124 
International Space Station, which shall include an identification of 
microgravity research that can be performed in ground-based facilities 
and then validated in space and an assessment of the impact of having 
or not having a life sciences centrifuge aboard the International Space 
Station. 
§ 70506. National laboratory designation 
(a) DEFINITION OF UNITED STATES SEGMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
SPACE STATION.—In this section the term ‘‘United States segment of the 
International Space Station’’ means those elements of the International 
Space Station manufactured— 
(1) by the United States; or 
(2) for the United States by other nations in exchange for funds or 
launch services. 
(b) DESIGNATION.—To further the policy described in section 70501(a) 
of this title, the United States segment of the International Space Station 
is hereby designated a national laboratory. 
(c) MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) PARTNERSHIPS.—The Administrator shall seek to increase the 
utilization of the International Space Station by other Federal entities 
and the private sector through partnerships, cost-sharing agreements, 
and other arrangements that would supplement Administration funding 
of the International Space Station. 
(2) CONTRACTING.—The Administrator may enter into a contract 
with a nongovernmental entity to operate the International Space Sta-
tion national laboratory, subject to all applicable Federal laws and reg-
ulations. 
(d) PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005, the Adminis-
trator shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a plan describing how the national laboratory 
will be operated. At a minimum, the plan shall describe— 
(1) any changes in the research plan transmitted under section 
70505(3) of this title and any other changes in the operation of the 
International Space Station resulting from the designation; 
(2) any ground-based Administration operations or buildings that 
will be considered part of the national laboratory; 
(3) the management structure for the laboratory, including the ra-
tionale for contracting or not contracting with a nongovernmental enti-
ty to operate the International Space Station national laboratory; 
(4) the workforce that will be considered employees of the national 
laboratory; 
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(5) how the Administration will seek the participation of other par-
ties described in subsection (c)(1); and 
(6) a schedule for implementing any changes in International Space 
Station operations, utilization, or management described in the plan. 
CHAPTER 707—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT INDEPENDENT 
INVESTIGATION COMMISSION 
Sec. 
70701.
Definitions. 
70702.
Establishment of Commission. 
70703.
Tasks of Commission. 
70704.
Composition of Commission. 
70705.
Powers of Commission. 
70706.
Public meetings, information, and hearings. 
70707.
Staff of Commission. 
70708.
Compensation and travel expenses. 
70709.
Security clearances for Commission members and staff. 
70710.
Reporting requirements and termination. 
§ 70701. Definitions 
In this chapter: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means a Commission es-
tablished under this chapter. 
(2) INCIDENT.—The term ‘‘incident’’ means either an accident or a 
deliberate act. 
§ 70702. Establishment of Commission 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish an independent, 
nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to investigate any inci-
dent that results in the loss of— 
(1) a space shuttle; 
(2) the International Space Station or its operational viability; 
(3) any other United States space vehicle carrying humans that is 
owned by the Federal Government or that is being used pursuant to 
a contract with the Federal Government; or 
(4) a crew member or passenger of any space vehicle described in 
this subsection. 
(b) DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish a 
Commission within 7 days after an incident specified in subsection (a). 
§ 70703. Tasks of Commission 
A Commission established pursuant to this chapter shall, to the extent 
possible, undertake the following tasks: 
(1) INVESTIGATION.—Investigate the incident. 
(2) CAUSE.—Determine the cause of the incident. 
(3) CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.—Identify all contributing factors to 
the cause of the incident. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Make recommendations for corrective ac-
tions. 
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(5) ADDITIONAL
FINDINGS
OR
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Provide any 
additional findings or recommendations deemed by the Commission to 
be important, whether or not they are related to the specific incident 
under investigation. 
(6) REPORT.—Prepare a report to Congress, the President, and the 
public. 
§ 70704. Composition of Commission 
(a) NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS.—A Commission established pursuant 
to this chapter shall consist of 15 members. 
(b) SELECTION.—The members of a Commission shall be chosen in the 
following manner: 
(1) APPOINTMENT BY PRESIDENT.—The President shall appoint the 
members, and shall designate the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the 
Commission from among its members. 
(2) LISTS
PROVIDED
BY
LEADERS
OF
CONGRESS.—The majority 
leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House 
of Representatives shall each provide to the President a list of can-
didates for membership on the Commission. The President may select 
one of the candidates from each of the 4 lists for membership on the 
Commission. 
(3) PROHIBITION REGARDING FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 
AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.—No officer or employee of the Federal 
Government or Member of Congress shall serve as a member of the 
Commission. 
(4) PROHIBITION REGARDING CONTRACTORS.—No member of the 
Commission shall have, or have pending, a contractual relationship with 
the Administration. 
(5) PROHIBITION REGARDING CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—The Presi-
dent shall not appoint any individual as a member of a Commission 
under this section who has a current or former relationship with the 
Administrator that the President determines would constitute a conflict 
of interest. 
(6) EXPERIENCE.—To the extent practicable, the President shall en-
sure that the members of the Commission include some individuals with 
experience relative to human carrying spacecraft, as well as some indi-
viduals with investigative experience and some individuals with legal ex-
perience. 
(7) DIVERSITY.—To the extent practicable, the President shall seek 
diversity in the membership of the Commission. 
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(c) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All members of a Commission estab-
lished under this chapter shall be appointed no later than 30 days after the 
incident. 
(d) INITIAL MEETING.—A Commission shall meet and begin operations 
as soon as practicable. 
(e) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.—After its initial meeting, a Commission 
shall meet upon the call of the Chairman or a majority of its members. 
(f) QUORUM.—Eight members of a Commission shall constitute a 
quorum. 
(g) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in a Commission shall not affect its pow-
ers, but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. 
§ 70705. Powers of Commission 
(a) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—A Commission or, on the authority of 
the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose 
of carrying out this chapter— 
(1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, receive such evidence, administer such oaths; and 
(2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony 
of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, cor-
respondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, 
as the Commission or such designated subcommittee or member may deter-
mine advisable. 
(b) CONTRACTING.—A Commission may, to such extent and in such 
amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to en-
able the Commission to discharge its duties under this chapter. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Commission may secure directly from any exec-
utive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, inde-
pendent establishment, or instrumentality of the Government, informa-
tion, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purposes of this 
chapter. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, 
independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent au-
thorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and 
statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the Chair-
man, the chairman of any subcommittee created by a majority of the 
Commission, or any member designated by a majority of the Commis-
sion. 
(2) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISSEMINATION.—Informa-
tion shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by mem-
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