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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5781 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5781

    To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 20, 2010

Mr. Gordon of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. Hall of Texas, Ms. Giffords, 
and Mr. Olson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on Science and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
    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 Authorization Act of 2010''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2011.
Sec. 102. Fiscal year 2012.
Sec. 103. Fiscal year 2013.
Sec. 104. Fiscal year 2014.
Sec. 105. Fiscal year 2015.
                      TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

                        Subtitle A--Exploration

Sec. 201. Reaffirmation of exploration policy.
Sec. 202. Restructured Exploration program.
Sec. 203. Space radiation.
                Subtitle B--International Space Station

Sec. 211. Extension of ISS operations.
Sec. 212. ISS research management institution.
Sec. 213. ISS research management plan.
Sec. 214. Outreach plan for United States ISS research.
Sec. 215. ISS cargo resupply requirements and contingency capacity 
                            through 2020.
Sec. 216. Centrifuge.
Sec. 217. Exploration technology development using the ISS.
Sec. 218. Fundamental space life science and physical sciences and 
                            related technology research.
                       Subtitle C--Space Shuttle

Sec. 221. Expanded scope of Space Shuttle Transition Liaison Office.
Sec. 222. Post-Shuttle workforce transition initiative grant program.
Sec. 223. Disposition of orbiter vehicles.
                  Subtitle D--Space and Flight Support

Sec. 231. 21st Century Space Launch Complex Initiative.
               Subtitle E--Commercial Crew Transportation

Sec. 241. Affirmation of policy.
Sec. 242. Commercial crew and related commercial space initiatives.
Sec. 243. Federal assistance for the development of commercial orbital 
                            human space transportation services.
                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

                       Subtitle A--Earth Science

Sec. 301. Earth science applications.
Sec. 302. Essential space-based Earth science and climate measurements.
Sec. 303. Commercial remote sensing data purchases pilot project.
                       Subtitle B--Space Science

Sec. 311. Suborbital programs.
Sec. 312. Explorer program.
Sec. 313. Radioisotope thermoelectric generator material requirements 
                            and supply.
                         TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS

Sec. 401. Environmentally friendly aircraft research and development 
                            initiative.
Sec. 402. Research on NextGen airspace management concepts and tools.
Sec. 403. Research on aircraft cabin air quality.
Sec. 404. Research on on-board volcanic ash sensor systems.
Sec. 405. Aeronautics test facilities.
Sec. 406. Expanded research program on composite materials used in 
                            aerospace.
                       TITLE V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 501. Space technology program.
                    TITLE VI--EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Sec. 601. STEM education and training.
Sec. 602. Assessment of impediments to space science and engineering 
                            workforce development for minority and 
                            underrepresented groups at NASA.
Sec. 603. Independent review of the National Space Grant College and 
                            Fellowship Program.
          TITLE VII--INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES REVITALIZATION

Sec. 701. Institutional management.
Sec. 702. James E. Webb Cooperative Education Distinguished Scholar 
                            Program.
                   TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

Sec. 801. Prohibition on expenditure of funds when 30 percent threshold 
                            is exceeded.
Sec. 802. Project and program reserves.
Sec. 803. Independent reviews.
Sec. 804. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major NASA 
                            acquisition programs.
Sec. 805. Report to Congress.
                       TITLE IX--OTHER PROVISIONS

Sec. 901. Cloud computing.
Sec. 902. Review of practices to detect and prevent the use of 
                            counterfeit parts.
Sec. 903. Preservation and management of lunar sites.
Sec. 904. Continuity of moderate resolution land imaging remote sensing 
                            data.
Sec. 905. Space weather.
Sec. 906. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for 
                            research, development, and education.
Sec. 907. Study on export control matters related to United States 
                            astronaut safety and NASA mission 
                            operations.
Sec. 908. Amendment to the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958.
Sec. 909. Near-Earth objects.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a 
        balanced and robust set of core missions in science, 
        aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration.
            (2) NASA's programs have the potential to inspire our youth 
        to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics, and the agency should carry out 
        its activities in a manner that enhances the educational and 
        outreach potential of its programs.
            (3) NASA should begin to reinvest in sustained fashion in a 
        long-term space technology research and development activity. 
        Such investments are an important catalyst for innovation, and 
        they represent the critically important ``seed corn'' on which 
        NASA's ability to carry out challenging and productive missions 
        in the future will depend.
            (4) The Space Shuttle workforce, both civil servants and 
        contractors, encompasses skills and experience that will be 
        needed in the Nation's future human space flight activities, 
        and the transition of that workforce to a challenging human 
        space flight and exploration program needs to be carried out in 
        as expeditious and nondisruptive a manner as possible.
            (5) Human and robotic exploration of the solar system will 
        be a significant undertaking of humanity in the 21st century 
        and beyond, and it is in the national interest that the United 
        States should assume a leadership role in a cooperative 
        international exploration initiative. Continuity of exploration 
        goals is critical if progress is to be maximized and costly 
        inefficiencies are to be minimized.
            (6) Commercial activities have long contributed to the 
        vitality and strength of the Nation's space and aeronautics 
        programs, and the growth of a healthy, self-sustaining United 
        States commercial space and aeronautics sector should continue 
        to be encouraged.
            (7) Congress agrees with the finding of the Review of 
        United States Human Spaceflight Plans Committee that: ``While 
        there are many potential benefits of commercial services that 
        transport crew to low-Earth orbit, there are simply too many 
        risks at the present time not to have a viable fallback option 
        for risk mitigation.''.
            (8) It is in the national interest for the United States 
        Government to develop a government system to serve as an 
        independent means--whether primary or backup--of crewed access 
        to low-Earth orbit and beyond so that it is not dependent on 
        either non-United States or commercial systems for its crewed 
        access to space.
            (9) Development of the next crewed space transportation 
        system to low-Earth orbit should be guided by the Columbia 
        Accident Investigation Board's recommendation that ``the design 
        of the system should give overriding priority to crew safety, 
        rather than trade safety against other performance criteria, 
        such as low cost and reusability''.
            (10) In an environment of constrained budgets, responsible 
        stewardship of taxpayer-provided resources makes it imperative 
        that NASA's exploration program be carried out in a manner that 
        builds on the investments made to date in the Orion, Ares I, 
        and heavy lift projects and other activities of the exploration 
        program in existence prior to fiscal year 2011 rather than 
        discarding them. A restructured exploration program should 
        pursue the incremental development and demonstration of crewed 
        and heavy-lift transportation systems in a manner that ensures 
        that investments to provide assured access to low-Earth orbit 
        also directly support the expeditious development of the heavy 
        lift launch vehicle system, minimize the looming human space 
        flight ``gap'', provide a very high level of crew safety, and 
        enable challenging missions beyond low-Earth orbit in a timely 
        manner.
            (11) NASA's programs in astrophysics, heliophysics, 
        planetary science, and Earth science and climate research have 
        greatly increased our understanding of both our home planet and 
        the rest of the universe, and they have also provided numerous 
        benefits to our society.
            (12) NASA's aeronautics program is undertaking research and 
        development that benefits our economic development and 
        competitiveness, enhances our quality of life and enables 
        environmentally responsible aviation operations, and 
        strengthens our national defense.
            (13) The ISS provides a unique research environment and 
        capabilities for basic and applied research, as well as having 
        the potential to serve as a testbed for human space flight 
        technologies and operational concepts. It is critically 
        important that NASA make needed investments to promote 
        productive ISS utilization, including a meaningful program of 
        grants in the life and physical sciences microgravity research 
        disciplines.
            (14) It is in the national interest for the United States 
        to have an export control policy that protects the national 
        security while also enabling the United States aerospace 
        industry to compete effectively in the global marketplace and 
        the United States to undertake cooperative programs in science 
        and human space flight in an effective manner.
            (15) A strong, robust NASA program is in the national 
        interest. Ensuring that it can continue to pursue cutting-edge 
        space and aeronautical research and development activities and 
        push back the frontier of space exploration requires a 
        sustained and adequate commitment in resources. However, NASA's 
        share of the Federal discretionary budgetary authority has 
        declined significantly relative to its post-Apollo historical 
        average share of 2.07 percent. It should be a national goal to 
        restore NASA's funding share to its post-Apollo historical 
        average.
            (16) NASA should be vigilant in taking all necessary steps 
        to control cost and schedule growth in mission projects, 
        including the development of an integrated cost containment 
        strategy, and adopt measures that improve the performance and 
        transparency of its cost and acquisition management practices. 
        NASA should approach cost and schedule management with the same 
        level of innovation, rigor, and technical excellence that it 
        applies to the execution of its mission projects.
            (17) NASA has been inconsistent in its treatment of 
        termination liability costs for contracts issued by different 
        mission directorates and across various agency programs 
        relative to historical practice. This inconsistency has 
        hampered NASA's ability to effectively execute its Exploration 
        programs.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of NASA.
            (2) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space 
        Station.
            (3) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration.
            (4) NOAA.--The term ``NOAA'' means the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
            (5) OSTP.--The term ``OSTP'' means the Office of Science 
        and Technology Policy.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2011.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for 
fiscal year 2011 $19,000,000,000, to be allocated as follows:
            (1) For Science, $5,015,700,000, of which--
                    (A) $1,801,800,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,485,700,000 shall be for Planetary Science;
                    (C) $1,076,300,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $646,900,000 shall be for Heliophysics, of 
                which $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                Explorers program; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                total amount provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
                for Astrophysics and Heliophysics in order to augment 
                the funding for the Science Mission Directorate's 
                suborbital research programs, to be allocated between 
                the Astrophysics and Heliophysics suborbital programs 
                at the Administrator's discretion.
            (2) For Aeronautics, $579,600,000.
            (3) For Space Technology, $572,200,000, of which $1,000,000 
        shall be for the Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research 
        project for defining user requirements and identifying, 
        assessing, and characterizing commercial reusable suborbital 
        vehicle capabilities and risks for use as potential research 
        and development platforms.
            (4) For Exploration, $4,535,300,000 of which--
                    (A) $215,000,000 shall be for Human Research;
                    (B) $14,000,000 shall be for the Commercial Orbital 
                Transportation System demonstration program;
                    (C) $50,000,000 shall be for commercial crew 
                transportation-related activities;
                    (D) $4,156,300,000 shall be for the restructured 
                exploration program described in section 202; and
                    (E) $100,000,000 shall be for the loan and loan 
                guarantee program described in section 243.
            (5) For Space Operations, $4,594,300,000, of which--
                    (A) $989,100,000 shall be for the Space Shuttle 
                program;
                    (B) $2,804,800,000 shall be for the ISS, of which 
                $75,000,000 shall be for fundamental space life science 
                and physical sciences and related technology research 
                using ground-based, free-flyer, and ISS facilities, 
                including ISS National Laboratory research;
                    (C) $60,000,000 shall be for the Post-Shuttle 
                Workforce Transition Initiative grant program described 
                in section 222; and
                    (D) $740,400,000 shall be for Space and Flight 
                Support, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the 21st 
                Century Launch Complex Initiative.
            (6) For Education, $145,800,000.
            (7) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,111,400,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $407,300,000, of which $10,000,000 is an 
        augmentation to the President's requested funding level in 
        order to support the NASA laboratory revitalization initiative 
        described in section 701.
            (9) For Inspector General, $38,400,000.

SEC. 102. FISCAL YEAR 2012.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for 
fiscal year 2012 $19,450,000,000, to be allocated as follows:
            (1) For Science, $5,278,600,000 of which--
                    (A) $1,944,500,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,547,200,000 shall be for Planetary Science;
                    (C) $1,109,300,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $672,600,000 shall be for Heliophysics, of 
                which $25,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                Explorers program; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                total amount provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
                for Astrophysics and Heliophysics in order to augment 
                the funding for the Science Mission Directorate's 
                suborbital research programs, to be allocated between 
                the Astrophysics and Heliophysics suborbital programs 
                at the Administrator's discretion.
            (2) For Aeronautics, $598,700,000, of which $78,900,000 
        shall be for the Aviation Safety Program, $80,400,000 shall be 
        for the Aeronautics Test Program, $83,900,000 shall be for the 
        Airspace Systems Program, $233,500,000 shall be for Fundamental 
        Aeronautics, and $122,000,000 shall be for Integrated Systems 
        Research.
            (3) For Space Technology, $1,012,200,000, of which 
        $1,000,000 shall be for the Commercial Reusable Suborbital 
        Research project.
            (4) For Exploration, $4,881,800,000 of which--
                    (A) $215,000,000 shall be for Human Research;
                    (B) $50,000,000 shall be for commercial crew 
                transportation-related activities;
                    (C) $4,516,800,000 shall be for the restructured 
                exploration program described in section 202; and
                    (D) $100,000,000 shall be for the loan and loan 
                guarantee program described in section 243.
            (5) For Space Operations, $3,930,300,000, of which--
                    (A) $86,100,000 shall be for the Space Shuttle 
                program;
                    (B) $3,033,600,000 shall be for the ISS, of which 
                $100,000,000 shall be for fundamental space life 
                science and physical sciences and related technology 
                research using ground-based, free-flyer, and ISS 
                facilities, including ISS National Laboratory research;
                    (C) $40,000,000 shall be for the Post-Shuttle 
                Workforce Transition Initiative grant program described 
                in section 222; and
                    (D) $770,600,000 shall be for Space and Flight 
                Support, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the 21st 
                Century Launch Complex Initiative.
            (6) For Education, $145,800,000.
            (7) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,189,600,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $373,800,000, of which $10,000,000 is an 
        augmentation to the President's requested level in order to 
        support the NASA laboratory revitalization initiative described 
        in section 701.
            (9) For Inspector General, $39,200,000.

SEC. 103. FISCAL YEAR 2013.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for 
fiscal year 2013 $19,960,000,000, to be allocated as follows:
            (1) For Science, $5,569,500,000, of which--
                    (A) $2,089,500,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,591,200,000 shall be for Planetary Science;
                    (C) $1,149,100,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $734,700,000 shall be for Heliophysics, of 
                which $55,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                Explorers program; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                total amount provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
                for Astrophysics and Heliophysics in order to augment 
                the funding for the Science Mission Directorate's 
                suborbital research programs, to be allocated between 
                the Astrophysics and Heliophysics suborbital programs 
                at the Administrator's discretion.
            (2) For Aeronautics, $609,400,000, of which $81,200,000 
        shall be for the Aviation Safety Program, $79,600,000 shall be 
        for the Aeronautics Test Program, $87,300,000 shall be for the 
        Airspace Systems Program, $239,000,000 shall be for Fundamental 
        Aeronautics, and $122,300,000 shall be for Integrated Systems 
        Research.
            (3) For Space Technology, $1,059,700,000.
            (4) For Exploration, $4,888,500,000 of which--
                    (A) $215,000,000 shall be for Human Research;
                    (B) $5,000,000, shall be for the Exploration 
                Technology and Demonstration program;
                    (C) $5,000,000 shall be for the Exploration 
                Precursor Robotic Missions program;
                    (D) $50,000,000 shall be for commercial crew 
                transportation-related activities;
                    (E) $4,513,500,000 shall be for the restructured 
                exploration program described in section 202; and
                    (F) $100,000,000 shall be for the loan and loan 
                guarantee program described in section 243.
            (5) For Space Operations, $3,993,300,000, of which--
                    (A) $3,179,400,000 shall be for the ISS, of which 
                $100,000,000 shall be for fundamental space life 
                science and physical sciences and related technology 
                research using ground-based, free-flyer, and ISS 
                facilities, including ISS National Laboratory research;
                    (B) $40,000,000 shall be for the Post-Shuttle 
                Workforce Transition Initiative grant program described 
                in section 222; and
                    (C) $773,900,000 shall be for Space and Flight 
                Support, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the 21st 
                Century Launch Complex Initiative.
            (6) For Education, $145,800,000.
            (7) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,276,800,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $376,900,000, of which $10,000,000 is an 
        augmentation to the President's requested funding level in 
        order to support the NASA laboratory revitalization initiative 
        described in section 701.
            (9) For Inspector General, $40,100,000.

SEC. 104. FISCAL YEAR 2014.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for 
fiscal year 2014 $20,600,000,000, to be allocated as follows:
            (1) For Science, $5,794,800,000, of which--
                    (A) $2,216,600,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,635,100,000 shall be for Planetary Science;
                    (C) $1,158,700,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $779,400,000 shall be for Heliophysics, of 
                which $75,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                Explorers program; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                total amount provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
                for Astrophysics and Heliophysics in order to augment 
                the funding for the Science Mission Directorate's 
                suborbital research programs, to be allocated between 
                the Astrophysics and Heliophysics suborbital programs 
                at the Administrator's discretion.
            (2) For Aeronautics, $615,100,000, of which $81,900,000 
        shall be for the Aviation Safety Program, $81,400,000 shall be 
        for the Aeronautics Test Program, $88,300,000 shall be for the 
        Airspace Systems Program, $246,000,000 shall be for Fundamental 
        Aeronautics, and $117,500,000 shall be for Integrated Systems 
        Research.
            (3) For Space Technology, $1,063,900,000.
            (4) For Exploration, $5,106,800,000 of which--
                    (A) $215,000,000 shall be for Human Research;
                    (B) $10,000,000 shall be for the Exploration 
                Technology and Demonstration program;
                    (C) $10,000,000 shall be for the Exploration 
                Precursor Robotic Missions program;
                    (D) $50,000,000 shall be for commercial crew 
                transportation-related activities;
                    (E) $4,721,800,000 shall be for the restructured 
                exploration program described in section 202; and
                    (F) $100,000,000 shall be for the loan and loan 
                guarantee program described in section 243.
            (5) For Space Operations, $4,062,600,000, of which--
                    (A) $3,271,900,000 shall be for the ISS, of which 
                $125,000,000 shall be for fundamental space life 
                science and physical sciences and related technology 
                research using ground-based, free-flyer, and ISS 
                facilities, including ISS National Laboratory research; 
                and
                    (B) $790,700,000 shall be for Space and Flight 
                Support, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the 21st 
                Century Launch Complex Initiative.
            (6) For Education, $145,800,000.
            (7) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,366,500,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $403,500,000, of which $10,000,000 is an 
        augmentation to the President's requested funding level in 
        order to support the NASA laboratory revitalization initiative 
        described in section 701.
            (9) For Inspector General, $41,000,000.

SEC. 105. FISCAL YEAR 2015.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for 
fiscal year 2015 $20,990,000,000, to be allocated as follows:
            (1) For Science, $5,899,000,000 of which--
                    (A) $2,282,200,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,654,400,000 shall be for Planetary Science;
                    (C) $1,131,600,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $825,800,000 shall be for Heliophysics, of 
                which $75,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                Explorers program; and
                    (E) $5,000,000 shall be an augmentation to the 
                total amount provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
                for Astrophysics and Heliophysics in order to augment 
                the funding for the Science Mission Directorate's 
                suborbital research programs, to be allocated between 
                the Astrophysics and Heliophysics suborbital programs 
                at the Administrator's discretion.
            (2) For Aeronautics, $625,300,000, of which $82,700,000 
        shall be for the Aviation Safety Program, $82,200,000 shall be 
        for the Aeronautics Test Program, $91,400,000 shall be for the 
        Airspace Systems Program, $250,000,000 shall be for Fundamental 
        Aeronautics, and $119,000,000 shall be for Integrated Systems 
        Research.
            (3) For Space Technology, $1,217,900,000.
            (4) For Exploration, $5,157,900,000 of which--
                    (A) $215,000,000 shall be for Human Research;
                    (B) $30,000,000 shall be for the Exploration 
                Technology and Demonstration program;
                    (C) $30,000,000 shall be for the Exploration 
                Precursor Robotic Missions program;
                    (D) $50,000,000 shall be for commercial crew 
                transportation-related activities;
                    (E) $4,732,900,000 shall be for the restructured 
                exploration program described in section 202; and
                    (F) $100,000,000 shall be for the loan and loan 
                guarantee program described in section 243.
            (5) For Space Operations, $4,030,500,000, of which--
                    (A) $3,232,800,000 shall be for the ISS, of which 
                $125,000,000 shall be for fundamental space life 
                science and physical sciences and related technology 
                research using ground-based, free-flyer, and ISS 
                facilities, including ISS National Laboratory research; 
                and
                    (B) $797,700,000 shall be for Space and Flight 
                Support, of which $50,000,000 shall be for the 21st 
                Century Launch Complex Initiative.
            (6) For Education, $146,800,000.
            (7) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,462,200,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $408,500,000, of which $10,000,000 is an 
        augmentation to the President's requested funding level in 
        order to support the NASA laboratory revitalization initiative 
        described in section 701.
            (9) For Inspector General, $41,900,000.

                      TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

                        Subtitle A--Exploration

SEC. 201. REAFFIRMATION OF EXPLORATION POLICY.

    Congress reaffirms its support for the exploration policy set forth 
in sections 401 and 402 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-422; 122 Stat. 
4788-4789).

SEC. 202. RESTRUCTURED EXPLORATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Requirements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a plan to 
restructure the exploration program in existence prior to fiscal year 
2011 in order to develop and demonstrate in an integrated manner and as 
expeditiously and efficiently as practicable a governmentally owned 
crew transportation system and heavy lift transportation system that 
satisfies the following requirements:
            (1) The plan shall make maximum practicable use of the 
        design, development, and test work completed to date on the 
        Orion crew exploration vehicle, Ares I crew launch vehicle, 
        heavy lift launch vehicle system, and associated ground support 
        and exploration enabling systems and take best advantage of 
        investments and contracts implemented to date.
            (2) The performance capabilities of the crew transportation 
        system shall be phased in a manner that is consistent with 
        available and anticipated resources, with the initial 
        operational goal of having the crew transportation system 
        developed under this section available to assure crewed access 
        to low-Earth orbit and the ISS no later than December 31, 2015, 
        in order to minimize the duration of the United States human 
        space flight gap following the retirement of the Space Shuttle 
        fleet. If one or more United States commercial entities are 
        certified to provide ISS crew transportation and rescue 
        services, the crew transportation system developed under this 
        section shall be available as a backup ISS crew transportation 
        and rescue service as needed but shall not be utilized as the 
        primary means of ISS crew transportation and rescue or 
        otherwise compete with the commercial system for ISS crew 
        transportation and rescue services.
            (3) The crewed spacecraft element of the crew 
        transportation system shall be evolvable on a continuous 
        development path to support--
                    (A) ISS crew transportation and rescue capability;
                    (B) non-ISS missions to, from, and in low-Earth 
                orbit; and
                    (C) human missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
            (4) The crew transportation system shall be able to serve 
        as a testbed for demonstrating operations concepts for 
        exploration missions beyond low-Earth orbit, as well as for 
        demonstrating technologies and carrying out risk reduction for 
        the heavy lift launch vehicle development program.
            (5) The crew transportation system shall have predicted 
        levels of safety during ascent to low-Earth orbit, transit, and 
        descent from low-Earth orbit that are not less than those 
        required of the Ares I/Orion configuration that has completed 
        program preliminary design review.
            (6) In order to make the most cost-effective use of the 
        funds available for the restructured exploration program, the 
        Administrator shall pursue the expeditious and cost-efficient 
        development of a heavy lift launch system that utilizes the 
        systems and flight and ground test activities of the crew 
        transportation system developed under this section to the 
        maximum extent practicable. In developing the heavy lift launch 
        vehicle--
                    (A) the heavy lift launch vehicle shall be sized to 
                enable challenging missions beyond low-Earth orbit and 
                evolvable on a continuous development path to enable 
                the efficient and cost-effective conduct of crewed 
                missions to the full range of destinations envisioned 
                in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                Authorization Act of 2008, namely Lagrangian points, 
                the Moon, near-Earth objects, and Mars and its moons;
                    (B) not later than 180 days after the date of 
                enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall carry 
                out a review of the heavy lift launch vehicle 
                requirements needed to support crewed missions to the 
                full range of destinations envisioned in the National 
                Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
                of 2008, and shall select an exploration launch vehicle 
                architecture to meet those requirements;
                    (C) the development of the heavy lift launch 
                vehicle authorized in this paragraph shall be completed 
                as expeditiously as possible within available resources 
                and shall take maximum benefit from the prior 
                investments made in the Orion, Ares I, and heavy lift 
                projects and from investments made in the restructured 
                program on the development, demonstration, and test of 
                the crew transportation system; and
                    (D) the Administrator shall strive to meet the goal 
                of having the heavy lift launch vehicle authorized in 
                this paragraph available for operational missions by 
                the end of the current decade.
    (b) Implementation of Restructured Program.--The restructured 
exploration program shall be implemented in a manner that--
            (1) facilitates the planned transition of Space Shuttle 
        program personnel to the restructured exploration program upon 
        the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, while providing for 
        cost effective management and vehicle development;
            (2) provides for a robust flight and ground test and 
        demonstration program;
            (3) streamlines program management processes to the maximum 
        extent practicable while ensuring that the Government's ability 
        to meet its responsibilities for cost discipline, safety, and 
        mission assurance is maintained;
            (4) working with industry, eliminates unnecessary NASA and 
        industry institutional infrastructure, other fixed costs, 
        processes, and oversight, reducing exploration program fixed 
        costs to the extent practicable and maximizing the program's 
        affordability;
            (5) incentivizes, through innovative management practices, 
        NASA program and project managers and industry counterparts to 
        establish and maintain realistic cost and schedule estimates, 
        and take necessary steps to avoid cost and schedule growth;
            (6) seeks to minimize to the extent practicable the 
        operating costs of the crew transportation system developed 
        under the restructured exploration program;
            (7) enables the restructured exploration program to 
        undertake in an incremental fashion increasingly challenging 
        uncrewed and crewed demonstration flights in and beyond low-
        Earth orbit;
            (8) allows the systems developed under the restructured 
        exploration program to serve as potential testbeds for the 
        demonstration of key enabling exploration technologies and 
        operational capabilities; and
            (9) prepares for and enables human missions to a variety of 
        destinations in the inner solar system, including cislunar 
        space, the Moon, Lagrangian points, near-Earth objects, and 
        ultimately Mars and its moons.
    (c) Support Systems.--The restructured exploration program shall 
continue work on ground systems and other exploration-enabling 
technologies and capabilities needed to support the exploration program 
as expeditiously as possible within available resources.
    (d) International Collaboration.--The Administrator shall explore 
potential international collaborations that would enable more ambitious 
exploration missions in a timely manner and within available resources 
than would otherwise be possible, such as human lunar landings or the 
incremental establishment of a lunar research outpost.

SEC. 203. SPACE RADIATION.

    (a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall develop a space radiation 
mitigation and management strategy and implementation plan that 
includes key milestones, a timetable, and estimation of budget 
requirements. The strategy shall include a mechanism to coordinate NASA 
research, technology, facilities, engineering, operations, and other 
functions required to support the strategy and plan. The Administrator 
shall transmit the strategy and plan to the Congress not later than 12 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Space Radiation Research Facilities.--The Administrator, in 
consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, 
shall assess the national capabilities for carrying out critical 
ground-based research on space radiation biology, and shall identify 
any issues that could affect the ability to carry out that research.
    (c) Research on Solar Particle Events.--The Administrator shall 
carry out research on solar particle events to improve the predictions 
and forecasts of solar particle events that could affect human missions 
beyond low-Earth orbit.

                Subtitle B--International Space Station

SEC. 211. EXTENSION OF ISS OPERATIONS.

    The Administrator shall, in consultation with the ISS partners, 
take all necessary measures to support the operation and full 
utilization of the International Space Station through at least the 
year 2020, if it can continue to be operated safely over that period. 
The Administrator shall, in consultation with the ISS partners, seek to 
minimize to the extent practicable the operating costs of the ISS.

SEC. 212. ISS RESEARCH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTION.

    (a) Designation.--Pursuant to section 507 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16767), the Administrator shall designate an independent, 
nonprofit United States institution, based on the result of a 
competitive solicitation, for the management of fundamental space life 
science and physical sciences and related technology research to be 
conducted on the ISS, as well as all research, including United States 
commercial research, that is funded by non-NASA United States domestic 
entities and carried out on the ISS.
    (b) Responsibilities.--The research management institution 
designated under subsection (a) shall make recommendations to the 
Administrator for--
            (1) competitively selecting, prioritizing, and overseeing 
        United States ISS research projects across all United States 
        users, sponsors, and disciplines, including domestic entities 
        other than NASA, seeking to carry out research on the ISS;
            (2) establishing a process for governance of United States 
        ISS research users;
            (3) conducting outreach and education to enhance the 
        utilization of the ISS; and
            (4) providing easily accessible information on the United 
        States capabilities, research facilities, and resources 
        associated with the United States research use of the ISS.
    (c) Deviations.--If the Administrator takes actions that deviate 
from the recommendations provided by the research management 
institution under subsection (b), the Administrator shall transmit to 
the Congress a report explaining the reasons for such deviation.
    (d) Other Government Contracts.--Other government agencies engaged 
in research and development are authorized to enter into contracts with 
the nonprofit organization designated under subsection (a) if it is 
determined by those agencies to be beneficial to meeting their mission 
requirements for use of the ISS.

SEC. 213. ISS RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PLAN.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the 
Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, 
shall require that the institution designated under section 212(a) 
prepare for the Administrator a United States ISS research management 
plan that--
            (1) establishes a process for selecting United States ISS 
        research;
            (2) identifies the expertise and support available to 
        researchers selected to carry out research on the ISS;
            (3) establishes a process for determining allocation 
        schedules for research to be carried out on the ISS;
            (4) establishes a process for accommodating logistical and 
        transportation requirements for ISS research payloads;
            (5) prescribes flight schedules for research payloads to 
        the ISS (and research materials to be returned to Earth, if 
        necessary); and
            (6) addresses other factors associated with the selection, 
        management, and oversight of United States ISS research.
    (b) Transmittal to Congress.--The plan shall be transmitted to the 
Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 214. OUTREACH PLAN FOR UNITED STATES ISS RESEARCH.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Congress a plan prepared by the 
institution designated under section 212(a) for broadening and 
enhancing the outreach to potential United States Government, academic, 
and commercial users of the ISS.

SEC. 215. ISS CARGO RESUPPLY REQUIREMENTS AND CONTINGENCY CAPACITY 
              THROUGH 2020.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall ensure the availability of 
ISS cargo resupply capacity to support the full and productive 
utilization and the extended operations of the ISS through the year 
2020.
    (b) Assessment.--The Administrator shall conduct an assessment of 
the ISS cargo resupply capacity required to support the enhanced 
research utilization and extended operations of the ISS through 2020. 
The assessment shall describe the methodology and assumptions used to 
define the cargo requirements and provide a breakdown of the cargo 
resupply requirements (upmass and downmass) to support scientific 
research, other research and development, operations and maintenance, 
crew supplies, and other necessary activities. In addition, the 
assessment shall identify the systems to be used for ISS cargo 
resupply, the amount of cargo those systems will transport, and the 
timeline for cargo resupply services to the ISS.
    (c) Additional Resupply Options.--The Administrator shall explore 
with ISS partners options for ensuring the provision of needed upmass 
to and downmass from the ISS in the event that adequate commercial 
cargo resupply capabilities are not available during any extended 
period after the date that the Space Shuttle is retired.

SEC. 216. CENTRIFUGE.

    (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out an assessment of 
innovative options for deploying a variable-gravity centrifuge on the 
ISS. The assessment shall identify the requirements for a variable-
gravity centrifuge to support fundamental and applied research on the 
ISS, including research to help mitigate the risk of long-term 
spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit. The assessment shall also--
            (1) review the requirements for development, launch, and 
        operation of the facility on the ISS;
            (2) provide an estimate of the potential cost and timeline 
        for developing and deploying the centrifuge capabilities 
        evaluated as part of the assessment;
            (3) evaluate the status of previous work on development of 
        an in-flight centrifuge for the ISS and the cost and time that 
        would be required to complete the work and the launch the 
        facility; and
            (4) identify the potential for international collaboration 
        and other potential partnerships or innovative acquisition 
        approaches that could facilitate the development and deployment 
        of a centrifuge facility for the ISS.
    (b) Transmittal to Congress.--The Administrator shall transmit the 
assessment described in subsection (a) to the Congress not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 217. EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT USING THE ISS.

    (a) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop priorities for 
technology development, testing, and demonstration activities that 
enable and support NASA's long-term plans for exploration beyond low-
Earth orbit and that require the capabilities of the ISS, and shall 
develop a plan, including milestones, a schedule, and an estimate of 
resource requirements, for carrying out the prioritized activities. The 
plan shall be developed for the period of fiscal years 2011 through 
2020.
    (b) Transmittal to Congress.--The Administrator shall transmit the 
plan developed under subsection (a) to the Congress not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 218. FUNDAMENTAL SPACE LIFE SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND 
              RELATED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH.

    (a) Strategic Plan for Science and Technology Research.--
            (1) Development.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        academia, other Federal agencies, and other potential 
        stakeholders, shall develop a strategic plan for carrying out 
        competitive, peer-reviewed fundamental space life science and 
        physical sciences and related technology research, including 
        research on phenomena such as the response of fluids and 
        materials to reduced gravity environments that need to be 
        understood in developing exploration-related technologies and 
        systems. The plan shall--
                    (A) address the facilities and instrumentation that 
                would enable and facilitate such research;
                    (B) be consistent with the priorities and 
                recommendations established by the National Academies 
                in its decadal survey of life and microgravity 
                sciences;
                    (C) provide a research timeline and identify the 
                resource requirements for its implementation;
                    (D) include an estimate of the number of students, 
                including undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral 
                students, and early-career researchers that would be 
                supported in carrying out the plan; and
                    (E) identify--
                            (i) criteria for the proposed space 
                        research, including--
                                    (I) a justification for the 
                                research to be carried out in the space 
                                microgravity environment;
                                    (II) the use of model systems;
                                    (III) the testing of flight 
                                hardware to understand and ensure its 
                                functioning in the microgravity 
                                environment;
                                    (IV) the use of controls to help 
                                distinguish among the direct and 
                                indirect effects of microgravity, among 
                                other effects of the flight or space 
                                environment;
                                    (V) approaches for facilitating 
                                data collection, analysis, and 
                                interpretation;
                                    (VI) procedures to ensure 
                                repetition of experiments as needed; 
                                and
                                    (VII) support for timely 
                                presentation of the peer-reviewed 
                                results of the research;
                            (ii) instrumentation required to support 
                        the measurements and analysis of the research 
                        to be carried out under the strategic plan, 
                        including the potential use of instrumentation 
                        developed by other countries and the potential 
                        for a variable-gravity centrifuge to support 
                        the research;
                            (iii) the capabilities needed to support 
                        direct, real-time communications between 
                        astronauts working on research experiments 
                        onboard the ISS and the principal investigator 
                        on the ground; and
                            (iv) a process for involving the external 
                        user community in research planning, including 
                        planning for relevant flight hardware and 
                        instrumentation, and for utilization of the 
                        ISS, free flyers, or other research platforms.
            (2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
        transmit the strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) to 
        the Congress.
    (b) Integrated Research Management Organization.--
            (1) Responsible official.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall ensure 
                that a responsible official is designated at NASA 
                headquarters to lead a competitive, integrated basic 
                and applied research program in fundamental space life 
                science and physical sciences and related technology.
                    (B) Responsibilities.--The official designated 
                under subparagraph (A) shall be responsible for--
                            (i) leading near-term and long-term 
                        strategic planning pursuant to the research 
                        plan developed under subsection (a);
                            (ii) ensuring the input of the external 
                        user community in science planning processes;
                            (iii) ensuring the implementation of an 
                        integrated, multidisciplinary and 
                        interdisciplinary, competitive research program 
                        in fundamental space life and physical sciences 
                        and related technology;
                            (iv) supporting the appropriate interaction 
                        of research investigators and agency managers 
                        and engineers in planning, designing, testing, 
                        and operations related to such research 
                        projects;
                            (v) monitoring progress of the program in 
                        achieving the objectives and milestones 
                        identified in the strategic plan developed 
                        under subsection (a)(1); and
                            (vi) other functions required to support 
                        the research program under this section.
                    (C) Coordination and communications.--The 
                Administrator shall ensure that the responsible 
                official coordinates and communicates the fundamental 
                space life science and physical sciences and related 
                technology research activities with relevant entities 
                within NASA, with the ISS research management 
                institution designated under section 212(a), and with 
                other relevant agencies and organizations.
            (2) Budget request.--The Administrator shall, as part of 
        the annual NASA fiscal year budget request--
                    (A) identify and include a description of research 
                being carried out pursuant to section 204 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16633); and
                    (B) identify the percentage of the total research 
                budget for ISS research that the research described in 
                subparagraph (A) represents; and
                    (C) identify the programs proposed for carrying out 
                research activities on the ISS and the proposed funding 
                to support those research programs, including a 
                breakdown for each of the programs identified of the 
                funding requested for competitive grants.

                       Subtitle C--Space Shuttle

SEC. 221. EXPANDED SCOPE OF SPACE SHUTTLE TRANSITION LIAISON OFFICE.

    Section 613(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 17761(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Space Shuttle 
        Transition Liaison Office'' and inserting ``Post-Shuttle 
        Transition Liaison Office''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2 years after the 
        completion of the last Space Shuttle flight'' and inserting ``2 
        years after the award of the final grant under section 222 of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
        Act of 2010''.

SEC. 222. POST-SHUTTLE WORKFORCE TRANSITION INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator, acting through the 
        Post-Shuttle Transition Liaison Office established under 
        section 613(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 17761(b)), 
        as amended by section 221, is authorized to make grants for the 
        establishment, operation, coordination, and implementation of 
        aerospace workforce and community transition strategies.
            (2) Transfer.--The Administrator may transfer amounts made 
        available under this section to other Federal agencies for the 
        purpose of assisting in the transition of aerospace workers and 
        communities adversely affected by the termination of the Space 
        Shuttle program.
    (b) Use of Funds.--A recipient of a grant under subsection (a) 
shall use the funds made available through the grant to--
            (1) conduct community and business outreach;
            (2) develop and implement regional revitialization and 
        facilities reuse strategies;
            (3) support entrepreneurship and new business development 
        initiatives; and
            (4) support workforce retraining.

SEC. 223. DISPOSITION OF ORBITER VEHICLES.

    (a) In General.--Upon the termination of the Space Shuttle Program, 
the Administrator shall decommission any remaining Space Shuttle 
orbiter vehicles according to established safety and historic 
preservation procedures prior to their designation as surplus 
government property. The orbiter vehicles shall be made available and 
located for display and maintenance through a competitive procedure 
established pursuant to the disposition plan developed under section 
613(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2008 
(42 U.S.C. 17761(a)), with priority consideration given to eligible 
applicants meeting all conditions of that plan which would provide for 
the display and maintenance of orbiters at locations with the best 
potential value to the public, including where the location of the 
orbiters can advance educational opportunities in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics disciplines, and with an historical 
relationship with either the launch, flight operations, or processing 
of the Space Shuttle orbiters.
    (b) Smithsonian Institution Orbiter.--Notwithstanding the 
procedures in subsection (a), the Smithsonian Institution shall be 
entitled to receive one of the remaining Space Shuttle orbiter 
vehicles. The Administrator shall collaborate with the Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution to determine which orbiter the Smithsonian 
Institution shall receive, and otherwise determine the timing and 
procedures of transfer from NASA to the Smithsonian Institution. The 
Smithsonian Institution, which, as of the date of enactment of this 
Act, houses the Space Shuttle Enterprise, shall determine any new 
location for the Enterprise.
    (c) Display and Maintenance.--The orbiter vehicles made available 
under subsection (a) shall be displayed and maintained through 
agreements and procedures established pursuant to section 613(a) of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 
(42 U.S.C. 17761(a)).

                  Subtitle D--Space and Flight Support

SEC. 231. 21ST CENTURY SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX INITIATIVE.

    In carrying out the 21st Century Space Launch Complex Initiative, 
the Administrator shall give priority to activities in support of the 
program established in section 202.

               Subtitle E--Commercial Crew Transportation

SEC. 241. AFFIRMATION OF POLICY.

    The Congress affirms the policy of--
            (1) making use of United States commercially provided ISS 
        crew transportation and crew rescue services to the maximum 
        extent practicable;
            (2) limiting, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of 
        the system developed under section 202 to non-ISS missions once 
        commercial crew transportation and crew rescue services that 
        meet safety requirements become operational; and
            (3) facilitating, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
        transfer of NASA-developed technologies to United States 
        commercial orbital human space transportation companies in 
        order to help promote the development of commercially provided 
        ISS crew transportation and crew rescue services.

SEC. 242. COMMERCIAL CREW AND RELATED COMMERCIAL SPACE INITIATIVES.

    (a) Commercial Services Opportunities.--NASA shall seek, to the 
extent practicable, to make use of commercially available space 
services, including commercially available services to transport United 
States Government astronauts to and from the ISS, provided that--
            (1) those commercial services have demonstrated the 
        capability to meet NASA-specified ascent, transit, entry, and 
        ISS proximity operations safety requirements;
            (2) the services provider has completed, and NASA has 
        verified, crewed flight demonstrations or operational flights 
        that comply with NASA standards, policies, and procedures; and
            (3) the per-seat cost to the United States is not greater 
        than the per-seat cost for the system developed under section 
        202.
    (b) Human-Rating.--The Administrator shall establish requirements, 
standards, and processes for the human rating of space transportation 
systems that are equivalent to NASA safety processes and procedures.
    (c) Technology Transfer.--The Administrator shall make available, 
on a nonexclusive basis, NASA-developed technologies for transfer to 
potential United States commercial orbital human space transportation 
companies. NASA shall determine the appropriate means, through cost-
reimbursable arrangements or other mechanisms, to transfer the 
technologies.
    (d) Technical Assistance and Facilities.--The Administrator shall 
make available, to the extent practicable, NASA facilities and 
equipment to assist in the testing and demonstration of commercial crew 
transportation systems, including those associated with NASA's safety 
and mission assurance activities, such as NASA's Independent 
Verification and Validation facility for software verification. The 
Administrator shall determine the appropriate means, through cost-
reimbursable arrangements, agreements entered into under section 
203(c)(5) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 
2473(c)(5)), or other mechanisms, to provide technical assistance and 
access to facilities to the commercial space sector.
    (e) NASA Insight and Oversight Processes.--Any company that seeks 
to provide commercial crew transportation services under contract to 
NASA shall enter into an arrangement with NASA that allows NASA to 
obtain ongoing insight into the design methodologies, processes, 
technologies, test data, and production and quality control practices 
employed in the development of the commercial crew transportation 
system throughout the development, test, demonstration, and production 
phases. NASA may offer early warning of conditions that could lead NASA 
to withhold certification of the crew transportation systems for the 
flight of United States Government personnel or to decline to enter 
into a contract for services. NASA may not require the company to make 
changes to its design, technologies, or processes during the 
development, test, demonstration, or production phases.
    (f) Contracts for Commercially Available ISS Crew Transportation 
and Crew Rescue Services.--
            (1) Certification of safety and reliability.--Before 
        entering into a contract for the use of commercially available 
        commercial crew transportation or crew rescue services for 
        United States Government astronauts, the Administrator shall 
        certify that a commercial ISS crew transportation and crew 
        rescue service provider with which a contract is planned has 
        demonstrated the safety and reliability of its systems for crew 
        transportation and crew rescue to be equivalent to NASA-
        promulgated safety and reliability policies, procedures, and 
        standards for human spaceflight. Individual certifications made 
        under this paragraph shall be provided to the Committee on 
        Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and to 
        the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
            (2) Flight experience.--The Administrator shall not enter 
        into any contract or commit any United States Government funds 
        for a commercial ISS crew transportation or rescue service to a 
        service provider until sufficient successful flight experience 
        has been accrued by the service provider's system to provide to 
        NASA the safety-related and reliability-related data and 
        information needed to determine whether to fly its astronauts 
        on that system. The Administrator shall require an amount of 
        demonstrated flight experience for a commercial crew 
        transportation system that is at least as much as NASA requires 
        under Alternative 1 as delineated in the NASA Policy Directive 
        NPD 8610.7D, effective January 31, 2008, for common launch 
        vehicle configurations before Class A (high cost and high 
        priority) payloads can be flown on them.
            (3) Administrator's actions.--To facilitate the ability of 
        commercial crew transportation providers to comply with NASA 
        human spaceflight safety and reliability requirements, the 
        Administrator shall--
                    (A) develop and communicate the human-rating 
                requirements established under subsection (b) to 
                commercial space companies;
                    (B) establish minimum acceptable safety levels;
                    (C) provide technical assistance, to the maximum 
                extent practicable, to the commercial space sector in 
                understanding and applying NASA human-rating 
                requirements, standards, and processes to commercial 
                crew transportation and crew rescue systems;
                    (D) establish and communicate to the commercial 
                sector the process NASA will apply for securing ongoing 
                NASA insight into the design methodologies, processes, 
                technologies, test data, and production and quality 
                control practices employed in the development of the 
                commercial crew transportation system throughout the 
                development, test, demonstration, and production 
                phases;
                    (E) establish and communicate to the commercial 
                sector NASA's process for certifying that commercial 
                human spaceflight systems (including mission control, 
                operations, ground systems, and other supporting 
                infrastructure) comply with NASA human-rating 
                requirements and standards and related NASA policies 
                and procedures for safety and reliability, which 
                process shall be no less stringent than the NASA 
                policies and procedural requirements established for 
                launch of Class A (high cost and high priority) 
                payloads; and
                    (F) ensure that the certification established under 
                subparagraph (E) includes independent verification and 
                validation of compliance with NASA policies, 
                procedures, and standards.
    (g) ASAP Review of NASA's Human-Rating Requirements, Standards, and 
Processes.--
            (1) In general.--The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel shall 
        conduct a review to identify issues pertinent to the 
        establishment of human-rating requirements, standards, and 
        processes for commercial crew transportation and rescue systems 
        that are proposed for transport of United States astronauts.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Aerospace Safety and Advisory Panel 
        shall transmit to the Congress a report describing--
                    (A) the Panel's assessment of NASA's currently 
                established human-rating specifications and guidance;
                    (B) the Panel's view of the mandatory safety 
                requirements that must be met with regard to human 
                rating; and
                    (C) the steps NASA and the commercial space 
                industry need to take to ensure that commercial crew 
                transportation and rescue vehicles have human rating 
                requirements, standards, and processes equivalent to 
                those of NASA.
    (h) Indemnification and Liability.--The Administrator shall not 
proceed with a request for proposals, award any contract, or commit any 
United States Government funds for a commercial ISS crew transportation 
or rescue service to be provided by a commercial service provider until 
all indemnification and liability issues associated with the use of 
such systems by the United States Government shall have been addressed 
and the Administrator has provided to the Congress a report describing 
the indemnification and liability provisions that are planned to be 
included in such contracts.
    (i) Predicted Level of Safety.--The Administrator shall not award 
any contract or commit any United States Government funds for a 
commercial ISS crew transportation system service to a service provider 
unless that commercial crew transportation system has a predicted level 
of safety during ascent to low-Earth orbit, transit, and descent from 
low-Earth orbit that is not less than that specified for the Government 
system in section 202(a)(5).

SEC. 243. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL ORBITAL 
              HUMAN SPACE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a program to 
provide financial assistance in the form of direct loans or loan 
guarantees to commercial entities for the costs of development of 
orbital human space transportation systems.
    (b) Eligible Projects.--A loan or loan guarantee may be made under 
such program only for a project in the United States to develop 
commercial orbital human space transportation systems that would be 
used to provide transportation services to and from low Earth orbit.
    (c) Eligible Borrower.--A loan or loan guarantee may be made under 
such program only for a borrower who is determined by the Administrator 
to be eligible under the criteria established pursuant to subsection 
(i).
    (d) Limitations.--No loan or guarantee shall be made unless the 
Administrator determines that--
            (1) there is a reasonable prospect of repayment of the 
        principal and interest on the obligation by the borrower; and
            (2) the amount of the obligation (when combined with 
        amounts available to the borrower from other sources which 
        shall be a minimum of 25 percent of the total expected project 
        development cost) is sufficient to carry out the total 
        development project.
    (e) Superiority of Rights.--The rights of the Administrator, with 
respect to any property acquired pursuant to a loan, shall be superior 
to the rights of any other person with respect to the property.
    (f) Terms and Conditions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, a loan or loan guarantee made pursuant to this section shall--
            (1) bear interest at an annual rate, as determined by the 
        Administrator, of--
                    (A) in the case of a direct loan--
                            (i) the cost of borrowing to the Department 
                        of the Treasury for obligations of comparable 
                        maturity; or
                            (ii) 4 percent; and
                    (B) in the case of a guaranteed loan, the current 
                applicable market rate for a loan of comparable 
                maturity; and
            (2) have a term not to exceed 30 years.
    (g) Consultation.--In establishing the terms and conditions of a 
loan or loan guarantee under this section, the Administrator shall 
consult with the Secretary of the Treasury.
    (h) Fees.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall charge and collect 
        fees for loans and loan guarantees in amounts the Administrator 
        determines are sufficient to cover applicable administrative 
        expenses.
            (2) Availability.--Fees collected under this subsection 
        shall--
                    (A) be deposited by the Administrator into the 
                Treasury of the United States; and
                    (B) remain available until expended, subject to 
                such other conditions as are contained in annual 
                appropriations Acts.
            (3) Limitation.--In charging and collecting fees under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall take into consideration 
        the amount of the obligation.
    (i) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue final regulations 
before making any loan or loan guarantee under the program. Such 
regulations shall include--
            (1) criteria that the Administrator shall use to determine 
        eligibility for loans and loan guarantees under this section, 
        including whether a borrower demonstrates that a non-
        governmental market exists for the orbital human space 
        transportation service, as evidenced by written statements of 
        interest from potential purchasers of the services;
            (2) criteria that the Administrator shall use to determine 
        the amount of any fees charged under subsection (h), including 
        criteria related to the amount of the obligation; and
            (3) any other policies, procedures, or information 
        necessary to implement this section.
    (j) Audit.--
            (1) Annual independent audits.--The Administrator shall 
        enter into an arrangement with an independent auditor for 
        annual evaluations of the program under this section.
            (2) Comptroller general review.--The Comptroller General of 
        the United States shall conduct a biennial review of the 
        Administrator's execution of the program under this section.
            (3) Report.--The results of the independent audit under 
        paragraph (1) and the Comptroller General's review under 
        paragraph (2) shall be provided directly to the Committee on 
        Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
    (k) Report to Congress.--Concurrent with the submission to Congress 
of the President's annual budget request in each year after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report containing a summary of all activities carried out under this 
section.
    (l) Minimizing Risk.--The Administrator shall promulgate 
regulations and policies to carry out this section in accordance with 
Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-129, entitled ``Policies 
for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables'', as in effect on 
the date of enactment of this section.
    (m) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Cost.--The term ``cost'' has the meaning given such 
        term under section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 
        (2 U.S.C. 661a).
            (2) Obligation.--The term ``obligation'' means the loan 
        issued under this section or the loan or other debt obligation 
        that is guaranteed under this section.
            (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the program 
        established in subsection (a).

                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

                       Subtitle A--Earth Science

SEC. 301. EARTH SCIENCE APPLICATIONS.

    The Administrator shall develop guidelines and procedures for 
entering into arrangements with State, local, regional, tribal, and 
other Federal Government agencies that seek to benefit from ongoing 
NASA technical information, capabilities, and support related to Earth 
science applications and decision support systems. The guidelines and 
procedures shall include a definition of the partnership, milestones, 
cost-sharing, and project-relevant criteria for the project. The 
guidelines and procedures shall define arrangements for reimbursement 
for Government services, as appropriate, including the use of NASA 
spacecraft and aircraft, sensors, equipment, facilities, and associated 
personnel for the purpose of aiding State, local, regional, tribal, and 
other Federal Government needs.

SEC. 302. ESSENTIAL SPACE-BASED EARTH SCIENCE AND CLIMATE MEASUREMENTS.

    The Administrator, in cooperation with the Administrator of NOAA 
and other relevant Federal agencies, shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies for a study, to be completed, and 
transmitted to the Congress not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, to provide a prioritized list and definition of 
essential Earth science and climate measurements that should be 
collected with space-based means, and maintained and archived by the 
Federal Government on a continuous basis. The study shall also identify 
which measurements could potentially be obtained through international 
partnerships, from data purchases or other arrangements with private or 
commercial entities, or from other relevant sources.

SEC. 303. COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING DATA PURCHASES PILOT PROJECT.

    (a) Workshop.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall organize a workshop including 
relevant commercial remote sensing data providers, scientists, and 
remote sensing data users, among other relevant stakeholders, to 
identify the essential criteria for a pilot project for purchasing 
commercial remote sensing data to support research in Earth science and 
for applied uses of the data to address State, local, regional, and 
tribal needs. The workshop shall address lessons learned and 
recommendations related to past experience with commercial data 
purchases, including those outlined in the National Research Council 
report entitled ``Toward New Partnerships in Remote Sensing: 
Government, the Private Sector, and Earth Science Research''.
    (b) Pilot Project.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, after consideration of the results of the 
workshop under subsection (a) and after obtaining relevant information 
from potential commercial remote sensing data providers and users of 
such data, the Administrator shall establish a pilot project for the 
provision, through competitive solicitations, of commercial remote 
sensing data to serve research and applied uses of the data to serve 
State, local, regional, and tribal needs.

                       Subtitle B--Space Science

SEC. 311. SUBORBITAL PROGRAMS.

    (a) Responsible Official.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall ensure that an 
        individual who shall report directly to the Associate 
        Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate is designated 
        to lead NASA's suborbital and airborne program.
            (2) Responsibilities.--The designated individual shall be 
        responsible for--
                    (A) leading near-term and long-term strategic 
                planning for the suborbital and airborne program;
                    (B) ensuring the implementation of strategic and 
                other relevant plans;
                    (C) integrating NASA's suborbital and airborne 
                programs;
                    (D) ensuring the productivity of the suborbital 
                facilities and assets as necessary to carry out the 
                plans;
                    (E) coordinating NASA's suborbital activities with 
                associated NASA offices and Centers, universities, and 
                other external institutions; and
                    (F) monitoring progress on meeting the strategic 
                objectives for enhanced suborbital and airborne 
                activities, NASA workforce development, and integration 
                of suborbital activities within NASA's overall plans 
                and priorities.
    (b) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the Congress 
a strategic plan to support the full and productive use of NASA's 
suborbital and airborne assets as a foundation for meeting its 
scientific research, engineering, workforce development, and education 
goals and objectives across NASA centers and mission directorates and 
in partnership with universities and other relevant external 
institutions. The strategic plan shall--
            (1) be developed in consultation with relevant NASA offices 
        and Centers and with input from universities, nonprofit 
        research institutions, and private industry;
            (2) identify the needs and priorities for using NASA's 
        airborne and suborbital assets to support NASA's scientific 
        research, engineering, workforce development, and educational 
        goals;
            (3) identify and prioritize the required infrastructure 
        investments, including maintenance, upgrades, and any enhanced 
        facility or equipment capabilities, that are required to carry 
        out the needs and priorities described in paragraph (2); and
            (4) provide an estimate of the budget requirements and a 
        schedule and timeline for implementing the plan.
    (c) Training and Professional Development.--The Administrator 
shall, to the extent practicable, expand the opportunities within 
NASA's suborbital programs for training science and engineering 
students and for providing professional development for early career 
professionals. Training and development activities shall be expanded 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the strategic plan to be 
developed under subsection (b).

SEC. 312. EXPLORER PROGRAM.

    (a) Review of Explorer Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an 
        arrangement with the National Academies to conduct a review of 
        the Explorer Program and offer any recommendations as it 
        considers necessary.
            (2) Scope.--Such review shall address at least the 
        following:
                    (A) A review of existing or recent Explorer program 
                elements such as NASA's University Class Explorer 
                (UNEX), Small Explorer (SMEX), Medium Class Explorer 
                (MIDEX), Explorers (EX), and Missions of Opportunity to 
                assess the degree of--
                            (i) innovation in instrumentation, and 
                        other technology and space mission elements;
                            (ii) flexibility and new approaches in 
                        management and collaboration;
                            (iii) project implementation within the 
                        planned budget and schedule; and
                            (iv) training opportunities for space 
                        scientists and engineers.
                    (B) The status, capability, and availability of 
                launch vehicles and infrastructure to support the 
                Explorer program elements.
                    (C) Projected launch capabilities and facilities 
                for Explorers, including private sector launch 
                capabilities.
                    (D) The frequency of Explorer missions.
                    (E) The balance of Explorer missions among theme 
                areas and between larger and smaller mission sizes.
                    (F) The opportunities and challenges for partner 
                participation in Explorer missions, including 
                international and interagency collaborations.
                    (G) The contributions of Explorers to a robust 
                space science program, and the value of the Explorer 
                Program for the Nation's scientific research and 
                engineering community, including its impact on training 
                of younger researchers and engineers.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 16 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the 
        Congress the review and a plan for responding to the 
        recommendations of the review.

SEC. 313. RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS 
              AND SUPPLY.

    (a) Analysis of Requirements and Risks.--The Administrator, in 
consultation with other Federal agencies, shall conduct an analysis of 
NASA requirements for radioisotope power system material which is 
needed to carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in the 
solar system and other surface exploration activities beyond low-Earth 
orbit, as well as the risks to NASA missions in meeting those 
requirements, or any additional requirements, due to a lack of adequate 
domestic production of radioisotope power system material. The analysis 
shall--
            (1) detail NASA's current projected mission requirements 
        for radioisotope power system material;
            (2) explain the assumptions used to determine NASA's 
        requirements for the material, including--
                    (A) the planned use of Advanced Stirling 
                Radioisotope Generator technology;
                    (B) the status of and timeline for completing 
                development and demonstration of the Advanced Stirling 
                Radioisotope Generator technology, including the 
                development of flight readiness requirements; and
                    (C) the risks, implications, and contingencies for 
                NASA mission plans of any delays or unanticipated 
                technical challenges related to the anticipated use of 
                Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator technology;
            (3) assess the risk to NASA 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 NASA 
        requirements for the material; and
            (5) estimate the incremental costs required to increase the 
        amount of material produced each year, if such an increase is 
        needed to support additional NASA requirements for the 
        material.
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other 
Federal agencies, shall transmit the results of the analysis to the 
Congress.

                         TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS

SEC. 401. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
              INITIATIVE.

    Section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 17721) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a plan 
        and associated timetable for this initiative identifying key 
        milestones, including projected flight demonstrations to 
        validate vehicle and technology concepts in a relevant 
        environment.
            ``(2) Submission.--Not later than 270 days after the date 
        of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration Authorization Act of 2010, the Administrator 
        shall transmit the plan to the Congress.''.

SEC. 402. RESEARCH ON NEXTGEN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND TOOLS.

    The Administrator shall review at least annually the alignment and 
timing of NASA's research and development activities in support of the 
NextGen airspace management modernization initiative and shall make any 
necessary adjustments by reprioritizing or retargeting NASA's research 
and development activities in support of the NextGen initiative.

SEC. 403. RESEARCH ON AIRCRAFT CABIN AIR QUALITY.

    The Administrator shall initiate research on aircraft cabin air 
quality that complements research conducted by the Federal Aviation 
Administration and its Center of Excellence on Research in the 
Intermodal Transport Environment, including research on innovative 
aircraft cabin air quality sensors operating during ground and flight 
operations and on innovative warning and mitigation technologies for 
poor air quality.

SEC. 404. RESEARCH ON ON-BOARD VOLCANIC ASH SENSOR SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct a study to assess 
the feasibility of establishing a project focused on the development of 
a low-cost on-board volcanic ash sensor system.
    (b) Specifications.--The study shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) NASA's unique capabilities;
            (2) opportunities for collaboration, both nationally and 
        internationally; and
            (3) projected resource requirements, research milestones, 
        and potential accomplishments.

SEC. 405. AERONAUTICS TEST FACILITIES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) NASA must reverse the deteriorating condition of its 
        aeronautics ground test facilities and infrastructure, as this 
        condition is hampering the effectiveness and efficiency of 
        aeronautics research performed by both NASA and industry 
        participants making use of NASA facilities, thus reducing the 
        competitiveness of the United States aviation industry;
            (2) NASA has a role in providing test capabilities that are 
        not economically viable as commercial entities and thus are not 
        available elsewhere; and
            (3) to ensure continued access to reliable and efficient 
        national-class test capabilities by researchers, NASA should 
        seek to establish strategic partnerships with other Federal 
        agencies, academic institutions, and industry.
    (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan to stabilize and, 
where possible, reverse the deterioration of NASA's aeronautics ground 
test facilities.

SEC. 406. EXPANDED RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS USED IN 
              AEROSPACE.

    The Administrator shall expand NASA's research program on composite 
materials used in aerospace applications to address--
            (1) progressive damage analysis, aging, inspection 
        techniques, and new manufacturing and repair techniques; and
            (2) ways to mitigate how the environment, operating fluids, 
        and mechanical loads interact with composite materials over 
        time.

                       TITLE V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 501. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a space 
technology program to enable research and development on advanced space 
technologies and systems that are independent of specific space mission 
flight projects. The program shall support--
            (1) early-stage concepts and innovation;
            (2) development of innovative technologies in areas such as 
        in-space propulsion, power generation and storage, liquid 
        rocket propulsion, avionics, structures, and materials that may 
        enable new approaches to human and robotic space missions; and
            (3) flight demonstrations of technologies, including those 
        that have the potential to benefit multiple NASA mission 
        directorates, other Federal Government agencies, and the 
        commercial space industry.
    (b) Procedure.--In establishing the space technology program under 
this section, the Administrator shall--
            (1) to the maximum extent practicable, use a competitive 
        process to select projects to be supported as part of the 
        program;
            (2) support the development of an organization to 
        investigate innovative concepts for technological approaches, 
        systems, architectures, or mission strategies;
            (3) make use of small satellites and NASA suborbital 
        platforms, to the extent practicable, to demonstrate space 
        technology concepts and developments; and
            (4) undertake partnerships with other Federal agencies, 
        universities, private industry, and other spacefaring nations, 
        as appropriate.
    (c) Decadal Survey.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies for a decadal survey study to 
make recommendations for research and development priorities for NASA's 
space technology program over the next decade. Included in the decadal 
survey shall be an identification and prioritization of key technology 
research and development activities needed to enable a robust 
exploration technology program, from basic research and development 
through flight demonstrations. The Administrator shall transmit the 
results of the study to the Congress not later than 20 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

                    TITLE VI--EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

SEC. 601. STEM EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

    (a) In General.--In order to create the diverse, skilled scientific 
and technical workforce essential to meeting the challenges facing NASA 
and the Nation in the 21st century, the Administrator shall develop, 
conduct, support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal 
educational and training activities that leverage NASA's unique content 
expertise and facilities to--
            (1) contribute to improving science, technology, 
        engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and training at 
        all levels in the United States; and
            (2) enhance awareness and understanding of STEM, including 
        space and Earth sciences, aeronautics, and engineering.
    (b) Programs.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall carry out 
        evidence-based programs designed to--
                    (A) increase student interest and participation, 
                including by women and underrepresented minority 
                students;
                    (B) improve public literacy and support; and
                    (C) improve the teaching and learning of space and 
                Earth sciences, aeronautics, engineering, and other 
                STEM disciplines supported by NASA.
            (2) Included programs.--Programs authorized under this 
        subsection may include--
                    (A) informal educational programming designed to 
                excite and inspire students and the general public 
                about space and Earth science, aeronautics, 
                engineering, and other STEM disciplines supported by 
                NASA while strengthening their content knowledge in 
                these disciplines;
                    (B) teacher training and professional development 
                opportunities for pre-service and in-service elementary 
                and secondary school teachers designed to increase the 
                content knowledge of teachers in space and Earth 
                science, aeronautics, engineering, and other STEM 
                disciplines supported by NASA, especially through 
                hands-on research and technology experiences;
                    (C) research opportunities for secondary school 
                students, including internships at NASA and its field 
                centers, that provide secondary school students with 
                hands-on research and technology experiences as well as 
                exposure to working scientists and engineers;
                    (D) research opportunities at NASA and its field 
                centers for undergraduate and graduate students 
                pursuing degrees in space and Earth sciences, 
                aeronautics, engineering, and other STEM disciplines 
                supported by NASA;
                    (E) competitive scholarships, fellowships, and 
                traineeships for undergraduate and graduate students in 
                space and Earth sciences, aeronautics, engineering, and 
                other STEM disciplines supported by NASA; and
                    (F) competitive grants for institutions of higher 
                education (as defined under section 101(a) of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), 
                including 2-year institutions of higher education, to 
                establish or expand degree programs or courses in space 
                and Earth sciences, aeronautics, engineering, and other 
                STEM disciplines supported by NASA.
    (c) Organization of STEM Education Programs.--
            (1) Director of stem education.--The Administrator shall 
        appoint or designate a Director of STEM Education, who shall 
        have the principal responsibility to oversee and coordinate all 
        NASA programs and activities in support of STEM education and 
        training, including space and Earth sciences, aeronautics, and 
        engineering.
            (2) Qualifications.--The Director shall be an individual 
        who, by reason of professional background and experience, is 
        specially qualified to advise the Administrator on all matters 
        pertaining to STEM education and training, including space and 
        Earth sciences, aeronautics, and engineering, at NASA.
            (3) Duties.--The Director shall--
                    (A) oversee and coordinate all programs in support 
                of STEM education and training, including space and 
                Earth sciences, aeronautics, and engineering;
                    (B) represent NASA as the principal interagency 
                liaison for all STEM education and training programs, 
                unless otherwise represented by the Administrator or 
                the Associate Administrator for Education;
                    (C) prepare the annual budget and advise the 
                Associate Administrator for Education and the 
                Administrator on all budgetary issues for STEM 
                education and training relative to the programs of 
                NASA;
                    (D) establish, periodically update, and maintain a 
                publicly accessible online inventory of STEM education 
                and training programs and activities;
                    (E) develop, implement, and update the STEM 
                education and training strategic plan required under 
                subsection (d);
                    (F) increase, to the maximum extent practicable, 
                the participation and advancement of women and 
                underrepresented minorities at every level of STEM 
                education and training; and
                    (G) perform such other matters relating to STEM 
                education and training as are required by the 
                Administrator or the Associate Administrator for 
                Education.
    (d) Strategic Plan.--The Director of STEM Education shall develop, 
implement, and update once every 3 years a STEM education and training 
strategic plan for NASA. The plan shall--
            (1) identify and prioritize annual and long-term STEM 
        education and training goals and objectives for NASA;
            (2) describe the role of each NASA program or activity in 
        contributing to the goals and objectives identified under 
        paragraph (1);
            (3) specify the metrics that will be used to assess 
        progress toward achieving those goals and objectives; and
            (4) describe the approaches that will be taken to assess 
        the effectiveness of each STEM education program and activity 
        supported by NASA.
    (e) Outreach to Students From Underrepresented Groups.--In carrying 
out a program authorized under this section, the Administrator shall 
give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of 
individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a; 1885b).
    (f) Consultation and Partnership With Other Agencies.--In carrying 
out the programs and activities authorized under this section, the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) consult with the Secretary of Education and the 
        Director of the National Science Foundation regarding 
        activities designed to improve elementary and secondary STEM 
        education and training; and
            (2) consult and partner with the Director of the National 
        Science Foundation in carrying out programs under this section 
        designed to build capacity in STEM education and training at 
        the undergraduate and graduate level.

SEC. 602. ASSESSMENT OF IMPEDIMENTS TO SPACE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 
              WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR MINORITY AND UNDERREPRESENTED 
              GROUPS AT NASA.

    (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
for an independent assessment of any impediments to space science and 
engineering workforce development for minority and underrepresented 
groups at NASA, including recommendations on--
            (1) measures to address such impediments;
            (2) opportunities for augmenting the impact of space 
        science and engineering workforce development activities and 
        for expanding proven, effective programs; and
            (3) best practices and lessons learned, as identified 
        through the assessment, to help maximize the effectiveness of 
        existing and future programs to increase the participation of 
        minority and underrepresented groups in the space science and 
        engineering workforce at NASA.
    (b) Report.--A report on the assessment carried out under 
subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Congress not later than 15 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Implementation.--To the extent practicable, the Administrator 
shall take all necessary steps to address any impediments identified in 
the assessment.

SEC. 603. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND 
              FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the National Space Grant College and Fellowship 
        Program, established in title II of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 
        2486 et seq.), has been an important program through which the 
        Federal Government has partnered with State and local 
        governments, universities, private industry, and other 
        organizations to enhance the understanding and use of space and 
        aeronautics activities and their benefits through education, 
        the fostering of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary space 
        research and training, and supporting Federal funding for 
        graduate fellowships in space-related fields; and
            (2) enhancing the National Space Grant College and 
        Fellowship Program's effectiveness will support the program's 
        maximum contribution to NASA's and the Nation's goals for 
        science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) 
        education and training.
    (b) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies for a review of the National Space Grant College 
and Fellowship Program, including its structure and capabilities for 
supporting STEM education and training, and recommendations on 
measures, if needed, to enhance the program's effectiveness.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the review to the Congress not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

          TITLE VII--INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES REVITALIZATION

SEC. 701. INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Modernization of Laboratories, Facilities, and Equipment.--
            (1) Strategy.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a 
                strategy for the maintenance, repair, upgrading, and 
                modernization of NASA's laboratories, facilities, and 
                equipment.
                    (B) Criteria.--The strategy shall include criteria 
                for prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks and also 
                for upgrading or modernizing laboratories, facilities, 
                and equipment.
            (2) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan for 
        implementing the strategy in paragraph (1), including a 
        timeline, milestones, and an estimate of resources required for 
        carrying out the plan.
            (3) Transmittal to congress.--The Administrator shall 
        transmit to the Congress the strategy under paragraph (1) and 
        the plan under paragraph (2) not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Establishment of Capital Fund.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        capital fund at each of NASA's field centers for the 
        modernization of facilities and laboratories.
            (2) Source of funding.--The Administrator shall ensure to 
        the maximum extent practicable that all financial savings 
        achieved by closing outdated or surplus facilities at a NASA 
        field center shall be made available to that center's capital 
        fund for the purpose of modernizing the field center's 
        facilities and laboratories and for upgrading the 
        infrastructure at the field center.

SEC. 702. JAMES E. WEBB COOPERATIVE EDUCATION DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator is authorized to establish a 
national cooperative education program to complement existing NASA 
Center-administered cooperative education initiatives.
    (b) Application Process.--The Administrator shall encourage and 
seek applications from the pool of American students pursuing science, 
technology, engineering, or mathematics degrees who wish to gain 
working experience in NASA.
    (c) Selection.--From the applications, the Administrator shall 
select 10 finalists annually as James E. Webb Cooperative Education 
Distinguished Scholars.
    (d) Award.--The James E. Webb Cooperative Education Distinguished 
Scholars shall be provided with--
            (1) learning experiences that will enhance their 
        understanding of activities conducted in the various NASA 
        Centers in furtherance of NASA's missions and priorities;
            (2) exposure to NASA headquarters functions and activities; 
        and
            (3) stipends for living expenses.

                   TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

SEC. 801. PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS WHEN 30 PERCENT THRESHOLD 
              IS EXCEEDED.

    Section 103(e) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16613(e)) is amended by striking 
``beginning 18 months after the date the Administrator transmits a 
report under subsection (d)(1)'' and inserting ``beginning 18 months 
after the Administrator makes such determination''.

SEC. 802. PROJECT AND PROGRAM RESERVES.

    To ensure that the establishment, maintenance, and allotment of 
project and program reserves contribute to prudent management, not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Congress a report describing NASA's 
criteria for establishing the amount of reserves at the project and 
program levels and how such criteria complement NASA's policy of 
budgeting at a 70 percent confidence level.

SEC. 803. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit to the Congress a report describing 
NASA's procedures for conducting independent reviews of projects and 
programs at lifecycle milestones and how NASA ensures the independence 
of the individuals who conduct those reviews prior to their assignment.

SEC. 804. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN MAJOR NASA 
              ACQUISITION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Revised Regulations Required.--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 provide 
uniform guidance and tighten existing requirements for preventing 
organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major 
acquisition programs.
    (b) Elements.--The revised regulations required by 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;
            (2) ensure that NASA receives advice, when appropriate, on 
        systems architecture and systems engineering matters with 
        respect to major acquisition programs from federally funded 
        research and development centers or other 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 may be necessary to ensure that NASA 
        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. 805. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    The Administrator shall transmit to the Congress, not later than 
April 30 of each year, an estimate of the total termination liability 
as of the end of the second fiscal quarter for all NASA contracts with 
a total value in excess of $200,000,000.

                       TITLE IX--OTHER PROVISIONS

SEC. 901. CLOUD COMPUTING.

    (a) Definition.--As defined by the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, for purposes of this section, the term ``cloud 
computing'' means a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network 
access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be 
rapidly provisioned with minimal management effort or service provider 
interaction.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after NASA has entered into a 
contract for its first use of a non-Federal cloud computing facility, 
the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a report 
detailing whether sensitive but unclassified and classified NASA 
information was processed on that facility and if so, how NASA ensured 
that data access and security requirements were in place to safeguard 
NASA's scientific and technical information.

SEC. 902. REVIEW OF PRACTICES TO DETECT AND PREVENT THE USE OF 
              COUNTERFEIT PARTS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a review of NASA's 
processes and controls to detect and prevent the use of counterfeit 
parts in NASA mission projects and related assets. The review shall 
examine--
            (1) the trends in known and identified counterfeit parts in 
        NASA's supply chain;
            (2) NASA's processes and controls to detect counterfeit 
        parts and prevent their incorporation into NASA mission 
        projects, instruments, and other mission-related assets; and
            (3) any gaps in NASA's controls and processes for detecting 
        counterfeit part and preventing their incorporation into NASA 
        missions and related assets.

SEC. 903. PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LUNAR SITES.

    (a) International Dialog.--The Director of OSTP, in cooperation of 
the Administrator, other relevant Federal agencies, commercial 
entities, and international bodies, shall enter into a dialogue to 
identify the questions and research needed to understand--
            (1) the potential adverse impacts of various uses of the 
        Moon on scientific research activities;
            (2) the potential adverse impacts of such uses on lunar 
        areas of historical, cultural, or scientific value; and
            (3) how to prevent or mitigate such impacts.
    (b) Grants Program.--The Administrator, in cooperation with other 
relevant Federal agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a grants 
program to conduct research for the purpose of identifying and 
characterizing potential impacts related to lunar activities and 
describing potential means for managing and mitigating the impacts.
    (c) International Framework.--As a result of the dialog under 
subsection (a), the Director of OSTP shall initiate an effort to 
establish a framework for identifying, protecting, and preserving lunar 
areas determined to be of significant historical, cultural, or 
scientific value.
    (d) Report.--The Director of OSTP shall provide a report on the 
results of the international dialog under subsection (a) and the 
establishment of an international framework under subsection (c), to be 
transmitted to the Congress not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 904. CONTINUITY OF MODERATE RESOLUTION LAND IMAGING REMOTE SENSING 
              DATA.

    (a) Reaffirmation of Policy.--The Congress reaffirms the finding in 
section 2(1) of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 
5601(1)) which states that ``The continuous collection and utilization 
of land remote sensing data from space are of major benefit in studying 
and understanding human impacts on the global environment, in managing 
the Earth's natural resources, in carrying out national security 
functions, and in planning and conducting many other activities of 
scientific, economic, and social importance.''.
    (b) Continuous Land Remote Sensing Data Collection.--The Director 
of OSTP shall take steps in consultation with other relevant Federal 
agencies to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the continuous 
collection of space-based medium-resolution observations of the Earth's 
land cover and to ensure that the data are made available in such ways 
as to facilitate the widest possible use.

SEC. 905. SPACE WEATHER.

    (a) Strategy and Implementation Plan.--The Director of OSTP, in 
coordination with the Administrator and with other relevant Federal 
agencies, space weather coordinating bodies, industry, academia, and 
other stakeholders, shall prepare a long-term strategy for a 
sustainable space weather program and develop a plan to implement the 
strategy. The implementation plan shall--
            (1) define individual agency responsibilities for carrying 
        out the strategy;
            (2) identify the milestones and schedule required for each 
        agency's contributions;
            (3) provide an estimate of the resources required for each 
        agency to carry out its responsibilities;
            (4) establish a process for coordinating agency 
        responsibilities, programs, and budgets required for 
        implementing the plan; and
            (5) identify opportunities for private sector and 
        international contributions to implementing the plan.
    (b) Study on Prediction.--The Director of OSTP shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies to assess the status of 
capabilities for space weather prediction and recommend the highest 
priority basic research, infrastructure, and operational needs required 
to improve the Nation's ability to predict space weather events. The 
study should also address the benefits of space weather prediction. The 
Director shall transmit the results of the study to the Congress not 
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 906. USE OF OPERATIONAL COMMERCIAL SUBORBITAL VEHICLES FOR 
              RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION.

    (a) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan describing the 
processes required to support the potential use of commercial reusable 
suborbital flight vehicles, once demonstrated and proven successful on 
an operational basis, for carrying out competitively selected 
scientific and engineering investigations and educational activities. 
The plan shall--
            (1) describe NASA, space flight operator, and supporting 
        contractor responsibilities for developing standard payload 
        interfaces, conducting payload safety analyses, payload 
        integration and processing, payload operations, and safety 
        assurance for NASA-sponsored space flight participants, among 
        other functions required to fly NASA-sponsored payloads and 
        space flight participants on commercial suborbital vehicles;
            (2) identify NASA-provided hardware, software, or services 
        that may be provided to space flight operators on a cost-
        reimbursable basis, through agreements entered into under 
        section 203(c)(5) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 
        1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(5)), or on a contractual basis; and
            (3) describe the United States Government and space flight 
        operator responsibilities for liability and indemnification 
        with respect to commercial suborbital vehicle flights that 
        involve NASA-sponsored payloads or activities, NASA-supported 
        space flight participants, or other NASA-related contributions.
    (b) Commercial Reusable Suborbital Capabilities and Risks.--The 
Administrator shall assess and characterize the potential capabilities 
and performance of commercial reusable suborbital vehicles for 
addressing scientific research, including research requiring access to 
low gravity and microgravity environments, for carrying out technology 
demonstrations related to science, exploration, or space operations 
requirements, and for providing opportunities for educating and 
training space scientists and engineers, once those vehicles become 
operational. The assessment shall also characterize the risks of using 
potential commercial reusable suborbital flights to NASA-sponsored 
researchers, investigators, and scientific investigations and flight 
hardware. The Administrator shall make a determination on the need to 
enter into arrangements with commercial reusable suborbital service 
providers for flights or flight services to acquire analytical data to 
inform the assessment.
    (c) Transmittal.--The plan and assessment described in subsections 
(a) and (b) shall be transmitted to the Congress not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (d) Indemnification and Liability.--The Administrator shall not 
proceed with a request for proposals, award any contract, commit any 
United States Government funds, or enter into any other agreement for 
the provision of a commercial reusable suborbital vehicle launch 
service until all indemnification and liability issues associated with 
the use of such systems by the United States Government shall have been 
addressed and the Administrator has provided to the Congress a report 
describing the indemnification and liability provisions that are 
planned to be included in such contracts or agreements.

SEC. 907. STUDY ON EXPORT CONTROL MATTERS RELATED TO UNITED STATES 
              ASTRONAUT SAFETY AND NASA MISSION OPERATIONS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Director of OSTP, in consultation with the 
Administrator and other relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a 
study to examine the need for a process for granting real-time, limited 
waivers to export control license restrictions or regulations that are 
necessary for United States Government entities and contractors to 
enter into technical discussions and to share technical data with 
foreign government entities and contractors to resolve anomalies that 
may--
            (1) threaten the safety of United States astronauts aboard 
        cooperative crewed spacecraft such as the ISS; or
            (2) impair the operations of international civil research 
        and other spacecraft that involve the national interests of the 
        United States.
    (b) Transmittal.--The results of the study shall be transmitted to 
the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act.

SEC. 908. AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACT OF 1958.

    Section 202 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2472) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d) The Administrator and the Deputy Administrator may be retired 
commissioned military personnel.''.

SEC. 909. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.

    (a) Responsible Official.--The Administrator shall designate a 
responsible official for coordinating NASA's near-Earth object 
observation activities and NASA's interactions with other Federal 
agencies and international entities on near-Earth object surveys, 
defense, and efforts related to addressing any threats to the United 
States posed by near-Earth objects. The responsible official shall 
report directly to the Administrator.
    (b) Reaffirmation of Policy on Near-Earth Object Survey.--The 
Congress reaffirms the direction set forth in section 321(d)(1) of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 
(42 U.S.C. 16691(d)(1)) that directed the Administrator ``to plan, 
develop, and implement a Near-Earth Object Survey program to detect, 
track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of 
near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter in 
order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the Earth''.
    (c) Plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Congress a plan for 
carrying out the direction reaffirmed by subsection (b).
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--From the funds authorized for 
Planetary Science in title I, $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2012 and 
$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2013 shall be for supporting competitively 
awarded grants for investigation of innovative approaches to carrying 
out the congressionally mandated survey of near-Earth objects equal to 
or greater than 140 meters in diameter, and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 
2014 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2015 shall be for preliminary design 
and development work on an innovative concept for carrying out the 
Congressionally mandated survey of near-Earth objects equal to or 
greater than 140 meters in diameter.
                                 <all>
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