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Sec. 316. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
Sec. 321. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 322. Near-Earth objects. 
Sec. 323. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships. 
Sec. 324. Research on near-Earth object tsunami effects. 
Sec. 325. Astrobiology strategy. 
Sec. 326. Astrobiology public-private partnerships. 
Sec. 327. Assessment of Mars architecture. 
Subtitle D—Heliophysics 
Sec. 331. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 332. Review of space weather. 
Subtitle E—Earth Science 
Sec. 341. Goal. 
Sec. 342. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 343. Venture class missions. 
Sec. 344. Assessment. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 402. Aeronautics research goals. 
Sec. 403. Unmanned aerial systems research and development. 
Sec. 404. Research program on composite materials used in aeronautics. 
Sec. 405. Hypersonic research. 
Sec. 406. Supersonic research. 
Sec. 407. Research on NextGen airspace management concepts and tools. 
Sec. 408. Rotorcraft research. 
Sec. 409. Transformative aeronautics research. 
Sec. 410. Study of United States leadership in aeronautics research. 
TITLE V—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
Sec. 501. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 502. Space Technology Program. 
Sec. 503. Utilization of the International Space Station for technology dem-
onstrations. 
TITLE VI—EDUCATION 
Sec. 601. Education. 
Sec. 602. Independent review of the National Space Grant College and Fellow-
ship Program. 
Sec. 603. Sense of Congress. 
TITLE VII—POLICY PROVISIONS 
Sec. 701. Asteroid Retrieval Mission. 
Sec. 702. Termination liability sense of Congress. 
Sec. 703. Baseline and cost controls. 
Sec. 704. Project and program reserves. 
Sec. 705. Independent reviews. 
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Sec. 706. Commercial technology transfer program. 
Sec. 707. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory Council. 
Sec. 708. Cost estimation. 
Sec. 709. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major Administration 
acquisition programs. 
Sec. 710. Facilities and infrastructure. 
Sec. 711. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts. 
Sec. 712. Space Act Agreements. 
Sec. 713. Human spaceflight accident investigations. 
Sec. 714. Fullest commercial use of space. 
Sec. 715. Orbital debris. 
Sec. 716. Review of orbital debris removal concepts. 
Sec. 717. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for research, devel-
opment, and education. 
Sec. 718. Fundamental space life and physical sciences research. 
Sec. 719. Restoring commitment to engineering research. 
Sec. 720. Liquid rocket engine development program. 
Sec. 721. Remote satellite servicing demonstrations. 
Sec. 722. Information technology governance. 
Sec. 723. Strengthening Administration security. 
Sec. 724. Prohibition on use of funds for contractors that have committed 
fraud or other crimes. 
Sec. 725. Protection of Apollo landing sites. 
Sec. 726. Astronaut occupational healthcare. 
Sec. 727. Sense of Congress on access to observational data sets. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Administra-
tion. 
(3) ORION CREW CAPSULE.—The term ‘‘Orion 
crew capsule’’ means the multipurpose crew vehicle 
described in section 303 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(42 U.S.C. 18323). 
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(4) SPACE ACT AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘Space 
Act Agreement’’ means an agreement created under 
the authority to enter into ‘‘other transactions’’ 
under section 20113(e) of title 51, United States 
Code. 
(5) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Space 
Launch System’’ means the follow-on Government- 
owned civil launch system developed, managed, and 
operated by the Administration to serve as a key 
component to expand human presence beyond low- 
Earth orbit, as described in section 302 of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322). 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2015. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Ad-
ministration for fiscal year 2015 $18,010,200,000 as fol-
lows: 
(1) For Space Exploration, $4,356,700,000, of 
which— 
(A) $1,700,000,000 shall be for the Space 
Launch System; 
(B) $351,300,000 shall be for Exploration 
Ground Systems; 
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(C) $1,194,000,000 shall be for the Orion 
crew capsule; 
(D) $306,400,000 shall be for Exploration 
Research and Development; and 
(E) $805,000,000 shall be for Commercial 
Crew Development activities. 
(2) For Space Operations, $3,827,800,000. 
(3) For Science, $5,244,700,000, of which— 
(A) $1,772,500,000 shall be for Earth 
Science; 
(B) $1,437,800,000 shall be for Planetary 
Science, with up to $30,000,000 for the 
Astrobiology Institute; 
(C) $684,800,000 shall be for Astro-
physics; 
(D) $645,400,000 shall be for the James 
Webb Space Telescope; 
(E) 
$662,200,000 
shall 
be 
for 
Heliophysics; and 
(F) $42,000,000 shall be for Education. 
(4) For Aeronautics, $651,000,000. 
(5) For Space Technology, $596,000,000. 
(6) For Education, $119,000,000. 
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 
$2,758,900,000. 
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(8) For Construction and Environmental Com-
pliance and Restoration, $419,100,000. 
(9) For Inspector General, $37,000,000. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 
Subtitle A—Exploration 
SEC. 201. SPACE EXPLORATION POLICY. 
(a) POLICY.—Human exploration deeper into the 
Solar System shall be a core mission of the Administra-
tion. It is the policy of the United States that the goal 
of the Administration’s exploration program shall be to 
successfully conduct a crewed mission to the surface of 
Mars to begin human exploration of that planet. The use 
of the surface of the Moon, cis-lunar space, near-Earth 
asteroids, Lagrangian points, and Martian moons may be 
pursued provided they are properly incorporated into the 
Human Exploration Roadmap described in section 70504 
of title 51, United States Code. 
(b) VISION
FOR
SPACE
EXPLORATION.—Section 
20302 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ORION CREW CAPSULE.—The term ‘Orion 
crew capsule’ means the multipurpose crew vehicle 
described in section 303 of the National Aeronautics 
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and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(42 U.S.C. 18323). 
‘‘(2) SPACE
LAUNCH
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘Space Launch System’ means the follow-on Govern-
ment-owned civil launch system developed, managed, 
and operated by the Administration to serve as a 
key component to expand human presence beyond 
low-Earth orbit, as described in section 302 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322).’’. 
(c) KEY OBJECTIVES.—Section 202(b) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) to accelerate the development of capabili-
ties to enable a human exploration mission to the 
surface 
of 
Mars 
and 
beyond 
through 
the 
prioritization of those technologies and capabilities 
best suited for such a mission in accordance with the 
Human Exploration Roadmap under section 70504 
of title 51, United States Code.’’. 
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(d) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT
TRANSPORTATION
CAPABILITIES.—Section 
201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—NASA may not obtain non- 
United States human space flight capabilities unless 
no domestic commercial or public-private partnership 
provider that the Administrator has determined to 
meet safety and affordability requirements estab-
lished by NASA for the transport of its astronauts 
is available to provide such capabilities. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘domestic commercial provider’ 
means a person providing space transportation serv-
ices or other space-related activities, the majority 
control of which is held by persons other than a 
Federal, State, local, or foreign government, foreign 
company, or foreign national.’’. 
(e) REPEAL OF SPACE SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ASSUR-
ANCE.—Section 203 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18313) is amended— 
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(1) by striking subsection (b); 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as 
subsections (b) and (c), respectively. 
SEC. 202. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 70504 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to maximize the cost 
effectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utili-
zation activities of the United States, the Administrator 
shall direct the Human Exploration and Operations Mis-
sion Directorate, or its successor division, to develop a 
Human Exploration Roadmap to define the specific capa-
bilities and technologies necessary to extend human pres-
ence to the surface of Mars and the sets and sequences 
of missions required to demonstrate such capabilities and 
technologies. 
‘‘(b) INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.—The Presi-
dent should invite the United States partners in the Inter-
national Space Station program and other nations, as ap-
propriate, to participate in an international initiative 
under the leadership of the United States to achieve the 
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goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the 
surface of Mars. 
‘‘(c) ROADMAP REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the 
Human Exploration Roadmap, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) include the specific set of capabilities and 
technologies that contribute to extending human 
presence to the surface of Mars and the sets and se-
quences of missions necessary to demonstrate the 
proficiency of these capabilities and technologies 
with an emphasis on using or not using the Inter-
national Space Station, lunar landings, cis-lunar 
space, trans-lunar space, Lagrangian points, and the 
natural satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, as 
testbeds, as necessary, and shall include the most 
appropriate process for developing such capabilities 
and technologies; 
‘‘(2) include information on the phasing of 
planned intermediate destinations, Mars mission risk 
areas and potential risk mitigation approaches, tech-
nology requirements and phasing of required tech-
nology development activities, the management strat-
egy to be followed, related International Space Sta-
tion activities, and planned international collabo-
rative activities, potential commercial contributions, 
and other activities relevant to the achievement of 
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the goal established in section 201(a) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2015; 
‘‘(3) describe those technologies already under 
development across the Federal Government or by 
nongovernment entities which meet or exceed the 
needs described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(4) provide a specific process for the evolution 
of the capabilities of the fully integrated Orion crew 
capsule with the Space Launch System and how 
these systems demonstrate the capabilities and tech-
nologies described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(5) provide a description of the capabilities 
and technologies that need to be demonstrated or re-
search data that could be gained through the utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station and the sta-
tus of the development of such capabilities and tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(6) describe a framework for international co-
operation in the development of all technologies and 
capabilities required in this section, as well as an as-
sessment of the risks posed by relying on inter-
national partners for capabilities and technologies on 
the critical path of development; 
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‘‘(7) describe a process for utilizing nongovern-
mental entities for future human exploration beyond 
lunar landings and cis-lunar space and specify what, 
if any, synergy could be gained from— 
‘‘(A) partnerships using Space Act Agree-
ments (as defined in section 2 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2015); or 
‘‘(B) other acquisition instruments; 
‘‘(8) include in the Human Exploration Road-
map an addendum from the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Advisory Council, and an 
addendum from the Aerospace Safety Advisory 
Panel, each with a statement of review of the 
Human Exploration Roadmap that shall include— 
‘‘(A) subjects of agreement; 
‘‘(B) areas of concern; and 
‘‘(C) recommendations; and 
‘‘(9) include in the Human Exploration Road-
map an examination of the benefits of utilizing cur-
rent Administration launch facilities for trans-lunar 
missions. 
‘‘(d) UPDATES.—The Administrator shall update 
such Human Exploration Roadmap as needed but no less 
frequently than every 2 years and include it in the budget 
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for that fiscal year transmitted to Congress under section 
1105(a) of title 31, and describe— 
‘‘(1) the achievements and goals reached in the 
process of developing such capabilities and tech-
nologies during the 2-year period prior to the sub-
mission of the update to Congress; and 
‘‘(2) the expected goals and achievements in the 
following 2-year period. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘Orion 
crew capsule’ and ‘Space Launch System’ have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 20302.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall transmit a copy of the Human Explo-
ration Roadmap developed under section 70504 of 
title 51, United States Code, to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) UPDATES.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit a copy of each updated Human Exploration 
Roadmap to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
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tation of the Senate not later than 7 days after such 
Human Exploration Roadmap is updated. 
SEC. 203. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the Space Launch System is the most prac-
tical approach to reaching the Moon, Mars, and be-
yond, and Congress reaffirms the policy and min-
imum capability requirements for the Space Launch 
System contained in section 302 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322); 
(2) the primary goal for the design of the fully 
integrated Space Launch System, including an 
upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, is 
to safely carry a total payload to enable human 
space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond 
over the course of the next century as required in 
section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18322(c)); and 
(3) in order to promote safety and reduce pro-
grammatic risk, the Administrator shall budget for 
and undertake a robust ground test and uncrewed 
and crewed flight test and demonstration program 
for the Space Launch System and the Orion crew 
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capsule and shall budget for an operational flight 
rate sufficient to maintain safety and operational 
readiness. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the President’s annual budget requests for the 
Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule develop-
ment, test, and operational phases should strive to accu-
rately reflect the resource requirements of each of those 
phases, consistent with the policy established in section 
201(a) of this Act. 
(c) IN GENERAL.—Given the critical importance of 
a heavy-lift launch vehicle and crewed spacecraft to enable 
the achievement of the goal established in section 201(a) 
of this Act, as well as the accomplishment of intermediate 
exploration milestones and the provision of a backup capa-
bility to transfer crew and cargo to the International 
Space Station, the Administrator shall make the expedi-
tious development, test, and achievement of operational 
readiness of the Space Launch System and the Orion crew 
capsule the highest priority of the exploration program. 
(d) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
VIEW.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
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merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the Administration’s acquisition of ground systems in 
support of the Space Launch System. The report shall as-
sess the extent to which ground systems acquired in sup-
port of the Space Launch System are focused on the direct 
support of the Space Launch System and shall identify 
any ground support projects or activities that the Admin-
istration is undertaking that do not solely or primarily 
support the Space Launch System. 
(e) UTILIZATION REPORT.—The Administrator, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Direc-
tor of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that 
addresses the effort and budget required to enable and 
utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch Sys-
tem configuration described in section 302(c) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). This report shall 
also include consideration of the technical requirements of 
the scientific and national security communities related to 
such Space Launch System and shall directly assess the 
utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using such 
Space Launch System for national security and space 
science missions. The Administrator shall transmit such 
report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
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on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(f) NAMING COMPETITION.—Beginning not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and 
concluding not later than 1 year after such date of enact-
ment, the Administrator shall conduct a well-publicized 
competition among students in elementary and secondary 
schools to name the elements of the Administration’s ex-
ploration program, including— 
(1) a name for the deep space human explo-
ration program as a whole, which includes the Space 
Launch System, the Orion crew capsule, and future 
missions; and 
(2) a name for the Space Launch System. 
(g) ADVANCED BOOSTER COMPETITION.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Associate Admin-
istrator of the Administration shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate a report that— 
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(A) describes the estimated total develop-
ment cost of an advanced booster for the Space 
Launch System; 
(B) details any reductions or increases to 
the development cost of the Space Launch Sys-
tem which may result from conducting a com-
petition for an advanced booster; and 
(C) outlines any potential schedule delay to 
the Space Launch System 2017 Exploration 
Mission–1 launch as a result of increased costs 
associated with conducting a competition for an 
advanced booster. 
(2) COMPETITION.—If the Associate Adminis-
trator reports reductions pursuant to paragraph 
(1)(B), and no adverse schedule impact pursuant to 
paragraph (1)(C), then the Administration shall con-
duct a full and open competition for an advanced 
booster for the Space Launch System to meet the 
requirements described in section 302(c) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)), to 
begin as soon as practicable after the development of 
the upper stage has been initiated. 
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SEC. 204. ORION CREW CAPSULE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Orion crew capsule shall meet 
the practical needs and the minimum capability require-
ments described in section 303 of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate— 
(1) detailing those components and systems of 
the Orion crew capsule that ensure it is in compli-
ance with section 303(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
18323(b)); 
(2) detailing the expected date that the Orion 
crew capsule will be available to transport crew and 
cargo to the International Space Station; and 
(3) certifying that the requirements of section 
303(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) will 
be met by the Administration. 
SEC. 205. SPACE RADIATION. 
(a) STRATEGY AND PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop a space radiation mitigation and management 
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strategy and implementation plan to enable the 
achievement of the goal established in section 201 
that includes key research and monitoring require-
ments, milestones, a timetable, and an estimate of 
facility and budgetary requirements. 
(2) COORDINATION.—The strategy shall include 
a mechanism for coordinating Administration re-
search, technology, facilities, engineering, operations, 
and other functions required to support the strategy 
and plan. 
(3) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit the strategy and plan to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate. 
(b) SPACE RADIATION RESEARCH FACILITIES.—The 
Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other ap-
propriate Federal agencies, shall assess the national capa-
bilities for carrying out critical ground-based research on 
space radiation biology and shall identify any issues that 
could affect the ability to carry out that research. 
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SEC. 206. PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR HUMAN EXPLO-
RATION MISSIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies for a study to 
explore the planetary protection ramifications of potential 
future missions by astronauts such as to the lunar polar 
regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the 
surface of Mars. 
(b) SCOPE.—The study shall— 
(1) collate and summarize what has been done 
to date with respect to planetary protection meas-
ures to be applied to potential human missions such 
as to the lunar polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, 
the moons of Mars, and the surface of Mars; 
(2) identify and document planetary protection 
concerns associated with potential human missions 
such as to the lunar polar regions, near-Earth aster-
oids, the moons of Mars, and the surface of Mars; 
(3) develop a methodology, if possible, for defin-
ing and classifying the degree of concern associated 
with each likely destination; 
(4) assess likely methodologies for addressing 
planetary protection concerns; and 
(5) identify areas for future research to reduce 
current uncertainties. 
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(c) COMPLETION DATE.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall provide the results of the study to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
Subtitle B—Space Operations 
SEC. 211. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The International Space Station is an ideal 
testbed for future exploration systems development, 
including long-duration space travel. 
(2) The use of the private market to provide 
cargo and crew transportation services is currently 
the most expeditious process to restore domestic ac-
cess to the International Space Station and low- 
Earth orbit. 
(3) Government access to low-Earth orbit is 
paramount to the continued success of the Inter-
national Space Station and National Laboratory. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The following is the policy of the 
United States: 
(1) The United States International Space Sta-
tion program shall have two primary objectives: sup-
porting achievement of the goal established in sec-
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tion 201 of this Act and pursuing a research pro-
gram that advances knowledge and provides benefits 
to the Nation. It shall continue to be the policy of 
the United States to, in consultation with its inter-
national partners in the International Space Station 
program, support full and complete utilization of the 
International Space Station. 
(2) The International Space Station shall be 
utilized to the maximum extent practicable for the 
development of capabilities and technologies needed 
for the future of human exploration beyond low- 
Earth orbit and shall be considered in the develop-
ment of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed 
under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code. 
(3) The Administrator shall, in consultation 
with the International Space Station partners— 
(A) take all necessary measures to support 
the operation and full utilization of the Inter-
national Space Station; and 
(B) seek to minimize, to the extent prac-
ticable, the operating costs of the International 
Space Station. 
(4) Reliance on foreign carriers for crew trans-
fer is unacceptable, and the Nation’s human space 
flight program must acquire the capability to launch 
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United States astronauts on United States rockets 
from United States soil as soon as is safe and prac-
tically possible, whether on Government-owned and 
operated space transportation systems or privately 
owned systems that have been certified for flight by 
the appropriate Federal agencies. 
(c) REAFFIRMATION
OF POLICY.—Congress reaf-
firms— 
(1) its commitment to the development of a 
commercially developed launch and delivery system 
to the International Space Station for crew missions 
as expressed in the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public 
Law 109–155), the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–422), and the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(Public Law 111–267); 
(2) that the Administration shall make use of 
United States commercially provided International 
Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue services 
to the maximum extent practicable; 
(3) that the Orion crew capsule shall provide an 
alternative means of delivery of crew and cargo to 
the International Space Station, in the event other 
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vehicles, whether commercial vehicles or partner-sup-
plied vehicles, are unable to perform that function; 
and 
(4) the policy stated in section 501(b) of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18351(b)) that 
the Administration shall pursue international, com-
mercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize 
International Space Station logistics supply, mainte-
nance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to 
International Space Station systems sustainability, 
and offset and minimize United States operations 
costs relating to the International Space Station. 
(d) ASSURED ACCESS TO LOW-EARTH ORBIT.—Sec-
tion 70501(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) POLICY STATEMENT.—It is the policy of the 
United States to maintain an uninterrupted capability for 
human space flight and operations in low-Earth orbit, and 
beyond, as an essential instrument of national security 
and the capability to ensure continued United States par-
ticipation and leadership in the exploration and utilization 
of space.’’. 
(e) REPEALS.— 
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(1) USE
OF
SPACE
SHUTTLE
OR
ALTER-
NATIVES.—Chapter 701 of title 51, United States 
Code, and the item relating to such chapter in the 
table of chapters for such title, are repealed. 
(2) SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMER-
CIAL AND FOREIGN USERS.—Chapter 703 of title 
51, United States Code, and the item relating to 
such chapter in the table of chapters for such title, 
are repealed. 
(3) SHUTTLE PRIVATIZATION.—Section 50133 
of title 51, United States Code, and the item relat-
ing to such section in the table of sections for chap-
ter 501 of such title, are repealed. 
(f) EXTENSION CRITERIA REPORT.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Admin-
istrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report on the feasibility of extending the op-
eration of the International Space Station that includes— 
(1) criteria for defining the International Space 
Station as a research success; 
(2) any necessary contributions to enabling exe-
cution of the Human Exploration Roadmap devel-
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oped under section 70504 of title 51, United States 
Code; 
(3) cost estimates for operating the Inter-
national Space Station to achieve the criteria re-
quired under paragraph (1); 
(4) cost estimates for extending operations to 
2024 and 2030; 
(5) an assessment of how the defined criteria 
under paragraph (1) respond to the National Acad-
emies Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical 
Sciences in Space; and 
(6) an identification of the actions and cost es-
timate needed to deorbit the International Space 
Station once a decision is made to deorbit the lab-
oratory. 
(g) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE 
STATION RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with 
the Administrator, academia, other Federal agencies, 
the International Space Station National Laboratory 
Advisory Committee, and other potential stake-
holders, shall develop and transmit to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
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Science, and Transportation of the Senate a stra-
tegic plan for conducting competitive, peer-reviewed 
research in physical and life sciences and related 
technologies on the International Space Station 
through at least 2020. 
(2) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The strategic plan 
shall— 
(A) be consistent with the priorities and 
recommendations established by the National 
Academies in its Decadal Survey on Biological 
and Physical Sciences in Space; 
(B) provide a research timeline and iden-
tify resource requirements for its implementa-
tion, including the facilities and instrumenta-
tion necessary for the conduct of such research; 
and 
(C) identify— 
(i) criteria for the proposed research, 
including— 
(I) a justification for the research 
to be carried out in the space micro-
gravity environment; 
(II) the use of model systems; 
(III) the testing of flight hard-
ware to understand and ensure its 
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functioning in the microgravity envi-
ronment; 
(IV) the use of controls to help 
distinguish among the direct and indi-
rect effects of microgravity, among 
other effects of the flight or space en-
vironment; 
(V) approaches for facilitating 
data collection, analysis, and interpre-
tation; 
(VI) procedures to ensure repeti-
tion of experiments, as needed; 
(VII) support for timely presen-
tation of the peer-reviewed results of 
the research; 
(VIII) defined metrics for the 
success of each study; and 
(IX) how these activities enable 
the Human Exploration Roadmap de-
scribed in section 70504 of title 51, 
United States Code; 
(ii) instrumentation required to sup-
port the measurements and analysis of the 
research to be carried out under the stra-
tegic plan; 
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(iii) the capabilities needed to support 
direct, real-time communications between 
astronauts working on research experi-
ments onboard the International Space 
Station and the principal investigator on 
the ground; 
(iv) a process for involving the exter-
nal user community in research planning, 
including planning for relevant flight hard-
ware and instrumentation, and for utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station, 
free flyers, or other research platforms; 
(v) the acquisition strategy the Ad-
ministration plans to use to acquire any 
new support capabilities which are not 
operational on the International Space Sta-
tion as of the date of enactment of this 
Act, and the criteria the Administration 
will apply if less than full and open com-
petition is selected; and 
(vi) defined metrics for success of the 
research plan. 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
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Comptroller General of the United States shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
the progress of the organization chosen for the 
management of the International Space Station 
National Laboratory as directed in section 504 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18354). 
(B) SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS.—The re-
port shall assess the management, organization, 
and performance of such organization and shall 
include a review of the status of each of the 
seven required activities listed in section 504(c) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18354(c)). 
SEC. 212. BARRIERS IMPEDING ENHANCED UTILIZATION OF 
THE ISS’S NATIONAL LABORATORY BY COM-
MERCIAL COMPANIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) enhanced utilization of the International 
Space Station’s National Laboratory requires a full 
understanding of the barriers impeding such utiliza-
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tion and actions needed to be taken to remove or 
mitigate them to the maximum extent practicable; 
and 
(2) doing so will allow the Administration to en-
courage commercial companies to invest in micro-
gravity research using National Laboratory research 
facilities. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with the National Academies for an 
assessment to— 
(1) identify barriers impeding enhanced utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station’s National 
Laboratory; 
(2) recommend ways to encourage commercial 
companies to make greater use of the International 
Space Station’s National Laboratory, including cor-
porate investment in microgravity research; and 
(3) identify any legislative changes that may be 
required. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
the results of the assessment described in subsection (b). 
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SEC. 213. UTILIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STA-
TION FOR SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
The Administrator shall utilize the International 
Space Station for Science Mission Directorate missions in 
low-Earth orbit wherever it is practical and cost effective 
to do so. 
SEC. 214. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CARGO RESUP-
PLY SERVICES LESSONS LEARNED. 
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that— 
(1) identifies the lessons learned to date from 
the Commercial Resupply Services contract; 
(2) indicates whether changes are needed to the 
manner in which the Administration procures and 
manages similar services upon the expiration of the 
existing Commercial Resupply Services contract; and 
(3) identifies any lessons learned from the Com-
mercial Resupply Services contract that should be 
applied to the procurement and management of com-
mercially provided crew transfer services to and 
from the International Space Station. 
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SEC. 215. COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that once developed and certified to meet the Admin-
istration’s safety and reliability requirements, United 
States commercially provided crew transportation systems 
offer the potential of serving as the primary means of 
transporting American astronauts and international part-
ner astronauts to and from the International Space Sta-
tion and serving as International Space Station emergency 
crew rescue vehicles. At the same time, the budgetary as-
sumptions used by the Administration in its planning for 
the Commercial Crew Program have consistently assumed 
significantly higher funding levels than have been author-
ized and appropriated by Congress. It is the sense of Con-
gress that credibility in the Administration’s budgetary es-
timates for the Commercial Crew Program can be en-
hanced by an independently developed cost estimate. Such 
credibility in budgetary estimates is an important factor 
in understanding program risk. 
(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Administra-
tion’s Commercial Crew Program shall be to assist the de-
velopment of at least one crew transportation system to 
carry Administration astronauts safely, reliably, and 
affordably to and from the International Space Station 
and to serve as an emergency crew rescue vehicle as soon 
as practicable within the funding levels authorized. The 
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Administration shall not use any considerations beyond 
this objective in the overall acquisition strategy. 
(c) SAFETY.—Consistent with the findings and rec-
ommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation 
Board, the Administration shall ensure that safety and the 
minimization of the probability of loss of crew are the 
highest priorities of the commercial crew transportation 
program. 
(d) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Administrator shall 
strive through the competitive selection process to mini-
mize the life cycle cost to the Administration through the 
planned period of commercially provided crew transpor-
tation services. 
(e) TRANSPARENCY.—Transparency is the corner-
stone of ensuring a safe and reliable commercial crew 
transportation service to the International Space Station. 
The Administrator shall, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, ensure that every commercial crew transportation 
services provider has provided evidence-based support for 
their costs and schedule. 
(f) INDEPENDENT
COST
AND
SCHEDULE
ESTI-
MATE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after the Federal Acquisition Regulation-based con-
tract for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capa-
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bility Contract is awarded, the Administrator shall 
arrange for the initiation of an Independent Cost 
and Schedule Estimate for— 
(A) all activities associated with the devel-
opment, test, demonstration, and certification 
of commercial crew transportation systems; 
(B) transportation and rescue services re-
quired by the Administration for International 
Space Station operations through calendar year 
2020 or later if Administration requirements so 
dictate; and 
(C) the estimated date of operational read-
iness for the program each assumption listed in 
paragraph (2) of this subsection. 
(2) ASSUMPTIONS.—The Independent Cost and 
Schedule Estimate shall provide an estimate for each 
of the following scenarios: 
(A) An appropriation of $600,000,000 over 
the next 3 fiscal years. 
(B) An appropriation of $700,000,000 
over the next 3 fiscal years. 
(C) An appropriation of $800,000,000 over 
the next 3 fiscal years. 
(D) The funding level assumptions over 
the next 3 fiscal years that are included as part 
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of commercial crew transportation capability 
contract awards. 
(3) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after initiation of the Independent Cost and Sched-
ule Estimate under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall transmit the results of the Independent 
Cost and Schedule Estimate to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
completion of the Independent Cost and Schedule 
Estimate under subsection (f), the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report containing four dis-
tinct implementation strategies based on such Inde-
pendent Cost and Schedule Estimate for the final 
stages of the commercial crew program. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—These options shall in-
clude— 
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(A) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $600,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; 
(B) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $700,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; 
(C) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $800,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; and 
(D) a strategy that has yet to be consid-
ered previously in any budget submission but 
that the Administration believes could ensure 
the flight readiness date of 2017 for at least 
one provider. 
(3) INCLUSIONS.—Each strategy shall include 
the contracting instruments the Administration will 
employ to acquire the services in each phase of de-
velopment or acquisition and the number of commer-
cial providers the Administration will include in the 
program. 
SEC. 216. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan, 
in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, for updat-
ing the Administration’s space communications and navi-
gation architecture for low-Earth orbital and deep space 
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operations so that it is capable of meeting the Administra-
tion’s communications needs over the next 20 years. The 
plan shall include lifecycle cost estimates, milestones, esti-
mated performance capabilities, and 5-year funding pro-
files. The plan shall also include an estimate of the 
amounts of any reimbursements the Administration is 
likely to receive from other Federal agencies during the 
expected life of the upgrades described in the plan. At a 
minimum, the plan shall include a description of the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Steps to sustain the existing space commu-
nications and navigation network and infrastructure 
and priorities for how resources will be applied and 
cost estimates for the maintenance of existing space 
communications network capabilities. 
(2) Upgrades needed to support space commu-
nications and navigation network and infrastructure 
requirements, including cost estimates and schedules 
and an assessment of the impact on missions if re-
sources are not secured at the level needed. 
(3) Projected space communications and navi-
gation network requirements for the next 20 years, 
including those in support of human space explo-
ration missions. 
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(4) Projected Tracking and Data Relay Sat-
ellite System requirements for the next 20 years, in-
cluding those in support of other relevant Federal 
agencies, and cost and schedule estimates to main-
tain and upgrade the Tracking and Data Relay Sat-
ellite System to meet projected requirements. 
(5) Steps the Administration is taking to meet 
future space communications requirements after all 
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System third-gen-
eration communications satellites are operational. 
(6) Steps the Administration is taking to miti-
gate threats to electromagnetic spectrum use. 
(b) SCHEDULE.—The Administrator shall transmit 
the plan developed under this section to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—General 
SEC. 301. SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. 
(a) BALANCED AND ADEQUATELY FUNDED ACTIVI-
TIES.—Section 803 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 
2832) is amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘SEC. 803. OVERALL SCIENCE PORTFOLIO—SENSE OF THE 
CONGRESS. 
‘‘Congress reaffirms its sense, expressed in the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2010, that a balanced and adequately funded 
set of activities, consisting of research and analysis grants 
programs, technology development, small, medium, and 
large space missions, and suborbital research activities, 
contributes to a robust and productive science program 
and serves as a catalyst for innovation and discovery.’’. 
(b) DECADAL SURVEYS.—In proposing the funding 
of programs and activities for the Administration for each 
fiscal year, the Administrator shall, to the greatest extent 
practicable, follow guidance provided in the current 
decadal surveys from the National Academies’ Space 
Studies Board. 
SEC. 302. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that conducting deep space exploration requires ra-
dioisotope power systems, and establishing continuity in 
the production of the material needed to power these sys-
tems is paramount to the success of these future deep 
space missions. It is further the sense of Congress that 
Federal agencies supporting the Administration through 
the production of such material should do so in a cost ef-
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fective manner so as not to impose excessive reimburse-
ment requirements on the Administration. 
(b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
and the Administrator, in consultation with other Federal 
agencies, shall conduct an analysis of— 
(1) the requirements of the Administration for 
radioisotope power system material that is needed to 
carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in 
the solar system and other surface exploration activi-
ties beyond 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 Administration’s current pro-
jected mission requirements and associated time-
frames for radioisotope power system material; 
(2) explain the assumptions used to determine 
the Administration’s requirements for the material, 
including— 
(A) the planned use of advanced thermal 
conversion 
technology 
such 
as 
advanced 
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