National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016

To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I—Authorization of appropriations Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2017. TITLE II—Sustaining national space commitments Sec. 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining national space commitments. Sec. 202. Findings. TITLE III—Maximizing utilization of the ISS and low-Earth orbit Sec. 301. Operation of the ISS. Sec. 302. Transportation to ISS. Sec. 303. ISS transition plan. TITLE IV—Advancing human deep space exploration Subtitle A—Human exploration goals and objectives Sec. 411. Human exploration long-term goals. Sec. 412. Goals and objectives. Sec. 413. Vision for space exploration. Sec. 414. Exploration plan and programs. Sec. 415. Stepping stone approach to exploration. Subtitle B—Assuring core capabilities for exploration Sec. 421. Space Launch System and Orion. Subtitle C—Journey to Mars Sec. 431. Space technology infusion. Sec. 432. Findings on human space exploration. Sec. 433. Strategic framework for human spaceflight and exploration. Sec. 434. Advanced space suit capability. Sec. 435. Asteroid robotic redirect mission. Subtitle D—Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act Sec. 441. Short title. Sec. 442. Findings; sense of Congress. Sec. 443. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight. TITLE V—Advancing space science Sec. 501. Maintaining a balanced space science portfolio. Sec. 502. Planetary science. Sec. 503. James Webb Space Telescope. Sec. 504. Sense of Congress on wide-field infrared survey telescope. Sec. 505. Sense of Congress on Mars 2020 rover. Sec. 506. Europa. TITLE VI—Maximizing efficiency Subtitle A—Agency information technology and cybersecurity Sec. 611. Information technology governance. Sec. 612. Information technology strategic plan. Sec. 613. Cybersecurity. Sec. 614. Oversight implementation progress. Sec. 615. Software oversight. Sec. 616. Security management of foreign national access. Sec. 617. Cybersecurity of web applications. Subtitle B—Collaboration among mission directorates and other matters Sec. 621. Collaboration among mission directorates. Sec. 622. NASA launch capabilities collaboration. Sec. 623. Commercial space launch cooperation. Sec. 624. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts. Sec. 625. Education and outreach. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administration The term Administration (2) Administrator The term Administrator (3) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives (4) Cis-lunar space The term cis-lunar space (5) Deep space The term deep space (6) Government astronaut The term government astronaut (7) ISS The term ISS (8) ISS management entity The term ISS management entity 42 U.S.C. 18354(a) (9) NASA The term NASA (10) Orion The term Orion 42 U.S.C. 18323 (11) Space Launch System The term Space Launch System 42 U.S.C. 18302 I Authorization of appropriations 101. Fiscal year 2017 There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for fiscal year 2017, $19,508,000,000, as follows: (1) For Exploration, $4,532,000,000. (2) For Space Operations, $4,950,700,000. (3) For Science, $5,395,000,000. (4) For Aeronautics, $601,000,000. (5) For Space Technology, $686,500,000. (6) For Education, $108,000,000. (7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, $2,796,700,000. (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration, $400,000,000. (9) For Inspector General, $38,100,000. II Sustaining national space commitments 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining national space commitments (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States, in collaboration with its international, academic, and industry partners, should sustain and build upon our national space commitments and investments across Administrations with a continuity of purpose to advance recent achievements of space exploration and space science to extend humanity’s reach into deep space, including cis-lunar space, the Moon, the surface and moons of Mars, and beyond; (2) NASA leaders can best leverage investments in the United States space program by continuing to develop a balanced portfolio for space exploration and space science, including continued development of the Space Launch System, Orion, Commercial Crew and Commercial Resupply Services, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the ongoing operations of the International Space Station; (3) a national, government-led space program that builds on current science and exploration programs and advances human knowledge and capabilities and opens the frontier beyond Earth for ourselves, our international partners, commercial enterprise, and science is of critical importance to our national destiny and to a future guided by United States values and freedoms; (4) continuity of purpose and effective execution of core NASA programs are essential for efficient use of resources in pursuit of timely and tangible accomplishments; (5) NASA could improve its efficiency and effectiveness by working with industry to streamline existing programs and requirements, procurement practices, institutional footprint, and bureaucracy while preserving effective program oversight, accountability, and safety; (6) United States Government astronauts changed the trajectory of human history toward the promise of the stars, and it is imperative that the United States maintain and enhance its leadership in space exploration and continue to expand freedom and opportunities in space for all Americans that are consistent with the Constitution of the United States; and (7) NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a balanced and robust set of core missions in science, space technology, aeronautics, human space flight and exploration, and education. 202. Findings (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Challenges of the past, such as the cancellation of major programs, have disrupted completion of major space systems thereby— (A) impeding planning and pursuit of national objectives in human space exploration; (B) placing the Nation’s investment in space exploration at risk; and (C) degrading the aerospace industrial base. (2) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq. (3) Sustaining the investment and maximizing utilization of the ISS and ISS National Laboratory with our international and industry partners is— (A) consistent with the goals and objectives of the United States space program; and (B) imperative to continuing United States global leadership in human space exploration, science, research, technology development, and education opportunities that contribute to development of the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and leaders, and to creating the opportunity for economic development of low-Earth orbit. (4) NASA has made measurable progress in development and testing of the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the near-term objectives of the initial integrated test flight and launch in 2018, a human mission in 2021, and continued missions in cis-lunar space and eventually to the surface of Mars. (5) The Commercial Crew Program is on schedule to reestablish the capability to launch United States government astronauts from United States soil into orbit by the end of 2018. (6) The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, in its 2015 Annual Report, urged continuity of purpose noting concerns over the potential for cost overruns and schedule slips that could accompany significant changes to core NASA programs. III Maximizing utilization of the ISS and low-Earth orbit 301. Operation of the ISS (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) after 15 years of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, the ISS continues to overcome challenges and operate safely; (2) expansion of partnerships, scientific research, commercial applications, and exploration testbed capabilities of the ISS is essential to ensuring the greatest return on investments made by the United States and its international space partners in the development, assembly, and operations of that unique facility; (3) stable and successful Commercial Cargo and Commercial Crew programs are critical to ensuring timely provisioning of the ISS and to reestablishing the capability to launch United States government astronauts from United States soil into orbit; (4) sustaining United States leadership and progress in human space exploration is enabled by continuing utilization of the ISS— (A) to facilitate the commercialization and economic development of low-Earth orbit; (B) to serve as a testbed for technologies, and to conduct scientific research and development; and (C) as an orbital facility enabling research upon— (i) the health, well-being, and performance of humans in space; and (ii) the development of in-space systems enabling human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; (5) the Administrator should continue to support the development of the Commercial Crew Program as planned to end reliance upon Russian transport of United States government astronauts to the ISS which has not been possible since the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011; and (6) the ISS should continue to provide a platform for fundamental, microgravity, discovery-based space life and physical sciences research that is critical for enabling space exploration, protecting humans in space, increasing pathways for commercial space development that depend on advances in basic research, and contribute to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research. (b) Continuation of the ISS Congress reaffirms the policy set forth in section 501 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18351 302. Transportation to ISS (a) Sense of Congress on commercial crew and commercial cargo programs It is the sense of Congress that— (1) NASA should build upon the success of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services and Commercial Resupply Services programs that have allowed private sector companies to partner with NASA to deliver cargo and scientific experiments to the ISS since 2012; (2) once certified to meet NASA’s safety and reliability requirements and fully operational to meet ISS crew transfer needs, the Commercial Crew Program transportation systems should serve as the primary means of transporting United States government astronauts and international partner astronauts from United States soil to and from the ISS; (3) Commercial Crew Program transportation systems should have the capability of serving as ISS emergency crew rescue vehicles; (4) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program has enabled significant modernization and infrastructure improvements as launch sites across the United States to support NASA's Commercial Resupply Services and other civil and commercial space flight missions; and (5) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program should be continued in a manner that leverages State and private investments to achieve the goals of the program. (b) United States policy It is the policy of the United States that, to foster the competitive development, operation, improvement and commercial availability of space transportation services, services for Federal Government access to and return from the ISS, whenever practicable, shall be procured via fair and open competition for well-defined, milestone-based, Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts under section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18311(a) (c) Commercial cargo program Section 401 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18341 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Commercial Resupply Services (d) Crew safety The Administrator shall protect the safety of United States crews by ensuring commercial crew systems meet all applicable human rating requirements in accordance with section 403(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18342(b)(1) 303. ISS transition plan (a) Findings Congress finds that NASA has been both the primary supplier and consumer of human space flight capabilities and services of the ISS and in low-Earth orbit. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that an orderly transition is needed for United States human space flight activities in low-Earth orbit from the current regime, that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship, to a regime where NASA is one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit commercial human space flight enterprise. (c) Reports Section 50111 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) ISS transition plan (1) In general The Administrator, in coordination with the ISS management entity, ISS partners, the scientific user community, and the commercial space sector shall develop a plan to transition in a step-wise approach from the current regime that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship to a regime where NASA is one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit commercial human space flight enterprise. (2) Reports Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 (A) an identification of low-Earth orbit capabilities necessary to meet the Administration’s deep space human space flight exploration objectives and mission requirements beyond the period of operation and utilization of the ISS described in section 503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18353 (B) steps NASA is taking and will take, including demonstrations that could be conducted on the ISS, to stimulate and facilitate commercial demand and supply of products and services in low-Earth orbit; (C) an assessment of current and projected commercial activities in low-Earth orbit, including on the ISS, and their potential for meeting the capabilities identified in subparagraph (A); (D) an identification of barriers preventing the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, including issues relating to policy, regulations, commercial intellectual property, data, and confidentiality that could inhibit the use of the ISS as a commercial incubator; (E) an evaluation of the feasible and preferred service life of the ISS beyond the period described in section 503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18353 (i) a general discussion of international partner capabilities and prospects for extending the partnership, to include the potential for participation by additional countries, for the purposes of the human development and exploration of deep space; (ii) a review of essential systems, equipment upgrades, or potential maintenance that would be necessary to extend ISS operations and utilization; (iii) an evaluation of the cost and schedule requirements associated with the development and delivery of essential systems, equipment upgrades, or potential maintenance identified under clause (ii); (iv) an identification of possible international, academic, or industry partner contributions, cost-share, and program transitions to provide the upgrades identified under clause (ii); (v) impacts on the goals and objectives of the ISS National Laboratory and the management entity responsible for operation of the ISS National Laboratory; (vi) impacts on services provided by the Commercial Resupply Services and Commercial Crew Program to the ISS; (vii) impacts on the use of the ISS as a testbed to transition functions of the ISS to the commercial space sector and enhance economic development of low-Earth orbit, including the evolution of self-sustaining commercial activities; (viii) an assessment on the technical limiting factor of the ISS lifetime, including a list of critical components and their expected lifetime and availability; (ix) an evaluation of the potential for expanding the use of ISS facilities to accommodate the needs of researchers and other users, including changes to policies, regulations, and laws that would stimulate greater private and public involvement on the ISS; and (x) such other information as may be necessary to fully describe the justification for and feasibility of extending the service life of the ISS, including the potential scientific or technological benefits to the Federal Government or public, or to academic or commercial entities; (F) an evaluation of the functions, roles, and responsibilities for management and operation of the ISS and a determination of— (i) those functions, roles, and responsibilities the Federal Government should retain during the lifecycle of the ISS; (ii) those functions, roles, and responsibilities that could be transferred to the commercial space sector; (iii) the metrics that would indicate the commercial space sector's readiness and ability to assume the functions, roles, and responsibilities described in clause (ii); and (iv) any necessary changes to any agreements or other documents and the law to enable the activities described in subparagraphs (B) and (C); and (G) progress on meeting human exploration research objectives on ISS and prospects for accomplishing future exploration and other research objectives on future commercially supplied low-Earth orbit platforms or migration of those objectives to cis-lunar space. (3) Demonstrations Demonstrations identified under paragraph (2) may— (A) test the capabilities described in paragraph (2)(A); and (B) demonstrate or test capabilities, including commercial modules or deep space habitats, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, orbital satellite assembly, exploration space suits, a node that enables a wide variety of activity, including multiple commercial modules and airlocks, additional docking or berthing ports for commercial crew and cargo, opportunities for the commercial space sector to cost share for transportation and other services on the ISS, and other commercial activities. . IV Advancing human deep space exploration A Human exploration goals and objectives 411. Human exploration long-term goals Section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18312(a) (a) Long-term goals The long-term goals of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— (1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners; and (2) the peaceful settlement of a location in space or on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st century. . 412. Goals and objectives Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18312(b) (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ; and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) to achieve human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation, on the surface of Mars. . 413. Vision for space exploration Section 20302 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting in cis-lunar space or sustained human presence (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: (b) Future exploration of Mars The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch System and Orion, to enable humans to explore Mars and other destinations by defining a series of sustainable steps and conducting mission planning, research, and technology development on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible, consistent with section 70504. . 414. Exploration plan and programs Section 70502(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) implement an exploration research and technology development program to enable human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title; . 415. Stepping stone approach to exploration Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration (a) In general In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term exploration and utilization activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and industry partners to ensure that activities in the Administration's human exploration program balance how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars. (b) Completion Within budgetary considerations, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to complete that project without undue delays. . B Assuring core capabilities for exploration 421. Space Launch System and Orion (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) NASA has made steady progress in developing and testing the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the successful Exploration Flight Test of Orion in December of 2014, the final qualification test firing of the 5-segment Space Launch System boosters in June 2016, and a full thrust, full duration test firing of the RS–25 Space Launch System core stage engine in August 2016. (2) Through the 21st Century Launch Complex program and Exploration Ground Systems (referred to in this section as EGS (b) Sense of Congress on Space Launch System, Orion, and EGS It is the sense of Congress that— (1) as the United States works to send humans on a series of missions on or near Mars in the 2030s, the United States national space program should continue to make progress on its commitment by fully developing the Space Launch System, Orion, and related exploration ground systems; (2) using the Space Launch System and Orion for a wide range of contemplated missions will facilitate the national defense, science, and exploration objectives of the United States; and (3) continuity of purpose within the Space Launch System and Orion programs are imperative as NASA prepares for the uncrewed mission, EM–1, planned for 2018 followed by the crewed mission, EM–2, in cis-lunar space planned for 2021, and for subsequent missions beginning with EM–3 extending into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. (c) In general (1) Exploration missions The Administrator shall continue development of— (A) an uncrewed exploration mission to demonstrate the capability of both the Space Launch System and Orion as an integrated system by 2018; (B) a crewed exploration mission to demonstrate the Space Launch System, including the Core Stage and Exploration Upper Stages, and the crewed Orion by 2021; (C) subsequent missions beginning with EM–3 using the Space Launch System and Orion to extend into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; and (D) development of a deep space habitat as the next element in a deep space exploration architecture along with the Space Launch System and Orion. (2) Other uses The Administrator shall assess the utility of the Space Launch System for use by the science community and for other Federal Government launch needs, including consideration of overall cost and schedule savings from reduced transit times and increased science returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space Launch System. C Journey to Mars 431. Space technology infusion (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that advancing propulsion technology would improve the efficiency of trips to Mars and could shorten travel time to Mars and reduce astronaut health risks, reduce radiation exposure, consumables, and mass of materials required for the journey. (b) Policy It is the policy of the United States that the Administrator shall develop technologies to support the Administration’s core missions as described in section 2(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18301(3) (c) Propulsion technologies A goal of propulsion technologies developed under subsection (b), shall be to significantly reduce human travel time to Mars. 432. Findings on human space exploration Congress makes the following findings: (1) In accordance with section 204 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 2813), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, through its Committee on Human Spaceflight, conducted a review of the goals, core capabilities, and direction of human space flight, and published the findings and recommendations in a 2014 report entitled, Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration (2) The Committee on Human Spaceflight included leaders from the aerospace, scientific, security, and policy communities. (3) With input from the public, the Committee on Human Spaceflight concluded that many practical and aspirational rationales for human space flight together constitute a compelling case for continued national investment and pursuit of human space exploration toward the horizon goal of Mars. (4) According to the Committee on Human Spaceflight, the rationales include economic benefits, national security, national prestige, inspiring students and other citizens, scientific discovery, human survival, and a sense of shared destiny. (5) The Committee on Human Spaceflight affirmed that Mars is the appropriate long-term goal for the human space flight program. (6) The Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended that NASA define a series of sustainable steps and conduct mission planning and technology development as needed to achieve the long-term goal of placing humans on the surface of Mars. (7) Expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives. (8) In addition to the 2014 report described in paragraph (1), there are several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including NASA's The Global Exploration Roadmap NASA's Journey to Mars–Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration Minimal Architecture for Human Journeys to Mars The Humans to Mars Report 2016 433. Strategic framework for human spaceflight and exploration (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars in the 2030s requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives; (2) for strong and sustained United States leadership, a need exists to advance a strategic framework, addressing exploration objectives in collaboration with international, academic, and industry partners; (3) an approach that incrementally advances toward a long-term goal is one in which nearer-term developments and implementation would influence future development and implementation; and (4) a strategic framework should begin with low-Earth orbit, then address progress beyond low-Earth orbit to cis-lunar space in greater detail than future missions ultimately aimed at human arrival and activities on or near Mars. (b) Strategic framework (1) In general The Administrator shall develop a strategic framework, including, a critical decision plan, to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit, including to cis-lunar space, the moons of Mars, the surface of Mars, and beyond. (2) Scope The strategic framework shall include— (A) an integrated set of exploration, science, and other goals and objectives of a United States human space exploration program with the long-term goal of human missions near to or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s; (B) opportunities for international, academic, and industry partnerships for exploration-related systems, services, research, and technology if those opportunities provide cost-savings, accelerate program schedules, or otherwise benefit the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A); (C) precursor missions in cis-lunar space and other missions or activities necessary to meet the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A); (D) capabilities and technologies, including the Space Launch System, Orion, a deep space habitat, and other capabilities, that enable the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A); (E) a description of how cis-lunar elements, objectives, and activities advance the human exploration of Mars; (F) an assessment of potential human health and other risks, including radiation exposure; and (G) mitigation plans, whenever possible, to address the risks identified in subparagraph (F). (3) Considerations In developing the strategic framework, the Administrator shall consider— (A) using key exploration capabilities, namely the Space Launch System and Orion; (B) using existing commercially available technologies and capabilities or those technologies and capabilities being developed by industry for commercial purposes; (C) an organizational approach to ensure collaboration and coordination among NASA's Mission Directorates under section 621, when appropriate; (D) building upon the initial uncrewed mission, EM–1, and first crewed mission, EM–2, of the Space Launch System and Orion to establish a sustainable cadence of missions extending human exploration missions into cis-lunar space; (E) developing the precursor missions and activities that will demonstrate, test, and develop key technologies and capabilities essential for achieving human missions to Mars, including long-duration human operations beyond low-Earth orbit, space suits, solar electric propulsion, deep space habitats, environmental control life support systems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, descent, landing, ascent, Mars surface systems, and in-situ resource utilization; (F) demonstrating and testing one or more habitat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare for Mars missions; (G) using public-private, firm fixed-price partnerships, where practicable; (H) collaborating with international, academic, and industry partners, when appropriate; (I) risks to human health and sensitive onboard technologies, including radiation exposure; (J) evaluating the risks identified through research outcomes under the NASA Human Research Program's Behavioral Health Element; and (K) the recommendations and ideas of several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including the reports described under section 432(8). (4) Critical decision plan on human space exploration As part of the strategic framework, the Administrator shall include a critical decision plan— (A) identifying and defining key decisions guiding human space exploration priorities and plans that need to be made before June 30, 2020, including decisions that may guide human space exploration capability development, precursor missions, long-term missions, and activities; and (B) defining decisions needed to maximize efficiencies and resources for reaching the near, intermediate, and long-term goals and objectives of human space exploration. (5) Reports The Administrator shall submit an initial strategic framework, including a critical decision plan, to the appropriate committee of Congress before December 31, 2017, and an updated strategic framework biennially thereafter. 434. Advanced space suit capability (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a detailed plan for achieving an advanced space suit capability that aligns with the crew needs for exploration enabled by the space launch system and Orion, including an evaluation of the merit of delivering the planned suit system for use on the ISS. (b) Considerations In developing the detailed plan under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider leveraging NASA's existing investments and technologies. 435. Asteroid robotic redirect mission (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) NASA initially estimated that the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission would launch in December 2020 and cost no more than $1.25 billion, excluding launch and operations. (2) On July 15, 2016, NASA conducted its Key Decision Point–B review of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission or approval for Phase B in mission formulation. (3) During the Key Decision Point–B review, NASA estimated that costs have grown to $1.4 billion excluding launch and operations for a launch in December 2021 and the agency must evaluate whether to accept the increase or reduce the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission’s scope to stay within the cost cap set by the Administrator. (4) In April 2015, the NASA Advisory Council— (A) issued a finding that— (i) high-performance solar electric propulsion will likely be an important part of an architecture to send humans to Mars; and (ii) maneuvering a large test mass is not necessary to provide a valid in-space test of a new solar electric propulsion stage; (B) determined that a solar electric propulsion mission will contribute more directly to the goal of sending humans to Mars if the mission is focused entirely on development and validation of the solar electric propulsion stage; and (C) determined that other possible motivations for acquiring and maneuvering a boulder, such as asteroid science and planetary defense, do not have value commensurate with their probable cost. (5) The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission is competing for resources with other critical exploration development programs, including the Space Launch System, Orion, commercial crew, and a habitation module. (6) In 2014, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that NASA conduct an independent cost and technical assessment of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. (7) NASA completed the assessment under paragraph (6) and reviewed it as part of the agency’s Key Decision Point–B review. (8) In 2015, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that NASA preserve the following key objectives if the program needed to be descoped: (A) Development of high power solar electric propulsion. (B) Ability to maneuver in a low gravity environment in deep space. (9) In January 2015 and July 2015, the NASA Advisory Council expressed its concern to NASA about the potential for growing costs for the program and highlighted that choices would need to be made about the program’s content. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the technological and scientific goals of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission may not be commensurate with the cost; and (2) alternative missions may provide a more cost effective and scientifically beneficial means to demonstrate the technologies needed for a human mission to Mars that would otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. (c) Evaluation and report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) conduct an evaluation of— (A) alternative approaches to the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission for demonstrating the technologies and capabilities needed for a human mission to Mars that would otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission; (B) the scientific and technical benefits of the alternatives approaches identified in subparagraph (A) compared to the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission to future human exploration; (C) the commercial benefits of the alternative approaches identified in subparagraph (A), including the impact on the development of domestic solar electric propulsion technology to bolster United States competitiveness in the global marketplace; and (D) a comparison of the estimated costs of the alternative approaches identified in subparagraph (A); and (2) submit to the appropriate Committees of Congress a report on the evaluation under paragraph (1), including any recommendations. D Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act 441. Short title This subtitle may be cited as the Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act 442. Findings; sense of Congress (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Human space exploration can pose significant challenges and is full of substantial risk, which has ultimately claimed the lives of 24 National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts serving in the line of duty. (2) As United States government astronauts participate in long-duration and exploration spaceflight missions they may experience increased health risks, such as vision impairment, bone demineralization, and behavioral health and performance risks, and may be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation and microgravity can result in acute and long-term health consequences that can increase the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration and have potential effects on the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune function, and vision. (3) To advance the goal of long-duration and exploration spaceflight missions, United States government astronaut Scott Kelly participated in a 1-year twins study in space while his identical twin brother, former United States government astronaut Mark Kelly, acted as a human control specimen on Earth, providing an understanding of the physical, behavioral, microbiological, and molecular reaction of the human body to an extended period of time in space. (4) Since the Administration currently provides medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for United States government astronauts during their active employment, given the unknown long-term health consequences of long-duration space exploration, the Administration has requested statutory authority from Congress to provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to former crewmembers of human space flights for psychological and medical conditions associated with human space flight. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should continue to seek the unknown and lead the world in space exploration and scientific discovery as the Administration prepares for long-duration and exploration spaceflight in deep space and an eventual mission to Mars; (2) data relating to the health of astronauts will become increasingly valuable to improving our understanding of many diseases humans face on Earth; (3) the Administration should provide the type of monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection (a) only for conditions the Administration considers unique to the training or exposure to the spaceflight environment of crewmembers of human space flights and should not require any former crewmembers to participate in the Administration’s monitoring; (4) such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should not replace a former crewmember’s private health insurance; (5) expanded data acquired from such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should be used to tailor treatment, inform the requirements for new spaceflight medical hardware, and develop controls in order to prevent disease occurrence in the astronaut corps; (6) the Administration's existing radiation exposure standards, which have been used for missions pertaining to the Space Shuttle and the ISS, would limit missions to durations of 150 to 250 days and would pose significant challenges to long-duration or exploration spaceflight or a multiyear mission to Mars; and (7) the 340-day space mission of Scott Kelly aboard the ISS— (A) was pivotal for the goal of the United States for humans to explore deep space and Mars as the mission generated new insight into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration space flight; and (B) will help support the physical and mental well-being of astronauts during longer space exploration missions in the future. 443. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight (a) In general Subchapter III of chapter 201 20148. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may provide for the medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of a United States government astronaut, or a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist for conditions that the Administrator considers associated with human space flight, including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions. (b) Exclusions The Administrator may not— (1) provide for medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of a United States government astronaut, or a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist under subsection (a) for any psychological or medical condition that is not associated with human space flight; or (2) require a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist to participate in the monitoring authorized under subsection (a). (c) Privacy Consistent with applicable provisions of law relating to privacy, the Administrator shall protect the privacy of all medical records generated under subsection (a) and accessible to the Administration. (d) Regulations The Administrator shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section. . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for chapter 201 section 20147 20148. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight. . V Advancing space science 501. Maintaining a balanced space science portfolio (a) Science portfolio Section 803 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–267 803. Overall science portfolio Congress restates its sense that— (1) a balanced and adequately funded set of activities, consisting of research and analysis grants programs, technology development, suborbital research activities, and small, medium, and large space missions, contributes to a robust and productive science program and serves as a catalyst for innovation and discovery; and (2) the Administrator should set science priorities by following the guidance provided by the scientific community through the National Academy of Sciences’ decadal surveys. . (b) Conforming amendment The item relating to section 803 in the table of contents in section 1(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–267 Overall science portfolio-sense of the Congress Overall science portfolio 502. Planetary science (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) Administration support for planetary science is critical to enabling greater understanding of the solar system and the origin of the Earth; (2) the United States leads the world in planetary science and can augment its success in that area with appropriate international, academic, and industry partnerships; (3) a mix of small, medium, and large planetary science missions is required to sustain a steady cadence of planetary exploration; and (4) robotic planetary exploration is a key component of preparing for future human exploration. (b) Mission priorities (1) In general In accordance with the priorities established in the most recent decadal survey for planetary science, the Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and flagship missions. (2) Mission priority adjustments Consistent with the set of missions described in paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing budget projections. 503. James Webb Space Telescope (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the James Webb Space Telescope should significantly advance our understanding of star and planet formation, improve our knowledge of the early universe, and support United States leadership in astrophysics; and (2) consistent with annual Government Accountability Office reviews of the James Webb Space Telescope program, the Administrator should continue robust surveillance of the performance of the James Webb Space Telescope project and continue to improve the reliability of cost estimates and contractor performance data and other major spaceflight projects in order to enhance NASA’s ability to successfully deliver the James Webb Space Telescope on-time and within budget. 504. Sense of Congress on wide-field infrared survey telescope It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (commonly known as WFIRST (2) the Administrator, to the extent practicable, should make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed to position the Administration to meet the objectives, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies’ Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. 505. Sense of Congress on Mars 2020 rover It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a Mars rover and to enable the return of samples to Earth, should remain a priority for NASA; and (2) the Mars 2020 mission— (A) should significantly increase our understanding of Mars; (B) should help determine whether life previously existed on that planet; and (C) should provide opportunities to gather knowledge and demonstrate technologies that address the challenges of future human expeditions to Mars. 506. Europa (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Studies of Europa, Jupiter's moon, indicate that Europa may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key ingredients known to support life on Earth, including liquid water, heat, chemistry, and time. (2) In 2012, using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA scientists observed water vapor around the south polar region of Europa, which provides potential evidence of water plumes in that region. (3) For decades, the Europa mission has consistently ranked as a high priority mission for the scientific community. (4) The Europa mission was ranked as the top priority mission in the previous Planetary Science Decadal Survey and ranked as the second-highest priority in the current Planetary Science Decadal Survey. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Europa mission could provide another avenue in which to capitalize on our Nation’s current investment in the Space Launch System that would significantly reduce the transit time for such a deep space mission; and (2) a scientific, robotic exploration mission to Europa, as prioritized in both Planetary Science Decadal Surveys, should be supported. VI Maximizing efficiency A Agency information technology and cybersecurity 611. Information technology governance (a) In general The Administrator, in consultation with the chief information officer of NASA, shall— (1) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has a significant role in the management, governance, and oversight processes related to information technology operations and investments and information security programs for the protection of NASA systems; (2) establish the NASA Chief Information Officer as a direct report to the Administrator; (3) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has the appropriate resources and insight to oversee NASA information technology and information security operations and investments; (4) provide an information technology program management framework to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of information technology investments, including relying on metrics for identifying and reducing potential duplication, waste, and cost; (5) establish a monetary threshold for all agency information technology investments and related contracts, including non-highly and highly specialized and specialized information technology, regardless of the procurement instrument, over which the NASA Chief Information Officer shall have final approval; (6) improve the operational linkage between the NASA Chief Information Officer and each NASA mission directorate, center, and mission support office to ensure both agency and mission needs are considered in agency-wide information technology and information security management and oversight; (7) review the portfolio of information technology investments and spending, including information technology-related investments included as part of activities within NASA mission directorates that may not be considered information technology, to ensure investments are recognized and reported appropriately based on guidance from the Office of Management and Budget; (8) consider appropriate revisions to the charters of information technology boards and councils that inform information technology investment and operation decisions; and (9) consider whether the Chief Information Officer should have a seat on any boards or councils described in paragraph (8). 612. Information technology strategic plan (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), the NASA Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the chief information officer of each Administration center, shall develop an information technology strategic plan to guide NASA information technology management and strategic objectives. (b) Requirements In developing the strategic plan, the NASA Chief Information Officer shall ensure that the strategic plan is consistent with— (1) the deadline under section 306(a) of title 5, United States Code; and (2) the requirements under section 3506 of title 44, United States Code. (c) Contents The strategic plan shall include— (1) near and long-term goals and objectives for leveraging information technology; (2) a plan for how the NASA Chief Information Officer will submit to Congress of a list of information technology projects, including completion dates and risk level in accordance with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget; (3) an implementation overview for an agency-wide centralized approach to information technology investments and operations, including reducing barriers to cross-center collaboration; (4) coordination by the NASA Chief Information Officer with centers and mission directorates to ensure that information technology policies are effectively and efficiently implemented across the agency; (5) a plan to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of information technology investments, including a description of how unnecessarily duplicative, wasteful, legacy, or outdated information technology across NASA will be identified and eliminated, and a schedule for the identification and elimination of such information technology; (6) a plan for improving the information security of agency information and agency information systems, including improving security control assessments and role-based security training of employees; and (7) submission by the NASA Chief Information Officer to Congress of information regarding high risk projects and cybersecurity risks. (d) Congressional oversight The NASA Chief Information Officer shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the strategic plan under subsection (a) and any updates thereto. 613. Cybersecurity (a) Finding The security of NASA information and information systems is vital to the success of the mission of the agency. (b) Information security plan Section 1207 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18445 (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as subsections (b) through (d), respectively; (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated, the following: (a) Agency-Wide information security plan (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 (2) Information security plan Subject to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the chief information officer of NASA, shall develop an agency-wide information security plan to enhance information security for NASA information and information infrastructure. (3) Requirements In developing the plan under paragraph (2), the chief information officer shall ensure that the plan— (A) is consistent with policies, standards, guidelines, and directives on information security under subchapter II of chapter 35 (B) is consistent with the standards and guidelines under section 11331 of title 40, United States Code; and (C) meets applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology information security standards and guidelines. (4) Approval The chief information officer shall submit the plan to the Administrator for approval prior to its implementation. (5) Contents The plan shall include— (A) an overview of the requirements of the information security system; (B) an agency-wide risk management framework for information security; (C) a description of the information security system management controls and common controls that are necessary to ensure compliance with information security-related requirements; (D) an identification and assignment of roles, responsibilities, and management commitment for information security at the agency; (E) coordination among organizational entities, including between each center, facility, mission directorate, and mission support office, and among agency entities responsible for different aspects of information security; (F) heightened consideration of the need to protect the information security of mission-critical systems and activities and high-impact and moderate-impact information systems; and (G) a schedule of frequent reviews and updates, as necessary, of the plan. ; and (3) in subsection (b), as redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (D) an update on the agency’s efforts to apply additional information security protections to secure high-impact and moderate-impact information systems and mission-critical systems and activities, including those systems that control spacecraft and maintain critical data sources. ; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking section 3545 section 3555 614. Oversight implementation progress Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter until the information security plan under section 1207 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18445 (1) the information security plan under that section; and (2) the information security-related recommendations made by the NASA Inspector General and the Comptroller General in the 5 years preceding the date of enactment of this Act. 615. Software oversight The Administrator shall— (1) develop a strategic plan to transition NASA from legacy software by adopting a service-based acquisition model in line with industry best practices; (2) develop and implement an agency-wide software license management policy to improve centralization, lifecycle management, and procurement education, including education on contract negotiations, relevant laws and regulations, and agency-wide contract terms and conditions; and (3) direct an agency-wide inventory of NASA's total software licenses and spending, including costs, benefits, usage, and trending data. 616. Security management of foreign national access The Administrator shall notify the appropriate committees of Congress when the agency has implemented the information technology security recommendations from the National Academy of Public Administration on foreign national access management, based on reports from January 2014 and March 2016. 617. Cybersecurity of web applications Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the NASA Chief Information Officer shall— (1) develop a plan, including such actions and milestones as are necessary, to fully remediate security vulnerabilities of NASA web applications within a timely fashion after discovery; and (2) implement the recommendation from the NASA Inspector General in the audit report dated July 10, 2014, (IG–14–023) to remove from the Internet or secure with a web application firewall all NASA web applications in development or testing mode. B Collaboration among mission directorates and other matters 621. Collaboration among mission directorates The Administrator shall encourage an interdisciplinary approach among all NASA mission directorates and divisions, whenever appropriate, for projects or missions— (1) to improve coordination, and encourage collaboration and early planning on scope; (2) to determine areas of overlap or alignment; (3) to find ways to leverage across divisional perspectives to maximize the outcomes; and (4) to be more efficient with resources and funds. 622. NASA launch capabilities collaboration (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Launch Services Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial launch services for NASA’s science and robotic missions. (2) The Commercial Crew Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial crew transportation systems. (3) The Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program have worked together to gain exceptional technical insight into the contracted launch service providers that are common to both programs. (4) The Launch Services Program has a long history of oversight of 12 different launch vehicles and over 80 launches. (5) Co-location of the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program has enabled the Commercial Crew Program to efficiently obtain the launch vehicle technical expertise of and provide engineering and analytical support to the Commercial Crew Program. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program each benefit from communication and coordination of launch manifests, technical information, and common launch vehicle insight between the programs; and (2) such communication and coordination is enabled by the co-location of the programs. (c) In general The Administrator shall pursue a strategy for acquisition of crewed transportation services and non-crewed launch services that continues to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination between the Launch Services Program and the Commercial Crew Program. 623. Commercial space launch cooperation (a) Finding Congress recognized the benefit of commercial space launch cooperation between the Federal Government and the private sector when it granted the Secretary of Defense authority to foster cooperation between the Department of Defense and certain covered entities relating to space transportation infrastructure under section 2276 of title 10, United States Code. (b) In general Chapter 505 50507. Commercial launch cooperation (a) Authority for agreements relating to space transportation infrastructure Notwithstanding section 50504, the Administrator— (1) may enter into an agreement with a covered entity to provide the covered entity with support and services related to the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration— (A) to maximize the use of the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration by the private sector in the United States; and (B) to encourage commercial space activities by enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration; and (2) at the request of the covered entity, may include that support and services in the contracted space launch and reentry range support requirements of the Administration if— (A) the Administrator determines that including that support and services in the requirements— (i) is in the best interest of the Federal Government; (ii) does not interfere with the requirements of the Administration; and (iii) does not compete with the commercial space activities of other covered entities; and (B) any commercial requirement included in the agreement has full non-Federal funding before the execution of the agreement. (b) Contributions (1) In general The Administrator may enter into an agreement with a covered entity on a cooperative and voluntary basis to accept funds, services, and equipment to carry out the purposes in subsection (a)(1). (2) Use of contributions Any funds, services, or equipment accepted by the Administrator under this subsection— (A) may be used only for the objectives specified in this section in accordance with terms of use set forth in the agreement entered into under this subsection; and (B) shall be managed by the Administrator in accordance with regulations promulgated under subsection (d). (3) Requirements with respect to agreements An agreement entered into with a covered entity under this subsection shall— (A) address the terms of use, ownership, and disposition of the funds, services, or equipment contributed under the agreement; and (B) include a provision that the covered entity will not recover the costs of its contribution through any other agreement with the United States. (c) Annual report Not later than January 31 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the process used to establish agreements under subsections (a) and (b), including noticing announcements of opportunities and criteria for selecting a covered entity, and the funds, services, and equipment accepted and used by the Administrator under this section during the preceding fiscal year. (d) Regulations The Administrator shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered entity In this section, the term covered entity (A) a non-Federal entity that— (i) is organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States; and (ii) is engaged in commercial space activities; or (B) an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a non-Federal entity described in subparagraph (A). (2) Launch support facilities The term launch support facilities (3) Space recovery support facilities The term space recovery support facilities (4) Space transportation infrastructure The term space transportation infrastructure . (c) Table of contents The table of contents for chapter 505 50507. Commercial space launch cooperation. . 624. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) A 2012 investigation by the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate (2) Since 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States has identified in 3 separate reports the risks and challenges associated with counterfeit parts and counterfeit prevention at both the Department of Defense and NASA, including inconsistent definitions of counterfeit parts, poorly targeted quality control practices, and potential barriers to improvements to these practices. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in the NASA supply chain poses a danger to United States government astronauts, crew, and other personnel and a risk to the agency overall. (c) Regulations (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the NASA Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to improve the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts in the supply chain. (2) Contractor responsibilities In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— (A) require each covered contractor— (i) to detect and avoid the use or inclusion of any counterfeit parts in electronic parts or products that contain electronic parts; and (ii) to take such corrective actions as the Administrator considers necessary to remedy the use or inclusion described in clause (i); (iii) including a subcontractor, to notify the applicable NASA contracting officer not later than 30 calendar days after the date the covered contractor becomes aware, or has reason to suspect, that any end item, component, part or material contained in supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by a covered contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on behalf of, NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic part or suspect counterfeit electronic part; (B) prohibit the cost of counterfeit electronic parts, suspect counterfeit electronic parts, and any corrective action described under subparagraph (A)(ii) from being included as allowable costs under agency contracts, unless— (i) the covered contractor has an operational system to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts that has been reviewed and approved by NASA or the Department of Defense; and (ii) the covered contractor has provided the notice under subparagraph (A)(iii); or (iii) the counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts were provided to the covered contractor as Government property in accordance with part 45 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (3) Suppliers of electronic parts In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— (A) require NASA and covered contractors, including subcontractors, at all tiers— (i) to obtain electronic parts that are in production or currently available in stock from— (I) the original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers; or (II) suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers; and (ii) to obtain electronic parts that are not in production or currently available in stock from suppliers that meet qualification requirements established under subparagraph (C); (B) establish documented requirements consistent with published industry standards or Government contract requirements for— (i) notification of the agency; and (ii) inspection, testing, and authentication of electronic parts that NASA or a covered contractor, including a subcontractor, obtains from any source other than a source described in subparagraph (A); (C) establish qualification requirements, consistent with the requirements of section 2319 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to which NASA may identify suppliers that have appropriate policies and procedures in place to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts; and (D) authorize a covered contractor, including a subcontractor, to identify and use additional suppliers beyond those identified under subparagraph (C) if— (i) the standards and processes for identifying such suppliers comply with established industry standards; (ii) the covered contractor assumes responsibility for the authenticity of parts provided by such suppliers under paragraph (2); and (iii) the selection of such suppliers is subject to review and audit by NASA. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered contractor The term covered contractor (2) Electronic part The term electronic part 625. Education and outreach (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) United States competitiveness in the 21st century requires engaging the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as STEM (2) the Administration is uniquely positioned to educate and inspire students and the broader public on STEM subjects and careers; (3) the Administration's Education Mission Directorates, along with the other mission directorates, have been effective in delivering educational content because of the strong engagement of Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration's education and outreach activities; and (4) the Administration’s education and outreach programs, including the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, reflect the Administration’s successful commitment to growing and diversifying the national science and engineering workforce. (b) Continuation of education and outreach activities and programs (1) In general The Administrator shall continue engagement with the public and education opportunities for students via all the Administration’s mission directorates to the maximum extent practicable. (2) Report Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Administration's near-term outreach plans for advancing space law education. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I—Authorization of appropriations Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2017. TITLE II—Sustaining national space commitments Sec. 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining national space commitments. Sec. 202. Findings. TITLE III—Maximizing utilization of the ISS and low-Earth orbit Sec. 301. Operation of the ISS. Sec. 302. Transportation to ISS. Sec. 303. ISS transition plan. Sec. 304. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services. TITLE IV—Advancing human deep space exploration Subtitle A—Human exploration goals and objectives Sec. 411. Human exploration long-term goals. Sec. 412. Goals and objectives. Sec. 413. Vision for space exploration. Sec. 414. Exploration plan and programs. Sec. 415. Stepping stone approach to exploration. Subtitle B—Assuring core capabilities for exploration Sec. 421. Space Launch System and Orion. Subtitle C—Journey to Mars Sec. 431. Space technology infusion. Sec. 432. Findings on human space exploration. Sec. 433. Strategic framework for human spaceflight and exploration. Sec. 434. Advanced space suit capability. Sec. 435. Asteroid robotic redirect mission. Subtitle D—Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act Sec. 441. Short title. Sec. 442. Findings; sense of Congress. Sec. 443. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight. TITLE V—Advancing space science Sec. 501. Maintaining a balanced space science portfolio. Sec. 502. Planetary science. Sec. 503. James Webb Space Telescope. Sec. 504. Sense of Congress on Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope. Sec. 505. Sense of Congress on Mars 2020 rover. Sec. 506. Europa. TITLE VI—Maximizing efficiency Subtitle A—Agency information technology and cybersecurity Sec. 611. Information technology governance. Sec. 612. Information technology strategic plan. Sec. 613. Cybersecurity. Sec. 614. Oversight implementation progress. Sec. 615. Software oversight. Sec. 616. Security management of foreign national access. Sec. 617. Cybersecurity of web applications. Subtitle B—Collaboration among mission directorates and other matters Sec. 621. Collaboration among mission directorates. Sec. 622. NASA launch capabilities collaboration. Sec. 623. Commercial space launch cooperation. Sec. 624. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts. Sec. 625. Education and outreach. Sec. 626. Leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities across mission directorates. Sec. 627. Flight opportunities. Sec. 628. Sense of Congress on small class launch missions. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administration The term Administration (2) Administrator The term Administrator (3) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives (4) Cis-lunar space The term cis-lunar space (5) Deep space The term deep space (6) Government astronaut The term government astronaut (7) ISS The term ISS (8) ISS management entity The term ISS management entity 42 U.S.C. 18354(a) (9) NASA The term NASA (10) Orion The term Orion 42 U.S.C. 18323 (11) Space Launch System The term Space Launch System 42 U.S.C. 18302 I Authorization of appropriations 101. Fiscal year 2017 There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for fiscal year 2017, $19,508,000,000, as follows: (1) For Exploration, $4,532,000,000. (2) For Space Operations, $4,950,700,000. (3) For Science, $5,395,000,000. (4) For Aeronautics, $601,000,000. (5) For Space Technology, $686,500,000. (6) For Education, $108,000,000. (7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, $2,796,700,000. (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration, $400,000,000. (9) For Inspector General, $38,100,000. II Sustaining national space commitments 201. Sense of Congress on sustaining national space commitments It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States, in collaboration with its international, academic, and industry partners, should sustain and build upon our national space commitments and investments across Administrations with a continuity of purpose to advance recent achievements of space exploration and space science to extend humanity’s reach into deep space, including cis-lunar space, the Moon, the surface and moons of Mars, and beyond; (2) NASA leaders can best leverage investments in the United States space program by continuing to develop a balanced portfolio for space exploration and space science, including continued development of the Space Launch System, Orion, Commercial Crew Program, Commercial Resupply Services Program, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the ongoing operations of the ISS; (3) a national, government-led space program that builds on current science and exploration programs, advances human knowledge and capabilities, and opens the frontier beyond Earth for ourselves, our international partners, commercial enterprise, and science is of critical importance to our national destiny and to a future guided by United States values and freedoms; (4) continuity of purpose and effective execution of core NASA programs are essential for efficient use of resources in pursuit of timely and tangible accomplishments; (5) NASA could improve its efficiency and effectiveness by working with industry to streamline existing programs and requirements, procurement practices, institutional footprint, and bureaucracy while preserving effective program oversight, accountability, and safety; (6) United States government astronauts changed the trajectory of human history toward the promise of the stars, and it is imperative that the United States maintain and enhance its leadership in space exploration and continue to expand freedom and opportunities in space for all Americans that are consistent with the Constitution of the United States; and (7) NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a balanced and robust set of core missions in science, space technology, aeronautics, human space flight and exploration, and education. 202. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Challenges of the past, such as the cancellation of major programs, have disrupted completion of major space systems thereby— (A) impeding planning and pursuit of national objectives in human space exploration; (B) placing the Nation’s investment in space exploration at risk; and (C) degrading the aerospace industrial base. (2) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18301 et seq. (3) Sustaining the investment and maximizing utilization of the ISS and ISS National Laboratory with our international and industry partners is— (A) consistent with the goals and objectives of the United States space program; and (B) imperative to continuing United States global leadership in human space exploration, science, research, technology development, and education opportunities that contribute to development of the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and leaders, and to creating the opportunity for economic development of low-Earth orbit. (4) NASA has made measurable progress in development and testing of the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the near-term objectives of the initial integrated test flight and launch in 2018, a human mission in 2021, and continued missions with an annual cadence in cis-lunar space and eventually to the surface of Mars. (5) The Commercial Crew Program is on schedule to reestablish the capability to launch United States government astronauts from United States soil into low-Earth orbit by the end of 2018. (6) The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, in its 2015 Annual Report, urged continuity of purpose noting concerns over the potential for cost overruns and schedule slips that could accompany significant changes to core NASA programs. III Maximizing utilization of the ISS and low-Earth orbit 301. Operation of the ISS (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) after 15 years of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, the ISS continues to overcome challenges and operate safely; (2) expansion of partnerships, scientific research, commercial applications, and exploration testbed capabilities of the ISS is essential to ensuring the greatest return on investments made by the United States and its international space partners in the development, assembly, and operations of that unique facility; (3) a stable and successful Commercial Resupply Services Program and Commercial Crew Program are critical to ensuring timely provisioning of the ISS and to reestablishing the capability to launch United States government astronauts from United States soil into low-Earth orbit; (4) sustaining United States leadership and progress in human space exploration is enabled in part by continuing utilization of the ISS— (A) to facilitate the commercialization and economic development of low-Earth orbit; (B) to serve as a testbed for technologies, and to conduct scientific research and development; and (C) as an orbital facility enabling research upon— (i) the health, well-being, and performance of humans in space; and (ii) the development of in-space systems enabling human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; (5) the Administrator should continue to support the development of the Commercial Crew Program as planned to end reliance upon Russian transport of United States government astronauts to the ISS which has not been possible since the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011; and (6) the ISS should continue to provide a platform for fundamental, microgravity, discovery-based space life and physical sciences research that is critical for enabling space exploration, protecting humans in space, increasing pathways for commercial space development that depend on advances in basic research, and contribute to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research. (b) Continuation of the ISS Congress reaffirms the policy set forth in section 501 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18351 302. Transportation to ISS (a) Sense of Congress on Commercial Crew Program and Commercial Resupply Services Program It is the sense of Congress that— (1) NASA should build upon the success of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services and Commercial Resupply Services programs that have allowed private sector companies to partner with NASA to deliver cargo and scientific experiments to the ISS since 2012; (2) once certified to meet NASA’s safety and reliability requirements and fully operational to meet ISS crew transfer needs, the Commercial Crew Program transportation systems should serve as the primary means of transporting United States government astronauts and international partner astronauts from United States soil to and from the ISS; (3) Commercial Crew Program transportation systems should have the capability of serving as ISS emergency crew rescue vehicles; (4) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program has enabled significant modernization and infrastructure improvements at launch sites across the United States to support NASA's Commercial Resupply Services Program and other civil and commercial space flight missions; and (5) the 21st Century Launch Complex Program should be continued in a manner that leverages State and private investments to achieve the goals of the program. (b) United States policy It is the policy of the United States that, to foster the competitive development, operation, improvement and commercial availability of space transportation services, services for Federal Government access to and return from the ISS, whenever practicable, shall be procured via fair and open competition for well-defined, milestone-based, Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts under section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18311(a) (c) Commercial cargo program Section 401 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18341 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Commercial Resupply Services (d) Crew safety The Administrator shall protect the safety of United States crews by ensuring commercial crew systems meet all applicable human rating requirements in accordance with section 403(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18342(b)(1) 303. ISS transition plan (a) Findings Congress finds that NASA has been both the primary supplier and consumer of human space flight capabilities and services of the ISS and in low-Earth orbit. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that an orderly transition is needed for United States human space flight activities in low-Earth orbit from the current regime, that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship, to a regime where NASA is one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit commercial human space flight enterprise. (c) Reports Section 50111 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) ISS transition plan (1) In general The Administrator, in coordination with the ISS management entity, ISS partners, the scientific user community, and the commercial space sector, shall develop a plan to transition in a step-wise approach from the current regime that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship to a regime where NASA is one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit commercial human space flight enterprise. (2) Reports Not later than December 1, 2017, and triennially thereafter until 2023, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes— (A) an identification of low-Earth orbit capabilities necessary to meet the Administration’s deep space human space flight exploration objectives and mission requirements beyond the period of operation and utilization of the ISS described in section 503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18353 (B) steps NASA is taking and will take, including demonstrations that could be conducted on the ISS, to stimulate and facilitate commercial demand and supply of products and services in low-Earth orbit; (C) an assessment of current and projected commercial activities in low-Earth orbit, including on the ISS, and their potential for meeting the capabilities identified in subparagraph (A); (D) an identification of barriers preventing the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, including issues relating to policy, regulations, commercial intellectual property, data, and confidentiality, that could inhibit the use of the ISS as a commercial incubator; (E) an evaluation of the feasible and preferred service life of the ISS beyond the period described in section 503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18353 (i) a general discussion of international partner capabilities and prospects for extending the partnership, to include the potential for participation by additional countries, for the purposes of the human development and exploration of deep space; (ii) a review of essential systems, equipment upgrades, or potential maintenance that would be necessary to extend ISS operations and utilization; (iii) an evaluation of the cost and schedule requirements associated with the development and delivery of essential systems, equipment upgrades, or potential maintenance identified under clause (ii); (iv) an identification of possible international, academic, or industry partner contributions, cost-share, and program transitions to provide the upgrades identified under clause (ii); (v) impacts on the goals and objectives of the ISS National Laboratory and the management entity responsible for operation of the ISS National Laboratory; (vi) impacts on services provided by the Commercial Resupply Services Program and Commercial Crew Program to the ISS; (vii) impacts on the use of the ISS as a testbed to transition functions of the ISS to the commercial space sector and enhance economic development of low-Earth orbit, including the evolution of self-sustaining commercial activities; (viii) an assessment on the technical limiting factors of the ISS lifetime, including a list of critical components and their expected lifetime and availability; (ix) an evaluation of the potential for expanding the use of ISS facilities to accommodate the needs of researchers and other users, including changes to policies, regulations, and laws that would stimulate greater private and public involvement on the ISS; and (x) such other information as may be necessary to fully describe the justification for and feasibility of extending the service life of the ISS, including the potential scientific or technological benefits to the Federal Government, public, or to academic or commercial entities; (F) an evaluation of the functions, roles, and responsibilities for management and operation of the ISS and a determination of— (i) those functions, roles, and responsibilities the Federal Government should retain during the lifecycle of the ISS; (ii) those functions, roles, and responsibilities that could be transferred to the commercial space sector; (iii) the metrics that would indicate the commercial space sector's readiness and ability to assume the functions, roles, and responsibilities described in clause (ii); and (iv) any necessary changes to any agreements or other documents and the law to enable the activities described in subparagraphs (B) and (C); and (G) a description of the progress on meeting human exploration research objectives on ISS and prospects for accomplishing future exploration and other research objectives on future commercially supplied low-Earth orbit platforms or migration of those objectives to cis-lunar space. (3) Demonstrations Demonstrations identified under paragraph (2) may— (A) test the capabilities described in paragraph (2)(A); and (B) demonstrate or test capabilities, including commercial modules or deep space habitats, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, orbital satellite assembly, exploration space suits, a node that enables a wide variety of activity, including multiple commercial modules and airlocks, additional docking or berthing ports for commercial crew and cargo, opportunities for the commercial space sector to cost share for transportation and other services on the ISS, and other commercial activities. . 304. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services (a) In general Subchapter III of chapter 201 20148. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services (a) In general Under such regulations in conformity with this section as the Administrator shall prescribe taking into account the availability, cost, and terms of liability insurance, any contract between the Administration and a provider may provide that the United States will indemnify the provider against successful claims (including reasonable expenses of litigation or settlement) by third parties for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property resulting from launch services and reentry services carried out under the contract that the contract defines as unusually hazardous or nuclear in nature, but only to the extent the total amount of successful claims related to the activities under the contract— (1) is more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility described in subsection (c)(3); and (2) is not more than the amount specified in section 50915(a)(1)(B). (b) Terms of indemnification A contract made under subsection (a) that provides indemnification shall provide for— (1) notice to the United States of any claim or suit against the provider for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property; and (2) control of or assistance in the defense by the United States, at its election, of that claim or suit and approval of any settlement. (c) Liability insurance of the provider (1) In general The provider under subsection (a) shall obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate for the maximum probable loss from claims by— (A) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from a launch service or reentry service carried out under the contract; and (B) the United States Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from a launch service or reentry service carried out under the contract. (2) Maximum probable losses (A) In general The Administrator shall determine the maximum probable losses under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the date that the provider requests such a determination and submits all information the Administrator requires. (B) Revisions The Administrator may revise a determination under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph if the Administrator determines the revision is warranted based on new information. (3) Amount of insurance For the total claims related to one launch or reentry, a provider shall not be required to obtain insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility of more than— (A) (i) $500,000,000 under paragraph (1)(A); or (ii) $100,000,000 under paragraph (1)(B); or (B) the maximum liability insurance available on the world market at reasonable cost. (4) Coverage An insurance policy or demonstration of financial responsibility under this subsection shall protect the following, to the extent of their potential liability for involvement in launch services or reentry services: (A) The Government. (B) Personnel of the Government. (C) Related entities of the Government. (D) Related entities of the provider. (E) Government astronauts. (d) No indemnification without cross-waiver Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Administrator may not indemnify a provider under this section unless there is a cross-waiver between the Administration and the provider as described in subsection (e). (e) Cross-Waivers (1) In general The Administrator, on behalf of the United States and its departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, shall reciprocally waive claims with a provider under which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible, and agrees to ensure that its related entities are responsible, for damage or loss to its property, or for losses resulting from any injury or death sustained by its employees or agents, as a result of activities arising out of the performance of the contract. (2) Limitation The waiver made by the Government under paragraph (1) shall apply only to the extent that the claims are more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under subsection (c)(1)(B). (f) Willful misconduct Indemnification under subsection (a) may exclude claims resulting from the willful misconduct of the provider or its related entities. (g) Certification of just and reasonable amount No payment may be made under subsection (a) unless the Administrator or the Administrator's designee certifies that the amount is just and reasonable. (h) Payments (1) In general Upon the approval by the Administrator, payments under subsection (a) may be made from funds appropriated for such payments. (2) Limitation The Administrator shall not approve payments under paragraph (1), except to the extent provided in an appropriation law or to the extent additional legislative authority is enacted providing for such payments. (3) Additional appropriations If the Administrator requests additional appropriations to make payments under this subsection, then the request for those appropriations shall be made in accordance with the procedures established under section 50915. (i) Rules of construction (1) In general The authority to indemnify under this section shall not create any rights in third persons that would not otherwise exist by law. (2) Other authority Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting the Administrator from indemnifying a provider or any other NASA contractor under other law, including under Public Law 85–804 50 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. (3) Anti-Deficiency Act Notwithstanding any other provision of this section— (A) all obligations under this section are subject to the availability of funds; and (B) nothing in this section may be construed to require obligation or payment of funds in violation of sections 1341, 1342, 1349 through 1351, and 1511 through 1519 of title 31, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Anti-Deficiency Act (j) Relationship to other laws The Administrator may not provide indemnification under this section for an activity that requires a license or permit under chapter 509. (k) Definitions In this section: (1) Government astronaut The term government astronaut (2) Launch services The term launch services (3) Provider The term provider (4) Reentry services The term reentry services (5) Related entity The term related entity (6) Third party The term third party (A) the United States Government; (B) related entities of the Government involved in launch services or reentry services; (C) a provider; (D) related entities of the provider involved in launch services or reentry services; or (E) a government astronaut. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents for subchapter III of chapter 201 section 20147 20148. Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services. . IV Advancing human deep space exploration A Human exploration goals and objectives 411. Human exploration long-term goals Section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18312(a) (a) Long-term goals The long-term goals of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— (1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners; and (2) the peaceful settlement of a location in space or on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st century. . 412. Goals and objectives Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18312(b) (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ; and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) to achieve human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation, on the surface of Mars. . 413. Vision for space exploration Section 20302 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting in cis-lunar space or sustained human presence (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: (b) Future exploration of Mars The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch System and Orion, to enable humans to explore Mars and other destinations by defining a series of sustainable steps and conducting mission planning, research, and technology development on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible, consistent with section 70504. . 414. Exploration plan and programs Section 70502(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) implement an exploration research and technology development program to enable human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title; . 415. Stepping stone approach to exploration Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration (a) In general In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term exploration and utilization activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and industry partners, to ensure that activities in the Administration's human exploration program balance how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars. (b) Completion Within budgetary considerations, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to complete that project without undue delays. . B Assuring core capabilities for exploration 421. Space Launch System and Orion (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) NASA has made steady progress in developing and testing the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the successful Exploration Flight Test of Orion in December of 2014, the final qualification test firing of the 5-segment Space Launch System boosters in June 2016, and a full thrust, full duration test firing of the RS–25 Space Launch System core stage engine in August 2016. (2) Through the 21st Century Launch Complex program and Exploration Ground Systems programs, NASA has made significant progress in transforming exploration ground systems infrastructure to meet NASA’s mission requirements for the Space Launch System and Orion and to modernize NASA’s launch complexes to the benefit of the civil, defense, and commercial space sectors. (b) Sense of Congress on Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems It is the sense of Congress that— (1) as the United States works to send humans on a series of missions on or near Mars in the 2030s, the United States national space program should continue to make progress on its commitment by fully developing the Space Launch System, Orion, and related Exploration Ground Systems; (2) using the Space Launch System and Orion for a wide range of contemplated missions will facilitate the national defense, science, and exploration objectives of the United States; and (3) the United States should have continuity of purpose for Space Launch System and Orion in deep space exploration missions, using them beginning with the uncrewed mission, EM–1, planned for 2018, followed by the crewed mission, EM–2, in cis-lunar space planned for 2021, and for subsequent missions beginning with EM–3 extending into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. (c) In general (1) Exploration missions The Administrator shall continue development of— (A) an uncrewed exploration mission to demonstrate the capability of both the Space Launch System and Orion as an integrated system by 2018; (B) a crewed exploration mission to demonstrate the Space Launch System, including the Core Stage and Exploration Upper Stages, and the crewed Orion mission by 2021; (C) subsequent missions beginning with EM–3 using the Space Launch System and Orion to extend into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; and (D) a deep space habitat as the next element in a deep space exploration architecture along with the Space Launch System and Orion. (2) Other uses The Administrator shall assess the utility of the Space Launch System for use by the science community and for other Federal Government launch needs, including consideration of overall cost and schedule savings from reduced transit times and increased science returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space Launch System. C Journey to Mars 431. Space technology infusion (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that advancing propulsion technology would improve the efficiency of trips to Mars and could shorten travel time to Mars, reduce astronaut health risks, and reduce radiation exposure, consumables, and mass of materials required for the journey. (b) Policy It is the policy of the United States that the Administrator shall develop technologies to support the Administration’s core missions, as described in section 2(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18301(3) (c) Propulsion technologies A goal of propulsion technologies developed under subsection (b) shall be to significantly reduce human travel time to Mars. 432. Findings on human space exploration Congress makes the following findings: (1) In accordance with section 204 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 2813), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, through its Committee on Human Spaceflight, conducted a review of the goals, core capabilities, and direction of human space flight, and published the findings and recommendations in a 2014 report entitled, Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration (2) The Committee on Human Spaceflight included leaders from the aerospace, scientific, security, and policy communities. (3) With input from the public, the Committee on Human Spaceflight concluded that many practical and aspirational rationales for human space flight together constitute a compelling case for continued national investment and pursuit of human space exploration toward the horizon goal of Mars. (4) According to the Committee on Human Spaceflight, the rationales include economic benefits, national security, national prestige, inspiring students and other citizens, scientific discovery, human survival, and a sense of shared destiny. (5) The Committee on Human Spaceflight affirmed that Mars is the appropriate long-term goal for the human space flight program. (6) The Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended that NASA define a series of sustainable steps and conduct mission planning and technology development as needed to achieve the long-term goal of placing humans on the surface of Mars. (7) Expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives. (8) In addition to the 2014 report described in paragraph (1), there are several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including NASA's The Global Exploration Roadmap NASA's Journey to Mars–Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration Minimal Architecture for Human Journeys to Mars The Humans to Mars Report 2016 433. Strategic framework for human spaceflight and exploration (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars in the 2030s requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives; (2) for strong and sustained United States leadership, a need exists to advance a strategic framework, addressing exploration objectives in collaboration with international, academic, and industry partners; (3) an approach that incrementally advances toward a long-term goal is one in which nearer-term developments and implementation would influence future development and implementation; and (4) a strategic framework should begin with low-Earth orbit, then address progress beyond low-Earth orbit to cis-lunar space in greater detail, and then address future missions ultimately aimed at human arrival and activities on or near Mars. (b) Strategic framework (1) In general The Administrator shall develop a strategic framework, including a critical decision plan, to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit, including to cis-lunar space, the moons of Mars, the surface of Mars, and beyond. (2) Scope The strategic framework shall include— (A) an integrated set of exploration, science, and other goals and objectives of a United States human space exploration program with the long-term goal of human missions near to or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s; (B) opportunities for international, academic, and industry partnerships for exploration-related systems, services, research, and technology if those opportunities provide cost-savings, accelerate program schedules, or otherwise benefit the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A); (C) precursor missions in cis-lunar space and other missions or activities necessary to meet the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A), including anticipated timelines and missions for the Space Launch System and Orion; (D) capabilities and technologies, including the Space Launch System, Orion, a deep space habitat, and other capabilities, that enable the exploration objectives developed under subparagraph (A); (E) a description of how cis-lunar elements, objectives, and activities advance the human exploration of Mars; (F) an assessment of potential human health and other risks, including radiation exposure; and (G) mitigation plans, whenever possible, to address the risks identified in subparagraph (F). (3) Considerations In developing the strategic framework, the Administrator shall consider— (A) using key exploration capabilities, namely the Space Launch System and Orion; (B) using existing commercially available technologies and capabilities or those technologies and capabilities being developed by industry for commercial purposes; (C) an organizational approach to ensure collaboration and coordination among NASA's Mission Directorates under section 621, when appropriate, including to collect and return to Earth a sample from the Martian surface; (D) building upon the initial uncrewed mission, EM–1, and first crewed mission, EM–2, of the Space Launch System and Orion to establish a sustainable cadence of missions extending human exploration missions into cis-lunar space, including anticipated timelines and milestones; (E) developing the precursor missions and activities that will demonstrate, test, and develop key technologies and capabilities essential for achieving human missions to Mars, including long-duration human operations beyond low-Earth orbit, space suits, solar electric propulsion, deep space habitats, environmental control life support systems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, descent, landing, ascent, Mars surface systems, and in-situ resource utilization; (F) demonstrating and testing 1 or more habitat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare for Mars missions; (G) using public-private, firm fixed-price partnerships, where practicable; (H) collaborating with international, academic, and industry partners, when appropriate; (I) risks to human health and sensitive onboard technologies, including radiation exposure; (J) evaluating the risks identified through research outcomes under the NASA Human Research Program's Behavioral Health Element; and (K) the recommendations and ideas of several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including the reports described under section 432(8). (4) Critical decision plan on human space exploration As part of the strategic framework, the Administrator shall include a critical decision plan— (A) identifying and defining key decisions guiding human space exploration priorities and plans that need to be made before June 30, 2020, including decisions that may guide human space exploration capability development, precursor missions, long-term missions, and activities; (B) defining decisions needed to maximize efficiencies and resources for reaching the near, intermediate, and long-term goals and objectives of human space exploration; and (C) identifying and defining timelines and milestones for a sustainable cadence of missions beginning with EM–3 for the Space Launch System and Orion to extend human exploration from cis-lunar space to the surface of Mars. (5) Reports The Administrator shall submit an initial strategic framework, including a critical decision plan, to the appropriate committees of Congress before December 1, 2017, and an updated strategic framework biennially thereafter. 434. Advanced space suit capability Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a detailed plan for achieving an advanced space suit capability that aligns with the crew needs for exploration enabled by the Space Launch System and Orion, including an evaluation of the merit of delivering the planned suit system for use on the ISS. 435. Asteroid robotic redirect mission (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) NASA initially estimated that the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission would launch in December 2020 and cost no more than $1,250,000,000, excluding launch and operations. (2) On July 15, 2016, NASA conducted its Key Decision Point–B review of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission or approval for Phase B in mission formulation. (3) During the Key Decision Point–B review, NASA estimated that costs have grown to $1,400,000,000 excluding launch and operations for a launch in December 2021 and the agency must evaluate whether to accept the increase or reduce the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission’s scope to stay within the cost cap set by the Administrator. (4) In April 2015, the NASA Advisory Council— (A) issued a finding that— (i) high-performance solar electric propulsion will likely be an important part of an architecture to send humans to Mars; and (ii) maneuvering a large test mass is not necessary to provide a valid in-space test of a new solar electric propulsion stage; (B) determined that a solar electric propulsion mission will contribute more directly to the goal of sending humans to Mars if the mission is focused entirely on development and validation of the solar electric propulsion stage; and (C) determined that other possible motivations for acquiring and maneuvering a boulder, such as asteroid science and planetary defense, do not have value commensurate with their probable cost. (5) The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission is competing for resources with other critical exploration development programs, including the Space Launch System, Orion, commercial crew, and a habitation module. (6) In 2014, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that NASA conduct an independent cost and technical assessment of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. (7) NASA completed the assessment under paragraph (6) and reviewed it as part of the agency’s Key Decision Point–B review. (8) In 2015, the NASA Advisory Council recommended that NASA preserve the following key objectives if the program needed to be descoped: (A) Development of high power solar electric propulsion. (B) Ability to maneuver in a low gravity environment in deep space. (9) In January 2015 and July 2015, the NASA Advisory Council expressed its concern to NASA about the potential for growing costs for the program and highlighted that choices would need to be made about the program’s content. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the technological and scientific goals of the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission may not be commensurate with the cost; and (2) alternative missions may provide a more cost effective and scientifically beneficial means to demonstrate the technologies needed for a human mission to Mars that would otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission. (c) Evaluation and report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) conduct an evaluation of— (A) alternative approaches to the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission for demonstrating the technologies and capabilities needed for a human mission to Mars that would otherwise be demonstrated by the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission; (B) the scientific and technical benefits of the alternatives approaches identified in subparagraph (A) compared to the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission to future human exploration; (C) the commercial benefits of the alternative approaches identified in subparagraph (A), including the impact on the development of domestic solar electric propulsion technology to bolster United States competitiveness in the global marketplace; and (D) a comparison of the estimated costs of the alternative approaches identified in subparagraph (A); and (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the evaluation under paragraph (1), including any recommendations. D Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act 441. Short title This subtitle may be cited as the Scott Kelly Human Spaceflight and Exploration Act 442. Findings; sense of Congress (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Human space exploration can pose significant challenges and is full of substantial risk, which has ultimately claimed the lives of 24 National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts serving in the line of duty. (2) As United States government astronauts participate in long-duration and exploration spaceflight missions they may experience increased health risks, such as vision impairment, bone demineralization, and behavioral health and performance risks, and may be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation and microgravity can result in acute and long-term health consequences that can increase the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration and have potential effects on the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune function, and vision. (3) To advance the goal of long-duration and exploration spaceflight missions, United States government astronaut Scott Kelly participated in a 1-year twins study in space while his identical twin brother, former United States government astronaut Mark Kelly, acted as a human control specimen on Earth, providing an understanding of the physical, behavioral, microbiological, and molecular reaction of the human body to an extended period of time in space. (4) Since the Administration currently provides medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for United States government astronauts during their active employment, given the unknown long-term health consequences of long-duration space exploration, the Administration has requested statutory authority from Congress to provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment to former United States government astronauts for psychological and medical conditions associated with human space flight. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the United States should continue to seek the unknown and lead the world in space exploration and scientific discovery as the Administration prepares for long-duration and exploration spaceflight in deep space and an eventual mission to Mars; (2) data relating to the health of astronauts will become increasingly valuable to improving our understanding of many diseases humans face on Earth; (3) the Administration should provide the type of monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection (a) only for conditions the Administration considers unique to the training or exposure to the spaceflight environment of United States government astronauts and should not require any former United States Government astronauts to participate in the Administration’s monitoring; (4) such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should not replace a former United States government astronaut's private health insurance; (5) expanded data acquired from such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should be used to tailor treatment, inform the requirements for new spaceflight medical hardware, and develop controls in order to prevent disease occurrence in the astronaut corps; (6) the Administration's existing radiation exposure standards, which have been used for missions pertaining to the Space Shuttle and the ISS, would limit missions to durations of 150 to 250 days and would pose significant challenges to long-duration or exploration spaceflight or a multiyear mission to Mars; and (7) the 340-day space mission of Scott Kelly aboard the ISS— (A) was pivotal for the goal of the United States for humans to explore deep space and Mars as the mission generated new insight into how the human body adjusts to weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-duration space flight; and (B) will help support the physical and mental well-being of astronauts during longer space exploration missions in the future. 443. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight (a) In general Subchapter III of chapter 201 20149. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may provide for the medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of a United States government astronaut, or a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist, for conditions that the Administrator considers associated with human space flight, including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions. (b) Exclusions The Administrator may not— (1) provide for medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of a United States government astronaut, or a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist, under subsection (a) for any psychological or medical condition that is not associated with human space flight; or (2) require a former United States government astronaut or payload specialist to participate in the monitoring authorized under subsection (a). (c) Privacy Consistent with applicable provisions of law relating to privacy, the Administrator shall protect the privacy of all medical records generated under subsection (a) and accessible to the Administration. (d) Regulations The Administrator shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section. . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for chapter 201 20149. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight. . V Advancing space science 501. Maintaining a balanced space science portfolio (a) Science portfolio Section 803 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–267 803. Overall science portfolio Congress restates its sense that— (1) a balanced and adequately funded set of activities, consisting of research and analysis grant programs, technology development, suborbital research activities, and small, medium, and large space missions, contributes to a robust and productive science program and serves as a catalyst for innovation and discovery; and (2) the Administrator should set science priorities by following the guidance provided by the scientific community through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's decadal surveys. . (b) Conforming amendment The item relating to section 803 in the table of contents in section 1(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–267 Overall science portfolio-sense of the Congress Overall science portfolio 502. Planetary science (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) Administration support for planetary science is critical to enabling greater understanding of the solar system and the origin of the Earth; (2) the United States leads the world in planetary science and can augment its success in that area with appropriate international, academic, and industry partnerships; (3) a mix of small, medium, and large planetary science missions is required to sustain a steady cadence of planetary exploration; and (4) robotic planetary exploration is a key component of preparing for future human exploration. (b) Mission priorities (1) In general In accordance with the priorities established in the most recent decadal survey for planetary science, the Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and flagship missions. (2) Mission priority adjustments Consistent with the set of missions described in paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing budget projections. 503. James Webb Space Telescope It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the James Webb Space Telescope should significantly advance our understanding of star and planet formation, improve our knowledge of the early universe, and support United States leadership in astrophysics; and (2) consistent with annual Government Accountability Office reviews of the James Webb Space Telescope program, the Administrator should continue robust surveillance of the performance of the James Webb Space Telescope project and continue to improve the reliability of cost estimates and contractor performance data and other major spaceflight projects in order to enhance NASA’s ability to successfully deliver the James Webb Space Telescope on-time and within budget. 504. Sense of Congress on Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (commonly known as WFIRST (2) the Administrator, to the extent practicable, should make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed to position the Administration to meet the objectives, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies’ Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. 505. Sense of Congress on Mars 2020 rover It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a Mars rover and to enable the return of samples to Earth, should remain a priority for NASA; and (2) the Mars 2020 mission— (A) should significantly increase our understanding of Mars; (B) should help determine whether life previously existed on that planet; and (C) should provide opportunities to gather knowledge and demonstrate technologies that address the challenges of future human expeditions to Mars. 506. Europa (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Studies of Europa, Jupiter's moon, indicate that Europa may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key ingredients known to support life on Earth, including liquid water, heat, chemistry, and time. (2) In 2012, using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA scientists observed water vapor around the south polar region of Europa, which provides potential evidence of water plumes in that region. (3) For decades, the Europa mission has consistently ranked as a high priority mission for the scientific community. (4) The Europa mission was ranked as the top priority mission in the previous Planetary Science Decadal Survey and ranked as the second-highest priority in the current Planetary Science Decadal Survey. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Europa mission could provide another avenue in which to capitalize on our Nation’s current investment in the Space Launch System that would significantly reduce the transit time for such a deep space mission; and (2) a scientific, robotic exploration mission to Europa, as prioritized in both Planetary Science Decadal Surveys, should be supported. VI Maximizing efficiency A Agency information technology and cybersecurity 611. Information technology governance The Administrator, in consultation with the chief information officer of NASA, shall— (1) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has a significant role in the management, governance, and oversight processes related to information technology operations and investments and information security programs for the protection of NASA systems; (2) establish the NASA Chief Information Officer as a direct report to the Administrator; (3) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has the appropriate resources and insight to oversee NASA information technology and information security operations and investments; (4) provide an information technology program management framework to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of information technology investments, including relying on metrics for identifying and reducing potential duplication, waste, and cost; (5) establish a monetary threshold for all agency information technology investments and related contracts, including non-highly and highly specialized and specialized information technology, regardless of the procurement instrument, over which the NASA Chief Information Officer shall have final approval; (6) improve the operational linkage between the NASA Chief Information Officer and each NASA mission directorate, center, and mission support office to ensure both agency and mission needs are considered in agency-wide information technology and information security management and oversight; (7) review the portfolio of information technology investments and spending, including information technology-related investments included as part of activities within NASA mission directorates that may not be considered information technology, to ensure investments are recognized and reported appropriately based on guidance from the Office of Management and Budget; (8) consider appropriate revisions to the charters of information technology boards and councils that inform information technology investment and operation decisions; and (9) consider whether the NASA Chief Information Officer should have a seat on any boards or councils described in paragraph (8). 612. Information technology strategic plan (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), the NASA Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the chief information officer of each Administration center, shall develop an information technology strategic plan to guide NASA information technology management and strategic objectives. (b) Requirements In developing the strategic plan, the NASA Chief Information Officer shall ensure that the strategic plan is consistent with— (1) the deadline under section 306(a) of title 5, United States Code; and (2) the requirements under section 3506 of title 44, United States Code. (c) Contents The strategic plan shall include— (1) near and long-term goals and objectives for leveraging information technology; (2) a plan for how the NASA Chief Information Officer will submit to Congress of a list of information technology projects, including completion dates and risk level in accordance with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget; (3) an implementation overview for an agency-wide centralized approach to information technology investments and operations, including reducing barriers to cross-center collaboration; (4) coordination by the NASA Chief Information Officer with centers and mission directorates to ensure that information technology policies are effectively and efficiently implemented across the agency; (5) a plan to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of information technology investments, including a description of how unnecessarily duplicative, wasteful, legacy, or outdated information technology across NASA will be identified and eliminated, and a schedule for the identification and elimination of such information technology; (6) a plan for improving the information security of agency information and agency information systems, including improving security control assessments and role-based security training of employees; and (7) submission by the NASA Chief Information Officer to Congress of information regarding high risk projects and cybersecurity risks. (d) Congressional oversight The NASA Chief Information Officer shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the strategic plan under subsection (a) and any updates thereto. 613. Cybersecurity (a) Finding The security of NASA information and information systems is vital to the success of the mission of the agency. (b) Information security plan Section 1207 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18445 (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as subsections (b) through (d), respectively; (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated, the following: (a) Agency-Wide information security plan (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 (2) Information security plan Subject to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the chief information officer of NASA, shall develop an agency-wide information security plan to enhance information security for NASA information and information infrastructure. (3) Requirements In developing the plan under paragraph (2), the chief information officer shall ensure that the plan— (A) is consistent with policies, standards, guidelines, and directives on information security under subchapter II of chapter 35 (B) is consistent with the standards and guidelines under section 11331 of title 40, United States Code; and (C) meets applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology information security standards and guidelines. (4) Approval The chief information officer shall submit the plan to the Administrator for approval prior to its implementation. (5) Contents The plan shall include— (A) an overview of the requirements of the information security system; (B) an agency-wide risk management framework for information security; (C) a description of the information security system management controls and common controls that are necessary to ensure compliance with information security-related requirements; (D) an identification and assignment of roles, responsibilities, and management commitment for information security at the agency; (E) coordination among organizational entities, including between each center, facility, mission directorate, and mission support office, and among agency entities responsible for different aspects of information security; (F) heightened consideration of the need to protect the information security of mission-critical systems and activities and high-impact and moderate-impact information systems; and (G) a schedule of frequent reviews and updates, as necessary, of the plan. ; and (3) in subsection (b), as redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (D) an update on the agency’s efforts to apply additional information security protections to secure high-impact and moderate-impact information systems and mission-critical systems and activities, including those systems that control spacecraft and maintain critical data sources. ; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking section 3545 section 3555 614. Oversight implementation progress Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter until the information security plan under section 1207 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18445 (1) the information security plan under that section; and (2) the information security-related recommendations made by the NASA Inspector General and the Comptroller General in the 5 years preceding the date of enactment of this Act. 615. Software oversight The Administrator shall— (1) develop a strategic plan to transition NASA from legacy software by adopting a service-based acquisition model in line with industry best practices; (2) develop and implement an agency-wide software license management policy to improve centralization, lifecycle management, and procurement education, including education on contract negotiations, relevant laws and regulations, and agency-wide contract terms and conditions; and (3) direct an agency-wide inventory of NASA's total software licenses and spending, including costs, benefits, usage, and trending data. 616. Security management of foreign national access The Administrator shall notify the appropriate committees of Congress when the agency has implemented the information technology security recommendations from the National Academy of Public Administration on foreign national access management, based on reports from January 2014 and March 2016. 617. Cybersecurity of web applications Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the NASA Chief Information Officer shall— (1) develop a plan, including such actions and milestones as are necessary, to fully remediate security vulnerabilities of NASA web applications within a timely fashion after discovery; and (2) implement the recommendation from the NASA Inspector General in the audit report dated July 10, 2014, (IG–14–023) to remove from the Internet or secure with a web application firewall all NASA web applications in development or testing mode. B Collaboration among mission directorates and other matters 621. Collaboration among mission directorates The Administrator shall encourage an interdisciplinary approach among all NASA mission directorates and divisions, whenever appropriate, for projects or missions— (1) to improve coordination, and encourage collaboration and early planning on scope; (2) to determine areas of overlap or alignment; (3) to find ways to leverage across divisional perspectives to maximize outcomes; and (4) to be more efficient with resources and funds. 622. NASA launch capabilities collaboration (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Launch Services Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial launch services for NASA’s science and robotic missions. (2) The Commercial Crew Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial crew transportation systems. (3) The Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program have worked together to gain exceptional technical insight into the contracted launch service providers that are common to both programs. (4) The Launch Services Program has a long history of oversight of 12 different launch vehicles and over 80 launches. (5) Co-location of the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program has enabled the Commercial Crew Program to efficiently obtain the launch vehicle technical expertise of and provide engineering and analytical support to the Commercial Crew Program. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program each benefit from communication and coordination of launch manifests, technical information, and common launch vehicle insight between the programs; and (2) such communication and coordination is enabled by the co-location of the programs. (c) In general The Administrator shall pursue a strategy for acquisition of crewed transportation services and non-crewed launch services that continues to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination between the Launch Services Program and the Commercial Crew Program. 623. Commercial space launch cooperation (a) Finding Congress recognized the benefit of commercial space launch cooperation between the Federal Government and the private sector when it granted the Secretary of Defense authority to foster cooperation between the Department of Defense and certain covered entities relating to space transportation infrastructure under section 2276 of title 10, United States Code. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Administrator should take into account the unique needs and obligations that multi-user, public State spaceports may have with the State government as well as current and prospective contractual arrangements with commercial and government customers when developing and carrying out agreements under section 50507 of title 51, United States Code, with State spaceports operating on NASA facilities; and (2) the authority granted under section 50507 of title 51, United States Code, is not intended to supersede or conflict with the congressional intent and purposes codified in chapter 509 of that title, the responsibilities of the Secretary of Transportation under section 50913 of that title, or with the intent of section 50504 of that title. (c) In general Chapter 505 50507. Commercial launch cooperation (a) Authority for agreements relating to space transportation infrastructure The Administrator— (1) may enter into an agreement with a covered entity to provide the covered entity with support and services related to the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration— (A) to maximize the use of the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration by the private sector in the United States; (B) to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration; (C) to reduce the cost of services provided by the Administration related to space transportation infrastructure at launch support facilities and space recovery support facilities; and (D) to encourage commercial space activities by enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation infrastructure of the Administration; and (2) at the request of the covered entity, may include that support and services in the contracted space launch and reentry range support requirements of the Administration if— (A) the Administrator determines that including that support and services in the requirements— (i) is in the best interest of the Federal Government; (ii) does not interfere with the requirements of the Administration; (iii) does not compete with the commercial space activities of other covered entities; and (iv) does not result in the Administration retaining ownership of assets which are no longer needed to meet a programmatic mission of the Administration; and (B) any commercial requirement included in the agreement has full non-Federal funding before the execution of the agreement. (b) Contributions (1) In general The Administrator may enter into an agreement with a covered entity on a cooperative and voluntary basis to accept funds, services, and equipment to carry out the purposes in subsection (a)(1). (2) Use of contributions Any funds, services, or equipment accepted by the Administrator under this subsection— (A) may be used only for the objectives specified in this section in accordance with terms of use set forth in the agreement entered into under this subsection; and (B) shall be managed by the Administrator in accordance with procedures prescribed under subsection (d). (3) Requirements with respect to agreements An agreement entered into with a covered entity under this subsection shall— (A) address the terms of use, ownership, and disposition of the funds, services, or equipment contributed under the agreement; (B) include a provision that the covered entity will not recover the costs of its contribution through any other agreement with the United States; and (C) include a provision that the contribution of a covered entity will not preclude access to or use by another covered entity. (c) Annual report Not later than January 31 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the process used to establish agreements under subsections (a) and (b), including noticing announcements of opportunities and criteria for selecting a covered entity, and the funds, services, and equipment accepted and used by the Administrator under this section during the preceding fiscal year. (d) Procedures The Administrator shall prescribe procedures to carry out this section consistent with sections 50504 and 50913. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered entity In this section, the term covered entity (A) a non-Federal entity that— (i) is organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States; and (ii) is engaged in commercial space activities; or (B) an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a non-Federal entity described in subparagraph (A). (2) Launch support facilities The term launch support facilities (3) Space recovery support facilities The term space recovery support facilities (4) Space transportation infrastructure The term space transportation infrastructure . (d) Table of contents The table of contents for chapter 505 50507. Commercial space launch cooperation. . 624. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) A 2012 investigation by the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate (2) Since 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States has identified in 3 separate reports the risks and challenges associated with counterfeit parts and counterfeit prevention at both the Department of Defense and NASA, including inconsistent definitions of counterfeit parts, poorly targeted quality control practices, and potential barriers to improvements to these practices. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in the NASA supply chain poses a danger to United States government astronauts, crew, and other personnel and a risk to the agency overall. (c) Regulations (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the NASA Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to improve the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts in the supply chain. (2) Contractor responsibilities In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— (A) require each covered contractor— (i) to detect and avoid the use or inclusion of any counterfeit parts in electronic parts or products that contain electronic parts; (ii) to take such corrective actions as the Administrator considers necessary to remedy the use or inclusion described in clause (i); and (iii) including a subcontractor, to notify the applicable NASA contracting officer not later than 30 calendar days after the date the covered contractor becomes aware, or has reason to suspect, that any end item, component, part or material contained in supplies purchased by NASA, or purchased by a covered contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or on behalf of, NASA, contains a counterfeit electronic part or suspect counterfeit electronic part; and (B) prohibit the cost of counterfeit electronic parts, suspect counterfeit electronic parts, and any corrective action described under subparagraph (A)(ii) from being included as allowable costs under agency contracts, unless— (i) (I) the covered contractor has an operational system to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts that has been reviewed and approved by NASA or the Department of Defense; and (II) the covered contractor has provided the notice under subparagraph (A)(iii); or (ii) the counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts were provided to the covered contractor as Government property in accordance with part 45 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (3) Suppliers of electronic parts In revising the regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall— (A) require NASA and covered contractors, including subcontractors, at all tiers— (i) to obtain electronic parts that are in production or currently available in stock from— (I) the original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers; or (II) suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively from the original manufacturers of the parts or their authorized dealers; and (ii) to obtain electronic parts that are not in production or currently available in stock from suppliers that meet qualification requirements established under subparagraph (C); (B) establish documented requirements consistent with published industry standards or Government contract requirements for— (i) notification of the agency; and (ii) inspection, testing, and authentication of electronic parts that NASA or a covered contractor, including a subcontractor, obtains from any source other than a source described in subparagraph (A); (C) establish qualification requirements, consistent with the requirements of section 2319 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant to which NASA may identify suppliers that have appropriate policies and procedures in place to detect and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect counterfeit electronic parts; and (D) authorize a covered contractor, including a subcontractor, to identify and use additional suppliers beyond those identified under subparagraph (C) if— (i) the standards and processes for identifying such suppliers comply with established industry standards; (ii) the covered contractor assumes responsibility for the authenticity of parts provided by such suppliers under paragraph (2); and (iii) the selection of such suppliers is subject to review and audit by NASA. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered contractor The term covered contractor (2) Electronic part The term electronic part 625. Education and outreach (a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) United States competitiveness in the 21st century requires engaging the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as STEM (2) the Administration is uniquely positioned to educate and inspire students and the broader public on STEM subjects and careers; (3) the Administration's Education and Communication Offices, Mission Directorates, and Centers have been effective in delivering educational content because of the strong engagement of Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration's education and outreach activities; and (4) the Administration’s education and outreach programs, including the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, reflect the Administration’s successful commitment to growing and diversifying the national science and engineering workforce. (b) Continuation of education and outreach activities and programs (1) In general The Administrator shall continue engagement with the public and education opportunities for students via all the Administration’s mission directorates to the maximum extent practicable. (2) Report Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Administration's near-term outreach plans for advancing space law education. 626. Leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities across mission directorates (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Refueling and relocating aging satellites to extend their operational lifetimes is a capacity that NASA will substantially benefit from and is important for lowering the costs of ongoing scientific, national security, and commercial satellite operations. (2) The technologies involved in satellite servicing, such as dexterous robotic arms, propellant transfer systems, and solar electric propulsion, are all critical capabilities to support a human exploration mission to Mars. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) satellite servicing is a vital capability that will bolster the capacity and affordability of NASA’s ongoing scientific and human exploration operations while simultaneously enhancing the ability of domestic companies to compete in the global marketplace; and (2) future NASA satellites and spacecraft across mission directorates should be constructed in a manner that allows for servicing in order to maximize operational longevity and affordability. (c) Leveraging of capabilities The Administrator shall identify orbital assets in both the Science Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate that could benefit from satellite servicing-related technologies, and shall work across all NASA mission directorates to evaluate opportunities for the private sector to perform such services or advance technical capabilities by leveraging the technologies and techniques developed by NASA programs and other industry programs. 627. Flight opportunities (a) Development of payloads (1) In general In order to conduct necessary research, the Administrator shall continue and, as the Administrator considers appropriate, expand the development of technology payloads for— (A) scientific research; and (B) investigating new or improved capabilities. (2) Funds For the purpose of carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall make funds available for— (A) flight testing; (B) payload development; and (C) hardware related to subparagraphs (A) and (B). (b) Reaffirmation of policy Congress reaffirms that the Administrator should provide flight opportunities for payloads to microgravity environments and suborbital altitudes as authorized by section 907 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18405 628. Sense of Congress on small class launch missions It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Venture Class Launch Services contracts awarded under the Launch Services Program will expand opportunities for future dedicated launches of CubeSats and other small satellites and small orbital science missions; and (2) principal investigator-led small orbital science missions, including CubeSat class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class, and Venture class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science at low cost, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and enable participants to acquire skills in systems engineering and systems integration that are critical to maintaining the Nation’s leadership in space and to enhancing United States innovation and competitiveness abroad. December 5, 2016 Reported with an amendment

Summary: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2016 TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS (Sec. 101) This bill authorizes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for FY2017 for: exploration; space operations; science; aeronautics; space technology; education; safety, security, and mission services; construction and environmental compliance and restoration; and the NASA Inspector General. TITLE II--SUSTAINING NATIONAL SPACE COMMITMENTS (Sec. 201) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should be a multi-mission space agency and should have a balanced and robust set of core missions in space science, space technology, aeronautics, human space flight and exploration, and education. TITLE III--MAXIMIZING UTILIZATION OF THE ISS AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT (Sec. 301) The bill states that the primary objectives of the International Space Station (ISS) program shall be to: achieve the long-term goal and objectives for human space flight and exploration as specified in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010, and pursue a research program that advances knowledge and provides other benefits to the nation. The bill restates that it shall be U.S. policy, in consultation with its international partners in the ISS program, to support full and complete utilization of the ISS through at least 2024. In furthering such policy, NASA shall: pursue international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize ISS logistics supply, maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS systems sustainability, and offset and minimize U.S. operations costs relating to the ISS; utilize the ISS for the development of capabilities and technologies needed for the future of human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and utilize the ISS for Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit. (Sec. 302) It is the sense of Congress that: NASA should build upon the success of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services and Commercial Resupply Services programs that have allowed private sector companies to partner with NASA to deliver cargo and scientific experiments to the ISS since 2012, and the 21st Century Launch Complex Program should be continued so as to leverage state and private investments to achieve such program's goals. Congress reaffirms: its commitment to the use of a commercially developed, private sector launch and delivery system to the ISS for crew missions; and the requirement that NASA shall make use of U.S. commercially provided ISS crew transfer and crew rescue services. The federal government may not acquire human space flight transportation services from a foreign entity unless: there is no U.S. government-operated human space flight capability available, there is no U.S. commercial provider available, and it is a qualified foreign entity. The bill declares that nothing in this section shall prevent NASA from negotiating or entering into human space flight transportation arrangements with foreign entities to ensure safety of flight and continued ISS operations. NASA shall protect the safety of government astronauts by ensuring that each commercially provided transportation system under the Commercial Crew Program meets all applicable human rating requirements under specified federal law. Consistent with the findings and recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, NASA shall ensure that safety and the minimization of the probability of loss of crew are the critical priorities of such program. NASA shall strive through the competitive selection process to minimize the life cycle cost to NASA through the planned period of commercially provided crew transportation services. The Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Program is renamed the Commercial Resupply Services Program. The bill declares that it is U.S. policy that, in order to foster the competitive development, operation, improvement, and commercial availability of space transportation services, and to minimize the life cycle cost to NASA, NASA shall procure services for federal government access to and return from the ISS by fair and open competition for well-defined, milestone-based, Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts. NASA shall, in a manner that does not add costs or schedule delays to the Commercial Crew and Commercial Resupply Services programs, ensure that all providers of such programs furnish evidence-based support for their costs and schedules. NASA shall submit to Congress a report: identifying the lessons learned to date from previous and existing Commercial Resupply Services contracts, indicating whether changes are needed as to the manner in which NASA procures and manages similar services prior to the issuance of future Commercial Resupply Services procurement opportunities, and identifying any lessons learned from the Commercial Resupply Services contracts that should be applied to the procurement and management of commercially provided crew transfer services to and from the ISS or to other future procurements. (Sec. 303) NASA shall develop a plan for transitioning the ISS from the current regime that relies heavily on NASA sponsorship to a regime where NASA could be one of many customers of a low-Earth orbit non-governmental human space flight enterprise. NASA shall submit biennial reports until 2023 which include: a description of the progress NASA is making in achieving its deep space human exploration objectives on the ISS and prospects for accomplishing future mission requirements, space exploration objectives, and other research objectives on future commercially supplied low-Earth orbit platforms or migration of those objectives to cis-lunar space; steps NASA is taking and will take, including demonstrations that could be conducted on the ISS, to stimulate and facilitate commercial demand and supply of products and services in low-Earth orbit; identification of barriers preventing the commercialization of low-Earth orbit; the cost estimates for extending operations of the ISS to 2024, 2028, and 2030; evaluation of the feasible and preferred service life of the ISS beyond September 30, 2024, through at least 2028, as a unique scientific, commercial, and exploration-related facility; and the impact on deep space exploration capabilities, including a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s, if the preferred service life of the ISS is extended beyond 2024 and NASA maintains a flat budget profile. The bill defines "cis-lunar space" as the region of space from the Earth out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon. If additional government crew, power, and transportation resources are available after meeting NASA's requirements for ISS activities as defined in the Human Exploration Roadmap to be developed pursuant to section 432 of this bill and related research, demonstrations identified in the biennial reports may: test the capabilities needed to meet future mission requirements, space exploration objectives, and other research objectives described in such reports; and demonstrate or test capabilities, including those for commercial modules or deep space habitats, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, orbital satellite assembly, and exploration space suits. (Sec. 304) NASA shall develop a plan for meeting NASA's projected space communication and navigation needs for low-Earth orbit and deep space operations in the 20-year period following enactment of this bill. Such plan shall include: the lifecycle cost estimates and a 5-year funding profile, the performance capabilities required to meet NASA's projected space communication and navigation needs, an identification of the projected space communications and navigation network and infrastructure needs, an identification of the projected Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System needs in the 20-year period following this bill's enactment, and the measures NASA is taking to mitigate threats to electromagnetic spectrum use. (Sec. 305) Any contract between NASA and a provider (a person that provides domestic launch or domestic reentry services to the federal government) may provide that the United States will indemnify that provider against successful claims (including reasonable expenses of litigation or settlement) by third parties for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property resulting from launch services and reentry services carried out under the contract that are defined in it as unusually hazardous or nuclear in nature, but only to the extent the total amount of successful claims related to the activities under that contract: is more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility, and is not more than $1.5 billion (plus additional amounts necessary to reflect inflation occurring after January 1, 1989) above such insurance or financial responsibility amount. A contract made under this section that provides indemnification shall provide for: notice to the United States of any claim or suit against the provider for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property; and control of or assistance in the defense by the United States, at its election, of such claim or suit and approval of any settlement. A provider that has a contract with NASA under this section shall obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate for the maximum probable loss from claims by: a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from a launch service or reentry service carried out under the contract; and the federal government for damage or loss to government property resulting from a launch service or reentry service carried out under such contract. NASA shall determine maximum probable losses within 90 days of the provider requesting such a determination and submitting all of the information that NASA requires. NASA may revise such a determination based on new information. For the total claims related to one launch or reentry, a provider shall not be required to obtain insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility of more than: $500 million with respect to a third party, or $100 million with respect to the federal government; or the maximum liability insurance available on the world market at reasonable cost. An insurance policy or demonstration of financial responsibility regarding this section shall protect to the extent of their potential liability for involvement in launch services or reentry services the federal government, its personnel and related entities, related entities of the provider, and government astronauts. NASA may not indemnify a provider under this section until there is a cross-waiver between NASA and the provider. The bill states that NASA shall reciprocally waive claims with a provider under which each party agrees to be responsible and agrees to ensure that its related entities are responsible for damage or loss to its property, or for losses resulting from any injury or death sustained by its employees or agents. Such a waiver shall apply only to the extent that the claims are more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility. Indemnification under this section may exclude claims that result from the willfull misconduct of the provider or its related entities. No payment may be made under this section unless NASA or its designee certifies that the amount is just and reasonable. NASA may not provide indemnification under this section for an activity requiring a license or permit under provisions relating to commercial space launch activities. TITLE IV--ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION Subtitle A--Human Space Flight and Exploration Goals and Objectives (Sec. 411) The bill states that the long-terms goals for the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be: to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit, and to do so where practical, with the involvement of international, academic, and industry partners , crewed missions and progress toward achieving the expansion of human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to enable the potential for subsequent human exploration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system, and to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century. (Sec. 412) The key U.S. objectives for human expansion into space shall include achieving human exploration of Mars and beyond through the prioritization of those technologies and capabilities best suited for such a mission in accordance with the stepping stone approach to exploration specified in federal law. (Sec. 413) NASA shall manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion multipurpose crew vehicle, to enable humans to explore Mars and other space destinations. (Sec. 414) NASA may conduct missions to intermediate destinations, including the surface of Mars, cis-lunar space, near-Earth asteroids, Lagrangian points, and Martian moons, in order to achieve the objective of human exploration of Mars. The bill declares that in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term exploration and utilization activities of the United States, NASA shall take all necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and industry partners, to ensure that activities in NASA's human exploration program balance how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars. Within budgetary considerations, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, NASA shall seek to complete such project without any undue delays. Furthermore, in order to achieve the goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of Mars, the President may invite U.S. partners in the ISS program and other nations, as appropriate, to participate in an international initiative under the leadership of the United States. (Sec. 415) NASA shall implement an exploration research and technology development program for enabling human and robotic operations. (Sec. 417) The bill declares that in order to ensure continuous U.S. participation and leadership in the exploration and use of space and as an essential instrument of national security, it is U.S. policy to maintain uninterrupted capability for human space flight and operations: in low-Earth orbit; and beyond low-Earth orbit once the capabilities described in section 421 of this bill become available. NASA shall submit annual reports to Congress which describe the progress being made toward the development of the SLS and Orion. Subtitle B--Assuring Core Capabilities for Exploration (Sec. 421) Congress reaffirms the policy and minimum capability requirements for the SLS. NASA should budget for and undertake a ground test and uncrewed and crewed flight test and demonstration program for the SLS and Orion in order to promote safety and reduce programmatic risk. NASA shall continue the development of the fully integrated SLS, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond over the course of the next century. NASA shall also continue the development of: an uncrewed exploration mission to demonstrate the capability of the SLS and Orion as an integrated system by 2018; a crewed exploration mission to demonstrate the SLS, including the core stage and exploration upper stages by 2021; subsequent missions beginning with the EM-3 at operational flight rate sufficient to maintain safety and operational readiness using the SLS and Orion to extend into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; and a deep space habitat as a key element in a deep space exploration architecture along with the SLS and Orion. NASA shall assess the utility of the SLS for use by the science community and for other federal government launch needs, including considering the overall cost and schedule savings from reduced transit times and increased science returns enabled by the capabilities of the SLS. NASA, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the Office of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that addresses the effort and budget required to enable and utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton SLS configuration specified in federal law. In preparing such report NASA shall: consider the technical requirements of the scientific and national security communities related to a cargo variant of the SLS; and assess the utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using such a cargo variant for national security and space science missions. Subtitle C--Journey to Mars (Sec. 432) NASA shall develop a human exploration roadmap, including a critical decision plan, for expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to the surface of Mars and beyond, considering potential interim destinations such as cis-lunar space and the moons of Mars. The human exploration roadmap shall include: an integrated set of exploration, science, and other goals and objectives of a U.S. human space exploration program with the long-term goal of human missions near or on thesurface of Mars in the 2030s; sets and sequences of precursor missions in cis-lunar space and other missions or activities necessary to demonstrate the proficiency of the specific capabilities and technologies identified in the roadmap and to meet the goals and objectives developed under the human space exploration program, including anticipated timelines and missions for the SLS and Orion; an identification of the specific capabilities and technologies, including the SLS, Orion, a deep space habitat, and other capabilities, that facilitate the goals and objectives developed under such program; and a description of how cis-lunar elements, objectives, and activities advance the human exploration of Mars. As part of the human exploration roadmap, NASA shall include a critical decision plan that: identifies and defines key decisions to guide human space exploration priorities and plans that need to be made by June 30, 2020; define decisions needed to maximize efficiencies and resources for reaching the near, intermediate, and long-term goals and objectives of space exploration; and identifies and defines timelines and milestones for a sustainable cadence of missions beginning with EM-3 for the SLS and Orion to extend human exploration from cis-lunar space to the surface of Mars. NASA shall submit an initial human exploration roadmap, including a critical decision plan, by December 1, 2017, and updated roadmaps at least biennially. (Sec. 433) NASA shall submit a plan for achieving an advanced space suit capability that aligns with crew needs for exploration enabled by the SLS and Orion, including an evaluation of the merit of delivering the planned suit system for use on the ISS. (Sec. 434) NASA shall evaluate: those alternative approaches to the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission that demonstrate the technologies and capabilities needed for a human mission to Mars; the scientific and technical benefits of those approaches; and the commercial benefits of those approaches, including their impact on the development of domestic solar electric propulsion technology to bolster U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. (Sec. 435) NASA shall contract with an independent, non-governmental systems engineering and technical assistance organization to study the feasibility of the launch of a human space flight mission to Mars in 2033. Such study shall include: a technical development, test, fielding, and operations plan using the SLS, Orion, and other systems to successfully launch such a mission to Mars by 2033; and an annual budget profile, including cost estimates, for the technical development, test, fielding, and operations plan to carry out such a mission. NASA shall submit an assessment by the NASA Advisory Council as to whether the proposal for the launch of a human space flight mission to Mars in 2033 is in the strategic interests of the United States in space exploration. Subtitle D--TREAT Astronauts Act To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronautct or the TREAT Astronauts Act (Sec. 443) NASA may provide for: the medical monitoring and diagnosis of a former U.S. government astronaut or former payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers potentially associated with human space flight; and the treatment of such an astronaut or payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers associated with human space flight, including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions. The bill states that such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment shall be provided without any deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing obligation. Such medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment may be provided by a local health care provider if it is unadvisable due to the health of a former astronaut or former payload specialist for such astronaut or payload specialist to travel to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Payment or reimbursement for medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment shall be secondary to any obligation of the federal government or any third party to pay for or provide that monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. Costs for items and services that may be provided by NASA for medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment that are not paid for or provided because of the application of deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, other cost sharing, are reimbursable by NASA on behalf of the former U.S. government astronaut or former payload specialist to the extent that those items or services are authorized to be provided by NASA for such monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. NASA may provide for conditional payments for or provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment if: payment for such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment services has not been made or cannot reasonably be expected to be made promptly; and such payment by NASA is conditioned on reimbursement by the United States or such third party for such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. NASA may not: provide for medical monitoring, or diagnosis of a former U.S. astronaut or former payload specialist for any psychological or medical condition that is not potentially associated with human space flight; provide for treatment of such an astronaut or payload specialist for any psychological or medical condition that is not associated with human space flight; or require such an astronaut or payload specialist to participate in the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment authorized by this section. NASA shall protect the privacy of all medical records generated with respect to such medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment and accessible to NASA. The term "government astronaut" does not include individuals who are international partner astronauts. NASA may use or disclose data acquired in the course of medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of a former U.S. government astronaut or former payload specialist. Participation by such an astronaut or payload specialist in medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment under this section shall constitute consent for NASA to use or disclose such data. NASA shall publish annual reports on its activities, including a cost accounting of those activities and a five-year budget estimate. NASA shall arrange with an independent external organization to undertake an independent cost estimate of the cost to NASA and the federal government in the implementation and administration of such activities. NASA shall study any potential privacy or legal issues related to the possible sharing beyond the federal government of data acquired under the activities of NASA under this section. The NASA Inspector General shall periodically audit or review NASA's activities under this section to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. TITLE V--ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE (Sec. 501) The bill states that it is U.S. policy to ensure a steady cadence of large, medium, and small science missions. (Sec. 502) In accordance with the priorities established in the most recent decadal survey for planetary science, NASA shall ensure the completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions at the cadence recommended by such survey. Consistent with such set of missions and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, NASA may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope as a result of changing budget projections. (Sec. 503) NASA should continue robust surveillance of the performance of the James Webb Space Telescope project and continue to improve the reliability of cost estimates and contractor performance data and other major spaceflight projects so as to enhance its ability to deliver the telescope on-time and within budget. NASA should ensure that integrated testing is appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to enable potential issues to be identified and addressed early enough to be handled within the telescope's development schedule and prior to its launch. (Sec. 504) NASA should make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed to position it to meet the objectives of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), as outlined in the 2010 National Academies' Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. NASA shall ensure that the concept definition and pre-formulation activities of the WFIRST mission continue while the James Webb Space Telescope is being completed. (Sec. 505) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a Mars rover and to enable the return of samples to Earth, should remain a priority for NASA. Such mission should also: significantly increase our understanding of Mars, help determine whether life previously existed on that planet, and provide opportunities for gathering knowledge and demonstrating technologies that address the challenges of future human expeditions to Mars. (Sec. 506) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that a scientific, robotic exploration mission to Europa (a moon orbiting Jupiter), as prioritized in the previous and current Planetary Science Decadal Surveys, should be supported. (Sec. 507) The bill includes the search for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe as an objective of U.S. aeronautical and space activities. (Sec. 508) NASA shall arrange with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for the study and exploration of extrasolar planets, including the use of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope, a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other telescopes, spacecraft, or instruments, as appropriate. The strategy shall: outline key scientific questions; identify the most promising research in the field; indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet research and exploration goals; identify opportunities for coordination with international, commercial, and not-for-profit partners; and make recommendations regarding these activities, as appropriate. NASA shall use this strategy to: inform its roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities as they relate to extrasolar planet research and exploration; and provide a foundation for future activities and initiatives related to such research and exploration. The National Academies shall submit a report to NASA and Congress containing the strategy. (Sec. 509) NASA shall arrange with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the most promising research in the field, and indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. This strategy shall include recommendations for coordinating with international partners. NASA shall use such strategy in planning and funding research and other activities and initiatives in the field of astrobiology. The National Academies shall submit a report to NASA and Congress containing the strategy. (Sec. 510) NASA shall submit a report that describes how it can expand collaborative partnerships to study life's origins, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. (Sec. 511) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and NASA shall submit an initial report that provides: recommendations for carrying out the Near-Earth Object Survey program and an associated proposed budget; an analysis of possible options that NASA could employ to divert an object on a likely collision course with Earth; and a description of the status of efforts to coordinate and cooperate with other countries to discover hazardous asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and implement it in the event of the discovery of such an object. NASA shall submit annual reports that include: a summary of all activities carried out under the Survey program since this bill's enactment, including the progress toward achieving 90% completion of the Near-Earth Object Survey to detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth objects that are equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter in order to assess their threat to the Earth; and a summary of the expenditures for all activities carried out under the survey program since this bill's enactment. NASA shall carry out a technical and scientific assessment of the capabilities and resources to: accelerate the survey; and expand such program to include the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and characterization of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects that are less than 140 meters in diameter. (Sec. 512) NASA shall report on how it can expand collaborative partnerships for the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and categorizing of near-Earth objects. (Sec. 513) NASA shall carry out triennial (under current law, biennial) reviews within each of its Science divisions to assess the costs and benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection for those missions that exceed their planned missions' lifetime. In conducting such an assessment, NASA shall consider whether and how extending missions impacts the start of future missions. When deciding whether to extend a mission that has an operational component, NASA shall: consult with any affected federal agency; and take into account the potential benefits of instruments on such missions that are beyond their planned mission lifetime. NASA shall report on any such assessment that was carried out during the previous year. (Sec. 514) NASA may not terminate science operations of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy before December 31, 2017. (Sec. 515) OSTP and NASA shall analyze: NASA requirements for radioisotope power system material that is needed to carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in the solar system and other surface exploration activities beyond low-Earth orbit; and the risks to NASA missions in meeting those requirements, or any additional requirements, resulting from a lack of adequate radioisotope power system material. (Sec. 516) NASA shall arrange with National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to assess: NASA's Mars exploration architecture and its responsiveness to the strategies, priorities, and guidelines put forward by the National Academies' planetary decadal surveys and other relevant National Academies Mars-related reports; the long-term goals of NASA's Mars Exploration Program and that program's ability to optimize the science return, given its current fiscal posture; the Mars exploration architecture's relationship to Mars-related activities to be undertaken by foreign agencies and organizations; and the extent to which such architecture represents a reasonably balanced mission portfolio. (Sec. 517) NASA shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind instruments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies for operations. Whenever responsibilities for the development of sensors or for measurements are transferred to NASA from another agency, NASA shall seek to be reimbursed for assuming those responsibilities. TITLE VI--AERONAUTICS (Sec. 602) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should look strategically into the future and ensure that its Center personnel are at the leading edge of aeronautics research by encouraging investigations into the early-stage advancement of new processes, novel concepts, and innovative technologies that have the potential to meet the nation's aeronautics needs. (Sec. 603) NASA shall submit to Congress a research and development roadmap for hypersonic aircraft research, the objective of which is the exploration of hypersonic science and technology using air-breathing propulsion concepts. Such roadmap shall recommend appropriate federal agency contributions, coordination efforts, and technology milestones. (Sec. 604) NASA shall submit to Congress a roadmap that allows for flexible funding profiles for supersonic aeronautics research and development, the objective of which is the development and demonstration of airframe and propulsion technologies to minimize the environmental impact, including noise, of supersonic overland flight. (Sec. 605) NASA shall submit a roadmap for research relating to rotocraft and other runway-independent air vehicles, the objective of which is the development and demonstration of improved safety, noise, and environmental impact of such vehicles. TITLE VII--SPACE TECHNOLOGY (Sec. 701) The bill states it is U.S. policy that NASA shall develop propulsion technologies to support: its core missions in science, aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration; and sustained investments in early stage innovation, fundamental research, and technologies to expand the boundaries of the nation's aerospace enterprise. Furthermore, a goal of such technologies shall be to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for human travel to Mars. (Sec. 702) NASA shall conduct a space technology program to research and develop advanced space technologies that could deliver innovative solutions across NASA's space exploration and science missions. In conducting the program, NASA shall consider: the recommendations of the National Academies' review of NASA's Space Technology roadmaps and priorities; and the applicable enabling aspects of the stepping stone approach to space exploration. In conducting the program, NASA shall: use a competitive process to select research and development projects; use small satellites and NASA's suborbital and ground-based platforms to demonstrate space technology concepts and developments; and partner with other federal agencies, universities, private industry, and foreign countries, as appropriate. NASA shall organize and and manage its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs within the program. NASA shall submit a budget for each fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress for the President's annual budget submission, which avoids duplication of projects, programs, or missions conducted under the program with others conducted by another office or directorate of NASA. NASA shall ensure that: its projects, programs, and activities in support of technology research and development of advanced space technologies are fully coordinated and aligned; the results of such projects, programs, and activities are shared and leveraged within NASA; and the organizational responsibility for research and development activities in support of human space exploration not initiated as of this bill's enactment is established based on sound rationale. It is the sense of Congress that projects, programs, and missions being conducted by the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in support of research and development of advanced space technologies and systems focusing on human space exploration should continue in such directorate. NASA shall provide a report to Congress that: compares NASA's space technology investments with the high-priority technology areas identified by the National Academies in the National Research Council's report on NASA's Space Technology Roadmaps; and identifies how NASA will address any gaps between its investments and the recommended technology areas (including a projection of funding requirements), and identifies the sound rationale upon which the organizational responsibility for research and development activities in support of human space exploration not yet initiated shall be based. NASA shall include in its annual budget request for each fiscal year the rationale for assigning organizational responsibility for, in the year prior to the budget fiscal year, each initiated project, program, and mission focused on research and development of advanced technologies for human space exploration. TITLE VIII--MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY Subtitle A--Agency Information Technology and Cybersecurity (Sec. 811) NASA shall take specified actions governing its information technology operations and investments, including those that: ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer, Mission Directorates, and Centers have appropriate roles in the management, governance, and oversight processes related to information technology operations and investments and information security programs for the protection of NASA systems; ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has the appropriate resources and insight to oversee NASA information technology and information security operations and investments; provide an information technology program management framework; and improve the operational linkage between the NASA Chief Information Officer and each NASA mission directorate, center, and mission support office. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of NASA's Information Technology Governance to ensure that its information technology resources are aligned with its missions and are cost effective and secure. (Sec. 812) NASA shall develop a specified information technology strategic plan to guide NASA information technology management and strategic objectives. The plan shall include: near and long-term goals and objectives for leveraging information technology, a plan on how NASA will submit a list of information technology projects to Congress, an implementation overview for an agency-wide approach to information technology investments and operations, a plan to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of information technology investments, a plan for improving the information security of NASA information and NASA information systems, and submission by NASA to Congress of information regarding high risk projects and cybersecurity risks. NASA shall submit such plan and any plan updates to Congress. (Sec. 813) NASA shall implement a specified agency-wide information security plan to enhance information security for NASA information and information infrastructure. The plan shall include: an overview of the requirements for the information security system; an agency-wide risk management framework for information security; an identification and assignment of the roles, responsibilities, and management commitment for information security at NASA; and the need to protect the information security of mission-critical systems and activities and high-impact and moderate-impact information systems. (Sec. 814) NASA shall notify Congress when it has implemented the information security recommendations from the National Academy of Public Administration on foreign national access management, based on reports from January 2014 and March 2016. (Sec. 815) NASA shall: develop a plan to fully remediate security vulnerabilities in NASA web applications, and provide an update on it plan to implement the recommendations from the NASA Inspector General in a specified audit report to remove from the Internet or otherwise secure all of NASA's web applications in development or testing mode. Subtitle B--Collaboration Among Mission Directorates and Other Matters (Sec. 821) NASA shall encourage an interdisciplinary approach among all NASA mission directorates and divisions for projects or missions to: improve coordination, and encourage collaboration and early planning on scope; determine areas of overlap or alignment; leverage across divisional perspectives to maximize outcomes; and be more efficient with resources and funds. (Sec. 822) NASA shall pursue a strategy for acquiring crewed transportation services and non-crewed launch services that continues to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination between the Launch Services and Commercial Crew programs. (Sec. 823) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the presence of counterfeit electronic parts in NASA's supply chain poses a danger to astronauts, crew, and other NASA personnel and a risk to NASA overall. NASA shall revise specified regulations to improve the detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts in its supply chain and impose requirements on contractors for detecting and avoiding the use of counterfeit parts. (Sec. 824) NASA shall continue engagement with the public and education opportunities for students using all NASA mission directorates. NASA shall report on its near-term outreach plans for advancing space law education. (Sec. 825) NASA shall identify orbital assets in specified mission directorates that could benefit from satellite servicing-related technologies and shall work across all NASA mission directorates to evaluate opportunities for the private sector to perform these services or advance technical capabilities by leveraging the technologies and techniques developed by NASA programs and other industry programs. (Sec. 826) In order to conduct necessary research, NASA shall continue, and as appropriate, consider expanding the development of technology payloads for scientific research and the investigation of new or improved capabilities. To carry out such purpose, NASA shall make funds available for flight testing, payload development, and hardware related to such research and investigation. Congress reaffirms that NASA should provide flight opportunities for payloads to microgravity environments and suborbital altitudes. (Sec. 827) The bill expresses the sense of Congress on specified small class launch missions. (Sec. 828) The bill updates the number and date of the procedural requirements which are used to define the term "development" in assessing baseline and cost controls for major programs. (Sec. 829) NASA's commercial technology transfer program shall be maintained in a manner that provides clear benefits for NASA, the domestic economy, and the research community (as under current law), while protecting national security. (Sec. 830) NASA shall revise NASA's Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide uniform guidance and recommend revised requirements for organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major acquisition programs in order to address the elements described in this section. (Sec. 831) The OSTP shall assess the issues relating to the protection and preservation of historically important Apollo Program landing sites and artifacts that reside on the surface of the Moon, including those pertaining to Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. In conducting such assessment, OSTP shall include: a determination of what risks to the protection and preservation of such lunar landing sites and artifacts exist or may exist in the future; a determination of what measures are required to ensure their protection and preservation; a determination of the extent to which additional domestic legislation or international treaties or agreements will be required, and recommendations for protecting and preserving them. (Sec. 832) The bill extends the authority that allows NASA to lease to any person or entity (as specified in federal law) non-excess real property or related personal property under its jurisdiction until December 31, 2018. (Sec. 833) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should pursue a policy on termination liability that maximizes the use of its appropriated funds to make progress in meeting established technical goals and schedule milestones on the ISS, SLS, Orion, and James Webb Space Telescope. (Sec. 834) NASA shall submit a report concerning its procedures for conducting independent reviews of projects and programs at lifecycle milestones. (Sec. 835) NASA shall arrange with the National Academy of Public Administration to assess the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory Council and to recommend to Congress any changes to the council as specified in this section. Such national academy shall submit to Congress the results of such assessment, including any recommendations. NASA may appoint such advisory committees as may be appropriate for purposes of consultation and advice to Congress, as well as to NASA (under current law). The bill sunsets such reference to Congress on September 30, 2017. (Sec. 836) NASA shall provide to its acquisition programs and projects, consistent with its Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements: guidance on when to use an Independent Cost Estimate and Independent Cost Assessment; and criteria to use in making such a determination. (Sec. 837) The bill states it is U.S. policy that NASA maintain reliable and efficient facilities and infrastructure and that decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or modernize existing facilities or infrastructure be made in the context of meeting NASA's future needs. NASA shall develop a facilities and infrastructure plan to position it to have the facilities and infrastructure (including laboratories, tools, and approaches) necessary to meet NASA and other federal agencies' future laboratory needs. Such plan shall identify: current NASA and other federal agencies' laboratory needs; future NASA research and development and testing needs; a strategy for identifying facilities and infrastructure that are candidates for disposal, consistent with the national strategic direction set forth in the National Space Policy, National Aeronautics Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Infrastructure Plan, specified NASA authorization acts, and the Human Exploration Roadmap; a strategy for the maintenance, repair, upgrading, and modernization of NASA facilities and infrastructure; and criteria for prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks. (Sec. 838) The bill modifies requirements for the establishment of independent, nonpartisan commissions to investigate human space flight accidents and/or deaths by requiring the President to establish such a commission to investigate any accident that results in the loss of any orbital or suborbital space vehicle carrying humans that is: owned by the federal government; or being used pursuant to a contract or Space Act Agreement with the federal government to carry a government astronaut (as defined in federal law) or a researcher funded by the federal government. (Sec. 839) NASA shall report to Congress on the status of its efforts to coordinate with foreign countries within the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee to mitigate the effects and growth of orbital debris. The OSTP shall report to Congress on the status of the orbital debris mitigation strategy. (Sec. 840) NASA shall: in collaboration with other relevant federal agencies, solicit and review concepts and options for the removal of orbital debris from low-Earth orbit; and submit a report on such solicitation and review, including recommendations on the best options for decreasing the risks associated with orbital debris.