No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3198 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3198
To establish the National Institute for Space Research, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 19, 2025
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Lujan, and
Mr. Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the National Institute for Space Research, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Space Research And Continuing
Exploration Act'' or ``Space RACE Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(2) Institute.--The term ``Institute'' means the National
Institute for Space Research established under section 3.
(3) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space
Station.
(4) Microgravity research.--The term ``microgravity
research'' means research and development conducted while in
orbit in space.
(5) Qualified national microgravity project.--The term
``qualified national microgravity project''--
(A) means a project led by a nongovernmental entity
using a next-generation microgravity platform that
reflects 1 or more microgravity research and
development priorities of the United States Government,
as identified by the Institute; and
(B) includes a project with United States
Government funding or subsidy that--
(i) is led by 1 or more--
(I) institutions of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001));
(II) students; or
(III) nonprofit organizations; or
(ii) is--
(I) a commercial venture; or
(II) a joint project with the
United States Government, of which the
United States Government--
(aa) is not the lead party
for the project; and
(bb) serves in a supporting
role.
(6) Research project.--The term ``research project'' means
an in-space research and development project that--
(A) uses a next-generation microgravity platform;
(B) reflects national priorities of the United
States; and
(C) is led, funded, or sponsored by a department or
agency of the United States Government other than the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(7) Special government employee.--The term ``special
Government employee'' has the meaning given the term in section
202(a) of title 18, United States Code, except that for
purposes of this Act, such an employee may be retained,
designated, appointed, or employed to perform, with or without
compensation, for more than 130 days during a 365-day period.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SPACE RESEARCH.
(a) Establishment.--Not earlier than January 1, 2026, and subject
to appropriations, the Administrator may establish a National Institute
for Space Research, which shall be operated by a non-Federal entity
under a contractual agreement with the Administrator, to support--
(1) the use of in-space research and development
capabilities and facilities available on next-generation
microgravity platforms;
(2) the use of in-space research and development
capabilities for United States national security purposes;
(3) the United States microgravity ecosystem in preparation
for the decommissioning of the ISS;
(4) education and workforce development in the United
States with respect to space research; and
(5) the transition of United States microgravity research
and development from the ISS to next-generation microgravity
platforms.
(b) Board of Directors.--
(1) In general.--The Institute shall have a Board of
Directors (referred to in this section as the ``Board'').
(2) Membership.--The Board shall be composed of the
following:
(A) An employee of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, who shall--
(i) be appointed by the Administrator; and
(ii) serve as Chairperson of the Board.
(B) An employee of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, appointed by the Science Advisor to
the President.
(C) An employee of the Department of Commerce,
appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, to represent
perspectives of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(D) An employee of the Department of Education,
appointed by the Secretary of Education.
(E) An employee of the National Science Foundation,
appointed by the Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(F) An employee of the National Institutes of
Health, appointed by the Director of the National
Institutes of Health.
(G) An employee appointed by the President of the
National Academy of Sciences and who shall be
considered a special government employee.
(H) An employee of the Food and Drug
Administration, appointed by the Commissioner of the
Food and Drug Administration.
(I) An employee of the Department of Energy,
appointed by the Secretary of Energy.
(J) An employee of the Department of Defense,
appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
(K) A qualified scientist with professional
experience in space research and development, who shall
be--
(i) appointed by the Chairperson; and
(ii) considered a special Government
employee.
(L) A qualified professional with executive
management experience in the aerospace industry, who
shall be--
(i) appointed by the Chairperson; and
(ii) considered a special government
employee.
(3) Terms.--A member of the Board shall be appointed for a
term of 6 years, except that of the members first appointed, so
as to stagger the terms--
(A) the Chairperson shall be appointed for a term
of 6 years;
(B) each member appointed under subparagraphs (B)
through (E) of paragraph (2) shall be appointed for a
term of 2 years;
(C) each member appointed under subparagraphs (F)
through (J) of paragraph (2) shall be appointed for a
term of 4 years; and
(D) each remaining member shall be appointed for a
term of 6 years.
(4) Conflicts of interest.--
(A) In general.--No member of the Board shall have
a financial interest (including an employment
relationship) in an entity seeking a grant or
cooperative agreement under this section.
(B) Code of conduct.--The Board shall establish a
code of conduct to govern the behavior of the Board,
which shall--
(i) include avoidance of conflicts of
interest; and
(ii) use the Federal Standards of Conduct
for all members of the Board.
(5) Vacancies.--
(A) In general.--In the case of a vacancy on the
Board, not later than 90 days after the vacancy occurs,
the vacancy shall be filled in the manner in which the
original appointment was made.
(B) Filling unexpired term.--An individual chosen
to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired
term of the member replaced.
(6) Duties.--
(A) In general.--The duties of the Board shall be--
(i) to develop all budget requests,
policies, and standard operating procedures of
the Institute;
(ii) to supervise the operations of the
Institute;
(iii) to appoint and supervise an Executive
Director for the Institute;
(iv) to set research priorities for the
Institute; and
(v) for fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal
year thereafter, to submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a budget request for
Institute operations, including grants or
cooperative agreements under subsection (e).
(B) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In
this paragraph, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(i) the Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(ii) the Committee on Appropriations and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives.
(7) Prohibition on use of funds for compensation.--None of
the amounts made available for the Institute may be used to
provide compensation to any member of the Board.
(8) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to authorize the Institute to regulate, review, or
otherwise oversee a microgravity project of an private entity
unless the private entity is a recipient of Federal funds.
(c) Executive Director.--
(1) In general.--The Institute shall be headed by an
Executive Director, who--
(A) shall be knowledgeable in matters relating to
microgravity research opportunities;
(B) shall be appointed and supervised by the Board;
and
(C) shall serve at the pleasure of the Board until
such time as the Board considers appropriate.
(2) Appointment.--In making an appointment for the
Executive Director, the Board shall consider an individual's
technical qualifications, professional standing, and
demonstrated knowledge in the field of health, advanced
manufacturing, research, or engineering.
(3) Duties.--The Executive Director shall--
(A) ensure the efficient and transparent
implementation of this Act; and
(B) in coordination with the Board, carry out
activities of the Institute.
(4) Appointment of staff.--The Executive Director may enter
into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to staff
additional personnel to implement and oversee the activities
carried out by the Institute under subsection (d).
(5) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Board may fix the
compensation of the Executive Director.
(d) Activities.--The Institute shall--
(1) identify, publish, and maintain a current list of next-
generation microgravity platforms available for use by the
Institute;
(2) develop and implement guidelines and project selection
criteria, and engage with relevant entities, for use of next-
generation microgravity platforms by all microgravity research
projects and qualified national microgravity projects of
Government agencies;
(3) provide competitively awarded grants or cooperative
agreements to facilitate the development of research projects
and qualified national microgravity projects, with matching
funds, as described in subsection (e);
(4) facilitate cooperation among the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, other Government departments and
agencies, the States, and academia so as to ensure the
enhancement and sustained operations of the Institute;
(5) coordinate flight opportunities on next-generation
microgravity platforms, subject to the availability of
appropriations, for any research project or qualified national
microgravity project--
(A) considered to be sensitive to the national
interest of the United States; and
(B) that reflects the microgravity priorities of
the United States; and
(6) coordinate with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the ISS National Laboratory, next-generation
microgravity platform providers, and researchers to gather
lessons learned that may be used to support the transition of
United States microgravity research and development from the
ISS National Laboratory to a new structure.
(e) Grants or Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) Coordination of projects.--The Institute, in
coordination with Government entities represented on the Board,
shall coordinate microgravity research projects and qualified
national microgravity projects on next generation microgravity
platforms.
(2) Award of grants.--Subject to the availability
appropriations, the Institute may award any appropriated grants
to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible
entities on a competitive basis for the purpose of conducting
microgravity research and development projects using next-
generation microgravity platforms.
(3) Applications.--
(A) Submission of materials.--
(i) In general.--An entity seeking a grant
under this subsection for any research project
or qualified national microgravity project
shall submit to the Institute an application at
such time, in such a manner, and containing
such information as may be reasonably required
and made available to the public on the
internet website of the Institute
(ii) Exception.--With respect to a proposed
research project or qualified national
microgravity project for which a entity submits
an application under this subsection, the
Institute shall not make application
information available to the public under
clause (i) if--
(I) disclosure of such information
presents a national security risk; or
(II) the application contains
proprietary information.
(B) Contents.--To be approved for a grant under
this subsection, an application for proposed project
shall demonstrate the manner in which the project
advances sound scientific principles and aligns with
the national scientific priorities and interests of the
Government.
(4) Eligible entities.--Entities eligible for a grant under
this subsection include domestic--
(A) public entities;
(B) private entities;
(C) nonprofit organizations; and
(D) for-profit organizations.
(5) Partnerships.--The Institute, in consultation with the
Board, may partner with Government entities to co-fund (or
otherwise support grants awarded by other Government entities),
on a competitive basis and subject to the availability of
appropriations, research projects and qualified national
microgravity projects for the purpose of promoting microgravity
research and development projects using next-generation
microgravity platforms.
(6) Use of next-generation microgravity platforms.--
(A) In general.--The recipient of a grant under
this subsection may contract with any next-generation
microgravity platform unless the Board determines that
the project concerned is sensitive to the national
interest of the United States.
(B) Coordination.--
(i) In general.--In the case of a
determination that such a project is sensitive
to the national interest of the United States,
in the Administrator shall coordinate with the
grant recipient and the Institute to allow the
grant recipient to use the allocated crew time
of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration onboard a next-generation
microgravity platform, as available.
(ii) Limitation.--Use by a grant recipient
of allocated crew time under clause (i) may
exceed 50 percent of such crew time.
(7) Federal grants and consultation.--The head of a
Government agency may--
(A) within an appropriated grant, award to the
Institute or an eligible entity described in paragraph
(3) 1 or more subgrants for space research; and
(B) consult with the Institute for technical
assistance, enter into a partnership with the
Institute, and coordinate with the Institute for
purposes of evaluate microgravity research and
development projects.
(f) Prohibition on Interference With Government-Funded
Activities.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Institute
shall not interfere with any agreement between the United States
Government and a microgravity platform provider with respect to the
conduct of research and development activities in partnership with any
Federal entity other than the Institute.
(g) Minimizing Costs, Constraints and Burdens on Other
Activities.--The Institute shall, to the extent practicable, implement
a policy that seeks to administer the activities of the Institute in a
manner that places minimal costs, constraints, and burdens on other
authorized activities.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, nothing in this section may be construed to constrain a department
or agency of the United States Government from entering into an
agreement with a next-generation microgravity platform provider other
than through a grant provided by the Institute.
(i) Funds Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator is authorized to provide
funds for the implementation of the activities described in
this section, subject to appropriations and compliance with
this Act.
(2) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 5 percent of
the amounts provided pursuant to paragraph (1) may be used for
administrative expenses of the Institute, including staff
salaries.
SEC. 4. ISS NATIONAL LABORATORY AND ISS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.
Not later than 180 days after ISS research operations have ceased,
the Administrator shall terminate the ISS National Laboratory and the
cooperative agreement with the ISS management entity under section
504(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18354(a)).
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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