IB 
Union Calendar No. 595 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8958 
[Report No. 118–701] 
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 9, 2024 
Mr. LUCAS (for himself, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. BABIN, and Mr. SORENSEN) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology 
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 9, 2024] 
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A BILL 
To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2025. 
TITLE II—EXPLORATION 
Sec. 201. Continuity of purpose for space exploration. 
Sec. 202. Artemis program. 
Sec. 203. Reaffirmation of the Space Launch System. 
Sec. 204. Human-rated lunar landing capabilities. 
Sec. 205. Advanced spacesuit capabilities. 
TITLE III—SPACE OPERATIONS 
Sec. 301. Report on continued United States presence in low earth orbit. 
Sec. 302. International Space Station. 
Sec. 303. Nongovernmental missions on the International Space Station. 
Sec. 304. Report on suborbital crew missions. 
Sec. 305. United States deorbit capabilities. 
Sec. 306. Commercial low-earth orbit development. 
Sec. 307. Risk of losing access to low-earth orbit. 
Sec. 308. Maintenance of service for International Space Station. 
Sec. 309. Orbital debris research and development. 
Sec. 310. Restriction on Federal funds relating to certain Chinese space and sci-
entific activities. 
TITLE IV—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
Sec. 401. SBIR phase II flexibility. 
Sec. 402. Lunar power purchase agreement program. 
Sec. 403. Cryogenic fluid valve technology review. 
Sec. 404. Lunar communications. 
Sec. 405. Celestial time standardization. 
TITLE V—AERONAUTICS 
Sec. 501. Definitions. 
Sec. 502. Experimental aircraft demonstrations. 
Sec. 503. Hypersonic research. 
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Sec. 504. Advanced materials and manufacturing technology. 
Sec. 505. Unmanned aircraft system and advanced air mobility. 
Sec. 506. Advanced capabilities for emergency response operations. 
Sec. 507. Hydrogen aviation. 
Sec. 508. High-performance chase aircraft. 
Sec. 509. Collaboration with academia. 
Sec. 510. National student unmanned aircraft systems competition program. 
Sec. 511. Decadal survey for national aeronautics research and priorities review. 
Sec. 512. Making advancements in commercial hypersonics. 
TITLE VI—SCIENCE 
Sec. 601. Maintaining a balanced science portfolio. 
Sec. 602. Implementation of science mission cost-caps. 
Sec. 603. Reexamination of decadal surveys. 
Sec. 604. Landsat. 
Sec. 605. Private earth observation data. 
Sec. 606. Commercial satellite data. 
Sec. 607. Greenhouse gas emission measurements. 
Sec. 608. NASA data for agricultural applications. 
Sec. 609. Planetary science portfolio. 
Sec. 610. Planetary defense. 
Sec. 611. Lunar discovery and exploration. 
Sec. 612. Commercial lunar payload services. 
Sec. 613. Planetary and lunar operations. 
Sec. 614. Mars sample return. 
Sec. 615. Hubble space telescope servicing. 
Sec. 616. Great observatories mission and technology maturation. 
Sec. 617. Nancy Grace Roman telescope. 
Sec. 618. Chandra X-Ray observatory. 
Sec. 619. Heliophysics research. 
Sec. 620. Study on commercial space weather data. 
Sec. 621. Geospace dynamics constellation. 
Sec. 622. Technology development for wildland fire science, management, and 
mitigation. 
Sec. 623. Implementation of recommendations by the National Wildland Fire 
Management and Mitigation Commission. 
TITLE VII—STEM EDUCATION 
Sec. 701. National space grant college and fellowship program. 
Sec. 702. Skilled technical workforce education outreach. 
TITLE VIII—POLICY/NASA 
Sec. 801. Major programs. 
Sec. 802. NASA advisory council. 
Sec. 803. NASA assessment of early cost estimates. 
Sec. 804. Independent cost estimate. 
Sec. 805. Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy report. 
Sec. 806. Authorization for the transfer to NASA of funds from other agencies for 
scientific or engineering research or education. 
Sec. 807. Procedure for launch services risk mitigation. 
Sec. 808. Report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to 
space resources. 
Sec. 809. Reports to Congress. 
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Sec. 810. Contract flexibility. 
Sec. 811. GAO report. 
Sec. 812. NASA public-private talent program. 
Sec. 813. Report on Space Act agreements. 
Sec. 814. Mentoring. 
Sec. 815. Drinking water well replacement for Chincoteague, Virginia. 
Sec. 816. Rule of construction. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration. 
(2) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.— 
The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ 
means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives. 
(3) CISLUNAR
SPACE.—The term ‘‘cislunar 
space’’ means the region of space beyond low-Earth 
orbit out to and including the region around the sur-
face of the Moon. 
(4) COMMERCIAL
PROVIDER.—The term ‘‘com-
mercial provider’’ means any person providing space 
services or space-related capabilities, primary control 
of which is held by persons other than the Federal 
Government, a State or local government, or a foreign 
government. 
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(3) For the Space Technology Mission Direc-
torate, $1,181,800,000. 
(4) 
For 
the 
Science 
Mission 
Directorate, 
$7,334,200,000. 
(5) For the Aeronautics Research Mission Direc-
torate, $965,800,000. 
(6) For the Office of STEM Engagement, 
$135,000,000. 
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 
$3,044,440,000. 
(8) For Construction and Environmental Com-
pliance and Restoration, $424,100,000. 
(9) For Inspector General, $47,600,000. 
TITLE II—EXPLORATION 
SEC. 201. CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE FOR SPACE EXPLO-
RATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) NASA continues to make progress in devel-
oping and testing the Space Launch System, Orion, 
and associated ground systems, including through the 
successful completion of the Artemis I mission in No-
vember 2022 and through continued preparations for 
the Artemis II crewed flight demonstration mission. 
(2) The number of spacefaring countries is in-
creasing, and foreign countries have expanded activi-
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ties for space exploration efforts, including efforts to 
explore and utilize the Moon through human and 
robotic missions. 
(3) A strong and ambitious space exploration 
program conducted with international and commer-
cial partners is important to maintaining United 
States leadership in space and enhancing United 
States international competitiveness. 
(4) Clear mission objectives that tie to concrete, 
long-term programmatic goals provide a measure to 
ensure accountability, enhance public support for ex-
ploration missions, and provide a clear signal of com-
mitment to both international and domestic partners. 
(b) CONTINUITY OF EXISTING CAPABILITIES AND PRO-
GRAMS.— 
(1) As part of the human exploration activities 
of the Administration, including progress on Artemis 
missions and activities, the Administrator shall con-
tinue development of space exploration elements pur-
suant to section 10811 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302). 
(2) The Administrator shall leverage the private 
sector for logistical services to the extent practical, 
consistent with the Moon to Mars architecture re-
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quirements and in accordance with section 50131 of 
title 51, United States Code. 
(3) Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress to 
maintain continuity of purpose as described in sec-
tion 201 of the 2017 NASA Transition Authorization 
Act (Public Law 115–10; 131 Stat. 21). 
SEC. 202. ARTEMIS PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—The following is the sense 
of Congress: 
(1) Exploration of outer space, including explo-
ration of the lunar surface and cislunar space, pro-
vides benefits and economic opportunity, including by 
inspiring future generations and expanding the 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
workforce needed to sustain United States leadership 
in science, space, and technology. 
(2) The lunar south pole is home to shadowed 
craters that may contain water ice and other 
volatiles. Understanding the nature of lunar polar 
volatiles, such as water ice, would advance science re-
lated to the origin and evolution of volatiles in the 
inner solar system and could facilitate the long-term 
future of space exploration. Water ice lunar resources 
have the potential to become an enabling component 
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of future space exploration missions throughout the 
solar system, including crewed missions to Mars. 
(3) Other countries have demonstrated techno-
logical advances and successful robotic missions for 
lunar exploration and have announced credible plans 
for long-term human exploration of the Moon that in-
clude the intent to establish lunar bases. 
(4) United States leadership of and measurable 
progress on the exploration of deep space is essential 
for guiding development of norms related to oper-
ations on and around the Moon and for other space 
destinations. 
(5) It is in the national interest of the United 
States to hold a leadership role in discussions of fu-
ture norms governing activities in space, including 
those on the lunar surface and in cislunar space. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out activities to enable 
Artemis missions under the Moon to Mars Program set forth 
in section 10811 of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117– 
167), the Administrator shall— 
(1) use relevant elements set forth in section 
10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117–167); 
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(2) continue to ensure that the elements under 
paragraph (1) enable the human exploration of Mars, 
consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167); 
(3) engage with international partners, as ap-
propriate, in a manner that is consistent with section 
10811(b)(2)(C) the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167), and that increases redundancy, effi-
ciency, and cost savings; and 
(4) leverage capabilities provided by United 
States commercial providers, as appropriate and 
practicable. 
(c) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL PROVIDER CAPA-
BILITIES
IN
SUPPORT
OF
LUNAR
EXPLORATION
EF-
FORTS.—The Administrator may enter into agreements 
with United States commercial providers or engage in pub-
lic-private partnerships to procure capabilities and services 
to support the human exploration of the Moon or cislunar 
space. 
SEC. 203. REAFFIRMATION OF THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM. 
(a) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.— 
(1) DEVELOPMENT AND CADENCE OBJECTIVES.— 
Congress reaffirms— 
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(A) support for the full development of ca-
pabilities of the Space Launch System as set 
forth in section 302(c) of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)); and 
(B) its commitment to the flight rate of the 
integrated Space Launch System and Orion 
crew vehicle missions set forth in section 
10812(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Pub-
lic Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20301 note). 
(2) OTHER USES.—The Administrator shall as-
sess the demand for the Space Launch System by en-
tities other than NASA and shall break out such de-
mand according to the relevant Federal agency or 
nongovernment sector. This assessment may— 
(A) estimate cost and schedule savings from 
reduced transit times and the potential for in-
creased returns enabled by the unique capabili-
ties of the Space Launch System; 
(B) describe any barriers or challenges that 
could impede use of the Space Launch System by 
entities other than NASA; and 
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(C) identify potential actions and costs as-
sociated with overcoming barriers and challenges 
described in subparagraph (B). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describ-
ing the following: 
(1) NASA’s progress towards achieving the flight 
rate referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) and the ex-
pected launch of the integrated Space Launch System 
and Orion crew vehicle missions after which such ca-
dence shall be achieved. 
(2) The results of the assessment conducted pur-
suant to subsection (a)(2). 
SEC. 204. HUMAN-RATED LUNAR LANDING CAPABILITIES. 
(a) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms that the 
Moon to Mars program set forth in section 10811 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302 
note.; 136 Stat. 1732) shall include human-rated lunar 
landing systems. 
(b) HUMAN-RATED LUNAR LANDING CAPABILITIES.— 
(1) The Administrator shall support the develop-
ment and demonstration of, and shall obtain, human- 
rated lunar landing capabilities to further the goals 
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of the human exploration roadmap under section 432 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public 
Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note) and the Moon to 
Mars Program set forth in section 10811 of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167). 
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that such 
human-rated lunar landing capabilities meet all rel-
evant requirements, including requirements of the 
Moon to Mars program, and for human-rating and 
certification. 
(3) Any commercial provider from which the Ad-
ministrator obtains human-rated lunar landing capa-
bilities must be a United States commercial provider. 
(4) In carrying out paragraph (1)— 
(A) 
the 
Administrator 
may 
include 
uncrewed lunar landing services; and 
(B) the Administrator shall, subject to the 
availability of appropriations for such purpose, 
seek to obtain capabilities from not fewer than 
two commercial providers. 
(c) REPORT.—The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress the following: 
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(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a report— 
(A) identifying the contribution over the 
past five years, and the planned contribution for 
2024–2029, of government personnel, expertise, 
technologies and infrastructure utilized and to be 
utilized in support of design, development, or op-
eration of human lunar landing capabilities 
under this section; and 
(B) setting forth details and the associated 
costs of such government support, broken out ac-
cording to the areas of contribution specified in 
subparagraph (A), as part of any development 
initiative for obtaining human lunar landing 
capabilities. 
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a report that sets forth, for any 
agreement with a United States commercial provider 
for human lunar landing capabilities, the following: 
(A) The total value of the agreement when 
awarded. 
(B) If different from the amount in sub-
paragraph (A), the total value of the agreement 
as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
an explanation for any change in value, as well 
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as an identification of whether NASA or the 
commercial partner is responsible for meeting 
the change in value. 
(C) The dollar amount invested and to be 
invested by the Administration, and the dollar 
amount invested and to be invested by the com-
mercial partner. 
(D) 
The 
full 
requirements, 
including 
human-rating and safety requirements, for 
human lunar landing capabilities under the 
agreement when awarded. 
(E) If different from the amount specified 
in subparagraph (C), the full requirements, in-
cluding human-rating and certification require-
ments, for the human lunar landing capabilities 
under the agreement as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and an explanation for any 
changes in requirements. 
(F) A description of milestone and associ-
ated payments provided for in the agreement, in-
cluding the following: 
(i) An identification of all milestones 
under the agreement. 
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(ii) The value of the associated pay-
ment for each milestone identified under 
clause (i). 
(iii) An identification of completed 
milestones and the date of completion. 
(iv) An identification of milestones 
which have not yet been completed and an 
estimated schedule for completion. 
(v) The value of all NASA payments 
under the agreement, outlays as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and the 
amount which as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act has not yet been paid. 
(vi) a description of any changes in 
milestones and associated payments between 
the date of contract award and the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(G) Any cost, schedule, and performance 
challenges as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act in provider performance of the agreement. 
(H) A detailed justification of compliance 
with section 30301 of title 51, United States 
Code. 
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(I) A detailed certification and justification 
of compliance with section 50503 of title 51, 
United States Code. 
(3) Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, in consultation with any 
United States commercial provider that is party to 
an agreement with NASA for human lunar landing 
capabilities under this section, a report on any steps 
the Administrator and such providers are taking to 
carry out the following: 
(A) Address cost, schedule, and performance 
challenges faced by each commercial provider in 
development and performance of human lunar 
landing capabilities described in paragraph 
(2)(G). 
(B) Facilitate the timely availability of 
human lunar landing capabilities of each pro-
vider to support the schedule of Artemis missions 
in effect as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act, as applicable to each provider. 
(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a report on alternative ap-
proaches, and implementation plans for such ap-
proaches, including an estimate of needed budgetary 
resources, for a human lunar landing capability that 
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