PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 

ADMINISTRATION TRANSITION 

AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017 


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131 STAT. 18 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

Public Law 115–10 

115th Congress 

An Act 

To authorize the programs of 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 ‘‘National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act 

of 2017’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 

Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2017. 

TITLE II—SUSTAINING NATIONAL SPACE COMMITMENTS 

Sec. 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining national space commitments. 

Sec. 202. Findings. 

TITLE III—MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION OF THE ISS AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT 

Sec. 301. Operation of the ISS. 

Sec. 302. Transportation to ISS. 

Sec. 303. ISS transition plan. 

Sec. 304. Space communications. 

Sec. 305. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services. 

TITLE IV—ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION 

Subtitle A—Human Space Flight and Exploration Goals and Objectives 

Sec. 411. Human space flight and exploration long-term goals. 

Sec. 412. Key objectives. 

Sec. 413. Vision for space exploration. 

Sec. 414. Stepping stone approach to exploration. 

Sec. 415. Update of exploration plan and programs. 

Sec. 416. Repeals. 

Sec. 417. Assured access to space. 

Subtitle B—Assuring Core Capabilities for Exploration 

Sec. 421. Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems. 

Subtitle C—Journey to Mars 

Sec. 431. Findings on human space exploration. 

Sec. 432. Human exploration roadmap. 

Sec. 433. Advanced space suit capability. 

Sec. 434. Asteroid robotic redirect mission. 

Sec. 435. Mars 2033 report. 

Subtitle D—TREAT Astronauts Act 

Sec. 441. Short title. 

National 

Aeronautics 

and Space 

Administration 

Transition 

Authorization 

Act of 2017. 

51 USC 10101 

note. 

Mar. 21, 2017 

[S. 442] 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 19 

Sec. 442. Findings; sense of Congress. 

Sec. 443. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight. 

TITLE V—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE 

Sec. 501. Maintaining a balanced space science portfolio. 

Sec. 502. Planetary science. 

Sec. 503. James Webb Space Telescope. 

Sec. 504. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope. 

Sec. 505. Mars 2020 rover. 

Sec. 506. Europa. 

Sec. 507. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose. 

Sec. 508. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy. 

Sec. 509. Astrobiology strategy. 

Sec. 510. Astrobiology public-private partnerships. 

Sec. 511. Near-Earth objects. 

Sec. 512. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships. 

Sec. 513. Assessment of science mission extensions. 

Sec. 514. Stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy. 

Sec. 515. Radioisotope power systems. 

Sec. 516. Assessment of Mars architecture. 

Sec. 517. Collaboration. 

TITLE VI—AERONAUTICS 

Sec. 601. Sense of Congress on aeronautics. 

Sec. 602. Transformative aeronautics research. 

Sec. 603. Hypersonic research. 

Sec. 604. Supersonic research. 

Sec. 605. Rotorcraft research. 

TITLE VII—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 

Sec. 701. Space technology infusion. 

Sec. 702. Space technology program. 

TITLE VIII—MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY 

Subtitle A—Agency Information Technology and Cybersecurity 

Sec. 811. Information technology governance. 

Sec. 812. Information technology strategic plan. 

Sec. 813. Cybersecurity. 

Sec. 814. Security management of foreign national access. 

Sec. 815. Cybersecurity of web applications. 

Subtitle B—Collaboration Among Mission Directorates and Other Matters 

Sec. 821. Collaboration among mission directorates. 

Sec. 822. NASA launch capabilities collaboration. 

Sec. 823. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts. 

Sec. 824. Education and outreach. 

Sec. 825. Leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities across mission directorates. 

Sec. 826. Flight opportunities. 

Sec. 827. Sense of Congress on small class launch missions. 

Sec. 828. Baseline and cost controls. 

Sec. 829. Commercial technology transfer program. 

Sec. 830. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major administration acquisition programs. 

Sec. 831. Protection of Apollo landing sites. 

Sec. 832. NASA lease of non-excess property. 

Sec. 833. Termination liability. 

Sec. 834. Independent reviews. 

Sec. 835. NASA Advisory Council. 

Sec. 836. Cost estimation. 

Sec. 837. Facilities and infrastructure. 

Sec. 838. Human space flight accident investigations. 

Sec. 839. Orbital debris. 

Sec. 840. Review of orbital debris removal concepts. 

Sec. 841. Space Act Agreements. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administration’’ means 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

51 USC 10101 

note. 


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131 STAT. 20 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 

Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

(3) 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. 

(4) CIS-LUNAR SPACE.—The term ‘‘cis-lunar space’’ means 

the region of space from the Earth out to and including the 

region around the surface of the Moon. 

(5) DEEP SPACE.—The term ‘‘deep space’’ means the region 

of space beyond low-Earth orbit, to include cis-lunar space. 

(6) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term ‘‘government 

astronaut’’ has the meaning given the term in section 50902 

of title 51, United States Code. 

(7) ISS.—The term ‘‘ISS’’ means the International Space 

Station. 

(8) ISS MANAGEMENT ENTITY.—The term ‘‘ISS management 

entity’’ means the organization with which the Administrator 

has a cooperative agreement under section 504(a) of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 

Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18354(a)). 

(9) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

(10) 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). 

(11) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Space Launch 

System’’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 

Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18302). 

(12) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term 

‘‘United States government astronaut’’ has the meaning given 

the term ‘‘government astronaut’’ in section 50902 of title 51, 

United States Code, except it does not include an individual 

who is an international partner astronaut. 

TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 

APPROPRIATIONS 

SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2017. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for fiscal year 2017, $19,508,000,000, as follows: (1) For Exploration, $4,330,000,000. 

(2) For Space Operations, $5,023,000,000. 

(3) For Science, $5,500,000,000. 

(4) For Aeronautics, $640,000,000. 

(5) For Space Technology, $686,000,000. 

(6) For Education, $115,000,000. 

(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 

$2,788,600,000. 

(8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration, $388,000,000. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 21 

(9) For Inspector General, $37,400,000. 

TITLE II—SUSTAINING NATIONAL 

SPACE COMMITMENTS 

SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SUSTAINING NATIONAL SPACE 

COMMITMENTS. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) honoring current national space commitments and 

building upon investments in space across successive Administrations demonstrates clear continuity of purpose by the United 

States, in collaboration with its international, academic, and 

industry partners, to extend humanity’s reach into deep space, 

including cis-lunar space, the Moon, the surface and moons 

of Mars, and beyond; 

(2) NASA leaders can best leverage investments in the 

United States space program by continuing to develop a balanced portfolio for space exploration and space science, 

including continued development of the Space Launch System, 

Orion, Commercial Crew Program, space and planetary science 

missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, Wide-Field 

Infrared Survey Telescope, and Europa mission, and ongoing 

operations of the ISS and Commercial Resupply Services Program; 

(3) a national, government-led space program that builds 

on current science and exploration programs, advances human 

knowledge and capabilities, and opens the frontier beyond 

Earth for ourselves, commercial enterprise, and science, and 

with our international partners, is of critical importance to 

our national destiny and to a future guided by United States 

values and freedoms; 

(4) continuity of purpose and effective execution of core 

NASA programs are essential for efficient use of resources 

in pursuit of timely and tangible accomplishments; 

(5) NASA could improve its efficiency and effectiveness 

by working with industry to streamline existing programs and 

requirements, procurement practices, institutional footprint, 

and bureaucracy while preserving effective program oversight, 

accountability, and safety; 

(6) it is imperative that the United States maintain and 

enhance its leadership in space exploration and space science, 

and continue to expand freedom and economic opportunities 

in space for all Americans that are consistent with the Constitution of the United States; and 

(7) NASA should be a multi-mission space agency, and 

should have a balanced and robust set of core missions in 

space science, space technology, aeronautics, human space flight 

and exploration, and education. 

SEC. 202. FINDINGS. 

Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) Returns on the Nation’s investments in science, technology, and exploration accrue over decades-long timeframes, 

and a disruption of such investments could prevent returns 

from being fully realized. 


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131 STAT. 22 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(2) Past challenges to the continuity of such investments, 

particularly threats regarding the cancellation of authorized 

programs with bipartisan and bicameral support, have disrupted completion of major space systems thereby— 

(A) impeding planning and pursuit of national objectives in space science and human space exploration; 

(B) placing such investments in space science and space 

exploration at risk; and 

(C) degrading the aerospace industrial base. 

(3) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–155; 119 Stat. 2895), 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 

Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–422; 122 Stat. 4779), and National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 

2010 (42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq.) reflect a broad, bipartisan agreement on the path forward for NASA’s core missions in science, 

space technology, aeronautics, human space flight and exploration, and education, that serves as the foundation for the 

policy updates by this Act. 

(4) Sufficient investment and maximum utilization of the 

ISS and ISS National Laboratory with our international and 

industry partners is— 

(A) consistent with the goals and objectives of the 

United States space program; and 

(B) imperative to continuing United States global 

leadership in human space exploration, science, research, 

technology development, and education opportunities that 

contribute to development of the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and leaders, and to creating the 

opportunity for economic development of low-Earth orbit. 

(5) NASA has made measurable progress in the development and testing of the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the near-term objectives of the initial 

integrated test flight and launch in 2018, a human mission 

in 2021, and continued missions with an annual cadence in 

cis-lunar space and eventually to the surface of Mars. 

(6) The Commercial Crew Program has made measurable 

progress toward reestablishing the capability to launch United 

States government astronauts from United States soil into lowEarth orbit by the end of 2018. 

(7) The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, in its 2015 

Annual Report, urged continuity of purpose noting concerns 

over the potential for cost overruns and schedule slips that 

could accompany significant changes to core NASA programs. 

TITLE III—MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION 

OF THE ISS AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT 

SEC. 301. OPERATION OF THE ISS. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) after 15 years of continuous human presence in lowEarth orbit, the ISS continues to overcome challenges and 

operate safely; 

(2) the ISS is a unique testbed for future space exploration 

systems development, including long-duration space travel; 

51 USC 50111 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 23 

(3) the expansion of partnerships, scientific research, and 

commercial applications of the ISS is essential to ensuring 

the greatest return on investments made by the United States 

and its international space partners in the development, 

assembly, and operations of that unique facility; 

(4) utilization of the ISS will sustain United States leadership and progress in human space exploration by— 

(A) facilitating the commercialization and economic 

development of low-Earth orbit; 

(B) serving as a testbed for technologies and a platform 

for scientific research and development; and 

(C) serving as an orbital facility enabling research 

upon— 

(i) the health, well-being, and performance of 

humans in space; and 

(ii) the development of in-space systems enabling 

human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and 

(5) the ISS provides a platform for fundamental, microgravity, discovery-based space life and physical sciences 

research that is critical for enabling space exploration, protecting humans in space, increasing pathways for commercial 

space development that depend on advances in basic research, 

and contributes to advancing science, technology, engineering, 

and mathematics research. 

(b) OBJECTIVES.—The primary objectives of the ISS program 

shall be— 

(1) to achieve the long term goal and objectives under 

section 202 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312); and 

(2) to pursue a research program that advances knowledge 

and provides other benefits to the Nation. 

(c) CONTINUATION OF THE ISS.—Section 501 of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18351) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘SEC. 501. CONTINUATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. 

‘‘(a) POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.—It shall be the policy 

of the United States, in consultation with its international partners 

in the ISS program, to support full and complete utilization of 

the ISS through at least 2024. 

‘‘(b) NASA ACTION.—In furtherance of the policy set forth in 

subsection (a), NASA shall— 

‘‘(1) pursue international, commercial, and 

intragovernmental means to maximize ISS logistics supply, 

maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS 

systems sustainability, and offset and minimize United States 

operations costs relating to the ISS; 

‘‘(2) utilize, to the extent practicable, the ISS for the 

development of capabilities and technologies needed for the 

future of human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; 

and 

‘‘(3) utilize, if practical and cost effective, the ISS for 

Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit.’’. 

SEC. 302. TRANSPORTATION TO ISS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that reliance on foreign carriers 

for United States crew transfer is unacceptable, and the Nation’s 

human space flight program must acquire the capability to launch 

51 USC 50111 

note. 


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131 STAT. 24 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

United States government astronauts on vehicles using United 

States rockets from United States soil as soon as is safe, reliable, 

and affordable to do so. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM AND

COMMERCIAL RESUPPLY SERVICES PROGRAM.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) once developed and certified to meet the Administration’s safety and reliability requirements, United States 

commercially provided crew transportation systems can serve 

as the primary means of transporting United States government 

astronauts and international partner astronauts to and from 

the ISS and serving as ISS crew rescue vehicles; 

(2) previous budgetary assumptions used by the Administration in its planning for the Commercial Crew Program 

assumed significantly higher funding levels than were authorized and appropriated by Congress; 

(3) credibility in the Administration’s budgetary estimates 

for the Commercial Crew Program can be enhanced by an 

independently developed cost estimate; 

(4) such credibility in budgetary estimates is an important 

factor in understanding program risk; 

(5) United States access to low-Earth orbit is paramount 

to the continued success of the ISS and ISS National Laboratory; 

(6) a stable and successful Commercial Resupply Services 

Program and Commercial Crew Program are critical to ensuring 

timely provisioning of the ISS and to reestablishing the capability to launch United States government astronauts from 

United States soil into orbit, ending reliance upon Russian 

transport of United States government astronauts to the ISS 

which has not been possible since the retirement of the Space 

Shuttle program in 2011; 

(7) NASA should build upon the success of the Commercial 

Orbital Transportation Services Program and Commercial 

Resupply Services Program that have allowed private sector 

companies to partner with NASA to deliver cargo and scientific 

experiments to the ISS since 2012; 

(8) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program has enabled 

significant modernization and infrastructure improvements at 

launch sites across the United States to support NASA’s 

Commercial Resupply Services Program and other civil and 

commercial space flight missions; and 

(9) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program should be 

continued in a manner that leverages State and private investments to achieve the goals of that program. 

(c) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms— 

(1) its commitment to the use of a commercially developed, 

private sector launch and delivery system to the ISS for crew 

missions as expressed in the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109– 

155; 119 Stat. 2895), the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110– 

422; 122 Stat. 4779), and the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18301 

et seq.); and 

(2) the requirement under section 50111(b)(1)(A) of title 

51, United States Code, that the Administration shall make 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 25 

use of United States commercially provided ISS crew transfer 

and crew rescue services to the maximum extent practicable. 

(d) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES.—Section 201(a) of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(a) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government may not 

acquire human space flight transportation services from a foreign entity unless— 

‘‘(A) no United States Government-operated human 

space flight capability is available; 

‘‘(B) no United States commercial provider is available; 

and 

‘‘(C) it is a qualified foreign entity. 

‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 

‘‘(A) COMMERCIAL PROVIDER.—The term ‘commercial 

provider’ means any person providing human space flight 

transportation services, primary control of which is held 

by persons other than the Federal Government, a State 

or local government, or a foreign government. 

‘‘(B) QUALIFIED FOREIGN ENTITY.—The term ‘qualified 

foreign entity’ means a foreign entity that is in compliance 

with all applicable safety standards and is not prohibited 

from providing space transportation services under other 

law. 

‘‘(C) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL PROVIDER.—The term 

‘United States commercial provider’ means a commercial 

provider, organized under the laws of the United States 

or of a State, that is more than 50 percent owned by 

United States nationals. 

‘‘(3) ARRANGEMENTS WITH FOREIGN ENTITIES.—Nothing in 

this subsection shall prevent the Administrator from negotiating or entering into human space flight transportation 

arrangements with foreign entities to ensure safety of flight 

and continued ISS operations.’’. 

(e) COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM.— 

(1) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Commercial Crew Program shall be to assist in the development and certification 

of commercially provided transportation that— 

(A) can carry United States government astronauts 

safely, reliably, and affordably to and from the ISS; 

(B) can serve as a crew rescue vehicle; and 

(C) can accomplish subparagraphs (A) and (B) as soon 

as practicable. 

(2) PRIMARY CONSIDERATION.—The objective described in 

paragraph (1) shall be the primary consideration in the acquisition strategy for the Commercial Crew Program. 

(3) SAFETY.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall protect the 

safety of government astronauts by ensuring that each 

commercially provided transportation system under this 

subsection meets all applicable human rating requirements 

in accordance with section 403(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 

2010 (42 U.S.C. 18342(b)(1)). 


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131 STAT. 26 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(B) LESSONS LEARNED.—Consistent with the findings 

and recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, the Administration shall ensure that safety 

and the minimization of the probability of loss of crew 

are the critical priorities of the Commercial Crew Program. 

(4) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Administrator shall strive 

through the competitive selection process to minimize the life 

cycle cost to the Administration through the planned period 

of commercially provided crew transportation services. 

(f) COMMERCIAL CARGO PROGRAM.—Section 401 of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18341) is amended by striking ‘‘Commercial Orbital 

Transportation Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Commercial Resupply Services’’. 

(g) COMPETITION.—It is the policy of the United States that, 

to foster the competitive development, operation, improvement, and 

commercial availability of space transportation services, and to 

minimize the life cycle cost to the Administration, the Administrator 

shall procure services for Federal Government access to and return 

from the ISS, whenever practicable, via fair and open competition 

for well-defined, milestone-based, Federal Acquisition Regulationbased contracts under section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 

18311(a)). 

(h) TRANSPARENCY.— 

(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

cost transparency and schedule transparency aid in effective 

program management and risk assessment. 

(2) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, to the greatest 

extent practicable and in a manner that does not add costs 

or schedule delays to the program, ensure all Commercial Crew 

Program and Commercial Resupply Services Program providers 

provide evidence-based support for their costs and schedules. 

(i) ISS CARGO RESUPPLY SERVICES LESSONS LEARNED.—Not 

later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that— 

(1) identifies the lessons learned to date from previous 

and existing Commercial Resupply Services contracts; 

(2) indicates whether changes are needed to the manner 

in which the Administration procures and manages similar 

services prior to the issuance of future Commercial Resupply 

Services procurement opportunities; and 

(3) identifies any lessons learned from the Commercial 

Resupply Services contracts that should be applied to the 

procurement and management of commercially provided crew 

transfer services to and from the ISS or to other future procurements. 

SEC. 303. ISS TRANSITION PLAN. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 

(1) NASA has been both the primary supplier and consumer 

of human space flight capabilities and services of the ISS and 

in low-Earth orbit; and 

(2) according to the National Research Council report 

‘‘Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a 

U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration’’ extending ISS 

51 USC 50111 

note. 

Deadline. 

Reports. 

Contracts. 

Contracts. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 27 

beyond 2020 to 2024 or 2028 will have significant negative 

impacts on the schedule of crewed missions to Mars, without 

significant increases in funding. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) an orderly transition for United States human space 

flight activities in low-Earth orbit from the current regime, 

that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship, to a regime where 

NASA is one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit commercial 

human space flight enterprise may be necessary; and 

(2) decisions about the long-term future of the ISS impact 

the ability to conduct future deep space exploration activities, 

and that such decisions regarding the ISS should be considered 

in the context of the human exploration roadmap under section 

432 of this Act. 

(c) REPORTS.—Section 50111 of title 51, United States Code, 

is amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(c) ISS TRANSITION PLAN.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordination with 

the ISS management entity (as defined in section 2 of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition 

Authorization Act of 2017), ISS partners, the scientific user 

community, and the commercial space sector, shall develop 

a plan to transition in a step-wise approach from the current 

regime that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship to a regime 

where NASA could be one of many customers of a low-Earth 

orbit non-governmental human space flight enterprise. 

‘‘(2) REPORTS.—Not later than December 1, 2017, and 

biennially thereafter until 2023, 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— 

‘‘(A) a description of the progress in achieving the 

Administration’s deep space human exploration objectives 

on ISS and prospects for accomplishing future mission 

requirements, space exploration objectives, and other 

research objectives on future commercially supplied lowEarth orbit platforms or migration of those objectives to 

cis-lunar space; 

‘‘(B) the steps NASA is taking and will take, including 

demonstrations that could be conducted on the ISS, to 

stimulate and facilitate commercial demand and supply 

of products and services in low-Earth orbit; 

‘‘(C) an identification of barriers preventing the 

commercialization of low-Earth orbit, including issues 

relating to policy, regulations, commercial intellectual property, data, and confidentiality, that could inhibit the use 

of the ISS as a commercial incubator; 

‘‘(D) the criteria for defining the ISS as a research 

success; 

‘‘(E) the criteria used to determine whether the ISS 

is meeting the objective under section 301(b)(2) of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition 

Authorization Act of 2017; 

‘‘(F) an assessment of whether the criteria under subparagraphs (D) and (E) are consistent with the research 

areas defined in, and recommendations and schedules 

under, the current National Academies of Sciences, 

Assessment. 

Criteria. 

Criteria. 

Coordination. 


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131 STAT. 28 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

Engineering, and Medicine Decadal Survey on Biological 

and Physical Sciences in Space; 

‘‘(G) any necessary contributions that ISS extension 

would make to enabling execution of the human exploration 

roadmap under section 432 of the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 

2017; 

‘‘(H) the cost estimates for operating the ISS to achieve 

the criteria required under subparagraphs (D) and (E) and 

the contributions identified under subparagraph (G); 

‘‘(I) the cost estimates for extending operations of the 

ISS to 2024, 2028, and 2030; 

‘‘(J) an evaluation of the feasible and preferred service 

life of the ISS beyond the period described in section 503 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18353), through at 

least 2028, as a unique scientific, commercial, and space 

exploration-related facility, including— 

‘‘(i) a general discussion of international partner 

capabilities and prospects for extending the partnership; 

‘‘(ii) the cost associated with extending the service 

life; 

‘‘(iii) an assessment on the technical limiting factors of the service life of the ISS, including a list 

of critical components and their expected service life 

and availability; and 

‘‘(iv) such other information as may be necessary 

to fully describe the justification for and feasibility 

of extending the service life of the ISS, including the 

potential scientific or technological benefits to the Federal Government, public, or to academic or commercial 

entities; 

‘‘(K) an identification of the necessary actions and an 

estimate of the costs to deorbit the ISS once it has reached 

the end of its service life; 

‘‘(L) the impact on deep space exploration capabilities, 

including a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s, if the 

preferred service life of the ISS is extended beyond 2024 

and NASA maintains a flat budget profile; and 

‘‘(M) an evaluation of the functions, roles, and responsibilities for management and operation of the ISS and 

a determination of— 

‘‘(i) those functions, roles, and responsibilities the 

Federal Government should retain during the lifecycle 

of the ISS; 

‘‘(ii) those functions, roles, and responsibilities that 

could be transferred to the commercial space sector; 

‘‘(iii) the metrics that would indicate the commercial space sector’s readiness and ability to assume the 

functions, roles, and responsibilities described in clause 

(ii); and 

‘‘(iv) any necessary changes to any agreements 

or other documents and the law to enable the activities 

described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). 

‘‘(3) DEMONSTRATIONS.—If additional Government crew, 

power, and transportation resources are available after meeting 

Evaluation. 

Determination. 

Cost estimate. 

Assessment. 

Evaluation. 

Cost estimate. 

Cost estimate. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 29 

the Administration’s requirements for ISS activities defined 

in the human exploration roadmap and related research, demonstrations identified under paragraph (2) may— 

‘‘(A) test the capabilities needed to meet future mission 

requirements, space exploration objectives, and other 

research objectives described in paragraph (2)(A); and 

‘‘(B) demonstrate or test capabilities, including 

commercial modules or deep space habitats, Environmental 

Control and Life Support Systems, orbital satellite 

assembly, exploration space suits, a node that enables a 

wide variety of activity, including multiple commercial modules and airlocks, additional docking or berthing ports for 

commercial crew and cargo, opportunities for the commercial space sector to cost share for transportation and other 

services on the ISS, other commercial activities, or services 

obtained through alternate acquisition approaches.’’. 

SEC. 304. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. 

(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, to meet the Administration’s 

projected space communication and navigation needs for low-Earth 

orbit and deep space operations in the 20-year period following 

the date of enactment of this Act. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The plan shall include— 

(1) the lifecycle cost estimates and a 5-year funding profile; 

(2) the performance capabilities required to meet the 

Administration’s projected space communication and navigation 

needs; 

(3) the measures the Administration will take to sustain 

the existing space communications and navigation architecture; 

(4) an identification of the projected space communications 

and navigation network and infrastructure needs; 

(5) a description of the necessary upgrades to meet the 

needs identified in paragraph (4), including— 

(A) an estimate of the cost of the upgrades; 

(B) a schedule for implementing the upgrades; and 

(C) an assessment of whether and how any related 

missions will be impacted if resources are not secured 

at the level needed; 

(6) the cost estimates for the maintenance of existing space 

communications network capabilities necessary to meet the 

needs identified in paragraph (4); 

(7) the criteria for prioritizing resources for the upgrades 

described in paragraph (5) and the maintenance described in 

paragraph (6); 

(8) an estimate of any reimbursement amounts the 

Administration may receive from other Federal agencies; 

(9) an identification of the projected Tracking and Data 

Relay Satellite System needs in the 20-year period following 

the date of enactment of this Act, including in support of 

relevant Federal agencies, and cost and schedule estimates 

to maintain and upgrade the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

System to meet the projected needs; 

(10) the measures the Administration is taking to meet 

space communications needs after all Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite System third-generation communications satellites are 

operational; and 

Time period. 

Criteria. 

Assessment. 

Cost estimates. 

Consultation. 

Time period. 


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131 STAT. 30 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(11) the measures the Administration is taking to mitigate 

threats to electromagnetic spectrum use. 

(c) SCHEDULE.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the plan to the 

appropriate committees of Congress. 

SEC. 305. INDEMNIFICATION; NASA LAUNCH SERVICES AND REENTRY 

SERVICES. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 201 of title 51, 

United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘§ 20148. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry 

services 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Under such regulations in conformity with 

this section as the Administrator shall prescribe taking into account 

the availability, cost, and terms of liability insurance, any contract 

between the Administration and a provider may provide that the 

United States will indemnify the provider against successful claims 

(including reasonable expenses of litigation or settlement) by third 

parties for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property 

resulting from launch services and reentry services carried out 

under the contract that the contract defines as unusually hazardous 

or nuclear in nature, but only to the extent the total amount 

of successful claims related to the activities under the contract— 

‘‘(1) is more than the amount of insurance or demonstration 

of financial responsibility described in subsection (c)(3); and 

‘‘(2) is not more than the amount specified in section 

50915(a)(1)(B). 

‘‘(b) TERMS OF INDEMNIFICATION.—A contract made under subsection (a) that provides indemnification shall provide for— 

‘‘(1) notice to the United States of any claim or suit against 

the provider for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage 

to property; and 

‘‘(2) control of or assistance in the defense by the United 

States, at its election, of that claim or suit and approval of 

any settlement. 

‘‘(c) LIABILITY INSURANCE OF THE PROVIDER.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provider under subsection (a) shall 

obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate for the maximum probable 

loss from claims by— 

‘‘(A) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property 

damage or loss resulting from a launch service or reentry 

service carried out under the contract; and 

‘‘(B) the United States Government for damage or loss 

to Government property resulting from a launch service 

or reentry service carried out under the contract. 

‘‘(2) MAXIMUM PROBABLE LOSSES.— 

‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall determine 

the maximum probable losses under subparagraphs (A) 

and (B) of paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after 

the date that the provider requests such a determination 

and submits all information the Administrator requires. 

‘‘(B) REVISIONS.—The Administrator may revise a 

determination under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 

if the Administrator determines the revision is warranted 

based on new information. 

Determination. 

Deadline. 

Notice. 

Contracts. 

Regulations. 

Contracts. 

51 USC 20148. 

Deadline. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 31 

‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF INSURANCE.—For the total claims related 

to one launch or reentry, a provider shall not be required 

to obtain insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility of 

more than— 

‘‘(A)(i) $500,000,000 under paragraph (1)(A); or 

‘‘(ii) $100,000,000 under paragraph (1)(B); or 

‘‘(B) the maximum liability insurance available on the 

world market at reasonable cost. 

‘‘(4) COVERAGE.—An insurance policy or demonstration of 

financial responsibility under this subsection shall protect the 

following, to the extent of their potential liability for involvement in launch services or reentry services: 

‘‘(A) The Government. 

‘‘(B) Personnel of the Government. 

‘‘(C) Related entities of the Government. 

‘‘(D) Related entities of the provider. 

‘‘(E) Government astronauts. 

‘‘(d) NO INDEMNIFICATION WITHOUT CROSS-WAIVER.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Administrator may not indemnify a 

provider under this section unless there is a cross-waiver between 

the Administration and the provider as described in subsection 

(e). 

‘‘(e) CROSS-WAIVERS.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, on behalf of the 

United States and its departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, shall reciprocally waive claims with a provider under 

which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible, and 

agrees to ensure that its related entities are responsible, for 

damage or loss to its property, or for losses resulting from 

any injury or death sustained by its employees or agents, 

as a result of activities arising out of the performance of the 

contract. 

‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The waiver made by the Government 

under paragraph (1) shall apply only to the extent that the 

claims are more than the amount of insurance or demonstration 

of financial responsibility required under subsection (c)(1)(B). 

‘‘(f) WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.—Indemnification under subsection 

(a) may exclude claims resulting from the willful misconduct of 

the provider or its related entities. 

‘‘(g) CERTIFICATION OF JUST AND REASONABLE AMOUNT.—No 

payment may be made under subsection (a) unless the Administrator or the Administrator’s designee certifies that the amount 

is just and reasonable. 

‘‘(h) PAYMENTS.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the approval by the Administrator, 

payments under subsection (a) may be made from funds appropriated for such payments. 

‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Administrator shall not approve payments under paragraph (1), except to the extent provided in 

an appropriation law or to the extent additional legislative 

authority is enacted providing for such payments. 

‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS.—If the Administrator 

requests additional appropriations to make payments under 

this subsection, then the request for those appropriations shall 

be made in accordance with the procedures established under 

section 50915. 

‘‘(i) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.— 


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131 STAT. 32 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The authority to indemnify under this 

section shall not create any rights in third persons that would 

not otherwise exist by law. 

‘‘(2) OTHER AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this section may be 

construed as prohibiting the Administrator from indemnifying 

a provider or any other NASA contractor under other law, 

including under Public Law 85–804 (50 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.). 

‘‘(3) ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT.—Notwithstanding any other 

provision of this section— 

‘‘(A) all obligations under this section are subject to 

the availability of funds; and 

‘‘(B) nothing in this section may be construed to require 

obligation or payment of funds in violation of sections 1341, 

1342, 1349 through 1351, and 1511 through 1519 of title 

31, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ‘AntiDeficiency Act’). 

‘‘(j) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.—The Administrator may 

not provide indemnification under this section for an activity that 

requires a license or permit under chapter 509. 

‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

‘‘(1) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term ‘government 

astronaut’ has the meaning given the term in section 50902. 

‘‘(2) LAUNCH SERVICES.—The term ‘launch services’ has the 

meaning given the term in section 50902. 

‘‘(3) PROVIDER.—The term ‘provider’ means a person that 

provides domestic launch services or domestic reentry services 

to the Government. 

‘‘(4) REENTRY SERVICES.—The term ‘reentry services’ has 

the meaning given the term in section 50902. 

‘‘(5) RELATED ENTITY.—The term ‘related entity’ means a 

contractor or subcontractor. 

‘‘(6) THIRD PARTY.—The term ‘third party’ means a person 

except— 

‘‘(A) the United States Government; 

‘‘(B) related entities of the Government involved in 

launch services or reentry services; 

‘‘(C) a provider; 

‘‘(D) related entities of the provider involved in launch 

services or reentry services; or 

‘‘(E) a government astronaut.’’. 

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for subchapter III of chapter 201 of title 51, United States Code, is 

amended by inserting after the item relating to section 20147 the 

following: 

‘‘20148. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services.’’. 

51 USC 20101 

prec. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 33 

TITLE IV—ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP 

SPACE EXPLORATION 

Subtitle A—Human Space Flight and 

Exploration Goals and Objectives 

SEC. 411. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT AND EXPLORATION LONG-TERM 

GOALS. 

Section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(a)) is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(a) LONG-TERM GOALS.—The long-term goals of the human 

space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— 

‘‘(1) to expand permanent human presence beyond lowEarth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving 

international, academic, and industry partners; 

‘‘(2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the 

goal in paragraph (1) to enable the potential for subsequent 

human exploration and the extension of human presence 

throughout the solar system; and 

‘‘(3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, 

including potential human habitation on another celestial body 

and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century.’’. 

SEC. 412. KEY OBJECTIVES. 

Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)) is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 

a semicolon; 

(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 

and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(5) to achieve human exploration of Mars and beyond 

through the prioritization of those technologies and capabilities 

best suited for such a mission in accordance with the stepping 

stone approach to exploration under section 70504 of title 51, 

United States Code.’’. 

SEC. 413. VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION. 

Section 20302 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘in cis-lunar space or’’ 

after ‘‘sustained human presence’’; 

(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: 

‘‘(b) FUTURE EXPLORATION OF MARS.—The Administrator shall 

manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch 

System and Orion, to enable humans to explore Mars and other 

destinations by defining a series of sustainable steps and conducting 

mission planning, research, and technology development on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible, consistent with section 

70504.’’; and 

(3) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

‘‘(1) ORION.—The term ‘Orion’ means the multipurpose crew 

vehicle described under section 303 of the National Aeronautics 


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131 STAT. 34 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 

18323). 

‘‘(2) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘Space Launch 

System’ means has the meaning given the term in section 

3 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18302).’’. 

SEC. 414. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION. 

Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘§ 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration— 

‘‘(1) may conduct missions to intermediate destinations in 

sustainable steps in accordance with section 20302(b) of this 

title, and on a timetable determined by the availability of 

funding, in order to achieve the objective of human exploration 

of Mars specified in section 202(b)(5) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18312(b)(5)); and 

‘‘(2) shall incorporate any such missions into the human 

exploration roadmap under section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act 

of 2017. 

‘‘(b) COST-EFFECTIVENESS.—In order to maximize the costeffectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utilization 

activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all 

necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and 

industry partners, to ensure that activities in the Administration’s 

human space exploration program balance how those activities 

might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and 

utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface 

of Mars. 

‘‘(c) COMPLETION.—Within budgetary considerations, once an 

exploration-related project enters its development phase, the 

Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to 

complete that project without undue delays. 

‘‘(d) INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.—In order to achieve the 

goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface 

of Mars, the President may invite the United States partners in 

the ISS program and other nations, as appropriate, to participate 

in an international initiative under the leadership of the United 

States.’’. 

SEC. 415. UPDATE OF EXPLORATION PLAN AND PROGRAMS. 

Section 70502(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(2) implement an exploration research and technology 

development program to enable human and robotic operations 

consistent with section 20302(b) of this title;’’. 

SEC. 416. REPEALS. 

(a) SPACE SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ASSURANCE.—Section 203 of 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 

Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18313) is amended— 

(1) by striking subsection (b); 

(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ and 

inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; and 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 35 

(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 

(b) and (c), respectively. 

(b) SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMERCIAL AND FOREIGN

USERS.—Chapter 703 of title 51, United States Code, and the item 

relating to that chapter in the table of chapters for that title, 

are repealed. 

(c) SHUTTLE PRIVATIZATION.—Section 50133 of title 51, United 

States Code, and the item relating to that section in the table 

of sections for chapter 501 of that title, are repealed. 

SEC. 417. ASSURED ACCESS TO SPACE. 

Section 70501 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 

‘‘(a) POLICY STATEMENT.—In order to ensure continuous United 

States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization of space and as an essential instrument of national security, 

it is the policy of the United States to maintain an uninterrupted 

capability for human space flight and operations— 

‘‘(1) in low-Earth orbit; and 

‘‘(2) beyond low-Earth orbit once the capabilities described 

in section 421(f) of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 become 

available.’’; and 

(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘Committee on Science 

and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

describing the progress being made toward developing the Crew 

Exploration Vehicle and the Crew Launch Vehicle’’ and 

inserting ‘‘Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 

and Technology of the House of Representatives describing 

the progress being made toward developing the Space Launch 

System and Orion’’. 

Subtitle B—Assuring Core Capabilities for 

Exploration 

SEC. 421. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, AND EXPLORATION GROUND 

SYSTEMS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) NASA has made steady progress in developing and 

testing the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the successful Exploration Flight Test of Orion in 

December of 2014, the final qualification test firing of the 

5-segment Space Launch System boosters in June 2016, and 

a full thrust, full duration test firing of the RS–25 Space 

Launch System core stage engine in August 2016. 

(2) Through the 21st Century Launch Complex program 

and Exploration Ground Systems programs, NASA has made 

significant progress in transforming exploration ground systems 

infrastructure to meet NASA’s mission requirements for the 

Space Launch System and Orion and to modernize NASA’s 

launch complexes to the benefit of the civil, defense, and 

commercial space sectors. 

(b) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.— 

51 USC 20301 

note. 

51 USC 50101 

prec. 


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131 STAT. 36 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

use of the Space Launch System and Orion, with contributions 

from partnerships with the private sector, academia, and the 

international community, is the most practical approach to 

reaching the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 

(2) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms the policy and 

minimum capability requirements for the Space Launch System 

under section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322). 

(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, 

AND EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS.—It is the sense of Congress 

that— 

(1) as the United States works to send humans on a series 

of missions to Mars in the 2030s, the United States national 

space program should continue to make progress on its commitment by fully developing the Space Launch System, Orion, 

and related Exploration Ground Systems; 

(2) using the Space Launch System and Orion for a wide 

range of contemplated missions will facilitate the national 

defense, science, and exploration objectives of the United States; 

(3) the United States should have continuity of purpose 

for the Space Launch System and Orion in deep space exploration missions, using them beginning with the uncrewed mission, EM–1, planned for 2018, followed by the crewed mission, 

EM–2, in cis-lunar space planned for 2021, and for subsequent 

missions beginning with EM–3 extending into cis-lunar space 

and eventually to Mars; 

(4) the President’s annual budget requests for the Space 

Launch System and Orion development, test, and operational 

phases should strive to accurately reflect the resource requirements of each of those phases; 

(5) the fully integrated Space Launch System, including 

an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, will safely 

enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond; 

and 

(6) the Administrator should budget for and undertake 

a robust ground test and uncrewed and crewed flight test 

and demonstration program for the Space Launch System and 

Orion in order to promote safety and reduce programmatic 

risk. 

(d) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue the development of the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an 

upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely 

enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond 

over the course of the next century as required in section 302(c) 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). 

(e) REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 

the appropriate committees of Congress a report addressing 

the ability of Orion to meet the needs and the minimum capability requirements described in section 303(b)(3) of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 

Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)). 

(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall detail— 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 37 

(A) those components and systems of Orion that ensure 

it is in compliance with section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 

U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)); 

(B) the expected date that Orion, integrated with a 

vehicle other than the Space Launch System, could be 

available to transport crew and cargo to the ISS; 

(C) any impacts to the deep space exploration missions 

under subsection (f) of this section due to enabling Orion 

to meet the minimum capability requirements described 

in section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) 

and conducting the mission described in subparagraph (B) 

of this paragraph; and 

(D) the overall cost and schedule impacts associated 

with enabling Orion to meet the minimum capability 

requirements described in section 303(b)(3) of that Act 

(42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) and conducting the mission 

described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph. 

(f) EXPLORATION MISSIONS.—The Administrator shall continue 

development of— 

(1) an uncrewed exploration mission to demonstrate the 

capability of both the Space Launch System and Orion as 

an integrated system by 2018; 

(2) subject to applicable human rating processes and 

requirements, a crewed exploration mission to demonstrate the 

Space Launch System, including the Core Stage and Exploration Upper Stages, by 2021; 

(3) subsequent missions beginning with EM–3 at operational flight rate sufficient to maintain safety and operational 

readiness using the Space Launch System and Orion to extend 

into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; and 

(4) a deep space habitat as a key element in a deep space 

exploration architecture along with the Space Launch System 

and Orion. 

(g) OTHER USES.—The Administrator shall assess the utility 

of the Space Launch System for use by the science community 

and for other Federal Government launch needs, including consideration of overall cost and schedule savings from reduced transit 

times and increased science returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space Launch System. 

(h) UTILIZATION REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consultation with 

the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that addresses the effort and 

budget required to enable and utilize a cargo variant of the 

130-ton Space Launch System configuration described in section 

302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). 

(2) CONTENTS.—In preparing the report, the Administrator 

shall— 

(A) consider the technical requirements of the scientific 

and national security communities related to a cargo variant of the Space Launch System; and 

(B) directly assess the utility and estimated cost 

savings obtained by using a cargo variant of the Space 

Launch System for national security and space science 

missions. 

Assessment. 

Consultation. 

Assessment. 


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131 STAT. 38 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 

shall submit the report to the appropriate committees of Congress. 

Subtitle C—Journey to Mars 

SEC. 431. FINDINGS ON HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION. 

Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) In accordance with section 204 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(124 Stat. 2813), the National Academies of Sciences, 

Engineering, and Medicine, through its Committee on Human 

Spaceflight, conducted a review of the goals, core capabilities, 

and direction of human space flight, and published the findings 

and recommendations in a 2014 report entitled, ‘‘Pathways 

to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program 

of Human Space Exploration’’. 

(2) The Committee on Human Spaceflight included leaders 

from the aerospace, scientific, security, and policy communities. 

(3) With input from the public, the Committee on Human 

Spaceflight concluded that many practical and aspirational 

rationales for human space flight together constitute a compelling case for continued national investment and pursuit of 

human space exploration toward the horizon goal of Mars. 

(4) According to the Committee on Human Spaceflight, 

the rationales include economic benefits, national security, 

national prestige, inspiring students and other citizens, scientific discovery, human survival, and a sense of shared destiny. 

(5) The Committee on Human Spaceflight affirmed that 

Mars is the appropriate long-term goal for the human space 

flight program. 

(6) The Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended 

that NASA define a series of sustainable steps and conduct 

mission planning and technology development as needed to 

achieve the long-term goal of placing humans on the surface 

of Mars. 

(7) Expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and 

advancing toward human missions to Mars requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on 

the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve 

short-term and long-term goals and objectives. 

(8) In addition to the 2014 report described in paragraph 

(1), there are several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts 

and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including NASA’s ‘‘The Global Exploration Roadmap’’ 

of 2013, ‘‘NASA’s Journey to Mars–Pioneering Next Steps in 

Space Exploration’’ of 2015, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s 

‘‘Minimal Architecture for Human Journeys to Mars’’ of 2015, 

and Explore Mars’ ‘‘The Humans to Mars Report 2016’’. 

SEC. 432. HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and 

advancing toward human missions to Mars in the 2030s 

51 USC 20302 

note. 

51 USC 20302 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 39 

requires early strategic planning and timely decisions to be 

made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for 

commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and 

objectives; 

(2) for strong and sustained United States leadership, a 

need exists to advance a human exploration roadmap, 

addressing exploration objectives in collaboration with international, academic, and industry partners; 

(3) an approach that incrementally advances toward a longterm goal is one in which nearer-term developments and 

implementation would influence future development and 

implementation; and 

(4) a human exploration roadmap should begin with lowEarth orbit, then address in greater detail progress beyond 

low-Earth orbit to cis-lunar space, and then address future 

missions aimed at human arrival and activities near and then 

on the surface of Mars. 

(b) HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop a human 

exploration roadmap, including a critical decision plan, to 

expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to the surface 

of Mars and beyond, considering potential interim destinations 

such as cis-lunar space and the moons of Mars. 

(2) SCOPE.—The human exploration roadmap shall 

include— 

(A) an integrated set of exploration, science, and other 

goals and objectives of a United States human space exploration program to achieve the long-term goal of human 

missions near or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s; 

(B) opportunities for international, academic, and 

industry partnerships for exploration-related systems, services, research, and technology if those opportunities provide 

cost-savings, accelerate program schedules, or otherwise 

benefit the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A); 

(C) sets and sequences of precursor missions in cislunar space and other missions or activities necessary— 

(i) to demonstrate the proficiency of the capabilities 

and technologies identified under subparagraph (D); 

and 

(ii) to meet the goals and objectives developed 

under subparagraph (A), including anticipated 

timelines and missions for the Space Launch System 

and Orion; 

(D) an identification of the specific capabilities and 

technologies, including the Space Launch System, Orion, 

a deep space habitat, and other capabilities, that facilitate 

the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph 

(A); 

(E) a description of how cis-lunar elements, objectives, 

and activities advance the human exploration of Mars; 

(F) an assessment of potential human health and other 

risks, including radiation exposure; 

(G) mitigation plans, whenever possible, to address 

the risks identified in subparagraph (F); 

(H) a description of those technologies already under 

development across the Federal Government or by other 

Mitigation plans. 

Assessment. 

Plan. 


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131 STAT. 40 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

entities that facilitate the goals and objectives developed 

under subparagraph (A); 

(I) a specific process for the evolution of the capabilities 

of the fully integrated Orion with the Space Launch System 

and a description of how these systems facilitate the goals 

and objectives developed under subparagraph (A) and demonstrate the capabilities and technologies described in 

subparagraph (D); 

(J) a description of the capabilities and technologies 

that need to be demonstrated or research data that could 

be gained through the utilization of the ISS and the status 

of the development of such capabilities and technologies; 

(K) a framework for international cooperation in the 

development of all capabilities and technologies identified 

under this section, including an assessment of the risks 

posed by relying on international partners for capabilities 

and technologies on the critical path of development; 

(L) a process for partnering with nongovernmental entities using Space Act Agreements or other acquisition 

instruments for future human space exploration; and 

(M) include information on the phasing of planned 

intermediate destinations, Mars mission risk areas and 

potential risk mitigation approaches, technology requirements and phasing of required technology development 

activities, the management strategy to be followed, related 

ISS activities, planned international collaborative activities, potential commercial contributions, and other activities relevant to the achievement of the goal established 

in this section. 

(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the human exploration 

roadmap, the Administrator shall consider— 

(A) using key exploration capabilities, namely the 

Space Launch System and Orion; 

(B) using existing commercially available technologies 

and capabilities or those technologies and capabilities being 

developed by industry for commercial purposes; 

(C) establishing an organizational approach to ensure 

collaboration and coordination among NASA’s Mission 

Directorates under section 821, when appropriate, 

including to collect and return to Earth a sample from 

the Martian surface; 

(D) building upon the initial uncrewed mission, EM– 

1, and first crewed mission, EM–2, of the Space Launch 

System and Orion to establish a sustainable cadence of 

missions extending human exploration missions into cislunar space, including anticipated timelines and milestones; 

(E) developing the robotic and precursor missions and 

activities that will demonstrate, test, and develop key technologies and capabilities essential for achieving human 

missions to Mars, including long-duration human operations beyond low-Earth orbit, space suits, solar electric 

propulsion, deep space habitats, environmental control life 

support systems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, 

descent, landing, ascent, Mars surface systems, and insitu resource utilization; 

Assessment. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 41 

(F) demonstrating and testing 1 or more habitat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare for Mars missions; 

(G) using public-private, firm fixed-price partnerships, 

where practicable; 

(H) collaborating with international, academic, and 

industry partners, when appropriate; 

(I) any risks to human health and sensitive onboard 

technologies, including radiation exposure; 

(J) any risks identified through research outcomes 

under the NASA Human Research Program’s Behavioral 

Health Element; and 

(K) the recommendations and ideas of several 

independently developed reports or concepts that describe 

potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars 

as the long-term goal for human space exploration, 

including the reports described under section 431. 

(4) CRITICAL DECISION PLAN ON HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION.—As part of the human exploration roadmap, the 

Administrator shall include a critical decision plan— 

(A) identifying and defining key decisions guiding 

human space exploration priorities and plans that need 

to be made before June 30, 2020, including decisions that 

may guide human space exploration capability development, precursor missions, long-term missions, and activities; 

(B) defining decisions needed to maximize efficiencies 

and resources for reaching the near, intermediate, and 

long-term goals and objectives of human space exploration; 

and 

(C) identifying and defining timelines and milestones 

for a sustainable cadence of missions beginning with EM– 

3 for the Space Launch System and Orion to extend human 

exploration from cis-lunar space to the surface of Mars. 

(5) REPORTS.— 

(A) INITIAL HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.—The 

Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress— 

(i) an initial human exploration roadmap, 

including a critical decision plan, before December 1, 

2017; and 

(ii) an updated human exploration roadmap 

periodically as the Administrator considers necessary 

but not less than biennially. 

(B) CONTENTS.—Each human exploration roadmap 

under this paragraph shall include a description of— 

(i) the achievements and goals accomplished in 

the process of developing such capabilities and technologies during the 2-year period prior to the submission of the human exploration roadmap; and 

(ii) the expected goals and achievements in the 

following 2- year period. 

(C) SUBMISSION WITH BUDGET.—Each human exploration roadmap under this section shall be included in 

the budget for that fiscal year transmitted to Congress 

under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code. 

Time periods. 

Plan. 

Deadline. 


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131 STAT. 42 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

SEC. 433. ADVANCED SPACE SUIT CAPABILITY. 

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress a detailed plan for achieving an advanced space suit 

capability that aligns with the crew needs for exploration enabled 

by the Space Launch System and Orion, including an evaluation 

of the merit of delivering the planned suit system for use on 

the ISS. 

SEC. 434. ASTEROID ROBOTIC REDIRECT MISSION. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) NASA initially estimated that the Asteroid Robotic 

Redirect Mission would launch in December 2020 and cost 

no more than $1,250,000,000, excluding launch and operations. 

(2) On July 15, 2016, NASA conducted its Key Decision 

Point–B review of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission or 

approval for Phase B in mission formulation. 

(3) During the Key Decision Point–B review, NASA estimated that costs have grown to $1,400,000,000 excluding 

launch and operations for a launch in December 2021 and 

the agency must evaluate whether to accept the increase or 

reduce the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission’s scope to stay 

within the cost cap set by the Administrator. 

(4) In April 2015, the NASA Advisory Council— 

(A) issued a finding that— 

(i) high-performance solar electric propulsion will 

likely be an important part of an architecture to send 

humans to Mars; and 

(ii) maneuvering a large test mass is not necessary 

to provide a valid in-space test of a new solar electric 

propulsion stage; 

(B) determined that a solar electric propulsion mission 

will contribute more directly to the goal of sending humans 

to Mars if the mission is focused entirely on development 

and validation of the solar electric propulsion stage; and 

(C) determined that other possible motivations for 

acquiring and maneuvering a boulder, such as asteroid 

science and planetary defense, do not have value commensurate with their probable cost. 

(5) The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission is competing 

for resources with other critical exploration development programs, including the Space Launch System, Orion, commercial 

crew, and a habitation module. 

(6) In 2014, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that 

NASA conduct an independent cost and technical assessment 

of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. 

(7) In 2015, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that 

NASA preserve the following key objectives if the program 

needed to be descoped: 

(A) Development of high power solar electric propulsion. 

(B) Ability to maneuver in a low gravity environment 

in deep space. 

(8) In January 2015 and July 2015, the NASA Advisory 

Council expressed its concern to NASA about the potential 

for growing costs for the program and highlighted that choices 

would need to be made about the program’s content. 

Deadline. 

Plan. 

Evaluation. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 43 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the technological and scientific goals of the Asteroid 

Robotic Redirect Mission have not been demonstrated to Congress to be commensurate with the cost; and 

(2) alternative missions may provide a more cost effective 

and scientifically beneficial means to demonstrate the technologies needed for a human mission to Mars that would otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. 

(c) EVALUATION AND REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— 

(1) conduct an evaluation of— 

(A) alternative approaches to the Asteroid Robotic 

Redirect Mission for demonstrating the technologies and 

capabilities needed for a human mission to Mars that would 

otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect 

Mission; 

(B) the scientific and technical benefits of the alternative approaches under subparagraph (A) to future human 

space exploration compared to scientific and technical benefits of the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission; 

(C) the commercial benefits of the alternative 

approaches identified in subparagraph (A), including the 

impact on the development of domestic solar electric propulsion technology to bolster United States competitiveness 

in the global marketplace; and 

(D) a comparison of the estimated costs of the alternative approaches identified in subparagraph (A); and 

(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 

report on the evaluation under paragraph (1), including any 

recommendations. 

SEC. 435. MARS 2033 REPORT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall contract with an 

independent, non-governmental systems engineering and technical 

assistance organization to study a Mars human space flight mission 

to be launched in 2033. 

(b) CONTENTS.—The study shall include— 

(1) a technical development, test, fielding, and operations 

plan using the Space Launch System, Orion, and other systems 

to successfully launch such a Mars human space flight mission 

by 2033; 

(2) an annual budget profile, including cost estimates, for 

the technical development, test, fielding, and operations plan 

to carry out a Mars human space flight mission by 2033; 

and 

(3) a comparison of the annual budget profile to the 5- 

year budget profile contained in the President’s budget request 

for fiscal year 2017 under section 1105 of title 31, United 

States Code. 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 

committees of Congress a report on the study, including findings 

and recommendations regarding the Mars 2033 human space flight 

mission described in subsection (a). 

(d) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 60 days after the date the 

report is submitted under subsection (c), the Administrator shall 

Recommendations. 

Cost estimates. 

Plan. 

Contracts. 

Study. 

Recommendations. 


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131 STAT. 44 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment 

by the NASA Advisory Council of whether the proposal for a Mars 

human space flight mission to be launched in 2033 is in the strategic 

interests of the United States in space exploration. 

Subtitle D—TREAT Astronauts Act 

SEC. 441. SHORT TITLE. 

This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘To Research, Evaluate, 

Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act’’ or the ‘‘TREAT Astronauts Act’’. 

SEC. 442. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) Human space exploration can pose significant challenges and is full of substantial risk, which has ultimately 

claimed the lives of 24 NASA astronauts serving in the line 

of duty. 

(2) As United States government astronauts participate 

in long-duration and exploration space flight missions they 

may experience increased health risks, such as vision impairment, bone demineralization, and behavioral health and 

performance risks, and may be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation and microgravity 

can result in acute and long-term health consequences that 

can increase the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration and 

have potential effects on the musculoskeletal system, central 

nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune function, and 

vision. 

(3) To advance the goal of long-duration and exploration 

space flight missions, United States government astronaut Scott 

Kelly participated in a 1-year twins study in space while his 

identical twin brother, former United States government astronaut Mark Kelly, acted as a human control specimen on Earth, 

providing an understanding of the physical, behavioral, microbiological, and molecular reaction of the human body to an 

extended period of time in space. 

(4) Since the Administration currently provides medical 

monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for United States government astronauts during their active employment, given the 

unknown long-term health consequences of long-duration space 

exploration, the Administration has requested statutory 

authority from Congress to provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to former United States government astronauts for psychological and medical conditions associated with 

human space flight. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the United States should continue to seek the unknown 

and lead the world in space exploration and scientific discovery 

as the Administration prepares for long-duration and exploration space flight in deep space and an eventual mission 

to Mars; 

(2) data relating to the health of astronauts will become 

increasingly valuable to improving our understanding of many 

diseases humans face on Earth; 

(3) the Administration should provide the type of monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection (a) 

Scott Kelly. 

Mark Kelly. 

To Research, 

Evaluate, Assess, 

and Treat 

Astronauts Act. 

51 USC 10101 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 45 

only for conditions the Administration considers unique to the 

training or exposure to the space flight environment of United 

States government astronauts and should not require any 

former United States Government astronauts to participate 

in the Administration’s monitoring; 

(4) such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should not 

replace a former United States government astronaut’s private 

health insurance; 

(5) expanded data acquired from such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should be used to tailor treatment, inform 

the requirements for new space flight medical hardware, and 

develop controls in order to prevent disease occurrence in the 

astronaut corps; and 

(6) the 340-day space mission of Scott Kelly aboard the 

ISS— 

(A) was pivotal for the goal of the United States for 

humans to explore deep space and Mars as the mission 

generated new insight into how the human body adjusts 

to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of 

long-duration space flight; and 

(B) will help support the physical and mental wellbeing of astronauts during longer space exploration missions in the future. 

SEC. 443. MEDICAL MONITORING AND RESEARCH RELATING TO 

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 201 of title 51, 

United States Code, as amended by section 305 of this Act, is 

further amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘§ 20149. Medical monitoring and research relating to human 

space flight 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 

the Administrator may provide for— 

‘‘(1) the medical monitoring and diagnosis of a former 

United States government astronaut or a former payload specialist for conditions that the Administrator considers potentially associated with human space flight; and 

‘‘(2) the treatment of a former United States government 

astronaut or a former payload specialist for conditions that 

the Administrator considers associated with human space flight, 

including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions. 

‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 

‘‘(1) NO COST SHARING.—The medical monitoring, diagnosis, 

or treatment described in subsection (a) shall be provided without any deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing obligation. 

‘‘(2) ACCESS TO LOCAL SERVICES.—The medical monitoring, 

diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection (a) may be 

provided by a local health care provider if it is unadvisable 

due to the health of the applicable former United States government astronaut or former payload specialist for that former 

United States government astronaut or former payload specialist to travel to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, as 

determined by the Administrator. 

‘‘(3) SECONDARY PAYMENT.—Payment or reimbursement for 

the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment described in 

51 USC 20149. 


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131 STAT. 46 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

subsection (a) shall be secondary to any obligation of the United 

States Government or any third party under any other provision 

of law or contractual agreement to pay for or provide such 

medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. Any costs for items 

and services that may be provided by the Administrator for 

medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment under subsection 

(a) that are not paid for or provided under such other provision 

of law or contractual agreement, due to the application of 

deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, other cost sharing, or 

otherwise, are reimbursable by the Administrator on behalf 

of the former United States government astronaut or former 

payload specialist involved to the extent such items or services 

are authorized to be provided by the Administrator for such 

medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment under subsection 

(a). 

‘‘(4) CONDITIONAL PAYMENT.—The Administrator may provide for conditional payments for or provide medical monitoring, 

diagnosis, or treatment described in subsection (a) that is obligated to be paid for or provided by the United States or any 

third party under any other provision of law or contractual 

agreement to pay for or provide such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment if— 

‘‘(A) payment for (or the provision of) such medical 

monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment services has not been 

made (or provided) or cannot reasonably be expected to 

be made (or provided) promptly by the United States or 

such third party, respectively; and 

‘‘(B) such payment (or such provision of services) by 

the Administrator is conditioned on reimbursement by the 

United States or such third party, respectively, for such 

medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. 

‘‘(c) EXCLUSIONS.—The Administrator may not— 

‘‘(1) provide for medical monitoring or diagnosis of a former 

United States government astronaut or former payload specialist under subsection (a) for any psychological or medical 

condition that is not potentially associated with human space 

flight; 

‘‘(2) provide for treatment of a former United States government astronaut or former payload specialist under subsection 

(a) for any psychological or medical condition that is not associated with human space flight; or 

‘‘(3) require a former United States government astronaut 

or former payload specialist to participate in the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment authorized under subsection 

(a). 

‘‘(d) PRIVACY.—Consistent with applicable provisions of Federal 

law relating to privacy, the Administrator shall protect the privacy 

of all medical records generated under subsection (a) and accessible 

to the Administration. 

‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator shall promulgate such 

regulations as are necessary to carry out this section. 

‘‘(f) DEFINITION OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.— 

In this section, the term ‘United States government astronaut’ 

has the meaning given the term ‘government astronaut’ in section 

50902, except it does not include an individual who is an international partner astronaut. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 47 

‘‘(g) DATA USE AND DISCLOSURE.—The Administrator may use 

or disclose data acquired in the course of medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of a former United States government astronaut 

or a former payload specialist under subsection (a), in accordance 

with subsection (d). Former United States government astronaut 

or former payload specialist participation in medical monitoring, 

diagnosis, or treatment under subsection (a) shall constitute consent 

for the Administrator to use or disclose such data.’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for chapter 

201 of title 51, United States Code, as amended by section 305 

of this Act, is further amended by inserting after the item relating 

to section 20148 the following: 

‘‘20149. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight.’’. 

(c) ANNUAL REPORTS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, not later than the date 

of submission of the President’s annual budget request for 

that fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31, United States 

Code, the Administrator shall publish a report, in accordance 

with applicable Federal privacy laws, on the activities of the 

Administration under section 20149 of title 51, United States 

Code. 

(2) CONTENTS.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall 

include a detailed cost accounting of the Administration’s activities under section 20149 of title 51, United States Code, and 

a 5-year budget estimate. 

(3) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Administrator shall 

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress each report 

under paragraph (1) not later than the date of submission 

of the President’s annual budget request for that fiscal year 

under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code. 

(d) COST ESTIMATE.— 

(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into 

an arrangement with an independent external organization 

to undertake an independent cost estimate of the cost to the 

Administration and the Federal Government to implement and 

administer the activities of the Administration under section 

20149 of title 51, United States Code. The independent external 

organization may not be a NASA entity, such as the Office 

of Safety and Mission Assurance. 

(2) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after 

the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the independent cost estimate under paragraph (1). 

(e) PRIVACY STUDY.— 

(1) STUDY.—The Administrator shall carry out a study 

on any potential privacy or legal issues related to the possible 

sharing beyond the Federal Government of data acquired under 

the activities of the Administration under section 20149 of 

title 51, United States Code. 

(2) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 

appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the 

results of the study carried out under paragraph (1). 

(f) INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT.—The Inspector General of 

NASA shall periodically audit or review, as the Inspector General 

51 USC 20149 

note. 

Budget estimate. 

51 USC 20149 

note. 

51 USC 20101 

prec. 


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131 STAT. 48 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

considers necessary to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the activities of the Administration under section 20149 of title 51, United 

States Code. 

TITLE V—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE 

SEC. 501. MAINTAINING A BALANCED SPACE SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.—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 guidance provided by the scientific community 

through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 

Medicine’s decadal surveys. 

(b) POLICY.—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. 502. PLANETARY SCIENCE. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 

(1) Administration support for planetary science is critical 

to enabling greater understanding of the solar system and 

the origin of the Earth; 

(2) the United States leads the world in planetary science 

and can augment its success in that area with appropriate 

international, academic, and industry partnerships; 

(3) a mix of small, medium, and large planetary science 

missions is required to sustain a steady cadence of planetary 

exploration; and 

(4) robotic planetary exploration is a key component of 

preparing for future human exploration. 

(b) MISSION PRIORITIES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—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. 

(2) MISSION PRIORITY ADJUSTMENTS.—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. 503. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the James Webb Space Telescope will— 

(A) significantly advance our understanding of star 

and planet formation, and improve our knowledge of the 

early universe; and 

(B) support United States leadership in astrophysics; 

51 USC 20301 

note. 

51 USC 20301 

note. 


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(2) consistent with annual Government Accountability 

Office reviews of the James Webb Space Telescope program, 

the Administrator should continue robust surveillance of the 

performance of the James Webb Space Telescope project and 

continue to improve the reliability of cost estimates and contractor performance data and other major space flight projects 

in order to enhance NASA’s ability to successfully deliver the 

James Webb Space Telescope on-time and within budget; 

(3) the on-time and on-budget delivery of the James Webb 

Space Telescope is a high congressional priority; and 

(4) the Administrator should ensure that integrated testing 

is appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to enable 

potential issues to be identified and addressed early enough 

to be handled within the James Webb Space Telescope’s 

development schedule and prior to its launch. 

SEC. 504. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (referred to 

in this section as ‘‘WFIRST’’) mission has the potential to 

enable scientific discoveries that will transform our understanding of the universe; and 

(2) the Administrator, to the extent practicable, should 

make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed to 

position the Administration to meet the objectives, as outlined 

in the 2010 National Academies’ Astronomy and Astrophysics 

Decadal Survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. 

(b) CONTINUITY OF DEVELOPMENT.—The Administrator shall 

ensure that the concept definition and pre-formulation activities 

of the WFIRST mission continue while the James Webb Space 

Telescope is being completed. 

SEC. 505. MARS 2020 ROVER. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a Mars rover and 

to enable the return of samples to Earth, should remain a 

priority for NASA; and 

(2) the Mars 2020 mission— 

(A) should significantly increase our understanding of 

Mars; 

(B) should help determine whether life previously 

existed on that planet; and 

(C) should provide opportunities to gather knowledge 

and demonstrate technologies that address the challenges 

of future human expeditions to Mars. 

SEC. 506. EUROPA. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) Studies of Europa, Jupiter’s moon, indicate that Europa 

may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key 

ingredients known to support life. 

(2) In 2012, using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA scientists observed water vapor around the south polar region 

of Europa, which provides potential evidence of water plumes 

in that region. 

(3) For decades, the Europa mission has consistently 

ranked as a high priority mission for the scientific community. 


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131 STAT. 50 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(4) The Europa mission was ranked as the top priority 

mission in the previous Planetary Science Decadal Survey and 

ranked as the second-highest priority in the current Planetary 

Science Decadal Survey. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Europa mission could provide another avenue in 

which to capitalize on our Nation’s current investment in the 

Space Launch System that would significantly reduce the 

transit time for such a deep space mission; and 

(2) a scientific, robotic exploration mission to Europa, as 

prioritized in both Planetary Science Decadal Surveys, should 

be supported. 

SEC. 507. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE. 

Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(10) The search for life’s origin, evolution, distribution, 

and future in the universe.’’. 

SEC. 508. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGY. 

(a) STRATEGY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into an 

arrangement with the National Academies to develop a science 

strategy for the study and exploration of extrasolar planets, 

including the use of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, 

the James Webb Space Telescope, a potential Wide-Field 

Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other telescope, 

spacecraft, or instrument, as appropriate. 

(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy shall— 

(A) outline key scientific questions; 

(B) identify the most promising research in the field; 

(C) indicate the extent to which the mission priorities 

in existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar 

planet research and exploration goals; 

(D) identify opportunities for coordination with international partners, commercial partners, and not-for-profit 

partners; and 

(E) make recommendations regarding the activities 

under subparagraphs (A) through (D), as appropriate. 

(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use the 

strategy— 

(1) to inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities 

of the Administration as they relate to extrasolar planet 

research and exploration; and 

(2) to provide a foundation for future activities and initiatives related to extrasolar planet research and exploration. 

(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall 

submit to the Administrator and to the appropriate committees 

of Congress a report containing the strategy developed under subsection (a). 

SEC. 509. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY. 

(a) STRATEGY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into an 

arrangement with the National Academies to develop a science 

strategy for astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the most promising research in the field, and 

51 USC 20301 

note. 

Recommendations. 

51 USC 20301 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 51 

indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing 

decadal surveys address the search for life’s origin, evolution, 

distribution, and future in the Universe. 

(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The strategy shall include recommendations for coordination with international partners. 

(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use the 

strategy developed under subsection (a) in planning and funding 

research and other activities and initiatives in the field of 

astrobiology. 

(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall 

submit to the Administrator and to the appropriate committees 

of Congress a report containing the strategy developed under subsection (a). 

SEC. 510. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress a report describing how the Administration can expand 

collaborative partnerships to study life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. 

SEC. 511. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS. 

Section 321 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. 71101) is 

amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(e) PROGRAM REPORT.—The Director of the Office of Science 

and Technology Policy and 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, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition 

Authorization Act of 2017, an initial report that provides— 

‘‘(1) recommendations for carrying out the Survey program 

and an associated proposed budget; 

‘‘(2) an analysis of possible options that the Administration 

could employ to divert an object on a likely collision course 

with Earth; and 

‘‘(3) a description of the status of efforts to coordinate 

and cooperate with other countries to discover hazardous 

asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and implement that strategy in the event of the discovery of an object 

on a likely collision course with Earth. 

‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—After the initial report under subsection 

(e), the Administrator shall annually transmit 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— 

‘‘(1) a summary of all activities carried out under subsection 

(d) since the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017, 

including the progress toward achieving 90 percent completion 

of the survey described in subsection (d); and 

‘‘(2) a summary of expenditures for all activities carried 

out under subsection (d) since the date of enactment of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition 

Authorization Act of 2017. 

Summaries. 

Analysis. 

Strategy. 

Recommendations. 

51 USC 71101 

note prec. 

Deadline. 

Reports. 


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131 STAT. 52 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

‘‘(g) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator, in collaboration with 

other relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out a technical and 

scientific assessment of the capabilities and resources— 

‘‘(1) to accelerate the survey described in subsection (d); 

and 

‘‘(2) to expand the Administration’s Near-Earth Object Program to include the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and 

characterization of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects 

less than 140 meters in diameter. 

‘‘(h) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Transition Authorization Act of 2017, the Administrator shall 

transmit the results of the assessment under subsection (g) to 

the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 

Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 

the House of Representatives.’’. 

SEC. 512. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the Administration should seek to leverage the capabilities of the 

private sector and philanthropic organizations to the maximum 

extent practicable in carrying out the Near-Earth Object Survey 

Program in order to meet the goal of that program under section 

321(d)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. 71101(d)(1)). 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 

committees of Congress a report describing how the Administration 

can expand collaborative partnerships to detect, track, catalogue, 

and categorize near-Earth objects. 

SEC. 513. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS. 

Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘§ 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions 

‘‘(a) ASSESSMENTS.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall carry out triennial reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess 

the cost and benefits of extending the date of the termination 

of data collection for those missions that exceed their planned 

missions’ lifetime. 

‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting an assessment under 

paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider whether and 

how extending missions impacts the start of future missions. 

‘‘(b) CONSULTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF INSTRUMENTS ON MISSIONS.—When deciding whether to 

extend a mission that has an operational component, the Administrator shall— 

‘‘(1) consult with any affected Federal agency; and 

‘‘(2) take into account the potential benefits of instruments 

on missions that are beyond their planned mission lifetime. 

‘‘(c) REPORTS.—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, at the same time as the submission to Congress 

of the Administration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year, 

Deadline. 

Reviews. 

Deadline. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 53 

a report detailing any assessment under subsection (a) that was 

carried out during the previous year.’’. 

SEC. 514. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED 

ASTRONOMY. 

The Administrator may not terminate science operations of 

the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy before 

December 31, 2017. 

SEC. 515. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) exploration of the outer reaches of the solar system 

is enabled by radioisotope power systems; 

(2) establishing continuity in the production of the material 

needed for radioisotope power systems is essential to 

maintaining the availability of such systems for future deep 

space exploration missions; and 

(3) Federal agencies supporting the Administration through 

the production of such material should do so in a cost effective 

manner so as not to impose excessive reimbursement requirements on the Administration. 

(b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The Director of 

the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator, 

in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, shall 

conduct an analysis of— 

(1) the requirements of the Administration for radioisotope 

power system material that is needed to carry out planned, 

high priority robotic missions in the solar system and other 

surface exploration activities beyond low-Earth orbit; and 

(2) the risks to missions of the Administration in meeting 

those requirements, or any additional requirements, due to 

a lack of adequate radioisotope power system material. 

(c) CONTENTS OF ANALYSIS.—The analysis conducted under subsection (b) shall— 

(1) detail the Administration’s current projected mission 

requirements and associated timeframes for radioisotope power 

system material; 

(2) explain the assumptions used to determine the Administration’s requirements for the material, including— 

(A) the planned use of advanced thermal conversion 

technology such as advanced thermocouples and Stirling 

generators and converters; and 

(B) the risks and implications of, and contingencies 

for, any delays or unanticipated technical challenges 

affecting or related to the Administration’s mission plans 

for the anticipated use of advanced thermal conversion 

technology; 

(3) assess the risk to the Administration’s programs of 

any potential delays in achieving the schedule and milestones 

for planned domestic production of radioisotope power system 

material; 

(4) outline a process for meeting any additional Administration requirements for the material; 

(5) estimate the incremental costs required to increase 

the amount of material produced each year, if such an increase 

is needed to support additional Administration requirements 

for the material; 

Cost estimate. 

Assessment. 

Consultation. 

Termination 

date. 


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131 STAT. 54 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(6) detail how the Administration and other Federal agencies will manage, operate, and fund production facilities and 

the design and development of all radioisotope power systems 

used by the Administration and other Federal agencies as necessary; 

(7) specify the steps the Administration will take, in consultation with the Department of Energy, to preserve the infrastructure and workforce necessary for production of radioisotope 

power systems and ensure that its reimbursements to the 

Department of Energy associated with such preservation are 

equitable and justified; and 

(8) detail how the Administration has implemented or 

rejected the recommendations from the National Research 

Council’s 2009 report titled ‘‘Radioisotope Power Systems: An 

Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration.’’ 

(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the 

results of the analysis to the appropriate committees of Congress. 

SEC. 516. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE. 

(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter into an 

arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 

and Medicine to assess— 

(1) the Administration’s Mars exploration architecture and 

its responsiveness to the strategies, priorities, and guidelines 

put forward by the National Academies’ planetary science 

decadal surveys and other relevant National Academies Marsrelated reports; 

(2) the long-term goals of the Administration’s Mars Exploration Program and such program’s ability to optimize the 

science return, given the current fiscal posture of the program; 

(3) the Mars exploration architecture’s relationship to 

Mars-related activities to be undertaken by foreign agencies 

and organizations; and 

(4) the extent to which the Mars exploration architecture 

represents a reasonably balanced mission portfolio. 

(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 

the results of the assessment to the appropriate committees of 

Congress. 

SEC. 517. COLLABORATION. 

The Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind 

instruments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies 

for operations. Whenever responsibilities for the development of 

sensors or for measurements are transferred to the Administration 

from another agency, the Administration shall seek, to the extent 

possible, to be reimbursed for the assumption of such responsibilities. 

TITLE VI—AERONAUTICS 

SEC. 601. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON AERONAUTICS. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio will help maintain the United States status as a leader in aviation, enhance 

Reimbursement. 

51 USC 20113 

note. 

Consultation. 

Reimbursements. 


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the competitiveness of the United States in the world economy, 

and improve the quality of life of all citizens; 

(2) aeronautics research is essential to the Administration’s 

mission, continues to be an important core element of the 

Administration’s mission, and should be supported; 

(3) the Administrator should coordinate and consult with 

relevant Federal agencies and the private sector to minimize 

duplication of efforts and leverage resources; and 

(4) carrying aeronautics research to a level of maturity 

that allows the Administration’s research results to be transferred to the users, whether private or public sector, is critical 

to their eventual adoption. 

SEC. 602. TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS RESEARCH. 

It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator should look 

strategically into the future and ensure that the Administration’s 

Center personnel are at the leading edge of aeronautics research 

by encouraging investigations into the early-stage advancement 

of new processes, novel concepts, and innovative technologies that 

have the potential to meet national aeronautics needs. 

SEC. 603. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH. 

(a) ROADMAP FOR HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.—Not later than 1 

year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, 

in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, 

shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 

a research and development roadmap for hypersonic aircraft 

research. 

(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the roadmap is to explore 

hypersonic science and technology using air-breathing propulsion 

concepts, through a mix of theoretical work, basic and applied 

research, and development of flight research demonstration vehicles. 

(c) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall recommend appropriate 

Federal agency contributions, coordination efforts, and technology 

milestones. 

SEC. 604. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 

(1) the ability to fly commercial aircraft over land at supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the environment or 

on local communities could open new global markets and enable 

new transportation capabilities; and 

(2) continuing the Administration’s research program is 

necessary to assess the impact in a relevant environment of 

commercial supersonic flight operations and provide the basis 

for establishing appropriate sonic boom standards for such 

flight operations. 

(b) ROADMAP FOR SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and 

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a roadmap 

that allows for flexible funding profiles for supersonic aeronautics research and development. 

(2) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the roadmap is to develop 

and demonstrate, in a relevant environment, airframe and 

propulsion technologies to minimize the environmental impact, 

including noise, of supersonic overland flight in an efficient 

and economical manner. 

Deadline. 

Recommendations. 

Deadline. 

Consultation. 


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131 STAT. 56 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(3) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall include— 

(A) the baseline research as embodied by the Administration’s existing research on supersonic flight; 

(B) a list of specific technological, environmental, and 

other challenges that must be overcome to minimize the 

environmental impact, including noise, of supersonic overland flight; 

(C) a research plan to address the challenges under 

subparagraph (B), including a project timeline for accomplishing relevant research goals; 

(D) a plan for coordination with stakeholders, including 

relevant government agencies and industry; and 

(E) a plan for how the Administration will ensure 

that sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate 

with relevant Federal agencies. 

SEC. 605. ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH. 

(a) ROADMAP FOR ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH.—Not later than 1 

year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, 

in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, 

shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 

a roadmap for research relating to rotorcraft and other runwayindependent air vehicles. 

(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the roadmap is to develop 

and demonstrate improved safety, noise, and environmental impact 

in a relevant environment. 

(c) CONTENTS.—The roadmap shall include specific goals for 

the research, a timeline for implementation, metrics for success, 

and guidelines for collaboration and coordination with industry 

and other Federal agencies. 

TITLE VII—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 

SEC. 701. SPACE TECHNOLOGY INFUSION. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SPACE TECHNOLOGY.—It is the 

sense of Congress that space technology is critical— 

(1) to developing technologies and capabilities that will 

make the Administration’s core missions more affordable and 

more reliable; 

(2) to enabling a new class of Administration missions 

beyond low-Earth orbit; and 

(3) to improving technological capabilities and promote 

innovation for the Administration and the Nation. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY.—It is 

the sense of Congress that advancing propulsion technology would 

improve the efficiency of trips to Mars and could shorten travel 

time to Mars, reduce astronaut health risks, and reduce radiation 

exposure, consumables, and mass of materials required for the 

journey. 

(c) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States that the 

Administrator shall develop technologies to support the Administration’s core missions, as described in section 2(3) of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18301(3)), and support sustained investments in early 

stage innovation, fundamental research, and technologies to expand 

the boundaries of the national aerospace enterprise. 

51 USC 20301 

note. 

Timeline. 

Guidelines. 

Deadline. 

Consultation. 

Lists. 

Plans. 


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(d) PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES.—A goal of propulsion technologies developed under subsection (c) shall be to significantly 

reduce human travel time to Mars. 

SEC. 702. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 

(a) SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Administrator shall conduct a space technology program (referred to in 

this section as the ‘‘Program’’) to research and develop advanced 

space technologies that could deliver innovative solutions across 

the Administration’s space exploration and science missions. 

(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the Program, the Administrator shall consider— 

(1) the recommendations of the National Academies’ review 

of the Administration’s Space Technology roadmaps and priorities; and 

(2) the applicable enabling aspects of the stepping stone 

approach to exploration under section 70504 of title 51, United 

States Code. 

(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the Program, the Administrator shall— 

(1) to the extent practicable, use a competitive process 

to select research and development projects; 

(2) to the extent practicable and appropriate, use small 

satellites and the Administration’s suborbital and ground-based 

platforms to demonstrate space technology concepts and 

developments; and 

(3) as appropriate, partner with other Federal agencies, 

universities, private industry, and foreign countries. 

(d) SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS.—The Administrator shall organize and manage the Administration’s Small Business Innovation 

Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program within the Program. 

(e) NONDUPLICATION CERTIFICATION.—The Administrator shall 

submit a budget for each fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress 

under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, that avoids 

duplication of projects, programs, or missions conducted by Program 

with other projects, programs, or missions conducted by another 

office or directorate of the Administration. 

(f) COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND ALIGNMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 

(A) ensure that the Administration’s projects, programs, and activities in support of technology research 

and development of advanced space technologies are fully 

coordinated and aligned; 

(B) ensure that the results the projects, programs, 

and activities under subparagraph (A) are shared and leveraged within the Administration; and 

(C) ensure that the organizational responsibility for 

research and development activities in support of human 

space exploration not initiated as of the date of enactment 

of this Act is established on the basis of a sound rationale. 

(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

projects, programs, and missions being conducted by the Human 

Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in support of 

research and development of advanced space technologies and 

systems focusing on human space exploration should continue 

in that Directorate. 

51 USC 20301 

note. 


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131 STAT. 58 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(g) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate 

committees of Congress a report— 

(1) comparing the Administration’s space technology investments with the high-priority technology areas identified by 

the National Academies in the National Research Council’s 

report on the Administration’s Space Technology Roadmaps; 

and 

(2) including— 

(A) identification of how the Administration will 

address any gaps between the agency’s investments and 

the recommended technology areas, including a projection 

of funding requirements; and 

(B) identification of the rationale described in subsection (f)(1)(C). 

(h) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator shall include in the 

Administration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year the 

rationale for assigning organizational responsibility for, in the year 

prior to the budget fiscal year, each initiated project, program, 

and mission focused on research and development of advanced 

technologies for human space exploration. 

TITLE VIII—MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY 

Subtitle A—Agency Information 

Technology and Cybersecurity 

SEC. 811. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, in a manner that 

reflects the unique nature of NASA’s mission and expertise— 

(1) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer, Mission 

Directorates, and Centers have appropriate roles in the 

management, governance, and oversight processes related to 

information technology operations and investments and 

information security programs for the protection of NASA systems; 

(2) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has the 

appropriate resources and insight to oversee NASA information 

technology and information security operations and investments; 

(3) provide an information technology program management framework to increase the efficiency and effectiveness 

of information technology investments, including relying on 

metrics for identifying and reducing potential duplication, 

waste, and cost; 

(4) improve the operational linkage between the NASA 

Chief Information Officer and each NASA mission directorate, 

center, and mission support office to ensure both agency and 

mission needs are considered in agency-wide information technology and information security management and oversight; 

(5) review the portfolio of information technology investments and spending, including information technology-related 

investments included as part of activities within NASA mission 

directorates that may not be considered information technology, 

Review. 

51 USC 20111 

note. 


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to ensure investments are recognized and reported appropriately based on guidance from the Office of Management 

and Budget; 

(6) consider appropriate revisions to the charters of 

information technology boards and councils that inform 

information technology investment and operation decisions; and 

(7) consider whether the NASA Chief Information Officer 

should have a seat on any boards or councils described in 

paragraph (6). 

(b) GAO STUDY.— 

(1) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United States 

shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of the Administration’s 

Information Technology Governance in ensuring information 

technology resources are aligned with agency missions and 

are cost effective and secure. 

(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall include an assessment of— 

(A) the resources available for overseeing Administration-wide information technology operations, investments, 

and security measures and the NASA Chief Information 

Officer’s visibility and involvement into information technology oversight and access to those resources; 

(B) the effectiveness and challenges of the Administration’s information technology structure, decision making 

processes and authorities, including impacts on its ability 

to implement information security; and 

(C) the impact of NASA Chief Information Officer 

approval authority over information technology investments that exceed a defined monetary threshold, including 

any potential impacts of such authority on the Administration’s missions, flights programs and projects, research 

activities, and Center operations. 

(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 

the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the 

results of the study under paragraph (1), including any recommendations. 

SEC. 812. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the Administrator 

shall develop an information technology strategic plan to guide 

NASA information technology management and strategic objectives. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the strategic plan, the 

Administrator shall ensure that the strategic plan addresses— 

(1) the deadline under section 306(a) of title 5, United 

States Code; and 

(2) the requirements under section 3506 of title 44, United 

States Code. 

(c) CONTENTS.—The strategic plan shall address, in a manner 

that reflects the unique nature of NASA’s mission and expertise— 

(1) near and long-term goals and objectives for leveraging 

information technology; 

(2) a plan for how NASA will submit to Congress of a 

list of information technology projects, including completion 

dates and risk level in accordance with guidance from the 

Office of Management and Budget; 

51 USC 20111 

note. 

Recommendations. 

Assessment. 


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131 STAT. 60 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(3) an implementation overview for an agency-wide 

approach to information technology investments and operations, 

including reducing barriers to cross-center collaboration; 

(4) coordination by the NASA Chief Information Officer 

with centers and mission directorates to ensure that information technology policies are effectively and efficiently implemented across the agency; 

(5) a plan to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of 

information technology investments, including a description of 

how unnecessarily duplicative, wasteful, legacy, or outdated 

information technology across NASA will be identified and 

eliminated, and a schedule for the identification and elimination 

of such information technology; 

(6) a plan for improving the information security of agency 

information and agency information systems, including 

improving security control assessments and role-based security 

training of employees; and 

(7) submission by NASA to Congress of information 

regarding high risk projects and cybersecurity risks. 

(d) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—The Administrator shall 

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the strategic 

plan under subsection (a) and any updates thereto. 

SEC. 813. CYBERSECURITY. 

(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that the security of NASA 

information and information systems is vital to the success of 

the mission of the agency. 

(b) INFORMATION SECURITY PLAN.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement 

the information security plan developed under paragraph (2) 

and take such further actions as the Administrator considers 

necessary to improve the information security system in accordance with this section. 

(2) INFORMATION SECURITY PLAN.—Subject to paragraphs 

(3) and (4), the Administrator shall develop an agency-wide 

information security plan to enhance information security for 

NASA information and information infrastructure. 

(3) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the plan under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall ensure that the plan— 

(A) reflects the unique nature of NASA’s mission and 

expertise; 

(B) is informed by policies, standards, guidelines, and 

directives on information security required for Federal 

agencies; 

(C) is consistent with the standards and guidelines 

under section 11331 of title 40, United States Code; and 

(D) meets applicable National Institute of Standards 

and Technology information security standards and guidelines. 

(4) CONTENTS.—The plan shall address— 

(A) an overview of the requirements of the information 

security system; 

(B) an agency-wide risk management framework for 

information security; 

Deadline. 

51 USC 20111 

note. 

Coordination. 


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(C) a description of the information security system 

management controls and common controls that are necessary to ensure compliance with information securityrelated requirements; 

(D) an identification and assignment of roles, responsibilities, and management commitment for information 

security at the agency; 

(E) coordination among organizational entities, 

including between each center, facility, mission directorate, 

and mission support office, and among agency entities 

responsible for different aspects of information security; 

(F) the need to protect the information security of 

mission-critical systems and activities and high-impact and 

moderate-impact information systems; and 

(G) a schedule of frequent reviews and updates, as 

necessary, of the plan. 

SEC. 814. SECURITY MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGN NATIONAL ACCESS. 

The Administrator shall notify the appropriate committees of 

Congress when the agency has implemented the information technology security recommendations from the National Academy of 

Public Administration on foreign national access management, 

based on reports from January 2014 and March 2016. 

SEC. 815. CYBERSECURITY OF WEB APPLICATIONS. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Administrator shall, in a manner that reflects the unique 

nature of NASA’s mission and expertise— 

(1) develop a plan, including such actions and milestones 

as are necessary, to fully remediate security vulnerabilities 

of NASA web applications within a timely fashion after discovery; and 

(2) provide an update on its plan to implement the recommendation from the NASA Inspector General in the audit 

report dated July 10, 2014, (IG–14–023) to remove from the 

Internet or otherwise secure all NASA web applications in 

development or testing mode. 

Subtitle B—Collaboration Among Mission 

Directorates and Other Matters 

SEC. 821. COLLABORATION AMONG MISSION DIRECTORATES. 

The Administrator shall encourage an interdisciplinary 

approach among all NASA mission directorates and divisions, whenever appropriate, for projects or missions— 

(1) to improve coordination, and encourage collaboration 

and early planning on scope; 

(2) to determine areas of overlap or alignment; 

(3) to find ways to leverage across divisional perspectives 

to maximize outcomes; and 

(4) to be more efficient with resources and funds. 

SEC. 822. NASA LAUNCH CAPABILITIES COLLABORATION. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

51 USC 50131 

note. 

51 USC 20111 

note. 

Deadline. 

Plans. 

Notification. 


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131 STAT. 62 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(1) The Launch Services Program is responsible for the 

acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial 

launch services for NASA’s science and robotic missions. 

(2) The Commercial Crew Program is responsible for the 

acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial 

crew transportation systems. 

(3) The Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew 

Program have worked together to gain exceptional technical 

insight into the contracted launch service providers that are 

common to both programs. 

(4) The Launch Services Program has a long history of 

oversight of 12 different launch vehicles and over 80 launches. 

(5) Co-location of the Launch Services Program and 

Commercial Crew Program has enabled the Commercial Crew 

Program to efficiently obtain the launch vehicle technical expertise of and provide engineering and analytical support to the 

Commercial Crew Program. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew 

Program each benefit from communication and coordination 

of launch manifests, technical information, and common launch 

vehicle insight between the programs; and 

(2) such communication and coordination is enabled by 

the co-location of the programs. 

(c) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall pursue a strategy 

for acquisition of crewed transportation services and non-crewed 

launch services that continues to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination between the Launch Services Program and 

the Commercial Crew Program. 

SEC. 823. DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE OF COUNTERFEIT PARTS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) A 2012 investigation by the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate of counterfeit electronic parts in the Department of Defense supply chain from 2009 through 2010 uncovered 1,800 cases and over 1,000,000 counterfeit parts and 

exposed the threat such counterfeit parts pose to service members and national security. 

(2) Since 2010, the Comptroller General of the United 

States has identified in 3 separate reports the risks and challenges associated with counterfeit parts and counterfeit prevention at both the Department of Defense and NASA, including 

inconsistent definitions of counterfeit parts, poorly targeted 

quality control practices, and potential barriers to improvements to these practices. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 

the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in the NASA supply 

chain poses a danger to United States government astronauts, 

crew, and other personnel and a risk to the agency overall. 

(c) REGULATIONS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the 

NASA Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to 

improve the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic 

parts in the supply chain. 

(2) CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES.—In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 

Deadline. 

51 USC 30301 

note prec. 


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(A) require each covered contractor— 

(i) to detect and avoid the use or inclusion of 

any counterfeit parts in electronic parts or products 

that contain electronic parts; 

(ii) to take such corrective actions as the Administrator considers necessary to remedy the use or inclusion described in clause (i); and 

(iii) including a subcontractor, to notify the 

applicable NASA contracting officer not later than 30 

calendar days after the date the covered contractor 

becomes aware, or has reason to suspect, that any 

end item, component, part or material contained in 

supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by a covered contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on 

behalf of, NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic part 

or suspect counterfeit electronic part; and 

(B) prohibit the cost of counterfeit electronic parts, 

suspect counterfeit electronic parts, and any corrective 

action described under subparagraph (A)(ii) from being 

included as allowable costs under agency contracts, 

unless— 

(i)(I) the covered contractor has an operational 

system to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts 

and suspect counterfeit electronic parts that has been 

reviewed and approved by NASA or the Department 

of Defense; and 

(II) the covered contractor has provided the 

notice under subparagraph (A)(iii); or 

(ii) the counterfeit electronic parts or suspect 

counterfeit electronic parts were provided to the covered contractor as Government property in accordance 

with part 45 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. 

(3) SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRONIC PARTS.—In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— 

(A) require NASA and covered contractors, including 

subcontractors, at all tiers— 

(i) to obtain electronic parts that are in production 

or currently available in stock from— 

(I) the original manufacturers of the parts or 

their authorized dealers; or 

(II) suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the original manufacturers of the parts 

or their authorized dealers; and 

(ii) to obtain electronic parts that are not in 

production or currently available in stock from suppliers that meet qualification requirements established 

under subparagraph (C); 

(B) establish documented requirements consistent with 

published industry standards or Government contract 

requirements for— 

(i) notification of the agency; and 

(ii) inspection, testing, and authentication of electronic parts that NASA or a covered contractor, 

including a subcontractor, obtains from any source 

other than a source described in subparagraph (A); 

(C) establish qualification requirements, consistent 

with the requirements of section 2319 of title 10, United 

Notification. 

Deadline. 


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131 STAT. 64 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

States Code, pursuant to which NASA may identify suppliers that have appropriate policies and procedures in 

place to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and 

suspect counterfeit electronic parts; and 

(D) authorize a covered contractor, including a subcontractor, to identify and use additional suppliers beyond 

those identified under subparagraph (C) if— 

(i) the standards and processes for identifying such 

suppliers comply with established industry standards; 

(ii) the covered contractor assumes responsibility 

for the authenticity of parts provided by such suppliers 

under paragraph (2); and 

(iii) the selection of such suppliers is subject to 

review and audit by NASA. 

(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) COVERED CONTRACTOR.—The term ‘‘covered contractor’’ 

means a contractor that supplies an electronic part, or a product 

that contains an electronic part, to NASA. 

(2) ELECTRONIC PART.—The term ‘‘electronic part’’ means 

a discrete electronic component, including a microcircuit, transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode, that is intended for use 

in a safety or mission critical application. 

SEC. 824. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) United States competitiveness in the 21st century 

requires engaging the science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics (referred to in this section as ‘‘STEM’’) talent 

in all States; 

(2) the Administration is uniquely positioned to educate 

and inspire students and the broader public on STEM subjects 

and careers; 

(3) the Administration’s Education and Communication 

Offices, Mission Directorates, and Centers have been effective 

in delivering educational content because of the strong engagement of Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration’s education and outreach activities; 

(4) the Administration’s education and outreach programs, 

including the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 

Research (EPSCoR) and the Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, reflect the Administration’s successful commitment to growing and diversifying the national science and 

engineering workforce; and 

(5) in order to grow and diversify the Nation’s engineering 

workforce, it is vital for the Administration to bolster programs, 

such as High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware 

(HUNCH) program, that conduct outreach activities to underserved rural communities, vocational schools, and tribal colleges 

and universities and encourage new participation in the STEM 

workforce. 

(b) CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

AND PROGRAMS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue engagement with the public and education opportunities for students 

via all the Administration’s mission directorates to the maximum extent practicable. 

51 USC 40901 

note prec. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 65 

(2) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 

appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Administration’s near-term outreach plans for advancing space law education. 

SEC. 825. LEVERAGING COMMERCIAL SATELLITE SERVICING 

CAPABILITIES ACROSS MISSION DIRECTORATES. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) Refueling and relocating aging satellites to extend their 

operational lifetimes is a capacity that NASA will substantially 

benefit from and is important for lowering the costs of ongoing 

scientific, national security, and commercial satellite operations. 

(2) The technologies involved in satellite servicing, such 

as dexterous robotic arms, propellant transfer systems, and 

solar electric propulsion, are all critical capabilities to support 

a human exploration mission to Mars. 

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) satellite servicing is a vital capability that will bolster 

the capacity and affordability of NASA’s ongoing scientific and 

human exploration operations while simultaneously enhancing 

the ability of domestic companies to compete in the global 

marketplace; and 

(2) future NASA satellites and spacecraft across mission 

directorates should be constructed in a manner that allows 

for servicing in order to maximize operational longevity and 

affordability. 

(c) LEVERAGING OF CAPABILITIES.—The Administrator shall— 

(1) identify orbital assets in both the Science Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission 

Directorate that could benefit from satellite servicing-related 

technologies; and 

(2) work across all NASA mission directorates to evaluate 

opportunities for the private sector to perform such services 

or advance technical capabilities by leveraging the technologies 

and techniques developed by NASA programs and other 

industry programs. 

SEC. 826. FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES. 

(a) DEVELOPMENT OF PAYLOADS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to conduct necessary research, 

the Administrator shall continue and, as the Administrator 

considers appropriate, expand the development of technology 

payloads for— 

(A) scientific research; and 

(B) investigating new or improved capabilities. 

(2) FUNDS.—For the purpose of carrying out paragraph 

(1), the Administrator shall make funds available for— 

(A) flight testing; 

(B) payload development; and 

(C) hardware related to subparagraphs (A) and (B). 

(b) REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.—Congress reaffirms that the 

Administrator should provide flight opportunities for payloads to 

microgravity environments and suborbital altitudes as authorized 

by section 907 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18405). 

51 USC 70102 

note. 

Evaluation. 

51 USC 50131 

note. 


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131 STAT. 66 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

SEC. 827. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SMALL CLASS LAUNCH MISSIONS. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) Venture Class Launch Services contracts awarded under 

the Launch Services Program will expand opportunities for 

future dedicated launches of CubeSats and other small satellites 

and small orbital science missions; and 

(2) principal investigator-led small orbital science missions, 

including CubeSat class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class, and 

Venture class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science 

at low cost, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and enable participants to acquire skills in systems 

engineering and systems integration that are critical to 

maintaining the Nation’s leadership in space and to enhancing 

United States innovation and competitiveness abroad. 

SEC. 828. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS. 

Section 30104(a)(1) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘Procedural Requirements 7120.5c, dated March 22, 

2005’’ and inserting ‘‘Procedural Requirements 7120.5E, dated 

August 14, 2012’’. 

SEC. 829. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM. 

Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

by inserting ‘‘, while protecting national security’’ after ‘‘research 

community’’. 

SEC. 830. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN 

MAJOR ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITION PROGRAMS. 

(a) REVISED REGULATIONS REQUIRED.—Not later than 270 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 

revise the Administration Supplement to the Federal Acquisition 

Regulation to provide uniform guidance and recommend revised 

requirements for organizational conflicts of interest by contractors 

in major acquisition programs in order to address the elements 

identified in subsection (b). 

(b) ELEMENTS.—The revised regulations under subsection (a) 

shall, at a minimum— 

(1) address organizational conflicts of interest that could 

potentially arise as a result of— 

(A) lead system integrator contracts on major acquisition programs and contracts that follow lead system integrator contracts on such programs, particularly contracts 

for production; 

(B) the ownership of business units performing systems 

engineering and technical assistance functions, professional 

services, or management support services in relation to 

major acquisition programs by contractors who simultaneously own business units competing to perform as either 

the prime contractor or the supplier of a major subsystem 

or component for such programs; 

(C) the award of major subsystem contracts by a prime 

contractor for a major acquisition program to business units 

or other affiliates of the same parent corporate entity, 

and particularly the award of subcontracts for software 

integration or the development of a proprietary software 

system architecture; or 

(D) the performance by, or assistance of, contractors 

in technical evaluations on major acquisition programs; 

Deadline. 

Recommendations. 

51 USC 30301 

note prec. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 67 

(2) require the Administration to request advice on systems 

architecture and systems engineering matters with respect to 

major acquisition programs from objective sources independent 

of the prime contractor; 

(3) require that a contract for the performance of systems 

engineering and technical assistance functions for a major 

acquisition program contains a provision prohibiting the contractor or any affiliate of the contractor from participating 

as a prime contractor or a major subcontractor in the development of a system under the program; and 

(4) establish such limited exceptions to the requirement 

in paragraphs (2) and (3) as the Administrator considers necessary to ensure that the Administration has continued access 

to advice on systems architecture and systems engineering 

matters from highly qualified contractors with domain experience and expertise, while ensuring that such advice comes 

from sources that are objective and unbiased. 

SEC. 831. PROTECTION OF APOLLO LANDING SITES. 

(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Director of the Office of Science and 

Technology Policy, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies 

and stakeholders, shall assess the issues relating to protecting 

and preserving historically important Apollo Program lunar landing 

sites and Apollo program artifacts residing on the lunar surface, 

including those pertaining to Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. 

(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the assessment, the Director 

shall include— 

(1) a determination of what risks to the protection and 

preservation of those sites and artifacts exist or may exist 

in the future; 

(2) a determination of what measures are required to 

ensure such protection and preservation; 

(3) a determination of the extent to which additional 

domestic legislation or international treaties or agreements will 

be required; and 

(4) specific recommendations for protecting and preserving 

those lunar landing sites and artifacts. 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Director shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress the results of the assessment. 

SEC. 832. NASA LEASE OF NON-EXCESS PROPERTY. 

Section 20145(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘10 years after December 26, 2007’’ and inserting 

‘‘December 31, 2018’’. 

SEC. 833. TERMINATION LIABILITY. 

It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the ISS, the Space Launch System, and the Orion 

will enable the Nation to continue operations in low-Earth 

orbit and to send its astronauts to deep space; 

(2) the James Webb Space Telescope will revolutionize 

our understanding of star and planet formation and how galaxies evolved, and will advance the search for the origins of 

our universe; 

(3) as a result of their unique capabilities and their critical 

contribution to the future of space exploration, these systems 

Recommendations. 

Determinations. 

Consultation. 

Historic 

preservation. 


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131 STAT. 68 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

have been designated by Congress and the Administration as 

priority investments; 

(4) contractors are currently holding program funding, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, to cover 

the potential termination liability should the Government 

choose to terminate a program for convenience; 

(5) as a result, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars 

are unavailable for meaningful work on these programs; 

(6) according to the Government Accountability Office, the 

Administration procures most of its goods and services through 

contracts, and it terminates very few of them; 

(7) in fiscal year 2010, the Administration terminated 28 

of 16,343 active contracts and orders, a termination rate of 

about 0.17 percent; and 

(8) the Administration should vigorously pursue a policy 

on termination liability that maximizes the utilization of its 

appropriated funds to make maximum progress in meeting 

established technical goals and schedule milestones on these 

high-priority programs. 

SEC. 834. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS. 

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 

of Congress a report describing— 

(1) the Administration’s procedures for conducting independent reviews of projects and programs at lifecycle milestones; 

(2) how the Administration ensures the independence of 

the individuals who conduct those reviews prior to their assignment; 

(3) the internal and external entities independent of project 

and program management that conduct reviews of projects 

and programs at life cycle milestones; and 

(4) how the Administration ensures the independence of 

such entities and their members. 

SEC. 835. NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL. 

(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter into an 

arrangement with the National Academy of Public Administration 

to assess the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory Council and to 

make recommendations to Congress for any change to— 

(1) the functions of the Council; 

(2) the appointment of members to the Council; 

(3) the qualifications for members of the Council; 

(4) the duration of terms of office for members of the 

Council; 

(5) the frequency of meetings of the Council; 

(6) the structure of leadership and Committees of the 

Council; and 

(7) the levels of professional staffing for the Council. 

(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the assessment under 

subsection (a), the National Academy of Public Administration 

shall— 

(1) consider the impacts of broadening the Council’s role 

to include providing consultation and advice to Congress under 

section 20113(g) of title 51, United States Code; 

(2) consider the past activities of the Council and the 

activities of other analogous Federal advisory bodies; and 

Recommendations. 

Reports. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 69 

(3) any other issues that the National Academy of Public 

Administration determines could potentially impact the 

effectiveness of the Council. 

(c) REPORT.—The National Academy of Public Administration 

shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the results 

of the assessment, including any recommendations. 

(d) CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 20113(g) of title 51, United States 

Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘and Congress’’ after ‘‘advice 

to the Administration’’. 

(2) SUNSET.—Effective September 30, 2017, section 

20113(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking 

‘‘and Congress’’. 

SEC. 836. COST ESTIMATION. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) realistic cost estimating is critically important to the 

ultimate success of major space development projects; and 

(2) the Administration has devoted significant efforts over 

the past 5 years to improving its cost estimating capabilities, 

but it is important that the Administration continue its efforts 

to develop and implement guidance in establishing realistic 

cost estimates. 

(b) GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA.—The Administrator shall provide 

to its acquisition programs and projects, in a manner consistent 

with the Administration’s Space Flight Program and Project 

Management Requirements— 

(1) guidance on when to use an Independent Cost Estimate 

and Independent Cost Assessment; and 

(2) criteria to use to make a determination under paragraph 

(1). 

SEC. 837. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Administration must address, mitigate, and reverse, 

where possible, the deterioration of its facilities and infrastructure, as their condition is hampering the effectiveness and 

efficiency of research performed by both the Administration 

and industry participants making use of Administration facilities, thus harming the competitiveness of the United States 

aerospace industry; 

(2) the Administration has a role in providing laboratory 

capabilities to industry participants that are not economically 

viable as commercial entities and thus are not available elsewhere; 

(3) to ensure continued access to reliable and efficient 

world-class facilities by researchers, the Administration should 

establish strategic partnerships with other Federal agencies, 

State agencies, FAA-licensed spaceports, institutions of higher 

education, and industry, as appropriate; and 

(4) decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or modernize existing facilities must be made in the context of meeting 

Administration and other needs, including those required to 

meet the activities supporting the human exploration roadmap 

under section 432 of this Act, considering other national laboratory needs as the Administrator deems appropriate. 

51 USC 31502 

note. 

51 USC 30307 

note. 

Effective date. 

51 USC 30307 

note. 

Recommendations. 


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131 STAT. 70 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

(b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States that the 

Administration maintain reliable and efficient facilities and infrastructure and that decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, 

or modernize existing facilities or infrastructure be made in the 

context of meeting future Administration needs. 

(c) PLAN.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop a facilities and infrastructure plan. 

(2) GOAL.—The goal of the plan is to position the Administration to have the facilities and infrastructure, including laboratories, tools, and approaches, necessary to meet future 

Administration and other Federal agencies’ laboratory needs. 

(3) CONTENTS.—The plan shall identify— 

(A) current Administration and other Federal agency 

laboratory needs; 

(B) future Administration research and development 

and testing needs; 

(C) a strategy for identifying facilities and infrastructure that are candidates for disposal, that is consistent 

with the national strategic direction set forth in— 

(i) the National Space Policy; 

(ii) the National Aeronautics Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Infrastructure Plan; 

(iii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109– 

155; 119 Stat. 2895), National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 

110–422; 122 Stat. 4779), and National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 

(42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq.); and 

(iv) the human exploration roadmap under section 

432 of this Act; 

(D) a strategy for the maintenance, repair, upgrading, 

and modernization of Administration facilities and infrastructure, including laboratories and equipment; 

(E) criteria for— 

(i) prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks; 

(ii) maintaining, repairing, upgrading, or modernizing Administration facilities and infrastructure; and 

(iii) implementing processes, plans, and policies 

for guiding the Administration’s Centers on whether 

to maintain, repair, upgrade, or modernize a facility 

or infrastructure and for determining the type of 

instrument to be used; 

(F) an assessment of modifications needed to maximize 

usage of facilities that offer unique and highly specialized 

benefits to the aerospace industry and the American public; 

and 

(G) implementation steps, including a timeline, milestones, and an estimate of resources required for carrying 

out the plan. 

(d) REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH POLICY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 

and make publicly available a policy that guides the Administration’s use of existing authorities to out-grant, lease, excess 

to the General Services Administration, sell, decommission, 

Deadline. 

Public 

information. 

Timeline. 

Estimate. 

Assessment. 

Criteria. 

Strategy. 

Strategy. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 71 

demolish, or otherwise transfer property, facilities, or infrastructure. 

(2) CRITERIA.—The policy shall include criteria for the use 

of authorities, best practices, standardized procedures, and 

guidelines for how to appropriately manage property, facilities, 

and infrastructure. 

(e) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 

to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan developed under 

subsection (c). 

SEC. 838. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS. 

Section 70702 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by amending subsection (a)(3) to read as follows: 

‘‘(3) any other orbital or suborbital space vehicle carrying 

humans that is— 

‘‘(A) owned by the Federal Government; or 

‘‘(B) being used pursuant to a contract or Space Act 

Agreement with the Federal Government for carrying a 

government astronaut or a researcher funded by the Federal Government; or’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

‘‘(1) GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUT.—The term ‘government 

astronaut’ has the meaning given the term in section 50902. 

‘‘(2) SPACE ACT AGREEMENT.—The term ‘Space Act Agreement’ means an agreement entered into by the Administration 

pursuant to its other transactions authority under section 

20113(e).’’. 

SEC. 839. ORBITAL DEBRIS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 

(1) orbital debris poses serious risks to the operational 

space capabilities of the United States; 

(2) an international commitment and integrated strategic 

plan are needed to mitigate the growth of orbital debris wherever possible; and 

(3) the delay in the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s 

submission of a report on the status of international coordination and development of orbital debris mitigation strategies 

is inconsistent with such risks. 

(b) REPORTS.— 

(1) COORDINATION.—Not later than 90 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 

the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the status 

of efforts to coordinate with foreign countries within the InterAgency Space Debris Coordination Committee to mitigate the 

effects and growth of orbital debris under section 1202(b)(1) 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(1)). 

(2) MITIGATION STRATEGY.—Not later than 90 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office 

of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to the appropriate 

committees of Congress a report on the status of the orbital 

debris mitigation strategy required under section 1202(b)(2) 

of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(2)). 

Deadline. 


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131 STAT. 72 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

SEC. 840. REVIEW OF ORBITAL DEBRIS REMOVAL CONCEPTS. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) orbital debris in low-Earth orbit poses significant risks 

to spacecraft; 

(2) such orbital debris may increase due to collisions 

between existing debris objects; and 

(3) understanding options to address and remove orbital 

debris is important for ensuring safe and effective spacecraft 

operations in low-Earth orbit. 

(b) REVIEW.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of enactment of this Act, the Administrator— 

(A) in collaboration with the heads of other relevant 

Federal agencies, shall solicit and review concepts and 

options for removing orbital debris from low-Earth orbit; 

and 

(B) shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the solicitation and review under subparagraph (A), including recommendations on the best options 

for decreasing the risks associated with orbital debris. 

(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The solicitation and review under 

paragraph (1) shall address the requirements for and feasibility 

of developing and implementing each of the options. 

SEC. 841. SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS. 

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that, 

when used appropriately, Space Act Agreements can provide significant value in furtherance of NASA’s mission. 

(b) FUNDED SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS.—To the extent appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to maximize the value of contributions provided by other parties under a funded Space Act 

Agreement in order to advance NASA’s mission. 

(c) NON-EXCLUSIVITY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, to the greatest 

extent practicable, issue each Space Act Agreement— 

(A) except as provided in paragraph (2), on a nonexclusive basis; 

(B) in a manner that ensures all non-government parties have equal access to NASA resources; and 

(C) exercising reasonable care not to reveal unique 

or proprietary information. 

(2) EXCLUSIVITY.—If the Administrator determines an 

exclusive arrangement is necessary, the Administrator shall, 

to the greatest extent practicable, issue the Space Act Agreement— 

(A) utilizing a competitive selection process when exclusive arrangements are necessary; and 

(B) pursuant to public announcements when exclusive 

arrangements are necessary. 

(d) TRANSPARENCY.—The Administrator shall publicly disclose 

on the Administration’s website and make available in a searchable 

format each Space Act Agreement, including an estimate of committed NASA resources and the expected benefits to agency objectives for each agreement, with appropriate redactions for proprietary, sensitive, or classified information, not later than 60 days 

after such agreement is signed by the parties. 

(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 

Public 

information. 

Web posting. 

Estimate. 

Deadline. 

Determination. 

51 USC 20113 

note. 

Reports. 

Recommendations. 

Deadline. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 131 STAT. 73 

(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the end 

of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the use of Space 

Act Agreement authority by the Administration during the 

previous fiscal year. 

(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include for each Space 

Act Agreement in effect at the time of the report— 

(A) an indication of whether the agreement is a 

reimbursable, non-reimbursable, or funded Space Act 

Agreement; 

(B) a description of— 

(i) the subject and terms; 

(ii) the parties; 

(iii) the responsible— 

(I) Mission Directorate; 

(II) Center; or 

(III) headquarters element; 

(iv) the value; 

(v) the extent of the cost sharing among Federal 

Government and non-Federal sources; 

(vi) the time period or schedule; and 

(vii) all milestones; and 

(C) an indication of whether the agreement was 

renewed during the previous fiscal year. 

(3) ANTICIPATED AGREEMENTS.—The report shall include 

a list of all anticipated reimbursable, non-reimbursable, and 

funded Space Act Agreements for the upcoming fiscal year. 

(4) CUMULATIVE PROGRAM BENEFITS.—The report shall 

include, with respect to each Space Act Agreement covered 

by the report, a summary of— 

(A) the technology areas in which research projects 

were conducted under that agreement; 

(B) the extent to which the use of that agreement— 

(i) has contributed to a broadening of the technology and industrial base available for meeting 

Administration needs; and 

(ii) has fostered within the technology and industrial base new relationships and practices that support 

the United States; and 

Lists. 


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131 STAT. 74 PUBLIC LAW 115–10—MAR. 21, 2017 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 442: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017): 

Feb. 17, considered and passed Senate. 

Mar. 7, considered and passed House. 

DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2017): 

Mar. 21, Presidential remarks. 

Æ 

(C) the total amount of value received by the Federal 

Government during the fiscal year under that agreement. 

Approved March 21, 2017. 


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