(4) In January 2004, the President directed 
NASA to honor our international commitments to 
complete the assembly of the International Space 
Station and retire the Space Shuttle by 2010, as 
recommended by the Columbia Accident Investiga-
tion Board. The directive also called for the develop-
ment of a new system to enable astronauts to travel 
beyond low Earth orbit. This system, the Constella-
tion System, consisting of the Orion crew exploration 
vehicle and Ares launch vehicle, would also be capa-
ble of traveling to the International Space Station 
but would not be available until 4 years after the 
projected retirement of the Space Shuttle. This plan 
was ratified by Congress in the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 
(Public Law 109–155). 
(5) Congress reaffirms the goals of the United 
States Vision for Space Exploration to return to the 
Moon as a first step to further exploration of the 
solar system. In order to accomplish these goals, it 
is imperative to develop the Ares V launch system, 
giving the United States the heavy lift capability to 
return humans to the Moon, and to places beyond. 
(6) The plan also called for NASA to rely on 
Russia to fly United States astronauts to the Inter-
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national Space Station during the gap between 
Shuttle retirement and the initial operational capa-
bility of the new Constellation system. In addition to 
buying Soyuz vehicles from Russia to fulfill the U.S. 
crew rescue obligation, NASA plans to buy Soyuz 
launch services from Russia at a cost that has not 
yet been negotiated but is expected to exceed 
$1,000,000,000. 
(7) One of the guiding principles articulated in 
National Security Presidential Directive 49, United 
States National Space Policy, states, ‘‘The United 
States considers space capabilities—including the 
ground and space segments and supporting links— 
vital to its national interests. Consistent with this 
policy, the United States will preserve its rights, ca-
pabilities, and freedom of action in space; dissuade 
or deter others from either impeding those rights or 
developing capabilities intended to do so; take those 
actions necessary to protect its space capabilities; re-
spond to interference; and deny, if necessary, adver-
saries the use of space capabilities hostile to U.S. 
national interests.’’ 
(8) In order to make purchases from Russia, 
NASA has been granted an exception, through the 
year 2011, to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria 
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Nonproliferation Act (Public Law 106–178). Since 
there is roughly a 3-year lead time to build Soyuz 
vehicles, NASA is concerned that unless the 110th 
Congress extends the exception, NASA faces a lack 
of Soyuz capabilities beginning in 2012, which effec-
tively ends United States access to the International 
Space Station. 
(9) The International Space Station is nearing 
completion, with remaining missions scheduled to be 
concluded by summer 2010. The Station’s crew size 
will increase to 6, enabling the full utilization of its 
laboratories and research facilities in a micro-gravity 
environment for the decade to come. Routine and as-
sured access to the Station is critical if we are to 
capitalize on our investment. 
(10) Other nations are now investing heavily to 
develop manned spaceflight and robotic capabilities. 
During the gap following retirement of the Space 
Shuttle, these nations are expected to enhance their 
space capabilities, jeopardizing our Nation’s pre-
eminence and our ability to influence other space- 
faring nations, contrary to the national policy (Na-
tional Security Presidential Directive 49). United 
States influence in world affairs and our ability to 
shape future peaceful uses in space will be imperiled. 
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(11) Congress believes it is imperative that 
NASA reduce our Nation’s dependence on foreign 
launch providers to access the International Space 
Station. While some lapse in United States manned 
spaceflight capabilities is tolerable, the gap has ex-
panded to 5 years, and if development problems are 
encountered, the gap will continue to grow. A 5-year 
or more gap is too long to rely on other nations to 
access the International Space Station, the bulk of 
which we have provided. 
(12) Without assured access, the United States 
may have to abandon the International Space Sta-
tion until the Constellation system is operational, 
giving other nations exclusive access to a laboratory 
largely built with United States technology and 
funding. That situation is unacceptable. Clearly, a 
new approach is needed, and this Act is a first step 
in a new direction. 
(13) Extending Space Shuttle operations for 2 
additional years will reduce the gap and allow the 
United States to evaluate the capabilities of emerg-
ing space-faring nations. Based on their techno-
logical progress and their policies and programs, fu-
ture United States policymakers will decide whether 
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it is appropriate to continue funding the Space 
Shuttle. 
(14) The cost of extending Space Shuttle oper-
ations shall be funded by additional appropriations 
to NASA. It is contrary to Congress’ intent that ex-
tended Space Shuttle operations will be funded by 
cutting Constellation development or by reducing 
NASA’s science and aeronautics research programs. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(2) ISS.—The term ‘‘ISS’’ means the Inter-
national Space Station. 
(3) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to amounts otherwise 
authorized for NASA, there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator to remain available until ex-
pended— 
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Directorate program reserves and Shuttle Transition 
and Retirement activities. 
(b) INTENT OF CONGRESS.—It is the intent of Con-
gress that amounts authorized to be appropriated in sub-
section (a) shall be in addition to, and shall not supplant, 
amounts appropriated for NASA’s other mission direc-
torates. 
TITLE II—SPACE SHUTTLE 
OPERATIONS 
SEC. 201. FLIGHT MANIFEST. 
(a) BASELINE MANIFEST.—In addition to the Space 
Shuttle flights listed as part of the baseline flight manifest 
as of January 1, 2008, the Utilization flights ULF–4 and 
ULF–5 shall be considered part of the Space Shuttle base-
line flight manifest to ensure adequate logistics and on- 
orbit spares are available to the International Space Sta-
tion. 
(b) ADDITIONAL FLIGHT TO DELIVER THE ALPHA 
MAGNETIC SPECTROMETER TO THE ISS.—In addition to 
the flying of the baseline manifest described in subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to fly 
1 additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Mag-
netic Spectrometer to the International Space Station. 
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SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF SPACE SHUTTLE OPER-
ATIONS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2012. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—NASA is authorized— 
(1) to continue Space Shuttle operations 
through fiscal year 2012; and 
(2) to maintain the capability to safely fly at 
least 2 Space Shuttle missions per year through fis-
cal year 2012. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
the complete results of the Shuttle Extension Study. The 
study shall include an analysis of the actions necessary, 
and the anticipated costs, to continue safely operating the 
Space Shuttle through fiscal year 2012. 
SEC. 203. SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD IN-
HIBIT 
OR 
PRECLUDE 
CONTINUED 
OPER-
ATION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE THROUGH 
FISCAL YEAR 2012. 
The Administrator shall suspend any activity of 
NASA that, if continued, would inhibit or preclude the 
continued safe and effective operation of the Space Shuttle 
through fiscal year 2012. 
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SEC. 204. SHUTTLE RECERTIFICATION. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a complete assessment 
of the actions that have been taken and are planned to 
be taken to fully comply with the intent of the recertifi-
cation recommendation of the Columbia Accident Inves-
tigation Board. The report shall include an analysis of the 
actions necessary and the anticipated costs to comply with 
the recertification requirements of the Space Shuttle or 
a rationale for waiving those requirements through fiscal 
year 2012. 
TITLE 
III—ALTERNATIVE 
AC-
CESS 
TO 
INTERNATIONAL 
SPACE STATION 
SEC. 301. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of the Congress that sole dependence 
on a foreign country for human access to space and to 
the International Space Station fails to ensure our free-
dom of action in space, fails to protect our space capabili-
ties, 
and 
fails 
to 
safeguard 
our 
approximately 
$100,000,000,000 investment in the International Space 
Station. Furthermore, such total dependence on a foreign 
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country diminishes our influence with other space-faring 
nations. 
SEC. 302. DOMESTIC CREWED VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
issue a notice of intent and solicit proposals to enter into 
a funded, competitively awarded Space Act Agreement 
with 2 or more commercial entities for a crewed vehicle 
demonstration. 
(b) GOAL OF CREWED VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION.— 
The goal of the crewed vehicle demonstration is the design, 
development, and rapid prototyping of a capsule and asso-
ciated crew escape system capable of carrying at least 2 
astronauts to, and docking with, the International Space 
Station and returning such astronauts safely to Earth. 
Such a system must be capable of being carried to the 
ISS using existing United States launch vehicles, such as 
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle-class vehicles, or ex-
isting European Space Agency launch vehicles, such as the 
Ariane 5. 
SEC. 303. HUMAN RATING REQUIREMENTS. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other 
agencies as appropriate, shall transmit to the Committee 
on Science and Technology of the House of Representa-
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tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a comprehensive evaluation 
of the actions necessary, and the estimated costs, to 
human-rate Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles. The re-
port shall include a plan to accomplish upgrading Evolved 
Expendable Launch Vehicles to enable human missions. 
SEC. 304. INTERNATIONAL CREWED VEHICLE INITIATIVE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The European Space Agency (ESA) has 
been a long-time friend and ally of the United States 
in both manned and unmanned space ventures. 
(2) ESA has demonstrated impressive capabili-
ties with the Columbus orbital laboratory module, 
the Ariane launch vehicle, and the Automated 
Transfer Vehicle, which has successfully dem-
onstrated the ability to rendezvous and dock with 
the International Space Station. 
(3) Recent proposals have been under review to 
develop a European manned space transportation ca-
pability based on the Automated Transfer Vehicle. 
(4) If such a transportation capability could be 
developed, it might offer another alternative for 
crewed access to the International Space Station, 
thereby improving the safety and redundancy for the 
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overall human-rated Earth-to-orbit transportation 
system. 
(b) INITIATE DISCUSSIONS.—Immediately after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ini-
tiate discussions with the appropriate representatives of 
the European Space Agency to determine the feasibility 
of jointly developing a human-rated space transportation 
system based on the Automated Transfer Vehicle and 
whether such system could be developed on an accelerated 
schedule to provide a backup capability to the Russian 
Soyuz. 
SEC. 305. ISS CREW TRANSFER AND CREW RESCUE CAPA-
BILITY. 
(a) EVALUATION OF OPTIONS.—In order to stimulate 
and enable the rapid design, development, and prototyping 
of a means of providing crew transfer and crew rescue 
services for the International Space Station, the Adminis-
trator shall evaluate and compare— 
(1) the proposals submitted under section 302 
for commercial crewed vehicle demonstrations and 
the feasibility of upgrading Evolved Expendable 
Launch Vehicles to enable human missions as de-
scribed in section 303; and 
(2) the feasibility of developing an Automated 
Transfer Vehicle-based crew transfer and crew res-
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cue capability with the European Space Agency 
under section 304. 
(b) REPORT
OF EVALUATION.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator, in consultation with other agencies, shall— 
(1) select the course of action, based on the 
evaluation under subsection (a), that will best pro-
vide safe and effective crew transfer and crew rescue 
services for the International Space Station; and 
(2) transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report describing the evalua-
tion and comparison under subsection (a) and the 
rationale for the selection made in paragraph (1), in-
cluding the decision-making criteria used by the Ad-
ministrator. 
(c) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.—On the 30th day 
after the report required by subsection (b)(2) has been 
transmitted, the Administrator shall have the authority to 
enter into contracts and take any other actions necessary 
to further the course of action selected under subsection 
(b)(1). 
(d) CREW TRANSFER AND CREW RESCUE SERVICES 
CONTRACT.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Administrator selects 
the commercial crewed vehicle demonstration option 
and if a commercial provider demonstrates the capa-
bility to provide International Space Station crew 
transfer and crew rescue services and to satisfy 
NASA ascent, reentry, and International Space Sta-
tion proximity operations safety requirements, 
NASA shall enter into a contract with that commer-
cial provider for a portion of NASA’s anticipated 
International Space Station crew transfer and crew 
rescue requirements from the time the commercial 
provider commences operations under contract with 
NASA through calendar year 2016, with an option 
to extend the period of performance through cal-
endar year 2020. 
(2) INTENT OF CONGRESS.—To the extent that 
the Administrator selects the commercial crewed ve-
hicle demonstration option, it is the intent of Con-
gress that the Administrator shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable— 
(A) facilitate the transfer of NASA-devel-
oped technologies to potential United States 
commercial crew transfer and rescue service 
providers, consistent with United States law; 
and 
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(B) make use of United States commer-
cially provided International Space Station crew 
transfer and crew rescue services, if those com-
mercial services have demonstrated the capa-
bility to meet NASA-specified ascent, reentry, 
and International Space Station proximity oper-
ations safety requirements. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator for the program 
described in this section— 
(A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(B) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 
(C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
(2) SPECIFICATIONS.—The amounts authorized 
in paragraph (1) are to remain available until ex-
pended and are in addition to amounts authorized to 
be appropriated under title I. 
(f) ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2011 
$50,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the 
provision of International Space Station-compatible dock-
ing adaptors and other relevant technologies to the entity 
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that successfully demonstrates the commercial crewed ve-
hicle capability. 
SEC. 306. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH RANGE STUDY. 
(a) STUDY BY INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.—The Di-
rector of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
work with other appropriate Federal agencies to establish 
an interagency committee to conduct a study to— 
(1) identify the issues and challenges associated 
with establishing a space launch range and facilities 
that are fully dedicated to commercial space mis-
sions in close proximity to Federal launch ranges or 
other Federal facilities; and 
(2) develop a coordinating mechanism such that 
States seeking to establish such commercial space 
launch ranges will be able to effectively and effi-
ciently interface with the Federal Government con-
cerning issues related to the establishment of such 
commercial launch ranges in close proximity to Fed-
eral launch ranges or other Federal facilities. 
(b) REPORT.—The Director shall, not later than May 
31, 2010, submit to the Committee on Science and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report on the results of the study conducted under sub-
section (a). 
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