I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3413 
To require a report on requirements and risks in connection with the use 
of radioisotopic power systems for space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2015 
Mr. STIVERS (for himself, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, and Ms. FUDGE) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology 
A BILL 
To require a report on requirements and risks in connection 
with the use of radioisotopic power systems for space 
exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Efficient Space Explo-
ration Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. REPORT ON REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS IN USE OF 
RADIOISOTOPIC POWER SYSTEMS FOR SPACE 
EXPLORATION BEYOND LOW-EARTH ORBIT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) conducting deep space exploration requires 
radioisotope power systems, such as thermoelectric 
and Stirling generators and converters; 
(2) establishing continuity in the production of 
the material needed to power such radioisotope 
power systems is paramount to the success of future 
deep space missions; and 
(3) Federal agencies supporting the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration through the 
production of the material described in paragraph 
(2) should do so in a cost effective manner so as not 
to impose excessive reimbursement requirements on 
the Administration. 
(b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, in consultation with the heads of 
other Federal agencies, conduct an analysis of— 
(1) the requirements of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration for radioisotope 
power system material that is needed to carry out 
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planned, high priority robotic missions in the solar 
system and other surface exploration activities be-
yond low-Earth orbit; and 
(2) the risks to missions of the Administration 
in meeting those requirements, or any additional re-
quirements, due to a lack of adequate radioisotope 
power system material. 
(c) CONTENTS
OF ANALYSIS.—The analysis con-
ducted under subsection (b) shall— 
(1) detail the current projected mission require-
ments and associated timeframes for radioisotope 
power systems and radioisotope power system mate-
rial; 
(2) explain the assumptions used to determine 
the requirements of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration for the material, including— 
(A) the planned use of advanced thermal 
conversion 
technology, 
such 
as 
advanced 
thermocouples and Stirling generators and con-
verters; and 
(B) the risks and implications of, and con-
tingencies for, any delays or unanticipated tech-
nical challenges affecting or related to the mis-
sion plans of the Administration for the antici-
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pated use of advanced thermal conversion tech-
nology; 
(3) assess the risk to the programs of the Ad-
ministration of any potential delays in achieving the 
schedule and milestones for planned domestic pro-
duction of radioisotope power system material; 
(4) outline a process for meeting any additional 
Administration requirements for the material; 
(5) estimate the incremental costs required to 
increase the amount of material produced each year, 
if such an increase is needed to support additional 
Administration requirements for the material; 
(6) detail how the Administration and other 
Federal agencies will manage, operate, and fund 
production facilities and the design and development 
of all radioisotope power systems used by the Ad-
ministration and other Federal agencies as nec-
essary; 
(7) specify the steps the Administrator will 
take, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, 
to preserve the infrastructure and workforce nec-
essary for production of radioisotope power systems 
and ensure that Administration reimbursements to 
the Department of Energy associated with such 
preservation are equitable and justified; 
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(8) identify the steps the Administrator will 
take to preserve taxpayer investment to date in Ad-
vanced Stirling Convertor technology; and 
(9) detail how the Administrator has imple-
mented or rejected the recommendations of the Na-
tional Research Council in the 2009 report titled 
‘‘Radioisotope Power Systems: An Imperative for 
Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration’’. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
shall transmit the results of the analysis conducted under 
subsection (b) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
Æ 
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