Office under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) plan, develop, and implement a program to survey
threats posed by near-Earth objects equal to or greater than
140 meters in diameter, as required by section 321(d)(1) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act
of 2005 (Public Law 109-155; 119 Stat. 2922; 51 U.S.C. 71101
note prec.);
``(2) identify, track, and characterize potentially
hazardous near-Earth objects, issue warnings of the effects of
potential impacts of such objects, and investigate strategies
and technologies for mitigating the potential impacts of such
objects; and
``(3) assist in coordinating government planning for a
response to a potential impact of a near-Earth objects.''; and
(B) in the table of contents--
(i) by adding at the end the following new
item:
``71105. Planetary Defense Coordination Office.''; and
(ii) by amending the item relating to
section 71103 to read as follows:
``71103. Policy on near-Earth objects and responsible Federal
agency.''.
SEC. 610. LUNAR DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION.
(a) In General.--The Administrator may carry out, within the
Science Mission Directorate, a program to accomplish science objectives
for the Moon, with an organizational structure that aligns
responsibility, authority, and accountability, as recommended by the
most recent decadal survey for planetary science and astrobiology.
(b) Objectives and Requirements.--In carrying out the program in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall direct the Science Mission
Directorate, in consultation with the Exploration Systems Development
Mission Directorate and the Space Technology Mission Directorate, to
define high-priority lunar science objectives informed by decadal
surveys and other scientific consensus recommendations, and related
requirements of an integrated Artemis science strategy for human and
robotic missions to the Moon.
(c) Instrumentation.--The program in subsection (a) should assess
the need for and facilitate the development of instrumentation to
support the scientific exploration of the Moon.
SEC. 611. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Administration encouragement and support for commercial
services for lunar surface delivery capabilities and other
related services serves the national interest; and
(2) commercial providers benefit from an approach that
places low-cost, noncritical instruments on initial deliveries
using small- and medium-size landers before proceeding to
larger landers for more complex payloads.
(b) Commercial Lunar Payload Services.--The Administrator is
authorized to establish a Commercial Lunar Payload Services program for
the purposes of procuring, from one or more United States commercial
providers, services for delivery of NASA science payloads, and the
payloads of other NASA mission directorates, as appropriate and
practicable, to the lunar surface.
(c) Relationship to Other Mission Directorates.--A Mission
Directorate that seeks to obtain commercial lunar payload services
under the program established in subsection (b) shall provide funding
for--
(1) any payload, instrument or other item sponsored by the
Mission Directorate for delivery through the program; and
(2) the cost of the commercial lunar payload services
obtained on behalf of the Mission Directorate.
(d) Implementation.--In implementing any such activities pursuant
to subsection (b), the Administrator shall--
(1) conduct updated market research on the commercial lunar
economy and identify any changes since the last market
analysis;
(2) assess NASA's needs from and role in and contribution
to the commercial lunar delivery market;
(3) based on such needs identified in paragraph (2), assess
the effectiveness of the task order approach in advancing
commercial development of lunar delivery services, including an
assessment of the appropriate number of providers necessary to
support NASA commercial lunar delivery needs, and identify any
challenges and recommendations for improvement; and
(4) strengthen procedures related to the selection,
manifesting, interfaces, and requirements of payloads and other
relevant factors that could contribute to minimizing future
NASA-directed changes to projects following commercial lunar
payload service contract awards.
(e) Management Plan.--Not later than 90 days from the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, informed by the
activities conducted under subsection (c), prepare and implement a
management plan with clear leadership authority and responsibility for
the program authorized in subsection (b).
(f) Briefings.--Not later than 180 days from the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the implementation of the management plan in
subsection (d).
(g) Coordination.--The Administrator shall ensure coordination
between Mission Directorates and the Moon to Mars Program on the
administration of the program in subsection (b) to ensure alignment of
goals for lunar delivery services.
SEC. 612. PLANETARY AND LUNAR OPERATIONS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) existing NASA lunar and Martian orbital missions are
operating well beyond their planned mission lifespans;
(2) NASA relies on this aging infrastructure for
observations, communications relay, and other operations to
support critical NASA missions; and
(3) the United States plans to increase its activities on
and around both the Moon and Mars in coming years.
(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan to ensure
continuity of operations and sufficient observational and operational
capabilities on and around the Moon and Mars necessary to continue to
enable a robust science program and human exploration program for the
Moon and Mars well into the future. Such plan shall consider
opportunities to engage both private and international partners in
future operations.
SEC. 613. MARS SAMPLE RETURN.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, lead a Mars Sample Return program to
enable the return to Earth of scientifically-selected samples from the
surface of Mars for study in terrestrial laboratories, consistent with
the recommendations of the National Academies decadal surveys for
planetary science.
(b) Approach.--The Administrator shall pursue the program in
subsection (a) on a timeline and in a manner necessary to--
(1) Sustain United States leadership in the scientific
exploration of Mars;
(2) maintain NASA capabilities to land and operate robotic
spacecraft on the surface of Mars;
(3) preserve the relevant unique and long-term
institutional expertise; and
(4) maintain a balanced and robust planetary science
division portfolio without requiring significant increases to
the NASA budget.
(c) Implementation Plan.--The Administrator shall, as soon as
practicable and no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan and
timeline for the implementation of a Mars Sample Return program
pursuant to this section with the goal of enabling the highest
scientific return for the resources invested. Such plan shall include a
design and mission architecture and establish realistic cost and
schedule estimates to enable such goal.
SEC. 614. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING.
Not later than 90 days from the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress full copies of any study conducted in the last five years
regarding the technical feasibility of safely reboosting the Hubble
Space Telescope, including any such studies regarding the technical
feasibility of using private sector capabilities.
SEC. 615. GREAT OBSERVATORIES MISSION AND TECHNOLOGY MATURATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Administrator may establish a Great
Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation program (referred to in
this section as the ``Program'') to mature the large-scale space-based
mission concepts and technologies needed for future large strategic
astrophysics missions, including for a large-aperture infrared,
optical, and ultraviolet space telescope, as informed by the
recommendations of the most recent decadal survey in astronomy and
astrophysics.
(b) Activities.--The Program shall inform the design and
development of future large-scale space-based Astrophysics missions by
conducting activities which may include--
(1) assessing the appropriate scope for any future mission;
(2) determining the range of capabilities and technology
readiness of such capabilities needed for a mission; and
(3) informing the development and maturation of science and
technologies needed for such mission.
(c) Costs.--The independent life-cycle cost estimate conducted
under section 30307 of title 51, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, for any large-scale space-based mission derived from concepts and
technologies matured through the Program shall include an accounting of
all costs spent on maturation of the mission through the Program.
(d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the
progress and impacts of any Projects established under subsection (b)
within Astrophysics programs.
SEC. 616. NANCY GRACE ROMAN SPACE TELESCOPE.
The Administrator shall continue development of the Nancy Grace
Roman Space Telescope as directed in subsection 10823(b) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022
(Public Law 117-167).
SEC. 617. HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) NASA heliophysics research advances the scientific
understanding of the Sun, its impact on the Earth and near-
Earth environment, and the Sun's interactions with other bodies
in the solar system, the interplanetary medium, and the
interstellar medium;
(2) fundamental science supported by the Heliophysics
division is critical to improving space weather observations
and forecasting capabilities, which contribute to--
(A) fortifying national security and other
critically important space-based and ground-based
assets;
(B) improving the resilience of the Nation's energy
infrastructure; and
(C) protecting human health in space; and
(3) the Heliophysics Division should continue to maximize
the scientific return on investment of its portfolio through
maintaining a balanced portfolio that includes research and
analysis, including multidisciplinary research initiatives,
technology development, space-based missions and suborbital
flight projects that include both directed and strategic
missions and principal investigator-led, competitively
solicited missions, informed by the science priorities and
guidance of the most recent decadal survey in solar and space
physics.
(b) Program Management.--The Administrator shall seek to--
(1) maintain a regular Explorer Announcement of Opportunity
cadence and alternate between small and mid-sized missions; and
(2) enable a regular selection of Missions of Opportunity.
SEC. 618. STUDY ON COMMERCIAL SPACE WEATHER DATA.
(a) Study.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
shall conduct a study of the extent to which commercially-available
data could advance space weather research, including the relevant space
weather research priorities of the most recent decadal survey on solar
and space physics.
(b) Contents.--The study shall include--
(1) an assessment of commercial capabilities and commercial
data that meets or exceeds the science and technical standards
and requirements of the Administration, which may include--
(A) data that is or could be generated by
commercial providers;
(B) commercially-available small spacecraft;
(C) opportunities for hosted NASA payloads on
commercial spacecraft; and
(D) commercial solutions for data processing
applicable to space weather science;
(2) recommendations and opportunities for the Federal
Government to facilitate the use of commercially available
options for space weather data relevant to advancing the
Administration's space weather research and development
activities consistent with the most recent National Academies
decadal survey, without reducing quality of data; and
(3) options, where appropriate, for potential partnerships
or use of NASA prize authority and competitions, as appropriate
and practicable, to obtain access to such data identified in
paragraph (1) that--
(A) meets or exceeds the science and technical
standards and requirements of the Administration; and
(B) are not duplicative of activities conducted
pursuant to chapter 606 of title 51, United States
Code.
(c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to the appropriate
committees of Congress containing the results of the study provided
under subsection (a).
SEC. 619. GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission could enable scientific
discoveries that will transform understanding of the processes that
govern the dynamics of the Earth's upper atmospheric envelope that
surrounds and protects the planet.
(b) Assessment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding the updated
mission approach, schedule, and budget profile to launch the Geospace
Dynamics Constellation mission by the end of the decade to fulfill the
recommendations of the heliophysics decadal survey.
SEC. 620. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR WILDLAND FIRE SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT,
AND MITIGATION.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, acting through the Associate
Director of the Earth Science Division for Earth Action, shall
establish a project for science and technology development for wildland
fire management and mitigation (referred to in this section as
``FireSense'').
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of FireSense is to co-develop, deploy,
and support NASA's application of advanced science, data, and
technology capabilities to enable measurable improvement in United
States wildland fire management and mitigation across the fire cycle,
including pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire phases.
(c) Objectives.--In establishing FireSense, the Administrator shall
seek input from relevant stakeholders and shall align FireSense with
the goal for NASA's Earth science and applications program set forth in
section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, consider relevant
recommendations of the most recent decadal survey on Earth science and
applications from space, and shall, to the extent practicable, focus on
the following objectives:
(1) Enhanced predictive modeling and early warning systems
for wildland fire detection and prevention.
(2) Developing remote sensing technologies and data
analysis tools to monitor fire-prone areas.
(3) Transitioning wildland fire management technologies to
operational users, including agencies, private sector entities,
and academic institutions.
(4) Conducting studies on the long-term impact of
temperature change, weather variability, environmental
stressors, and atmospheric, hydrologic, ecological, and other
changes to Earth systems on wildland fire behavior, frequency,
and intensity.
(5) Supporting post-fire recovery and ecosystem restoration
through advanced technologies and data.
(6) Providing necessary technical assistance to operational
users to receive, process, and make use of wildland fire
science, data, and technology resources.
(7) Any additional objectives as determined necessary by
the Administrator to satisfy the purpose described in
subsection (b).
(d) Interagency Coordination.--In implementing FireSense, the
Administrator shall, as practicable and appropriate, coordinate with
relevant Federal, State, and local agencies to support wildland fire
science, data, and technology development activities across all phases
of the fire cycle, including prevention, detection, response, and
recovery.
(e) Operational Support.--The Administrator shall, to the extent
practicable and in collaboration with other relevant Federal agencies,
continue to provide necessary scientific and technical support to
enhance wildland fire mitigation efforts to operational users,
including the following:
(1) Relevant Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by
the Administrator.
(2) State, local, and Tribal governments and organizations.
(3) Private sector entities.
(4) Academic institutions, including colleges,
universities, and wildland fire research institutions.
(f) Data Sharing and Collaboration.--The Administrator shall
facilitate the sharing of data, tools, and research findings with
operational users and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective
use of NASA's capabilities in wildland fire management.
(g) Firesense Project Evaluation.--The Administrator shall
periodically evaluate the effectiveness of FireSense and make necessary
adjustments to improve its impact on wildland fire management.
(h) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the activities and accomplishments of FireSense, including
the following:
(1) An assessment of interagency coordination efforts.
(2) FireSense's impact on wildland fire management efforts.
(3) A list of emerging wildland fire management
technologies and opportunities that may be considered for
further research, development, demonstration, and deployment.
(4) An assessment of existing challenges to effective
coordination with operational users, including State, local,
and Tribal governments.
SEC. 621. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE NATIONAL WILDLAND
FIRE MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION COMMISSION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Wildland fires pose a significant threat to public
safety, property, and natural resources.
(2) The National Wildland Fire Management and Mitigation
Commission (in this section referred to as the ``Commission'')
has provided critical recommendations for enhancing wildland
fire science, data, and technology resources.
(3) The Administration, through the Science Mission
Directorate, has the capability to support and enhance wildland
fire management through its advanced research and technological
expertise.
(b) Incorporation of Recommendations.--The Administrator, in
accordance with the goal for NASA's Earth science and applications
program set forth in section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, and
relevant recommendations of the most recent decadal survey on Earth
science and applications from space, shall incorporate the
recommendations of the Commission, to the extent practicable, which may
include continuing to carry out the following:
(1) Enhancing the collection, analysis, and dissemination
of data related to wildland fires, including satellite and
remote sensing data.
(2) Supporting research and development projects aimed at
improving wildland fire prediction, prevention, response, and
recovery.
(3) Developing and deploying technologies that can assist
in monitoring, detecting, and mitigating wildland fires.
(4) Conducting studies on the long-term impact of
temperature change, weather variability, environmental
stressors, and atmospheric, hydrologic, ecological, and other
changes to Earth systems on wildland fire behavior, frequency,
and intensity.
(c) Interagency Coordination.--The Administrator shall continue to
coordinate, as practicable, with other Federal, State, local, and
Tribal entities to integrate the Commission's recommendations into
broader wildland fire management efforts. Such coordination may include
the following:
(1) Facilitating the sharing of wildland fire-related data
and research findings with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
(2) Participating in joint initiatives and projects aimed
at enhancing wildland fire management capabilities.
(d) Evaluation.--The Administrator shall conduct periodic
evaluations of NASA's efforts to incorporate the Commission's
recommendations and make adjustments as necessary to maximize the
effectiveness of such recommendations to support wildland fire
mitigation and management efforts.
(e) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the activities
undertaken by NASA to implement the Commission's recommendations,
including the following:
(1) A summary of research and development projects
initiated or supported.
(2) An assessment of the impact of such activities on
wildland fire management and mitigation efforts.
(3) Any challenges or obstacles encountered in implementing
such recommendations.
TITLE VII--STEM EDUCATION
SEC. 701. NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Amendments.--Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 40303, by striking subsections (d) and (e);
(2) in section 40304--
(A) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the
following:
``(c) Solicitations.--
``(1) In general.--Prior to the conclusion of each
preceding award cycle, the Administrator shall issue a
solicitation to space grant consortia for the award of grants
or contracts under this section. The Administrator shall
implement the allocation guidance under subsection (e) during
each fiscal year covered by an award cycle.
``(2) Proposals.--A lead institution of a space grant
consortium that seeks a grant or contract under this section
shall submit, on behalf of such space grant consortium, an
application to the Administrator at such time and in such
manner and accompanied by such information as the Administrator
may require.
``(3) Awards.--The Administrator shall award one or more
multi-year grants or contracts, disbursed in annual
installments, to the lead institution of an eligible space
grant consortium of--
``(A) each of the 50 States of the United States;
``(B) the District of Columbia; and
``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.''; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (d) the
following:
``(e) Allocation of Funding.--
``(1) Program implementation.--To carry out the purposes
set forth in section 40301 of this title, each fiscal year, of
the funds appropriated for this program of that fiscal year,
the Administrator shall allocate not less than 85 percent among
eligible space grant consortia as follows:
``(A) The space grant consortia identified in
paragraph 40304(c)(3) shall each receive an equal
share.
``(B) The territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin
Islands shall each receive funds equal to one-fifth of
the share for each space grant consortium.
``(2) Program administration.--
``(A) In general.--Each fiscal year, of the funds
made available for the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program, the Administrator shall allocate
not more than 10 percent for the administration of the
program.
``(B) Costs covered.--The funds allocated under
paragraph (1)(A) of this section shall cover all costs
of the Administration associated with the
administration of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program, including--
``(i) direct costs to the program,
including costs relating to support services
and civil service salaries and benefits;
``(ii) indirect general and administrative
costs of centers and facilities of the
Administration; and
``(iii) indirect general and administrative
costs of the Administration headquarters.
``(3) Special opportunities.--Each fiscal year, of the
funds made available for the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship program, the Administrator shall allocate not more
than 5 percent to lead institutions of Space Grant Consortia
for grants to carry out innovative approaches and programs to
further science and education relating to the missions of the
Administration pursuant to subsection (b).''.
(b) Review.--The Administrator shall make arrangements for an
independent external review of the National Space Grant College and
Fellowship Program to--
(1) evaluate its management, accomplishments, approach to
funding allocation as described in section 40303(e) of title
51, United States Code, and responsiveness to the purposes and
goals defined in chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code;
(2) consider the benefits partnerships with local education
agencies, including those in underserved and rural areas, may
provide; and
(3) propose any statutory updates that may be needed to
implement recommendations of the review.
(c) Report.--Not later than nine months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the independent external review of
the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program described in
subsection (a).
SEC. 702. SKILLED TECHNICAL WORKFORCE EDUCATION OUTREACH.
(a) In General.--The Administrator may conduct or support STEM
engagement activities that focus on expanding opportunities for
students to pursue skilled technical workforce occupations in space and
aeronautics.
(b) Leveraging Existing Programs.--The Administrator, in conducting
activities pursuant to subsection (a), shall consider leveraging, as
appropriate, existing programs of NASA or other Federal programs and
interagency initiatives, such as the Manufacturing USA program under
section 34 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act
(15 U.S.C. 278s).
(c) Inclusion.--Activities under subsection (a) may include
outreach activities that engage secondary and post-secondary students,
including students at institutions of higher education, two-year
colleges, and high schools, and students in vocational or career and
technical education programs, and that--
(1) expose students to careers that require career and
technical education;
(2) encourage students to pursue careers that require
career and technical education; and
(3) provide students hands-on learning opportunities to
view the manufacturing, assembly, and testing of NASA-funded
space and aeronautical systems, as the Administrator considers
appropriate and with consideration of relevant factors such as
workplace safety, mission needs, and the protection of
sensitive and proprietary technologies.
(d) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on NASA's current and planned activities under
this section.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(2) Skilled technical workforce.--The term ``skilled
technical workforce'' has the meaning given the term in section
4(b)(3) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and
Apprenticeships Act (42 U.S.C. 1862p note; Public Law 115-402).
TITLE VIII--POLICY OF NASA
SEC. 801. MAJOR PROGRAMS.
Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is amended in
subsection (a)(1) by striking ``7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012'' and
inserting ``7120.5F, dated August 3, 2021''.
SEC. 802. NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Consultation and Advice.--Section 20113(g) of title 51, United
States Code, is amended by adding ``and Congress'' after ``advice to
the Administration''.
(b) Sunset.--Effective September 30, 2028, section 20113(g) of
title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and Congress''.
SEC. 803. NASA ASSESSMENT OF EARLY COST ESTIMATES.
Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a review of the development,
application, and assessment of early cost estimates made prior to
preliminary design review for NASA missions. The review may include--
(1) an assessment of NASA processes related to the
formation and evaluation of proposed and early-stage cost
estimates;
(2) an evaluation of NASA's monitoring and management of
cost estimates throughout mission development, in accordance
with section 10861(b)(4) of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167);
and
(3) any such recommendations as the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
SEC. 804. INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.
Section 30307 of title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``analysis'' and
inserting ``estimate''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Before any funds may be obligated
for implementation'' and inserting ``After the
Administrator completes the preliminary design
review'';
(B) by striking ``analysis'' and inserting
``estimate''; and
(C) by inserting after the first sentence, ``No
funds may be obligated for implementation of the
project before the Administrator reports the results of
the life-cycle cost estimate to Congress.''.
SEC. 805. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TRANSFER TO NASA OF FUNDS FROM OTHER
AGENCIES FOR SCIENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING RESEARCH OR
EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``In the performance of its functions'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) Cooperation.--In the performance of its functions'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Funds.--Funds available to any department or agency
of the Federal Government for scientific or engineering
research or education, or the provision of facilities therefor,
shall, subject to the approval of the head of such department
or agency or as delegated pursuant to such department's or
agency's regulation, be available for transfer, in whole or in
part, to the Administration for such use as is consistent with
the purposes for which such funds were appropriated. Funds so
transferred shall be merged with the appropriation to which
transferred, except that such transferred funds shall be
limited to the awarding of grants or cooperative agreements for
scientific or engineering research or education.''.
(b) Annual Information on Funds Transferred.--
(1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall include
in the annual budget justification materials of the
Administration, as submitted to Congress with the President's
budget request under section 1105 of title 31, United States
Code, information describing the activities conducted under
subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51, United States Code
(as amended by subsection (a)), during the immediately
preceding fiscal year.
(2) Contents.--The information referred to in paragraph (1)
shall contain a description of each transfer of funds under the
authority provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of
section 20113 of title 51, United States Code (as added and
amended, respectively, by this section), during the immediately
preceding fiscal year, including the following:
(A) An identification of the department or agency
of the Federal Government from which such funds were
transferred.
(B) The total amount of funds so transferred,
disaggregated by each such department or agency.
(C) The purposes for which such funds were
appropriated to each agency or department.
(D) The program or activity of the Administration
to which such funds were made available by each such
transfer.
(E) The purposes of each such administration
program or activity, and the amount of funding
appropriated to the Administration for such purposes.
(c) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of the section, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes the
following:
(1) A summary of the value of the authority provided for in
paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 209113 of title 51,
United States Code (as added and amended, respectively, by this
section), including the extent to which such authority has
benefited the Administration and its ability to meet its needs,
achieve its mission, or more effectively conduct interagency
collaborations.
(2) An identification of any barriers or challenges to
implementing such authority, or otherwise to managing funding
required to conduct joint programs and award jointly funded
grants and cooperative agreements by the administration with
other Federal departments and agencies to advance the missions
of each such department and agency.
SEC. 806. REPORT ON MERITS AND OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTE
RELATING TO SPACE RESOURCES.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator and Secretary shall jointly
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the merits
of, and options for, establishing an institute relating to space
resources to advance the objectives of NASA and the Department in
maintaining United States preeminence in space. Such objectives shall
include the following:
(1) Identifying, developing, and distributing space
resources, including by encouraging the development of
foundational science, 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 and
the Secretary:
(1) Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to
space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.
(2) Whether partnering with institutions of higher
education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive
industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing
information available to the institute with respect to
advancing the objectives described in such subsection.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Commerce.
(2) Extractive industry.--The term ``extractive industry''
means companies and individuals involved in the processes of
extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and
dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(5) Space resource.--
(A) In general.--The term ``space resource'' means
an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``space resource''
includes a raw, natural material or energy source.
SEC. 807. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Congressional Reports and Notices.--Any report or notice
provided to Congress by NASA shall be provided to the appropriate
committees of Congress, concurrently with its delivery to any other
Committee or office.
(b) Reports on International Agreements.--If the United States
becomes a signatory to an international agreement or nonbinding
instrument concerning NASA activities, the Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing a copy of
such agreement or instrument, as the case may be.
SEC. 808. CONTRACT FLEXIBILITY.
Congress finds that NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1852.242-72, Denied
Access to NASA Facilities instructs that for the period that NASA
facilities were not accessible to contractor employees, the contracting
officer may adjust the contract performance or delivery schedule,
forego the work, reschedule the work, or consider requests for
equitable adjustment to the contract.
SEC. 809. GAO REPORT.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a review of fire and emergency
services at NASA launch and reentry facilities that assesses the
following:
(1) Current capabilities and projected demands for NASA-
provided fire and emergency services.
(2) How demand for NASA-provided fire and emergency
services have been impacted by the following:
(A) An increased rate of launch and reentry
operations.
(B) An increased number of leases with commercial
launch and reentry service providers for use of NASA
property.
(3) Current fire and emergency services provided by
commercial providers to support launch and reentry operations
that are conducted--
(A) to fulfill a contractual obligation with NASA;
or
(B) for non-NASA purposes using NASA-leased
property.
(4) Whether NASA-provided and commercially-provided fire
and emergency services are able to meet current and projected
demands and support all fire response areas on NASA property.
SEC. 810. NASA PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT PROGRAM.
Section 20113 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(o) Public-Private Talent Program.--
``(1) Assignment authority.--Under policies and procedures
prescribed by the Administration, the Administrator may, with
the agreement of a private sector entity and the consent of an
employee of the Administration or of such entity, arrange for
the temporary assignment of such employee of the Administration
to such private sector entity, or of such employee of such
entity to the Administration, as the case may be.
``(2) Agreements.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall provide
for a written agreement among the Administration, the
private sector entity, and the employee concerned
regarding the terms and conditions of the employee's
assignment under this subsection. The agreement shall--
``(i) require that the employee of the
Administration, upon completion of the
assignment, will serve in the Administration,
or elsewhere in the civil service if approved
by the Administrator, for a period equal to
twice the length of the assignment;
``(ii) provide that if the employee of the
Administration or of the private sector entity
(as the case may be) fails to carry out the
agreement, such employee shall be liable to the
United States for payment of all expenses of
the assignment, unless such failure was for
good and sufficient reason, as determined by
the Administrator; and
``(iii) contain language ensuring that such
employee of the Administration or of the
private sector entity (as the case may be) does
not improperly use predecisional or draft
deliberative information that such employee may
be privy to or aware of related to
Administration programing, budgeting,
resourcing, acquisition, or procurement for the
benefit or advantage of the private sector
entity.
``(B) Treatment.--An amount for which an employee
is liable under subparagraph (A) shall be treated as a
debt due the United States.
``(C) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive, in
whole or in part, collection of a debt described in
subparagraph (B) based on a determination that the
collection would be against equity and good conscience
and not in the best interests of the United States,
after taking into account any indication of fraud,
misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the
part of the employee concerned.
``(3) Termination.--An assignment under this section may,
at any time and for any reason, be terminated by the
Administration or the private-sector entity concerned, as the
case may be.
``(4) Duration.--
``(A) In general.--An assignment under this
subsection shall be for a period of not less than three
months and not more than two years, renewable up to a
total of three years. An employee of the Administration
may not be assigned under this subsection for more than
a total of three years inclusive of all such
assignments.
``(B) Extension.--An assignment under this
subsection may be for a period in excess of two years,
but not more than three years, if the Administrator
determines that such assignment is necessary to meet
critical mission or program requirements.
``(5) Policies and procedures.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall
establish policies and procedures relating to
assignments under this subsection.
``(B) Elements.--Policies and procedures
established pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall address
the following:
``(i) The nature and elements of written
agreements with participants in assignments
under this subsection.
``(ii) Criteria for making such
assignments, including the needs of the
Administration relating thereto.
``(iii) How the Administration will oversee
such assignments, in particular with respect to
paragraphs (2)(A)(iii), (7)(C), and (7)(D).
``(iv) Criteria for issuing waivers.
``(v) How expenses under paragraph
(2)(A)(ii) would be determined.
``(vi) Guidance for participants in such
assignments.
``(vii) Mission Directorate, Office, and
organizational structure to implement and
manage such assignments.
``(viii) Any other necessary policies,
procedures, or guidelines to ensure such
assignments comply with all relevant statutory
authorities and ethics rules, and effectively
contribute to one or more of the
Administration's missions.
``(C) Inherently governmental activities.--
Assignments made under this subsection shall not have
responsibilities or perform duties or decision making
regarding Administration activities that are inherently
governmental, pursuant to subpart 7.500 of title 48,
Code of Federal Regulations, and Office of Management
and Budget review.
``(6) Status of federal employees assigned to private
sector entities.--
``(A) In general.--An employee of the
Administration who is assigned to a private sector
entity under this subsection shall be considered,
during the period of such assignment, to be on detail
to a regular work assignment in the Administration for
all purposes. The written agreement established under
paragraph (2)(A) shall address the specific terms and
conditions related to such employee's continued status
as a Federal employee.
``(B) Certification.--In establishing a temporary
assignment of an employee of the Administration to a
private sector entity, the Administrator or
Administrator's designee shall certify that such
temporary assignment shall not have an adverse or
negative impact on the mission of the Administration or
organizational capabilities associated with such
assignment.
``(7) Terms and conditions for private sector employees.--
An employee of a private sector entity who is assigned to the
Administration under this subsection--
``(A) shall continue to receive pay and benefits
from the private sector entity from which such employee
is assigned and shall not receive pay or benefits from
the Administration, except as provided in subparagraph
(B);
``(B) is deemed to be an employee of the
Administration for the purposes of--
``(i) chapters 73 and 81 of title 5;
``(ii) sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208,
209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of
title 18, except that such section 209 does not
apply to any salary, or contribution or
supplementation of salary made pursuant to
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
``(iii) sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of
title 31;
``(iv) the Federal Tort Claims Act and any
other Federal tort liability statute;
``(v) the Ethics in Government Act of 1978;
and
``(vi) chapter 21 of title 41;
``(C) shall not have access to any trade secrets or
any other nonpublic information which is of commercial
value to the private sector entity from which such
employee is assigned;
``(D) may not perform work that is considered
inherently governmental in nature, in accordance with
paragraph (5)(C); and
``(E) may not be used to circumvent--
``(i) section 1710 of title 41, United
States Code; or
``(ii) any limitation or restriction on the
size of the Administration's civil servant
workforce.
``(8) Additional requirements.--The Administrator shall
ensure that--
``(A) the normal duties and functions of an
employee of the Administration who is assigned to a
private sector entity under this subsection can be
reasonably performed by other employees of the
Administration without the permanent transfer or
reassignment of other personnel of the Administration;
``(B) normal duties and functions of such other
employees of the Administration are not, as a result of
and during the course of such temporary assignment,
performed or augmented by contractor personnel in
violation of section 1710 of title 41; and
``(C) not more than two percent of the
Administration's civil servant workforce may
participate in an assignment under this subsection at
the same time.
``(9) Conflicts of interest.--The Administrator shall
implement a system to identify, mitigate, and manage any
conflicts of interests that may arise as a result of an
employee's assignment under this subsection.
``(10) Prohibition against charging certain costs to the
federal government.--A private-sector entity may not charge the
Administration or any other agency of the Federal Government,
as direct or indirect costs under a Federal contract, the costs
of pay or benefits paid by the entity to an employee assigned
to the Administration under this subsection for the period of
the assignment concerned.
``(11) Considerations.--In carrying out this subsection,
the Administrator shall take into consideration--
``(A) the question of how assignments under this
subsection might best be used to help meet the needs of
the Administration with respect to the training of
employees; and
``(B) where applicable, areas of particular private
sector expertise, such as cybersecurity.
``(12) NASA reporting.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than April 30 of each
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 summarizing
the implementation of this subsection.
``(B) Contents.--Each report under subparagraph (A)
shall include, with respect to the annual period to
which such report relates, the following:
``(i) Information relating to the total
number of employees of private sector entities
assigned to the Administration, and the total
number of employees of the Administration
assigned to private sector entities.
``(ii) A brief description and assessment
of the talent management benefits evidenced
from such assignments, as well as any
identified strategic human capital and
operational challenges, including the
following:
``(I) An identification of the
names of the private sector entities to
and from which employees were assigned.
``(II) A complete listing of
positions such employees were assigned
to and from.
``(III) An identification of
assigned roles and objectives of such
assignments.
``(IV) Information relating to the
durations of such assignments.
``(V) Information relating to
associated pay grades and levels.
``(iii) An assessment of impacts of such
assignments on the Administration workforce and
workforce culture.
``(iv) An identification of the number of
Administration staff and budgetary resources
required to implement this subsection.
``(13) Federal ethics.--Nothing in this subsection shall
affect existing Federal ethics rules applicable to Federal
personnel.
``(14) GAO reporting.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than three years after
the date of the enactment of this subsection, the
Comptroller General of the United States 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 summarizing the implementation of this
subsection.
``(B) Contents.--The report under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
``(i) A review of the implementation of
this subsection, according to law and the
Administration policies and procedures
established for assignments under this
subsection.
``(ii) Information relating to the extent
to which such assignments adhere to best
practices relating to public-private talent
exchange programs.
``(iii) A determination as to whether there
should be limitations on the number of
individuals participating in such assignments.
``(iv) Information relating to the extent
to which the Administration complies with
statutory requirements and ethics rules, and
appropriately handles potential conflicts of
interest and access to nonpublic information
with respect to such assignments.
``(v) Information relating to the extent to
which such assignments effectively contribute
to one or more of the Administration's
missions.
``(vi) Information relating to
Administration resources, including employee
time, dedicated to administering such
assignments, and whether such resources are
sufficient for such administration.''.
SEC. 811. REPORT ON SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
describing the following:
(1) Intellectual property considerations in Space Act
agreements.
(2) Feedback shared by industry groups regarding
intellectual property considerations in Space Act agreements.
(3) Differences between NASA policies regarding
intellectual property in Space Act agreements and policies
utilized in similar situations by other Federal agencies.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Space Act agreements''
means agreements entered into by NASA pursuant to its authorities under
the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-568).
SEC. 812. MENTORING.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish a comprehensive
NASA-wide mentoring program for early-career, mid-level, and senior-
level employees at all NASA Centers and NASA Headquarters to ensure a
robust pipeline for NASA's civil servant workforce and support the
preparation of employees, including those from populations that are
historically underrepresented in STEM, for promotion and leadership
roles.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on the implementation of subsection (a).
SEC. 813. RESTRICTION ON FEDERAL FUNDS RELATING TO CERTAIN SPACE AND
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
(a) In General.--No Federal funds authorized in this Act may be
obligated or expended for the following:
(1) For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), or
the National Space Council (NSC) to develop, design, plan,
promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program,
order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or
coordinate bilaterally in any way with the People's Republic of
China or any company owned by the People's Republic of China,
or incorporated under the laws of the People's Republic of
China, unless such activities are specifically authorized by a
law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) To effectuate the hosting of official visitors from the
People's Republic of China at facilities belonging to or
utilized by NASA.
(b) Exception.--The restrictions described in subsection (a) shall
not apply to activities with respect to which NASA, OSTP, or NSC, after
consultation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have certified--
(1) pose no risk of resulting in the transfer of
technology, data, or other information with national security
or economic security implications to the People's Republic of
China or a company owned by the People's Republic of China or
incorporated under the laws of the People's Republic of China;
and
(2) will not involve knowing interactions with officials
who have been determined by the United States to have direct
involvement with violations of human rights.
(c) Submission.--Any certification made under subsection (b) shall
be submitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
not later than 30 days prior to the activity in question. Any such
certification shall include a description of the purpose of such
activity, its agenda, its major participants, and its location and
timing.
SEC. 814. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit the ability of a NASA
employee to discuss scientific research performed by such employee in
accordance with NASA's scientific integrity policies.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 - 0.
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