(D) $640,800,000 shall be for Heliophysics, 
including $50,000,000 for suborbital activities; 
and 
(E) $75,000,000 shall be for Cross-Science 
Mission Directorate Technology Development, to 
be taken on a proportional basis from the fund-
ing subtotals under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), 
and (D). 
(2) For Aeronautics, $853,400,000, of which 
$406,900,000 shall be for system-level research, devel-
opment, and demonstration activities related to— 
(A) aviation safety; 
(B) environmental impact mitigation, in-
cluding noise, energy efficiency, and emissions; 
(C) support of the Next Generation Air 
Transportation System initiative; and 
(D) investigation of new vehicle concepts 
and flight regimes. 
(3) For Exploration, $3,886,000,000, of which 
$100,000,000 shall be for the activities under sections 
902(b) and 902(d); and $737,800,000 shall be for Ad-
vanced Capabilities, including $106,300,000 for the 
Lunar Precursor Robotic Program, $276,500,000 for 
International Space Station-related research and de-
velopment activities, and $355,000,000 for research 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
and development activities not related to the Inter-
national Space Station. 
(4) For Education, $128,300,000. 
(5) For Space Operations, $6,074,700,000, of 
which— 
(A) $150,000,000 shall be for an additional 
Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Mag-
netic Spectrometer to the International Space 
Station; 
(B) $100,000,000 shall be to augment fund-
ing for International Space Station Cargo Serv-
ices to enhance research utilization of the Inter-
national Space Station, to remain available 
until expended; and 
(C) $50,000,000 shall be to augment fund-
ing for Space Operations Mission Directorate re-
serves and Shuttle Transition and Retirement 
activities. 
(6) 
For 
Cross-Agency 
Support 
Programs, 
$3,299,900,000. 
(7) For Inspector General, $35,500,000. 
(b) 
ADDITIONAL
AUTHORIZATION
TO
ADDRESS 
HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT GAP.—In addition to the sums au-
thorized by subsection (a), there are authorized to be appro-
priated for the purposes described in subsection (a)(3) 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to be used to accelerate 
the initial operational capability of the Orion Crew Explo-
ration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and as-
sociated ground support systems, to remain available until 
expended. 
TITLE II—EARTH SCIENCE 
SEC. 201. GOAL. 
The goal for NASA’s Earth Science program shall be 
to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and 
applications activities to better understand the Earth, how 
it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability 
to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, NASA’s Earth 
Science program shall ensure that securing practical bene-
fits for society will be an important measure of its success 
in addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth sys-
tem and climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, 
NASA shall assume a leadership role in developing and car-
rying out a cooperative international Earth observations- 
based research and applications program. 
SEC. 202. GOVERNANCE OF UNITED STATES EARTH OBSER-
VATIONS ACTIVITIES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Director of the OSTP shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies for a study 
to determine the most appropriate governance structure for 
United States Earth Observations programs in order to 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
meet evolving United States Earth information needs and 
facilitate United States participation in global Earth Ob-
servations initiatives. 
(b) REPORT.—The Director shall transmit the study 
to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 
18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall 
provide OSTP’s plan for implementing the study’s rec-
ommendations not later than 24 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 203. DECADAL SURVEY MISSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The missions recommended in the 
National Academies’ decadal survey ‘‘Earth Science and 
Applications from Space’’ provide the basis for a compel-
ling and relevant program of research and applications, 
and the Administrator should work to establish an inter-
national cooperative effort to pursue those missions. 
(b) PLAN.—The Administrator shall prepare a plan 
for submission to Congress not later than 270 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act that shall describe how 
NASA intends to implement the missions recommended as 
described in subsection (a), whether by means of dedicated 
NASA missions, multi-agency missions, international coop-
erative missions, data sharing, or commercial data buys, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
or by means of long-term technology development to deter-
mine whether specific missions would be executable at a rea-
sonable cost and within a reasonable schedule. 
SEC. 204. TRANSITIONING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INTO 
OPERATIONAL SERVICES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that experimental NASA sensors and missions that 
have the potential to benefit society if transitioned into 
operational monitoring systems be transitioned into oper-
ational status whenever possible. 
(b) INTERAGENCY PROCESS.—The Director of OSTP, 
in consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator 
of NOAA, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop a 
process to transition, when appropriate, NASA Earth 
science and space weather missions or sensors into oper-
ational status. The process shall include coordination of an-
nual agency budget requests as required to execute the tran-
sitions. 
(c) RESPONSIBLE AGENCY OFFICIAL.—The Adminis-
trator and the Administrator of NOAA shall each designate 
an agency official who shall have the responsibility for and 
authority to lead NASA’s and NOAA’s transition activities 
and interagency coordination. 
(d) PLAN.—For each mission or sensor that is deter-
mined to be appropriate for transition under subsection (b), 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
will examine how aerosols and solar energy affect the 
Earth’s climate. 
(b) BASELINE REPORT.—Pursuant to the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2005 (Public Law 109–155), not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit a new baseline report consistent with section 
103(b)(2) of such Act. The report shall include an analysis 
of the factors contributing to cost growth and the steps taken 
to address them. 
SEC. 207. PLAN FOR DISPOSITION OF DEEP SPACE CLIMATE 
OBSERVATORY. 
(a) PLAN.—NASA shall develop a plan for the Deep 
Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), including such op-
tions as using the parts of the spacecraft in the development 
and assembly of other science missions, transferring the 
spacecraft to another agency, reconfiguring the spacecraft 
for another Earth science mission, establishing a public-pri-
vate partnership for the mission, and entering into an 
international cooperative partnership to use the spacecraft 
for its primary or other purposes. The plan shall include 
an estimate of budgetary resources and schedules required 
to implement each of the options. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—NASA shall consult, as nec-
essary, with other Federal agencies, industry, academic in-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
stitutions, and international space agencies in developing 
the plan. 
(c) REPORT.—The Administrator shall transmit the 
plan required under subsection (a) to the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
TITLE III—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 301. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. 
The Administrator shall establish an initiative involv-
ing NASA, universities, industry, and other research orga-
nizations as appropriate, of research, development, and 
demonstration, in a relevant environment, of technologies 
to enable the following commercial aircraft performance 
characteristics: 
(1) Noise levels on takeoff and on airport ap-
proach and landing that do not exceed ambient noise 
levels in the absence of flight operations in the vicin-
ity of airports from which such commercial aircraft 
would normally operate, without increasing energy 
consumption or nitrogen oxide emissions compared to 
aircraft in commercial service as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(2) Significant reductions in greenhouse gas 
emissions compared to aircraft in commercial services 
as of the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 302. RESEARCH ALIGNMENT. 
In addition to pursuing the research and development 
initiative described in section 301, the Administrator shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable within available fund-
ing, align the fundamental aeronautics research program 
to address high priority technology challenges of the Na-
tional Academies’ Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, and 
shall work to increase the degree of involvement of external 
organizations, and especially of universities, in the funda-
mental aeronautics research program. 
SEC. 303. RESEARCH PROGRAM TO DETERMINE PERCEIVED 
IMPACT OF SONIC BOOMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The ability to fly commercial air-
craft over land at supersonic speeds without adverse im-
pacts on the environment or on local communities would 
open new markets and enable new transportation capabili-
ties. In order to have the basis for establishing an appro-
priate sonic boom standard for such flight operations, a re-
search program is needed to assess the impact in a relevant 
environment of commercial supersonic flight operations. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish a cooperative research program with industry, includ-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
ing the conduct of flight demonstrations in a relevant envi-
ronment, to collect data on the perceived impact of sonic 
booms that would enable the promulgation of a standard 
that would have to be met for overland commercial super-
sonic flight operations. 
SEC. 304. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF NASA’S AVIATION SAFETY- 
RELATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Research Council for an 
independent review of NASA’s aviation safety-related re-
search programs. The review shall assess whether— 
(1) the programs have well-defined, prioritized, 
and appropriate research objectives; 
(2) the programs are properly coordinated with 
the safety research programs of the Federal Aviation 
Administration and other relevant Federal agencies; 
(3) the programs have allocated appropriate re-
sources to each of the research objectives; and 
(4) suitable mechanisms exist for transitioning 
the research results from the programs into oper-
ational technologies and procedures and certification 
activities in a timely manner. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 14 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
results of the review. 
SEC. 305. INTERAGENCY RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON THE IM-
PACT OF AVIATION ON THE CLIMATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordination 
with the United States Climate Change Science Program 
and other appropriate agencies, shall establish a research 
initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate 
and, if warranted, to evaluate approaches to mitigate that 
impact. 
(b) RESEARCH PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the participating Federal en-
tities shall jointly develop a plan for the research initiative 
that contains objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and a 
5-year budgetary profile. 
(c) REVIEW.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Research Council for con-
ducting an independent review of the interagency research 
program plan, and shall provide the results of that review 
to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the Ad-
visory Committee’s findings and recommendations 
under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee shall 
consist of 10 members, none of whom shall be a Federal 
employee, including— 
(1) 5 members selected by the Administrator; and 
(2) 5 members selected by the Chair of the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration’s Research, Engineer-
ing, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC). 
(d) SELECTION PROCESS.—Initial selections under 
subsection (c) shall be made within 3 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act. Vacancies shall be filled in the 
same manner as provided in subsection (c). 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Advisory Committee shall se-
lect a chairperson from among its members. 
(f) COORDINATION.—The Advisory Committee shall co-
ordinate with the advisory bodies of other Federal agencies, 
which may engage in related research activities. 
(g) COMPENSATION.—The members of the Advisory 
Committee shall serve without compensation, but shall re-
ceive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsist-
ence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 
5, United States Code. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(h) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall con-
vene, in person or by electronic means, at least 4 times per 
year. 
(i) QUORUM.—A majority of the members serving on 
the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for pur-
poses of conducting the business of the Advisory Committee. 
(j) DURATION.—Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. 
SEC. 309. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AC-
TIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF OTHER MISSION DI-
RECTORATES. 
Research and development activities performed by the 
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate with the primary 
objective of assisting in the development of a flight project 
in another Mission Directorate shall be funded by the Mis-
sion Directorate seeking assistance. 
SEC. 310. UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON 
AVIATION TRAINING. 
Section 427(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 
109–155) is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting 
‘‘shall’’. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
TITLE IV—INTERNATIONAL 
EXPLORATION INITIATIVE 
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the President of the 
United States should invite America’s friends and allies to 
participate in a long-term international initiative under 
the leadership of the United States to expand human and 
robotic presence into the solar system, including the explo-
ration and utilization of the Moon, near Earth asteroids, 
Lagrangian points, and eventually Mars and its moons, 
among other exploration and utilization goals. 
SEC. 402. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION. 
In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long- 
term exploration and utilization activities of the United 
States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to 
ensure that activities in its lunar exploration program shall 
be designed and implemented in a manner that gives strong 
consideration to how those activities might also help meet 
the requirements of future exploration and utilization ac-
tivities beyond the Moon. The timetable of the lunar phase 
of the long-term international exploration initiative shall 
be determined by the availability of funding and agreement 
on an international cooperative framework for the conduct 
of the international exploration initiative. However, once 
an exploration-related project enters its development phase, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, to complete that project without undue delays. 
SEC. 403. LUNAR OUTPOST. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—As NASA works toward the es-
tablishment of a lunar outpost, NASA shall make no plans 
that would require a lunar outpost to be occupied to main-
tain its viability. Any such outpost shall be operable as a 
human-tended facility capable of remote or autonomous op-
eration for extended periods. 
(b) DESIGNATION.—The United States portion of the 
first human-tended outpost established on the surface of the 
Moon shall be designated the ‘‘Neil A. Armstrong Lunar 
Outpost’’. 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.—It is the intent of Con-
gress that NASA shall make use of commercial services to 
the maximum extent practicable in support of its lunar out-
post activities. 
SEC. 404. EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A robust program of long-term ex-
ploration-related technology research and development will 
be essential for the success and sustainability of any endur-
ing initiative of human and robotic exploration of the solar 
system. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish and maintain a program of long-term exploration-re-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
lated technology research and development that is not tied 
to specific flight projects and that has a funding goal of 
at least 10 percent of the total budget of the Exploration 
Systems Mission Directorate. 
(c) GOALS.—The long-term technology program shall 
have the goal of having at least 50 percent of the funding 
allocated to external grants and contracts with universities, 
research institutions, and industry. 
SEC. 405. EXPLORATION RISK MITIGATION PLAN. 
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall prepare a plan 
that identifies and prioritizes the human and technical 
risks that will need to be addressed in carrying out human 
exploration beyond low Earth orbit and the research and 
development activities required to address those risks. The 
plan shall address the role of the International Space Sta-
tion in exploration risk mitigation and include a detailed 
description of the specific steps being taken to utilize the 
International Space Station for that purpose. 
(b) REPORT.—The Administrator shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate the plan described in sub-
section (a) not later than one year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
SEC. 406. EXPLORATION CREW RESCUE. 
In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts 
whose space vehicles have become disabled, the Adminis-
trator shall enter into discussions with the appropriate rep-
resentatives of spacefaring nations who have or plan to have 
crew transportation systems capable of orbital flight or 
flight beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of agreeing 
on a common docking system standard. 
SEC. 407. PARTICIPATORY EXPLORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop a 
technology plan to enable dissemination of information to 
the public to allow the public to experience missions to the 
Moon, Mars, or other bodies within our solar system by 
leveraging advanced exploration technologies. The plan 
shall identify opportunities to leverage technologies in 
NASA’s Constellation systems that deliver a rich, multi- 
media experience to the public, and that facilitate partici-
pation by the public, the private sector, nongovernmental 
organizations, and international partners. Technologies for 
collecting high-definition video, 3-dimensional images, and 
scientific data, along with the means to rapidly deliver this 
content through extended high bandwidth communications 
networks shall be considered as part of this plan. It shall 
include a review of high bandwidth radio and laser commu-
nications, high-definition video, stereo imagery, 3-dimen-
sional scene cameras, and Internet routers in space, from 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
orbit, and on the lunar surface. The plan shall also consider 
secondary cargo capability for technology validation and 
science mission opportunities. In addition, the plan shall 
identify opportunities to develop and demonstrate these 
technologies on the International Space Station and robotic 
missions to the Moon, Mars, and other solar system bodies. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
the plan to the Committee on Science and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 408. SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that NASA’s scientific and 
human exploration activities are synergistic, i.e. science en-
ables exploration and human exploration enables science. 
The Congress encourages the Administrator to coordinate, 
where practical, NASA’s science and exploration activities 
with the goal of maximizing the success of human explo-
ration initiatives and furthering our understanding of the 
Universe that we explore. 
TITLE V—SPACE SCIENCE 
SEC. 501. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT. 
The Administrator shall establish a cross-Directorate 
long-term technology development program for space and 
Earth science within the Science Mission Directorate for 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
the development of new technology. The program shall be 
independent of the flight projects under development. NASA 
shall have a goal of funding the cross-Directorate technology 
development program at a level of 5 percent of the total 
Science Mission Directorate annual budget. The program 
shall be structured to include competitively awarded grants 
and contracts. 
SEC. 502. PROVISION FOR FUTURE SERVICING OF OBSERV-
ATORY-CLASS SCIENTIFIC SPACECRAFT. 
The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to en-
sure that provision is made in the design and construction 
of all future observatory-class scientific spacecraft intended 
to be deployed in Earth orbit or at a Lagrangian point 
in space for robotic or human servicing and repair. 
SEC. 503. MARS EXPLORATION. 
Congress reaffirms its support for a systematic, inte-
grated program of exploration of the Martian surface to ex-
amine the planet whose surface is most like Earth’s, to 
search for evidence of past or present life, and to examine 
Mars for future habitability and as a long-term goal for 
future human exploration. To the extent affordable and 
practical, the program should pursue the goal of launches 
at every Mars launch opportunity, leading to an eventual 
robotic sample return. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
SEC. 504. IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED SCIENCE PRO-
GRAM. 
It is the sense of Congress that a balanced and ade-
quately funded set of activities, consisting of NASA’s re-
search and analysis grants programs, technology develop-
ment, small, medium-sized, and large space science mis-
sions, and suborbital research activities, contributes to a ro-
bust and productive science program and serves as a cata-
lyst for innovation. It is further the sense of Congress that 
suborbital flight activities, including the use of sounding 
rockets, aircraft, and high-altitude balloons, offer valuable 
opportunities to advance science, train the next generation 
of scientists and engineers, and provide opportunities for 
participants in the programs to acquire skills in systems 
engineering and systems integration that are critical to 
maintaining the Nation’s leadership in space programs. 
The Congress believes that it is in the national interest to 
expand the size of NASA’s suborbital research program. 
SEC. 
505. 
RESTORATION 
OF 
RADIOISOTOPE 
THERMO-
ELECTRIC GENERATOR MATERIAL PRODUC-
TION. 
(a) PLAN.—The Director of OSTP shall develop a plan 
for restarting and sustaining the domestic production of ra-
dioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep space 
and other space science missions. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(b) REPORT.—The plan developed under subsection (a) 
shall be transmitted to Congress not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 506. ASSESSMENT OF IMPEDIMENTS TO INTERAGENCY 
COOPERATION 
ON 
SPACE 
AND 
EARTH 
SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies to assess im-
pediments to the successful conduct of interagency coopera-
tion on space and Earth science missions, to provide lessons 
learned and best practices, and to recommend steps to help 
facilitate successful interagency collaborations on space and 
Earth science missions. 
(b) REPORT.—The report of the assessment carried out 
under subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Committee 
on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate not later than 15 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 507. ASSESSMENT OF COST GROWTH. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an ar-
rangement for an independent external assessment to iden-
tify the primary causes of cost growth in the large, medium- 
sized, and small space and Earth science spacecraft mission 
classes, and make recommendations as to what changes, if 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
any, should be made to contain costs and ensure frequent 
mission opportunities in NASA’s science spacecraft mission 
programs. 
(b) REPORT.—The report of the assessment conducted 
under subsection (a) shall be submitted to Congress not later 
than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 508. OUTER PLANETS EXPLORATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that the outer solar system 
planets and their satellites can offer important knowledge 
about the formation and evolution of the solar system, the 
nature and diversity of these solar system bodies, and the 
potential for conditions conducive to life beyond Earth. 
NASA should move forward with plans for an Outer Plan-
ets flagship mission to the Europa-Jupiter system or the 
Titan-Saturn system as soon as practicable within a bal-
anced Planetary Science program. 
TITLE VI—SPACE OPERATIONS 
Subtitle A—International Space 
Station 
SEC. 601. UTILIZATION. 
The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to en-
sure that the International Space Station remains a viable 
and productive facility capable of potential United States 
utilization through at least 2020 and shall take no steps 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
that would preclude its continued operation and utilization 
by the United States after 2016. 
SEC. 602. RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
(a) RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop a research management plan for the 
International Space Station. The plan shall include a proc-
ess for selecting and prioritizing research activities (includ-
ing fundamental, applied, commercial, and other research) 
for flight on the International Space Station. This plan 
shall be used to prioritize resources such as crew time, racks 
and equipment, and United States access to international 
research facilities and equipment. The plan shall also iden-
tify the organization to be responsible for managing United 
States research on the International Space Station, includ-
ing a description of the relationship of the management in-
stitution with NASA (e.g., internal NASA office, contract, 
cooperative agreement, or grant), the estimated length of 
time for the arrangement, and the budget required to sup-
port the management institution. The plan shall be devel-
oped in consultation with other Federal agencies, academia, 
industry, and other relevant stakeholders. The plan shall 
be transmitted to Congress not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) ACCESS TO NATIONAL LABORATORY.—The Admin-
istrator shall— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(1) establish a process by which to support Inter-
national Space Station National Laboratory users in 
identifying their requirements for transportation of 
research supplies to and from the International Space 
Station, and for communicating those requirements to 
NASA and International Space Station transpor-
tation services providers; and 
(2) develop an estimate of the transportation re-
quirements needed to support users of the Inter-
national Space Station National Laboratory and de-
velop a plan for satisfying those requirements by 
dedicating a portion of volume on NASA supply mis-
sions to the International Space Station and missions 
returning from the International Space Station to 
Earth. 
(c) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) identify existing research equipment and 
racks and support equipment that are manifested for 
flight; 
(2) provide a detailed description of the status of 
research equipment and facilities that were completed 
or in development prior to being cancelled, and pro-
vide the budget and milestones for completing and 
preparing the equipment for flight on the Inter-
national Space Station; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(3) provide the results of the assessment to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(d) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall establish an advisory panel under the Federal Advi-
sory Committee Act to monitor the activities and manage-
ment of the International Space Station National Labora-
tory. 
SEC. 603. CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR CARGO RESUPPLY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The International Space Station 
represents a significant investment of national resources, 
and it is a facility that embodies a cooperative inter-
national approach to the exploration and utilization of 
space. As such, it is important that its continued viability 
and productivity be ensured, to the maximum extent pos-
sible, after the Space Shuttle is retired. 
(b) CONTINGENCY PLAN.—The Administrator shall de-
velop a contingency plan and arrangements, including use 
of International Space Station international partner cargo 
resupply capabilities, to ensure the continued viability and 
productivity of the International Space Station in the event 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
that United States commercial cargo resupply services are 
not available during any extended period after the date that 
the Space Shuttle is retired. The plan shall be delivered to 
the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
Subtitle B—Space Shuttle 
SEC. 611. 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 and shall be flown prior to the retire-
ment of the Space Shuttle. 
(b) ADDITIONAL FLIGHT TO DELIVER THE ALPHA 
MAGNETIC SPECTROMETER TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE 
STATION.—In addition to the flying of the baseline manifest 
as described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall take 
all necessary steps to fly one additional Space Shuttle flight 
to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the Inter-
national Space Station prior to the retirement of the Space 
Shuttle. 
(c) SPACE SHUTTLE RETIREMENT DATE.—The Space 
Shuttle shall be retired following the completion of the base-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:33 Jun 09, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H6063.RH
H6063
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS