H. R. 4346—387 
(i) Research and development in both nuclear elec-
tric and nuclear thermal propulsion technology matura-
tion efforts, to the extent practicable, and the develop-
ment of consistent figures of merit across both nuclear 
electric and nuclear thermal systems, as recommended 
by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine in the report entitled ‘‘Space Nuclear 
Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration’’, so as to 
inform a down-selection of a nuclear electric or nuclear 
thermal propulsion system by 2026, or as early as 
practicable. 
(ii) Ground-based testing, to the extent practicable, 
including not less than 1 ground-based test of a full- 
scale, integrated nuclear propulsion system before any 
in-space test or demonstration of such system. 
(iii) In-space demonstration of a nuclear propulsion 
system in the late 2020’s, which may be carried out 
as a cargo mission to Mars. 
(3) PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan 
to achieve an in-space flight test of a nuclear propulsion 
system that could support the first crewed mission to Mars 
in the 2030’s. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by subparagraph 
(A) shall include the following: 
(i) A timeline to mature enabling technologies and 
an outline of major milestones for integration of such 
technologies into the larger nuclear propulsion system. 
(ii) A cost estimate for maturing such technologies. 
(iii) A description of facility requirements for the 
program under paragraph (2) associated with such 
technologies. 
(iv) A description of the manner in which the 
Administrator will use the efforts described in para-
graph (2)(B) to determine whether the in-space flight 
test should demonstrate a nuclear electric propulsion 
system or a nuclear thermal propulsion system. 
(C) An identification of any policy or regulatory chal-
lenges or barriers to conducting such in-space test or any 
precursor ground-based testing, and a description of options 
for addressing such challenges or barriers. 
(b) NUCLEAR SURFACE POWER PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall establish a 
program for research, testing, and development of a space 
nuclear surface power reactor design. 
(2) PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
(i) develop a plan and timeline for the program 
established under paragraph (1), taking into consider-
ation mission needs; and 
(ii) include in such plan opportunities for participa-
tion by United States commercial entities. 
(B) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit
H. R. 4346—388 
to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan devel-
oped under subparagraph (A). 
(c) ASSESSMENT OF IN-SPACE PROPULSION TESTING FACILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall carry out a needs 
assessment for facilities and technical capabilities required to 
support ground-based testing of a full-scale, full-power 
integrated nuclear propulsion system. 
(2) ELEMENT.—The assessment required by paragraph (1) 
shall consider the potential development of facilities that will 
support long-term research and development of space nuclear 
propulsion systems. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results 
of the assessment carried out under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 10842. PRIORITIZATION OF LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM TECH-
NOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall prioritize the use 
of low-enriched uranium, including high-assay low-enriched ura-
nium, for space nuclear research and development, including ground 
and in-space testing and other related demonstration activities car-
ried out under this title. 
(b) INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION.—The Administrator shall, 
to the extent practicable, collaborate and coordinate with the Sec-
retary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the heads of other 
relevant Federal agencies on technology development, knowledge 
exchange, lessons learned regarding nuclear power and propulsion 
technologies, common fuels, flight demonstrations, and operational 
systems production for space applications. 
(c) REPORT
ON NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIZATION.—Not 
later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report that details the actions taken and planned, 
including a timeline for such actions, to implement subsection (a). 
Subtitle E—STEM Engagement 
SEC. 10851. OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
NASA’s inspiring mission, specialized facilities, skilled engineering 
and scientific workforce, and research activities present unique 
opportunities for inspiring public engagement in STEM and 
increasing the number of students pursuing STEM degrees and 
careers. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall establish an 
Office of STEM Engagement (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Office’’) for the purpose of advancing progress toward the STEM 
education goals of the United States by enhancing STEM literacy, 
increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, and preparing 
the STEM workforce for the future. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Office established shall be respon-
sible for coordinating efforts and activities among organizations 
across the Administration, including NASA headquarters, mission 
directorates, and NASA centers, designed—
H. R. 4346—389 
(1) to create unique opportunities for students and the 
public to learn from and contribute to the work of NASA 
in exploration and discovery; 
(2) to contribute to the growth of a diverse STEM workforce; 
and 
(3) to strengthen public understanding of science by 
enabling connections to the mission and work of NASA. 
(d) PORTFOLIO.—The Office shall coordinate and administer— 
(1) the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Pro-
gram under chapter 403 of title 51 United States Code; 
(2) the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research under section 40903 of title 51 United States Code; 
(3) the Minority University Research and Education 
Project; 
(4) the NextGen STEM Project; and 
(5) any other program or activity the Administrator con-
siders appropriate. 
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Section 40903 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘Experimental’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Established’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Experimental’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Established’’. 
Subtitle F—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 10861. PROGRAM, WORKFORCE, AND INDUSTRIAL BASE REVIEWS. 
(a) REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL BASE FOR CIVIL SPACE MISSIONS 
AND OPERATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and from time to time thereafter, 
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the United States industrial base 
for NASA civil space missions and operations. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A comprehensive description of the current status 
of the United States industrial base for NASA civil space 
missions and operations. 
(B) A description and assessment of the weaknesses 
in the supply chain, skills, manufacturing capacity, raw 
materials, key components, and other areas of the United 
States industrial base for NASA civil space missions and 
operations that could adversely impact such missions and 
operations if unavailable. 
(C) A description and assessment of various mecha-
nisms to address and mitigate the weaknesses described 
pursuant to subparagraph (B). 
(D) A comprehensive list of the collaborative efforts, 
including future and proposed collaborative efforts, between 
NASA and the Manufacturing USA institutes of the Depart-
ment of Commerce. 
(E) An assessment of— 
(i) the defense and aerospace manufacturing 
supply chains relevant to NASA in each region of the 
United States; and
H. R. 4346—390 
(ii) the feasibility and benefits of establishing a 
supply chain center of excellence in a State in which 
NASA does not, as of the date of the enactment of 
this Act, have a research center or test facility. 
(F) Such other matters relating to the United States 
industrial base for NASA civil space missions and oper-
ations as the Administrator considers appropriate. 
(b) WORKFORCE AND MODELING AND TEST FACILITIES.— 
(1) REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a comprehensive 
review of the workforce, skills-base, and modeling and test 
facilities of the Administration. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—The review conducted under subpara-
graph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) A consideration of the use of emerging tech-
nologies in relevant engineering and science disciplines 
and the skills needed to apply such capabilities to 
Administration missions across all mission direc-
torates. 
(ii) Prioritized recommendations on actions needed 
to align the Administration’s workforce with research 
objectives and strategic goals and on the improvements 
and additions to modeling capabilities and test facili-
ties needed to meet the Administration’s strategic goals 
and objectives. 
(C) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress report on the 
results of the review conducted under subparagraph (A). 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after 
the date on which the review under paragraph (1) is completed, 
the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a plan for implementing the recommendations con-
tained the review. 
(3) REPORT ON NASA INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE SKILLS 
AND CAPABILITIES.— 
(A) POLICY AND PROCEDURE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop 
an Administration policy and procedure for assessment, 
not less frequently than every 5 years, of the strategic 
capabilities of the Administration, including infrastruc-
ture and facilities, and workforce skills and capabili-
ties. 
(ii) ELEMENTS.—The policy and procedure devel-
oped under clause (i) shall include acquiring data and 
support for Administration decisions and recommenda-
tions on strategic capabilities, including on infrastruc-
ture and facilities, and workforce skills and capabilities 
needed to support the goals and objectives of the 
Administration through 2040. 
(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
the policy and procedure developed under subparagraph 
(A) to the appropriate committees of Congress.