petitively awarded commercial space suits and sub-
components. 
(4) According to a 2018 NASA Office of In-
spector General (OIG) report, current EVAs space 
suits, the Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), 
were developed in the late 1970s, are reaching the 
end of their useful life, have experienced multiple 
maintenance issues that threaten astronaut lives, 
and no longer accommodate the varying sizes of a 
diverse astronaut corps. 
(5) The same NASA OIG report found that 
‘‘. . . manufacturers of several critical suit compo-
nents, including the very fibers of the suits, have 
now gone out of business . . . ,’’ which further rein-
forces the importance of NASA’s role in maintaining 
a space suit core competency and limiting the risk 
posed by outsourcing key national capabilities. 
(6) The private sector currently is developing 
space suit capabilities. 
(7) Testing space suits and related technologies 
on the International Space Station could reduce risk 
and improve safety of such suits and technologies. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall obtain 
advanced spacesuit capabilities necessary to achieve the 
goals of NASA’s human exploration programs. 
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(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Any commercial provider from 
which the Administrator obtains advanced spaceflight ca-
pabilities must be a U.S. private sector commercial service 
provider, as set forth in section 203(c) of this Act. 
(d) PRESERVING EXPERTISE.— 
(1) In carrying out subsection (b), NASA shall 
maintain the internal expertise necessary to develop 
space suits for both extravehicular activity and sur-
face operations, including through partnerships with 
the private sector. 
(2) The Johnson Space Center shall continue to 
manage NASA’s spacesuit and extravehicular activ-
ity programs. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days from the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report— 
(1) describing NASA’s plans for— 
(A) in-space testing of advanced spacesuit 
capabilities, including— 
(i) space suit tests which must be con-
ducted in microgravity in low-Earth orbit; 
and 
(ii) space suit tests that must be con-
ducted on the International Space Station 
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before decommissioning of the Inter-
national Space Station; 
(B) transitioning from existing spacesuits 
in use on the International Space Station to use 
of advanced spacesuit capabilities; 
(C) future use of advanced spacesuit capa-
bilities by government astronauts with any non-
governmental platform in low-Earth orbit that 
is certified for use by the Administration for 
government astronauts (as such term is defined 
in section 50902(4) of title 51, United States 
Code); and 
(D) disposition of retired spacesuits used 
on the Space Shuttle or the International Space 
Station; and 
(2) including— 
(A) a detailed justification of compliance 
with section 30301 of title 51, United States 
Code; and 
(B) a detailed certification and justifica-
tion of compliance with section 50503 of title 
51, United States Code. 
(f) ASSESSMENT
OF EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY 
UNITES USED ON THE ISS.— 
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(1) No later than 45 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with an independent science 
and technical engineering organization to review the 
technical status and performance of the Administra-
tion’s 
existing 
extravehicular 
mobility 
units 
(‘‘EMUs’’), to analyze the data associated with all 
mishaps, anomalies, and off-nominal events related 
to the EMUs used by government astronauts on the 
International Space Station over the last 10 years, 
and to make recommendations to the Administrator, 
as a result of such assessment. 
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that the en-
tity carrying out the assessment in paragraph (1) 
consults with relevant industry contractors regarding 
the Administration’s EMUs and EMU capabilities, 
and coordinates with the NASA Astronaut Office in 
carrying out such assessment. 
(3) The Administrator shall transmit the re-
sults of the assessment in paragraph (1) to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress as soon as prac-
ticable and no later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
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TITLE III—SPACE OPERATIONS 
SEC. 301. REPORT ON CONTINUED UNITED STATES PRES-
ENCE IN LOW EARTH ORBIT. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining information on the following: 
(1) The United States Government description 
of and plans for implementation of the policy on an 
uninterrupted capability for human space flight and 
operations in accordance with section 70501(a) of 
title 51, United States Code, and section 201(b) of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(b)) re-
garding United States human space flight capabili-
ties. 
(2) The preparedness of the Administration to 
continue to meet the requirements referred to in 
paragraph (1) under the planned approach to 
deorbit the International Space Station by not later 
than the end of calendar year 2031. 
SEC. 302. MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH. 
Paragraph (2) of section 40904 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(1) by inserting the phrase ‘‘use one or more 
microgravity platforms, as determined appropriate 
by the Administrator, to’’ before ‘‘carry out, to the 
maximum extent’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘International Space Station’’. 
SEC. 303. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) ISS is a unique facility that provides the 
United States with capabilities in space that are cur-
rently unmatched; NASA continues to make produc-
tive use of the ISS; 
(2) the ISS serves several functions, including 
establishing the United States as a leader in space 
activities, acting as a beacon of international co-
operation, and conducting cutting-edge microgravity 
and observational research in low-Earth orbit; 
(3) NASA must complete certain objectives on 
the ISS to facilitate deep space exploration efforts, 
including carrying out human research and dem-
onstrating exploration-related technologies; and 
(4) reducing crew size or cargo deliveries, or re-
ducing sustaining engineering capabilities, would re-
duce the scientific output of the ISS and potentially 
increase the risk to the ISS and its crew. 
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(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that section 70907 of 
title 51, United States Code, does not prohibit the oper-
ation of the International Space Station after a specific 
year. 
(c) FULL UTILIZATION.— 
(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that, to ensure the greatest return on in-
vestments made by the United States and the Inter-
national Space Station partners in the development, 
assembly, and operations of the International Space 
Station, the Administrator should maximize the uti-
lization and productivity of the International Space 
Station with respect to the priorities set forth in sec-
tion 10816 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note), which include 
research of the human research program, risk reduc-
tion activities relevant to exploration technologies, 
the advancement of United States leadership of 
basic and applied space life and physical sciences, 
and other research and development essential to 
Moon to Mars program activities. 
(2) AMENDMENT.—Section 502(a) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–267; 42 
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U.S.C. 18352(a)), is amended by striking ‘‘take 
steps to’’. 
SEC. 304. NONGOVERNMENTAL MISSIONS ON THE INTER-
NATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA seeks to enable a low-Earth orbit 
economy by supporting commercial entities who seek 
to provide both developing technologies, such as 
commercial low-Earth orbit platforms, and tech-
nologies that already have been developed, such as 
commercial spaceflight capabilities; 
(2) nongovernmental missions involving crew or 
crew and spaceflight participants on the Inter-
national Space Station carried out, as appropriate, 
pursuant to NASA policies and procedures related to 
International Space Station operations, and Federal 
Government laws and regulations, can provide les-
sons and learning experiences for both government 
and nongovernmental entities to inform the develop-
ment of future commercial low-Earth orbit platforms 
and a low-Earth orbit economy; and 
(3) the Administrator should, while safe-
guarding the proprietary information of nongovern-
mental entities, share lessons learned from private, 
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nongovernmental missions on the International 
Space Station to advance the commercial human 
spaceflight industry, to promote the safety of future 
commercial low-Earth orbit platforms, and to inform 
the evolution of policies guiding such activities in 
low-Earth orbit. 
(b) NONGOVERNMENTAL ISS MISSIONS.—The Ad-
ministrator may enter into agreements to allow United 
States private sector commercial providers to conduct one 
or more nongovernmental missions to the International 
Space Station. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a report containing information relat-
ing to the following: 
(1) The number of nongovernmental missions to 
the ISS planned. 
(2) The number of nongovernmental missions to 
the ISS completed. 
(3) The extent to which commercial entities car-
rying out nongovernmental missions on the ISS fully 
reimburse Administration costs incurred by NASA 
in association with any nongovernmental missions 
carried out on the International Space Station. 
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(4) The extent to which private, nongovern-
mental missions on the International Space Station 
impact the priorities specified in section 10816 of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 
U.S.C. 70901 note). 
(5) The impact, if any, to operations of or ac-
tivities on the International Space Station that are 
not related to nongovernmental missions on the 
International Space Station. 
(6) A consideration of the extent to which any 
nongovernmental missions on the ISS— 
(A) conform with section 20102 of title 51, 
United States Code; 
(B) adhere to the requirements of section 
50131 of title 51, Untied States Code; and 
(C) are consistent with the national secu-
rity and foreign policy interests of the United 
States. 
(7) Any other issues or benefits related to non-
governmental missions on the International Space 
Station that the Comptroller General determines ap-
propriate. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘crew’’ 
and ‘‘spaceflight participant’’ have the meanings given 
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such terms in section 50902 of title 51, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 305. REPORT ON SUBORBITAL CREW MISSIONS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the costs, 
benefits, risks, training requirements, and policy or legal 
implications, including liability matters, of launching 
United States Government personnel on commercial sub-
orbital vehicles. 
SEC. 306. UNITED STATES DEORBIT CAPABILITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the International Space Station is aging 
and eventually will need to be deorbited safely and 
disposed of in a controlled manner; and 
(2) to protect the safety of the public, and to 
avoid interfering with other space operators or ob-
jects, NASA plans to deorbit and disposition the 
International Space Station through a controlled at-
mospheric reentry over an uninhabited region. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) The Administrator shall acquire ISS deorbit 
capabilities from a United States private sector com-
mercial service provider or providers. 
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(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, not 
reduce or deprioritize NASA activities conducted on 
and in support of the ISS to support the develop-
ment of United States deorbit capabilities. 
(c) COSTS.— 
(1) INDEPENDENT
COST
ESTIMATE.—Before 
entering into an agreement for the capabilities de-
scribed in subsection (b), the Administrator shall ob-
tain an independent life-cycle cost estimate for the 
deorbit capability and shall report the results of 
such estimate and five-year budget profile to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress. 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report detailing the Administra-
tion’s plan for the financial, logistical, and 
operational responsibilities associated with the 
deorbit capability. 
(B) Annually, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report, to accompany the President’s budget 
request, containing a description of annual and 
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lifecycle costs for activities related to the 
deorbit of the International Space Station and 
how such costs are shared among the ISS part-
ners. 
SEC. 307. COMMERCIAL LOW-EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in 
consultation with the National Space Council, shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy for 
a robust and resilient architecture to advance NASA and 
other relevant Federal Government civil research, develop-
ment, and operational requirements in low-Earth orbit. 
The architecture should— 
(1) include a mix of crewed and uncrewed plat-
forms; 
(2) consider an incremental approach to achiev-
ing the full suite of capabilities necessary to meet 
Administration research, development, and oper-
ational requirements in low-Earth orbit; 
(3) consider the requirements described in sub-
section (d); and 
(4) sustain and promote United States leader-
ship and international partnerships in carrying out 
low-Earth orbit activities. 
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(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
and make available to relevant United States commercial 
industry entities, a detailed account of the research, devel-
opment, and operational requirements for NASA activities 
in low-Earth orbit, including any requirements that could 
affect the design, development, instrumentation, and long- 
term operations of future United States commercial low- 
Earth orbit platforms. In preparing the detailed account 
of research, development, and operational requirements, 
the Administrator may consider the requirements of other 
Federal agencies. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION.—The Administrator is author-
ized to enter into agreements with one or more United 
States commercial providers, as such term is defined in 
section 203(c) of this Act, to enable the development and 
certification of a United States private, low-Earth orbit 
platform, and to use such platform and platform capabili-
ties to achieve the goals set forth in the strategy under 
subsection (a), sustain the priorities described in section 
10816 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 
U.S.C. 70901 note) and the activities under the Human 
Exploration Roadmap pursuant to section 432(b)(2)(J) of 
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the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Tran-
sition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10) 
and to meet the requirements described in subsection (b). 
(d) ANCHOR TENANCY.—No later than November 15, 
2025, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate 
committees of Congress the following: 
(1) The results of a survey and assessment of 
the market for capabilities and services that may be 
provided through future United States commercial 
low-Earth orbit platform that shall be prepared by 
an independent entity with appropriate expertise. 
(2) A detailed justification of compliance with 
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code. 
(3) A detailed certification and justification of 
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
(e) USE OF UNITED STATES LAUNCH AND REENTRY 
SERVICES.—As a term of an agreement entered into under 
to subsection (d), the Administrator shall include a re-
quirement for the use of United States commercially pro-
vided launch and reentry services to support all Adminis-
tration activities under such agreement, in accordance 
with section 50131 of title 51, United States Code, as ap-
plicable. 
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(f) SAFETY.—When an agreement under subsection 
(d) involves government astronauts (as such term is de-
fined in section 50902(4) of title 51, United States Code), 
the Administrator shall protect the safety of such govern-
ment astronauts by ensuring that each platform under the 
agreement meets all applicable human rating processes, 
certification, and safety requirements. 
TITLE IV—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
SEC. 401. SBIR PHASE II FLEXIBILITY. 
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) 
is amended in subsection (cc) by striking ‘‘and the Depart-
ment of Education’’ and inserting ‘‘the Department of 
Education, and the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration’’. 
SEC. 402. LUNAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator may enter into an 
arrangement with an independent entity with appropriate 
expertise to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility of 
using power purchase agreements to facilitate the develop-
ment and deployment of lunar surface power. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) may include the following: 
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(1) An identification of facilities and technical 
capabilities needed to support lunar surface power 
production. 
(2) A demand forecast for lunar surface power, 
including the following: 
(A) Forecasted demand of both govern-
mental and nongovernmental users. 
(B) To support the following: 
(i) Near-term exploration activities. 
(ii) Long-duration activities. 
(3) Potential policy and legal issues associated 
with lunar power purchase agreements between pro-
viders and the United States Government, inter-
national partners, and other private sector entities. 
(c) COORDINATION.—In conducting the study under 
this section, the Administrator may consult with the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium. 
(2) The Department of Energy, the Depart-
ment of Commerce, and other Federal agencies, as 
determined appropriate by the Administrator. 
(3) International partners. 
(4) Relevant private sector entities. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator may 
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submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
that includes the results of the study conducted pursuant 
to subsection (a). 
SEC. 403. CRYOGENIC FLUID VALVE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that advancing cryogenic fluid valve technology 
would support the Administration’s efforts to improve 
cryogenic fluid management and improve space vehicle re-
liability and efficiency. 
(b) TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Administrator 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with an inde-
pendent research and development center or other 
independent nonprofit organization, as determined 
appropriate by the Administrator, to conduct a re-
view of cryogenic fluid valve technology in accord-
ance with this section. 
(2) REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT.—In accordance 
with any agreement entered into pursuant to para-
graph (1), the center or organization referred to in 
such paragraph shall review recent advances in tech-
nologies related to cryogenic fluid valve use in space 
applications and assess opportunities to improve 
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such cryogenic fluid valve technologies. The review 
shall include an assessment of ongoing public and 
private sector research and development efforts to 
improve cryogenic fluid valve technologies, including 
support for research and development activities to 
advance materials engineering for cryogenic fluid 
valves. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, in accordance with any 
agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (b)(1), the 
center or organization referred to in such subsection shall 
submit to the Administrator and the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report detailing the results of the review 
and assessment under subsection (b). 
SEC. 404. LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Reliable communication and navigation ca-
pabilities are essential for sustainable human and 
robotic exploration of the Moon. 
(2) NASA’s LunaNet and LCRNS initiatives 
will enable critical cislunar communications and 
navigation infrastructure. 
(3) Fostering the development of commercial 
capabilities can accelerate the deployment of lunar 
communication and navigation services. 
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(b) ARCHITECTURE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop and maintain a robust and resilient architec-
ture for lunar communications and navigation to 
support the Administration’s human and robotic 
lunar exploration activities. As part of these efforts, 
the Administrator shall continue development and 
implementation of the LunaNet architecture and the 
LCRNS project. 
(2) OBJECTIVES.—In carrying out paragraph 
(1), the Administrator shall— 
(A) enable interoperable communications 
and navigation services for cislunar missions; 
(B) establish technical standards, con-
sistent with section 12(d) of the National Tech-
nology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(Public Law 104–113), protocols, and interface 
requirements, in cooperation with the private 
sector and other United States Government 
agencies and international partners, as nec-
essary, for cislunar communications and naviga-
tion services and systems; 
(C) support NASA’s Artemis program; 
(D) support NASA’s Science Mission Di-
rectorate missions; 
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(E) support NASA’s Space Operations 
Mission Directorate; 
(F) leverage NASA’s space technology re-
search, development, and demonstration activi-
ties; 
(G) enable the development and sustain-
able operations of commercial cislunar commu-
nication and navigation services by the United 
States private sector; 
(H) identify existing or potential customers 
for cislunar communications and navigation 
services other than the United States Govern-
ment; and 
(I) ensure that the long-term viability of 
such systems are not dependent upon continued 
Government market or other non-reimbursable 
government support and that private sector 
capital is at risk. 
(c) PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall, to the greatest extent 
practicable, procure cislunar communications and 
navigation services from commercial providers. 
(2) COMPETITION.—The Administrator shall 
use competitive procedures to the maximum extent 
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practicable when procuring cislunar communications 
and navigation services. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to Congress a report on NASA’s 
plans for procuring commercial lunar communica-
tions and navigation services. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(1) LUNANET.—The term ‘‘LunaNet’’ means 
NASA’s architecture for standardized lunar commu-
nications, navigation, and networking services. 
(2) LCRNS.—The term ‘‘LCRNS’’ means 
NASA’s Lunar Communications Relay and Naviga-
tion Systems project. 
TITLE V—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY; AAM.—The terms 
‘‘advanced air mobility’’ and ‘‘AAM’’ mean a trans-
portation system that is comprised of urban air mo-
bility and regional air mobility using manned or un-
manned aircraft. 
(2) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘eligi-
ble institution’’ means— 
(A) an institution of higher education; 
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(B) a nonprofit research institution; 
(C) a high school; or 
(D) a consortium of 2 or more entities de-
scribed in any of subparagraphs (A) through 
(C). 
(3) REGIONAL AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘‘re-
gional air mobility’’ means the movement of pas-
sengers or property by air between 2 points using an 
airworthy aircraft that— 
(A) has advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and land-
ing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; 
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds; and 
(C) is not urban air mobility. 
(4) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meanings given 
such term in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(5) URBAN AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘‘urban 
air mobility’’ means the movement of passengers or 
property by air between 2 points in different cities 
or 2 points within the same city using an airworthy 
aircraft that— 
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(A) has advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and land-
ing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; and 
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds. 
(6) UTM.—The term ‘‘UTM’’ means an un-
manned aircraft system traffic management system 
or service. 
(7) X-PLANE.—The term ‘‘X-plane’’ means an 
experimental aircraft that is— 
(A) used to test and evaluate a new tech-
nology or aerodynamic concept; and 
(B) operated by NASA or the Department 
of Defense. 
SEC. 502. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consulta-
tion with industry and academia, shall conduct a study 
of past and future administration of the experimental air-
craft demonstrator program. 
(b) FUTURE DEMONSTRATIONS.—The study under 
subsection (a) shall identify systems, capabilities, and 
technologies that could be viable candidates for matura-
tion and demonstration through the development of an ex-
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perimental aircraft demonstrator. Such systems, capabili-
ties, and technologies may include technological advance-
ments related to structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, 
controls, and autonomous capabilities. The study shall in-
clude a description of criteria and performance metrics 
used to determine the readiness of a system, capability, 
or technology to be demonstrated on a future experimental 
aircraft demonstrator. 
(c) LESSONS LEARNED.—The study under subsection 
(a) also shall include an assessment of lessons learned 
from the Administration’s previous experimental aircraft 
demonstration projects over the last decade, including the 
projects set forth under section 10831 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2022 (Public Law 117–167). This assessment shall in-
clude— 
(1) a quantitative assessment of each experi-
mental aircraft demonstration project’s ability to 
meet cost, schedule and performance goals, as de-
fined at the time of project confirmation; 
(2) the extent to which the project’s objectives 
or performance goals were changed or descoped; 
(3) the extent to which the system, capability, 
or technology that was the subject of the project was 
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matured as a result of its demonstration on an ex-
perimental aircraft demonstrator; and 
(4) the extent to which the project has contrib-
uted to advancing the capabilities of and innovation 
in the United States aircraft and aviation industries. 
SEC. 503. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) basic and applied hypersonic research— 
(A) is critical for enabling the development 
of advanced high-speed aeronautical and space 
systems; and 
(B) can improve understanding of tech-
nical challenges related to high-speed and reus-
able vehicle technologies, including those related 
to propulsion, noise, advanced materials, and 
entry, descent, and landing operations; 
(2) investments in hypersonic research is crit-
ical to sustaining United States global leadership in 
space and aeronautics; and 
(3) NASA efforts to study hypersonic research 
should complement research supported by the De-
partment of Defense and, when appropriate, be con-
ducted in partnership with universities and industry. 
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(b) HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.—The Administrator, in 
coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration and the Secretary of the Department 
of Defense, and in consultation with industry and aca-
demia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied 
hypersonic research. 
(c) HYPERSONIC RESEARCH ROADMAP.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary 
of the Department of Defense, and with industry and aca-
demic institutions, shall update the hypersonic research 
roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Transition Authoriza-
tion Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 
note). In updating the research roadmap, the Adminis-
trator may consider advancements in— 
(1) system level design, analysis, and validation 
of hypersonic aircraft technologies; 
(2) propulsion capabilities and technologies; 
(3) vehicle technologies to include vehicle flow 
physics and vehicle thermal management associated 
with aerodynamic heating; 
(4) advanced materials, including materials ca-
pable of withstanding high temperatures and dem-
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onstrating durable materials, and efforts to create 
models and simulate use of such materials; and 
(5) other areas of hypersonic research as deter-
mined appropriate by the Administrator. 
(d) REPORT AND BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) transmit the updated research roadmap 
under subsection (c) to the appropriate committees 
of Congress; and 
(2) provide a briefing on the research conducted 
under subsection (b), including how such research 
aligns with the updated research roadmap under 
subsection (c). 
SEC. 504. ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING 
TECHNOLOGY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to 
the appropriate committees of Congress on the status of 
NASA activities relating to section 10831(e), the Ad-
vanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Pro-
gram, and section 10831(f), regarding relevant Research 
Partnerships, as set forth in the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167). 
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SEC. 505. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM AND ADVANCED 
AIR MOBILITY. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that research and de-
velopment related to autonomous aviation is vital to en-
sure United States competitiveness in the aviation auton-
omy as the National Airspace System evolves from trajec-
tory-based operations to collaborative and highly auto-
mated operations. 
(b) COLLABORATION.—The Administrator shall, in 
collaboration with the Administrator of Federal Aviation 
Administration, the heads of other relevant Federal agen-
cies, and appropriate representatives of academia and in-
dustry, to continue its research activities in the following: 
(1) Sky for All, which seeks to establish a re-
search and development framework supporting na-
tional strategic planning for a holistic airspace eco-
system to meet future needs of increasingly complex 
airspace operations. 
(2) Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Traffic Manage-
ment (UTM), addressing prototype technologies and 
developing a concept of operations for integrated 
UAS traffic management. This research considers— 
(A) Mixed Airspace environments with in-
creasingly automated technologies; 
(B) dynamic geofencing; 
(C) congestion management; 
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(D) terrain avoidance to enable safe, effi-
cient low-altitude operations; and 
(E) accelerating capabilities used to re-
spond to public emergencies. 
(3) Airspace and operations research of autono-
mous vehicles in the national airspace system, in-
cluding autonomy flight research and demonstra-
tions by utilizing test ranges established under sec-
tion 44803, of title 49, United States Code, or exist-
ing Federal and nonfederal test ranges and testbeds 
to advance autonomous aircraft technology architec-
ture, beyond visual line of sight airspace operations 
in the mixed airspace environment with safety man-
agement system capabilities, balancing human-ma-
chine interactions for safer, more efficient flight for 
advanced air mobility and emerging autonomous air-
craft for cargo and passenger market. 
(4) Supply chain management, including devel-
opment of analysis and modeling capability and 
identify strategic gaps in the aerospace supply chain, 
including for Advanced Air Mobility. 
(c) BRIEF.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief 
the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress 
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of the research under subsection (b) and activities related 
to technology demonstration and technology transfer. 
SEC. 506. ADVANCED CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY RE-
SPONSE OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall leverage 
NASA-developed tools and technologies to conduct re-
search and development activities under the Advanced Ca-
pabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) 
program to improve aerial responses to wildfires. 
(b) GOALS.—The research and development activities 
conducted under subsection (a) may include the following: 
(1) Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace 
management efforts to assist in the management, 
deconfliction, and coordination of aerial assets dur-
ing wildfire response efforts. 
(2) Information sharing and real-time data ex-
change for wildfire response teams. 
(3) Development of an interoperable platform to 
provide situational awareness of aerial assets during 
wildfire response. 
(4) Establishment of a multi-agency concept of 
operations, which may involve Federal, State, and 
local government agencies, to enable coordination of 
aerial activities for wildfire response. 
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(c) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Administrator— 
(1) may coordinate and collaborate with other 
Federal, State, and local government agencies, re-
gional organizations, and commercial partners and 
academic institutions involved in wildfire manage-
ment; and 
(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
consult with the heads of other Federal departments 
and agencies to avoid duplication of activities. 
(d) PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 
subsection, the Administrator may not procure an 
unmanned aircraft system to conduct activities de-
scribed in this section if such unmanned aircraft sys-
tem is manufactured or assembled by a covered for-
eign entity. 
(2) 
EXEMPTION.—The 
Administrator 
may 
waive the prohibition under paragraph (1) on a case- 
by-case basis if the Administrator— 
(A) determines that the procurement of an 
unmanned aircraft system is— 
(i) in the national interest of the 
United States; and 
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(ii) necessary for the sole purpose of 
improving aerial responses to wildfires; and 
(B) notifies the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
later than 30 days after a determination in the 
affirmative under subparagraph (A). 
(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually 
thereafter until December 31, 2029, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report describing the activities, including results, 
carried out pursuant to this section 2. Each such report, 
at minimum, shall contain the following: 
(1) A description of any research and develop-
ment activities. 
(2) A description of the Administrator’s activi-
ties pursuant to subsection (c). 
(3) An assessment of the effectiveness of such 
activities in preventing injuries and loss of life, pro-
tecting property, and reducing economic damage. 
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(4) An identification of any topics related to 
improvement of aerial responses to wildfires that 
could benefit from further research. 
(5) A description of any continuing efforts 
under this section. 
(6) Any other information determined appro-
priate by the Administrator. 
(f) DEFINITION.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
FOREIGN
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘covered foreign entity’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 1832 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 
118–31). 
(2) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 507. HYDROGEN AVIATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations for such purpose, and taking into consider-
ation the strategy developed under and research conducted 
pursuant to section 1019 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 
of 2024 (Public Law 118–63), the Administrator shall 
carry out a research program on the emerging tech-
nologies related to hydrogen aviation. 
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(b) OBJECTIVES.—The research under subsection (a) 
may include the following: 
(1) Safety and feasibility of onboard aircraft 
hydrogen cryocompression and storage. 
(2) Cryogenic storage cycling materials and sys-
tem longevity. 
(3) Liquid hydrogen pumps for long term use. 
(4) Compact lightweight liquid hydrogen gas 
compressors, and tank level sensors for liquid hydro-
gen. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the findings of the research under subsection (a). 
SEC. 508. HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHASE AIRCRAFT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon 
high-performance chase aircraft for providing re-
search and mission support; and 
(2) NASA currently faces maintenance chal-
lenges related to its aging high-performance aircraft 
fleet, which is resulting in increased program costs. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, 
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the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a briefing on the strategy of NASA 
relating to the following: 
(1) Collaboration with the Department of De-
fense on efforts for research and flight asset sharing 
to support NASA’s research mission support and 
pilot training requirements. 
(2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to 
keep NASA’s current fleet of chase aircraft oper-
ational. 
(3) To explore the use of 3D additive manufac-
tured parts. 
(4) Acquisition or using through loan, sharing, 
or other agreements, as appropriate, Department of 
Defense aircraft to support NASA’s research and 
mission support activities, as required. 
SEC. 509. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) colleges and universities are hubs of re-
search and innovation, with expertise in various 
fields of science and aeronautics; 
(2) collaborating with academia allows NASA to 
access cutting-edge research and expertise that can 
further enable advancement in aeronautics research 
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and technology and address complex aeronautical 
challenges; 
(3) a cutting-edge civil aeronautics research and 
development program can inspire the next genera-
tion to pursue education and careers in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, including 
aeronautics; and 
(4) opportunities for students to participate in 
NASA-supported academic research and develop-
ment projects, such as the University Leadership 
Initiative, the University Students Research Chal-
lenge, and related aeronautic projects and competi-
tions, contributes to training the next generation 
and developing the aeronautics workforce to support 
continued United States leadership and economic 
growth in civil aeronautics and aviation. 
SEC. 510. NATIONAL STUDENT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEMS COMPETITION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall lead a 
national pilot program to carry out unmanned aircraft sys-
tems technology competitions for students at the high 
school and undergraduate level (in this section referred to 
as ‘‘competitions’’) in which students shall compete to de-
sign, create, and demonstrate an unmanned aircraft sys-
tem. 
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