IB 
Union Calendar No. 349 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4412 
[Report No. 113–470] 
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 7, 2014 
Mr. PALAZZO (for himself and Mr. SMITH of Texas) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
JUNE 5, 2014 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 7, 2014] 
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A BILL 
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2014’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2014. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 
Subtitle A—Exploration 
Sec. 201. Space exploration policy. 
Sec. 202. Stepping stone approach to exploration. 
Sec. 203. Space Launch System. 
Sec. 204. Orion crew capsule. 
Sec. 205. Space radiation. 
Sec. 206. Planetary protection for human exploration missions. 
Subtitle B—Space Operations 
Sec. 211. International Space Station. 
Sec. 212. Barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the ISS’s National Labora-
tory by commercial companies. 
Sec. 213. Utilization of International Space Station for science missions. 
Sec. 214. International Space Station cargo resupply services lessons learned. 
Sec. 215. Commercial crew program. 
Sec. 216. Space communications. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—General 
Sec. 301. Science portfolio. 
Sec. 302. Radioisotope power systems. 
Sec. 303. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose. 
Sec. 304. University class science missions. 
Sec. 305. Assessment of science mission extensions. 
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Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
Sec. 311. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 312. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy. 
Sec. 313. James Webb Space Telescope. 
Sec. 314. National Reconnaissance Office telescope donation. 
Sec. 315. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope. 
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 Fellowship 
Program. 
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TITLE VII—POLICY PROVISIONS 
Sec. 701. Asteroid Retrieval Mission. 
Sec. 702. Termination liability. 
Sec. 703. Baseline and cost controls. 
Sec. 704. Project and program reserves. 
Sec. 705. Independent reviews. 
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, develop-
ment, 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. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration. 
(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 
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(B) $1,197,000,000 shall be for the Orion 
crew capsule; 
(C) $302,000,000 shall be for Exploration 
Research and Development; and 
(D) $696,000,000 shall be for Commercial 
Crew Development activities. 
(2) For Space Operations, $3,778,000,000, of 
which $2,984,100,000 shall be for the International 
Space Station Program. 
(3) For Science, $5,151,200,000, of which— 
(A) $1,826,000,000 shall be for Earth 
Science; 
(B) $1,345,000,000 shall be for Planetary 
Science, of which $30,000,000 shall be for the 
Astrobiology Institute; 
(C) $668,000,000 shall be for Astrophysics; 
(D) $658,200,000 shall be for the James 
Webb Space Telescope; and 
(E) $654,000,000 shall be for Heliophysics. 
(4) For Aeronautics, $566,000,000. 
(5) For Space Technology, $576,000,000. 
(6) For Education, $116,600,000. 
(7) For Cross-Agency Support, $2,793,000,000. 
(8) For Construction and Environmental Com-
pliance and Restoration, $515,000,000. 
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(9) For Inspector General, $37,500,000. 
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 Administration. It is 
the policy of the United States that the goal of the Adminis-
tration’s exploration program shall be to successfully con-
duct 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 adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ORION CREW CAPSULE.—The term ‘Orion 
crew capsule’ means the multipurpose crew vehicle de-
scribed in section 303 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(42 U.S.C. 18323). 
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‘‘(2) 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 com-
ponent to expand human presence beyond low-Earth 
orbit, as described in section 302 of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322).’’. 
(c) KEY OBJECTIVES.—Section 202(b) of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 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 capabilities 
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 Explo-
ration Roadmap under section 70504 of title 51, 
United States Code.’’. 
(d) USE
OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES.—Section 201(a) 
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of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization 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 established 
by NASA for the transport of its astronauts is avail-
able 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 con-
trol 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— 
(1) by striking subsection (b); 
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(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 ef-
fectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utiliza-
tion activities of the United States, the Administrator shall 
direct the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Di-
rectorate, or its successor division, to develop a Human Ex-
ploration Roadmap to define the specific capabilities and 
technologies necessary to extend human presence to the sur-
face of Mars and the sets and sequences of missions required 
to demonstrate such capabilities and technologies. 
‘‘(b) INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.—The President 
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 goal 
of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface 
of Mars. 
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‘‘(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 pres-
ence to the surface of Mars and the sets and sequences 
of missions necessary to demonstrate the proficiency 
of these capabilities and technologies with an empha-
sis on using or not using the International 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 de-
veloping 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 the 
goal established in section 201(a) of the National Aer-
onautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2014; 
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‘‘(3) describe those technologies already under de-
velopment across the Federal Government or by non-
government 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 technologies 
described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(5) provide a description of the capabilities and 
technologies that need to be demonstrated or research 
data that could be gained through the utilization of 
the International Space Station and the status of the 
development of such capabilities and technologies; 
‘‘(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; 
‘‘(7) describe a process for utilizing nongovern-
mental entities for future human exploration beyond 
trans-lunar space and specify what, if any, synergy 
could be gained from— 
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‘‘(A) partnerships using Space Act Agree-
ments (as defined in section 2 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2014); 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 Explo-
ration 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 fre-
quently than every 2 years and include it in the budget 
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-
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nologies during the 2-year period prior to the submis-
sion 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 Administrator 
shall transmit a copy of the Human Exploration 
Roadmap developed under section 70504 of title 51, 
United States Code, 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. 
(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-
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— 
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(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 Aero-
nautics 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 explo-
ration 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 Au-
thorization 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 capsule 
and shall budget for an operational flight rate suffi-
cient to maintain safety and operational readiness. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that the President’s annual budget requests for the Space 
Launch System and Orion crew capsule development, test, 
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and operational phases should strive to accurately 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 explo-
ration milestones and the provision of a backup capability 
to transfer crew and cargo to the International Space Sta-
tion, the Administrator shall make the expeditious develop-
ment, test, and achievement of operational readiness of the 
Space Launch System and the Orion crew capsule the high-
est priority of the exploration program. 
(d) GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
OFFICE
RE-
VIEW.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
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 Commerce, 
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 assess the 
extent to which ground systems acquired in support 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 Administration is un-
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dertaking 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 Director 
of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that address-
es the effort and budget required to enable and utilize a 
cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch System configu-
ration described in section 302(c) of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization 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 es-
timated cost savings obtained by using such Space Launch 
System for national security and space science missions. 
The Administrator shall transmit such report to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, 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 enactment of this Act. 
(f) NAMING COMPETITION.—Beginning not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and con-
cluding not later than 1 year after such date of enactment, 
the Administrator shall conduct a well-publicized competi-
tion among students in elementary and secondary schools 
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to name the elements of the Administration’s exploration 
program, including— 
(1) a name for the deep space human exploration 
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 Adminis-
trator of the Administration shall transmit 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 a 
report that— 
(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 System 
which may result from conducting a competition 
for an advanced booster; and 
(C) outlines any potential schedule delay to 
the Space Launch System 2017 Exploration Mis-
sion–1 launch as a result of increased costs asso-
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ciated with conducting a competition for an ad-
vanced 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 re-
quirements described in section 302(c) of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
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. 
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 Aeronautics 
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 Senate— 
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(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 
strategy and implementation plan to enable the 
achievement of the goal established in section 201 that 
includes key research and monitoring requirements, 
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. 
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(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 Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(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. 
SEC. 206. PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR HUMAN EXPLO-
RATION MISSIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an ar-
rangement with the National Academies for a study to ex-
plore the planetary protection ramifications of potential fu-
ture missions by astronauts such as to the lunar polar re-
gions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the sur-
face of Mars. 
(b) SCOPE.—The study shall— 
(1) collate and summarize what has been done to 
date with respect to planetary protection measures to 
be applied to potential human missions such as to the 
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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. 
(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 Representatives 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, in-
cluding long-duration space travel. 
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(2) The use of the private market to provide 
cargo and crew transportation services is currently 
the most expeditious process to restore domestic access 
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 section 
201 of this Act and pursuing a research program that 
advances knowledge and provides benefits to the Na-
tion. It shall continue to be the policy of the United 
States to, in consultation with its international part-
ners in the International Space Station program, 
support full and complete utilization of the Inter-
national Space Station. 
(2) The International Space Station shall be uti-
lized to the maximum extent practicable for the devel-
opment of capabilities and technologies needed for the 
future of human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit 
and shall be considered in the development of the 
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Human Exploration Roadmap developed under sec-
tion 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 transfer 
is unacceptable, and the Nation’s human space flight 
program must acquire the capability to launch 
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 com-
mercially developed launch and delivery system to the 
International Space Station for crew missions as ex-
pressed in the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
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ministration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 
109–155), the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration 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 vehi-
cles, whether commercial vehicles or partner-supplied 
vehicles, are unable to perform that function; and 
(4) the policy stated in section 501(b) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18351(b)) that the Ad-
ministration shall pursue international, commercial, 
and intragovernmental means to maximize Inter-
national Space Station logistics supply, maintenance, 
and operational capabilities, reduce risks to Inter-
national Space Station systems sustainability, and 
offset and minimize United States operations costs re-
lating to the International Space Station. 
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(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 participa-
tion and leadership in the exploration and utilization of 
space.’’. 
(e) REPEALS.— 
(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 COMMERCIAL 
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 re-
pealed. 
(3) SHUTTLE PRIVATIZATION.—Section 50133 of 
title 51, United States Code, and the item relating to 
such section in the table of sections for chapter 501 
of such title, are repealed. 
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(f) EXTENSION CRITERIA REPORT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the feasibility of extending the operation 
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 developed 
under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code; 
(3) cost estimates for operating the International 
Space Station to achieve the criteria required 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 esti-
mate needed to deorbit the International Space Sta-
tion once a decision is made to deorbit the laboratory. 
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(g) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STA-
TION 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 stakeholders, 
shall develop and transmit 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 a strategic 
plan for conducting competitive, peer-reviewed re-
search in physical and life sciences and related tech-
nologies 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 identify 
resource requirements for its implementation, in-
cluding the facilities and instrumentation nec-
essary for the conduct of such research; and 
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(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 hardware 
to understand and ensure its func-
tioning in the microgravity environ-
ment; 
(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 envi-
ronment; 
(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; 
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(VIII) defined metrics for the suc-
cess 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; 
(iii) the capabilities needed to support 
direct, real-time communications between 
astronauts working on research experiments 
onboard the International Space Station 
and the principal investigator on the 
ground; 
(iv) a process for involving the external 
user community in research planning, in-
cluding 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 strategies the Ad-
ministration plans to use to acquire any 
new capabilities which are not operational 
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on the International Space Station as of the 
date of enactment of this Act and which 
have an estimated total life cycle cost of 
$10,000,000 or more, along with a justifica-
tion of any anticipated use of less than full 
and open competition and written approval 
therefor from the Administration’s Assistant 
Administrator for Procurement; 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 
Comptroller General of the United States 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 Senate a report on the 
progress of the organization chosen for the man-
agement of the International Space Station Na-
tional Laboratory as directed in section 504 of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18354). 
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(B) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.—The report 
shall assess the management, organization, and 
performance of such organization and shall in-
clude a review of the status of each of the 7 re-
quired 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 Congress 
that— 
(1) enhanced utilization of the International 
Space Station’s National Laboratory requires a full 
understanding of the barriers impeding such utiliza-
tion and actions needed to be taken to remove or miti-
gate 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 assess-
ment to— 
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(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 one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit 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 the results 
of the assessment described in subsection (b). 
SEC. 213. UTILIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION 
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 
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the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
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 ap-
plied to the procurement and management of commer-
cially provided crew transfer services to and from the 
International Space Station. 
SEC. 215. COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that once developed and certified to meet the Administra-
tion’s safety and reliability requirements, United States 
commercially provided crew transportation systems offer 
the potential of serving as the primary means of trans-
porting American astronauts and international partner as-
tronauts to and from the International Space Station and 
serving as International Space Station emergency crew res-
cue vehicles. At the same time, the budgetary assumptions 
used by the Administration in its planning for the Commer-
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cial Crew Program have consistently assumed significantly 
higher funding levels than have been authorized and appro-
priated by Congress. It is the sense of Congress that credi-
bility in the Administration’s budgetary estimates for the 
Commercial Crew Program can be enhanced by an inde-
pendently developed cost estimate. Such credibility in budg-
etary estimates is an important factor in understanding 
program risk. 
(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Administration’s 
Commercial Crew Program shall be to assist the develop-
ment 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 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— 
(1) ensure that, in its evaluation and selection of 
contracts for the development of commercial crew 
transportation capabilities, safety is the highest pri-
ority; and 
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(2) seek to ensure that minimization of the prob-
ability of loss of crew shall be an important selection 
criterion of the Commercial Crew Transportation Ca-
pability Contract. 
(d) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Administrator shall 
strive through the competitive selection process to minimize 
the life cycle cost to the Administration through the planned 
period of commercially provided crew transportation serv-
ices. 
(e) TRANSPARENCY.—Transparency is the cornerstone 
of ensuring a safe and reliable commercial crew transpor-
tation service to the International Space Station. The Ad-
ministrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, ensure 
that every commercial crew transportation services provider 
has provided evidence-based support for their costs and 
schedule. 
(f) INDEPENDENT COST AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after the Federal Acquisition Regulation-based con-
tract for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capa-
bility Contract is awarded, the Administrator shall 
arrange for the initiation of an Independent Cost and 
Schedule Estimate for— 
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(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 readi-
ness 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 of 
commercial crew transportation capability con-
tract awards. 
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(3) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after initiation of the Independent Cost and Schedule 
Estimate under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall transmit the results of the Independent Cost and 
Schedule Estimate 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. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
completion of the Independent Cost and Schedule Es-
timate 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 Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report containing 4 distinct 
implementation strategies based on such Independent 
Cost and Schedule Estimate for the final stages of the 
commercial crew program. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—These options shall in-
clude— 
(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; 
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(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 considered 
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 devel-
opment or acquisition and the number of commercial 
providers the Administration will include in the pro-
gram. 
SEC. 216. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan, 
in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, for updating 
the Administration’s space communications and navigation 
architecture for low-Earth orbital and deep space oper-
ations so that it is capable of meeting the Administration’s 
communications needs over the next 20 years. The plan 
shall include lifecycle cost estimates, milestones, estimated 
performance capabilities, and 5-year funding profiles. 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 up-
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grades described in the plan. At a minimum, the plan shall 
include a description of the following: 
(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 naviga-
tion network requirements for the next 20 years, in-
cluding those in support of human space exploration 
missions. 
(4) Projected Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 
System requirements for the next 20 years, including 
those in support of other relevant Federal agencies, 
and cost and schedule estimates to maintain and up-
grade the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System 
to meet projected requirements. 
(5) Steps the Administration is taking to meet 
future space communications requirements after all 
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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 Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation 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: 
‘‘SEC. 803. OVERALL SCIENCE PORTFOLIO—SENSE OF THE 
CONGRESS. 
‘‘Congress reaffirms its sense, expressed in the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010, that a balanced and adequately funded set of ac-
tivities, consisting of research and analysis grants pro-
grams, technology development, small, medium, and large 
space missions, and suborbital research activities, contrib-
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utes 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 fis-
cal year, the Administrator shall to the greatest extent prac-
ticable follow guidance provided in the current decadal sur-
veys from the National Academies’ Space Studies Board. 
SEC. 302. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that conducting deep space exploration requires radioiso-
tope power systems, and establishing continuity in the pro-
duction of the material needed to power these systems is 
paramount to the success of these future deep space mis-
sions. It is further the sense of Congress that Federal agen-
cies supporting the Administration through the production 
of such material should do so in a cost effective manner 
so as not to impose excessive reimbursement requirements 
on the Administration. 
(b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and 
the Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agen-
cies, 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 
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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 conducted 
under subsection (b) shall— 
(1) detail the Administration’s current projected 
mission requirements and associated timeframes 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 
thermocouples and Stirling generators and con-
verters; and 
(B) the risks and implications of, and con-
tingencies for, any delays or unanticipated tech-
nical challenges affecting or related to the Ad-
ministration’s mission plans for the anticipated 
use of advanced thermal conversion technology; 
(3) assess the risk to the Administration’s pro-
grams of any potential delays in achieving the sched-
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ule and milestones for planned domestic production of 
radioisotope power system material; 
(4) outline a process for meeting any additional 
Administration requirements for the material; 
(5) estimate the incremental costs required to in-
crease the amount of material produced each year, if 
such an increase is needed to support additional Ad-
ministration requirements for the material; 
(6) detail how the Administration and other 
Federal agencies will manage, operate, and fund pro-
duction facilities and the design and development of 
all radioisotope power systems used by the Adminis-
tration and other Federal agencies as necessary; 
(7) specify the steps the Administration will 
take, in consultation with the Department of Energy, 
to preserve the infrastructure and workforce necessary 
for production of radioisotope power systems and en-
sure that its reimbursements to the Department of 
Energy associated with such preservation are equi-
table and justified; and 
(8) detail how the Administration has imple-
mented or rejected the recommendations from the Na-
tional Research Council’s 2009 report titled ‘‘Radio-
isotope Power Systems: An Imperative for Maintain-
ing U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration’’. 
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(d) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the analysis to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate. 
SEC. 303. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND 
PURPOSE. 
Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(10) The direction of the unique competence of 
the Administration to the search for life’s origin, evo-
lution, distribution, and future in the Universe. In 
carrying out this objective, the Administration may 
use any practicable ground-based, airborne, or space- 
based technical means and spectra of electromagnetic 
radiation.’’. 
SEC. 304. UNIVERSITY CLASS SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that principal investigator-led small orbital science mis-
sions, including CubeSat class, University Explorer 
(UNEX) class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class, and Venture 
class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science at low 
cost, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, 
and enable participants in the program to acquire skills 
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in systems engineering and systems integration that are 
critical to maintaining the Nation’s leadership in space 
and to enhancing the United States innovation and com-
petitiveness abroad. 
(b) REVIEW OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR-LED SMALL 
ORBITAL SCIENCE MISSIONS.—The Administrator shall 
conduct a review of the science missions described in sub-
section (a). The review shall include— 
(1) the status, capability, and availability of ex-
isting small orbital science mission programs and the 
extent to which each program enables the participa-
tion of university scientists and students; 
(2) the opportunities such mission programs pro-
vide for scientific research; 
(3) the opportunities such mission programs pro-
vide for training and education, including scientific 
and engineering workforce development, including for 
the Administration’s scientific and engineering work-
force; and 
(4) the extent to which commercial applications 
such as hosted payloads, free flyers, and data buys 
could provide measurable benefits for such mission 
programs, while preserving the principle of inde-
pendent peer review as the basis for mission selection. 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 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 Senate a report on the 
review required under subsection (b) and on recommenda-
tions to enhance principal investigator-led small orbital 
science missions conducted by the Administration in ac-
cordance with the results of the review required by sub-
section (b). 
SEC. 305. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS. 
Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall carry 
out biennial reviews within each of the Science divisions 
to assess the cost and benefits of extending the date of the 
termination of data collection for those missions that exceed 
their planned missions’ lifetime. The assessment shall take 
into consideration how extending missions impacts the start 
of future missions. 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF POTEN-
TIAL BENEFITS OF INSTRUMENTS ON MISSIONS.—When de-
ciding whether to extend a mission that has an operational 
component, the Administrator shall consult with any af-
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fected Federal agency and shall take into account the poten-
tial benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond 
their planned mission lifetime. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—The Administrator 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 Senate, at the same time 
as the submission to Congress of the Administration’s an-
nual budget request for each fiscal year, a report detailing 
any assessment required by subsection (a) that was carried 
out during the previous year.’’. 
Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
SEC. 311. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall 
seek to ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of 
large, medium, and small astrophysics missions. 
SEC. 312. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGY. 
(a) STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies to develop a 
science strategy for the study and exploration of extrasolar 
planets, including the use of the Transiting Exoplanet Sur-
vey Satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope, a potential 
Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other 
telescope, spacecraft, or instrument as appropriate. Such 
strategy shall— 
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(1) outline key scientific questions; 
(2) identify the most promising research in the 
field; 
(3) indicate the extent to which the mission pri-
orities in existing decadal surveys address the key 
extrasolar planet research goals; 
(4) identify opportunities for coordination with 
international partners, commercial partners, and 
other not-for-profit partners; and 
(5) make recommendations on the above as ap-
propriate. 
(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use 
the strategy to— 
(1) inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other 
activities of the Administration as they relate to 
extrasolar planet research and exploration; and 
(2) provide a foundation for future activities and 
initiatives. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Acad-
emies shall transmit a report to the Administrator, and to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the 
strategy developed under subsection (a). 
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SEC. 313. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the James Webb Space Telescope will revolu-
tionize our understanding of star and planet forma-
tion and how galaxies evolved, and advance the search 
for the origins of the universe; 
(2) the James Webb Space Telescope will enable 
American scientists to maintain their leadership in 
astrophysics and other disciplines; 
(3) the James Webb Space Telescope program is 
making steady progress towards a launch in 2018; 
(4) the on-time and on-budget delivery of the 
James Webb Space Telescope is a high congressional 
priority; and 
(5) maintaining this progress will require the 
Administrator to ensure that integrated testing is ap-
propriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to 
enable potential issues to be identified and addressed 
early enough to be handled within the James Webb 
Space Telescope’s development schedule prior to 
launch. 
SEC. 314. NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE TELESCOPE 
DONATION. 
Not later than 90 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 
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of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate outlining the cost 
of the Administration’s potential plan for developing the 
Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope as described in the 
2010 National Academies’ astronomy and astrophysics 
decadal survey, including an alternative plan for the Wide- 
Field Infrared Survey Telescope 2.4, which includes the do-
nated 2.4-meter aperture National Reconnaissance Office 
telescope. Due to the budget constraints on the Administra-
tion’s science programs, this report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of cost efficient approaches to 
develop the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope; 
(2) a comparison to the development of mission 
concepts that exclude the utilization of the donated 
asset; 
(3) an assessment of how the Administration’s 
existing science missions will be affected by the utili-
zation of the donated asset described in this section; 
and 
(4) a description of the cost associated with stor-
ing and maintaining the donated asset. 
SEC. 315. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that the Administrator, to the extent practicable, should 
make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed 
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to position the Administration to meet the objectives of the 
Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, as outlined 
in the 2010 National Academies’ astronomy and astro-
physics decadal survey, in a way that maximizes the sci-
entific productivity of meeting those objectives for the re-
sources invested. It is further the sense of Congress that the 
Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission has the po-
tential to enable scientific discoveries that will transform 
our understanding of the universe. 
(b) CONTINUITY OF DEVELOPMENT.—The Adminis-
trator shall ensure that the concept definition and pre-for-
mulation activities of a Wide-Field Infrared Survey Tele-
scope mission continue while the James Webb Space Tele-
scope is being completed. 
SEC. 316. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED 
ASTRONOMY. 
The Administrator shall not use any funding appro-
priated to the Administration for fiscal year 2014 for the 
shutdown of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared As-
tronomy or for the preparation therefor. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
SEC. 321. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall 
seek to ensure to the greatest extent practicable that the Ad-
ministration carries out a balanced set of planetary science 
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programs in accordance with the priorities established in 
the most recent decadal survey for planetary science. Such 
programs shall include, at a minimum— 
(1) a Discovery-class mission at least once every 
24 months; 
(2) a New Frontiers-class mission at least once 
every 60 months; and 
(3) at least one Flagship-class mission per 
decadal survey period, including a Europa mission 
with a goal of launching by 2021. 
SEC. 322. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Near-Earth objects pose a serious and cred-
ible threat to humankind, as many scientists believe 
that a major asteroid or comet was responsible for the 
mass extinction of the majority of the Earth’s species, 
including the dinosaurs, approximately 65,000,000 
years ago. 
(2) Similar objects have struck the Earth or 
passed through the Earth’s atmosphere several times 
in the Earth’s history and pose a similar threat in 
the future. 
(3) Several such near-Earth objects have only 
been discovered within days of the objects’ closest ap-
proach to Earth, and recent discoveries of such large 
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objects indicate that many large near-Earth objects 
remain to be discovered. 
(4) The efforts undertaken by the Administration 
for detecting and characterizing the hazards of near- 
Earth objects should continue to seek to fully deter-
mine the threat posed by such objects to cause wide-
spread destruction and loss of life. 
(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘near-Earth object’’ means an asteroid or comet with 
a perihelion distance of less than 1.3 Astronomical Units 
from the Sun. 
(c) NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY.—The Adminis-
trator shall continue to detect, track, catalogue, and charac-
terize the physical characteristics of near-Earth objects 
equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter in order 
to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the Earth, 
pursuant to the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object 
Survey Act (42 U.S.C. 16691). It shall be the goal of the 
Survey program to achieve 90 percent completion of its 
near-Earth object catalogue (based on statistically predicted 
populations of near-Earth objects) by 2020. 
(d) WARNING AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HAZ-
ARDS OF NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.—Congress reaffirms the 
policy set forth in section 20102(g) of title 51, United States 
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Code (relating to detecting, tracking, cataloguing, and char-
acterizing asteroids and comets). 
(e) PROGRAM REPORT.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy and 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, 
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, an initial report that provides— 
(1) recommendations for carrying out the Survey 
program and an associated proposed budget; 
(2) analysis of possible options that the Adminis-
tration could employ to divert an object on a likely 
collision course with Earth; and 
(3) a description of the status of efforts to coordi-
nate and cooperate with other countries to discover 
hazardous asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation 
strategy, and implement that strategy in the event of 
the discovery of an object on a likely collision course 
with Earth. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Subsequent to the initial re-
port the Administrator shall annually transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report that provides— 
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(1) a summary of all activities carried out pur-
suant to subsection (c) since the date of enactment of 
this Act, including the progress toward achieving 90 
percent completion of the survey described in sub-
section (c); and 
(2) a summary of expenditures for all activities 
carried out pursuant to subsection (c) since the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(g) STUDY.—The Administrator, in collaboration with 
other relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out a technical 
and scientific assessment of the capabilities and resources 
to— 
(1) accelerate the survey described in subsection 
(c); and 
(2) expand the Administration’s Near-Earth Ob-
ject Program to include the detection, tracking, cata-
loguing, and characterization of potentially hazardous 
near-Earth objects less than 140 meters in diameter. 
(h) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the assessment carried out under sub-
section (g) 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. 
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SEC. 323. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PART-
NERSHIPS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that the Administration should seek to leverage the capabili-
ties of the private sector and philanthropic organizations 
to the maximum extent practicable in carrying out the 
Near-Earth Object Survey program in order to meet the 
goal of the Survey program. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
how the Administration can expand collaborative partner-
ships to detect, track, catalogue, and categorize near-Earth 
objects. 
SEC. 324. RESEARCH ON NEAR-EARTH OBJECT TSUNAMI EF-
FECTS. 
(a) REPORT ON POTENTIAL TSUNAMI EFFECTS FROM 
NEAR-EARTH OBJECT IMPACT.—The Administrator, in col-
laboration with the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant agen-
cies, shall prepare a report identifying and describing exist-
ing research activities and further research objectives that 
would increase our understanding of the nature of the effects 
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of potential tsunamis that could occur if a near-Earth ob-
ject were to impact an ocean of Earth. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit the report required and prepared under subsection (a) 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
SEC. 325. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY. 
(a) STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies to develop a 
science strategy for astrobiology that would outline key sci-
entific questions, identify the most promising research in 
the field, and indicate the extent to which the mission prior-
ities in existing decadal surveys address the search for life’s 
origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe. 
The strategy shall include recommendations for coordina-
tion with international partners. 
(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use 
the strategy developed under subsection (a) in planning and 
funding research and other activities and initiatives in the 
field of astrobiology. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Acad-
emies shall transmit a report to the Administrator, and to 
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the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the 
strategy developed under subsection (a). 
SEC. 326. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
Transportation of the Senate a report describing how the 
Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to 
study life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the 
Universe. 
SEC. 327. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies to assess— 
(1) the Administration’s revised post-2016 Mars 
exploration architecture and its responsiveness to the 
strategies, priorities, and guidelines put forward by 
the National Academies’ planetary science decadal 
surveys and other relevant National Academies Mars- 
related reports; 
(2) the long-term goals of the Administration’s 
Mars Exploration Program and such program’s abil-
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ity to optimize the science return, given the current 
fiscal posture of the program; 
(3) the Mars architecture’s relationship to Mars- 
related activities to be undertaken by agencies and or-
ganizations outside of the United States; and 
(4) the extent to which the Mars architecture rep-
resents a reasonably balanced mission portfolio. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the assessment to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate. 
Subtitle D—Heliophysics 
SEC. 331. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall 
seek to ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of 
large, medium, and small heliophysics missions. 
SEC. 332. REVIEW OF SPACE WEATHER. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Administrator, 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation, and heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to 
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provide a comprehensive study that reviews current and 
planned ground-based and space-based space weather moni-
toring requirements and capabilities, identifies gaps, and 
identifies options for a robust and resilient capability. The 
study shall inform the process of identifying national needs 
for future space weather monitoring, forecasts, and mitiga-
tion. The National Academies shall give consideration to 
international and private sector efforts and collaboration 
that could potentially contribute to national space weather 
needs. The study shall also review the current state of re-
search capabilities in observing, modeling, and prediction 
and provide recommendations to ensure future advance-
ment of predictive capability. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 14 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Acad-
emies shall transmit a report containing the results of the 
study provided under subsection (a) to the Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy, and to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
Subtitle E—Earth Science 
SEC. 341. GOAL. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that the Administration is being asked to undertake impor-
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tant Earth science activities in an environment of increas-
ingly constrained fiscal resources, and that any transfer of 
additional responsibilities to the Administration, such as 
climate instrument development and measurements that are 
currently part of the portfolio of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, should be accompanied by the 
provision of additional resources to allow the Administra-
tion to carry out the increased responsibilities without ad-
versely impacting its implementation of its existing Earth 
science programs and priorities. 
(b) GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue to 
carry out a balanced Earth science program that includes 
Earth science research, Earth systematic missions, competi-
tive Venture class missions, other missions and data anal-
ysis, mission operations, technology development, and ap-
plied sciences, consistent with the recommendations and 
priorities established in the National Academies’ Earth 
Science Decadal Survey. 
(c) COLLABORATION.—The Administrator shall col-
laborate with other Federal agencies, including the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, non-government 
entities, and international partners, as appropriate, in car-
rying out the Administration’s Earth science program. The 
Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind in-
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struments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other 
agencies for operations. 
(d) REIMBURSEMENT.—Whenever responsibilities for 
the development of sensors or for measurements are trans-
ferred to the Administration from another agency, the Ad-
ministration shall seek, to the extent possible, to be reim-
bursed for the assumption of such responsibilities. 
SEC. 342. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 341(b), the Administrator shall 
seek to ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of 
large, medium, and small Earth science missions. 
SEC. 343. VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administration’s 
Venture class missions provide opportunities for innovation 
in the Earth science program, offer low-cost approaches for 
high-quality competitive science investigations, enable fre-
quent flight opportunities to engage the Earth science and 
applications community, and serve as a training ground 
for students and young scientists. It is further the sense of 
Congress that the Administration should seek to increase the 
number of Venture class projects to the extent practicable 
as part of a balanced Earth science program. 
SEC. 344. ASSESSMENT. 
The Administrator shall carry out a scientific assess-
ment of the Administration’s Earth science global datasets 
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for the purpose of identifying those datasets that are useful 
for understanding regional changes and variability, and for 
informing applied science research. The Administrator shall 
complete and transmit the assessment to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology in the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio will 
help maintain the United States status as a leader in 
aviation, enhance the competitiveness of the United 
States in the world economy and improve the quality 
of life of all citizens; 
(2) aeronautics research is essential to the Ad-
ministration’s mission, continues to be an important 
core element of the Administration’s mission and 
should be supported; 
(3) the Administrator should coordinate and con-
sult with relevant Federal agencies and the private 
sector to minimize duplication and leverage resources; 
and 
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(4) carrying aeronautics research to a level of 
maturity that allows the Administration’s research 
results to be transitioned to the users, whether private 
or public sector, is critical to their eventual adoption. 
SEC. 402. AERONAUTICS RESEARCH GOALS. 
The Administrator shall ensure that the Administra-
tion maintains a strong aeronautics research portfolio 
ranging from fundamental research through integrated sys-
tems research with specific research goals, including the fol-
lowing: 
(1) ENHANCE AIRSPACE OPERATIONS AND SAFE-
TY.—The Administration’s Aeronautics Research Mis-
sion Directorate shall address research needs of the 
Next Generation Air Transportation System and 
identify critical gaps in technology which must be 
bridged to enable the implementation of the Next Gen-
eration Air Transportation System so that safety and 
productivity improvements can be achieved as soon as 
possible. 
(2) IMPROVE AIR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE.—The 
Administration’s Aeronautics Research Mission Di-
rectorate shall conduct research to improve aircraft 
performance and minimize environmental impacts. 
The Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics Re-
search Mission Directorate shall consider and pursue 
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