SEC. 204. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
The Administrator shall assess the advanced space
technology investment activities established under this title,
and shall submit a report to Congress on the results of such
activities to accompany the President’s budget request for
fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 205. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this title—
(1) the term ‘‘advanced space technology’’ means
technologies which are fundamentally new capabilities
requiring basic research, as opposed to evolutions of
current technologies and systems;
(2) the term ‘‘eligible firm’’ means a business en-
tity—
(A) that conducts a significant level of its
research, development, engineering, and manu-
facturing activities in the United States;
(B) the majority ownership or control of
which is held by United States citizens; or
(C) with a parent company that is incor-
porated in a country, the government of which—
(i) permits the participation of firms
incorporated in the United States in re-
search and development consortia to which
the government of that country provides
funding directly or indirectly through inter-
national organizations; and
(ii) affords adequate and effective pro-
tection for the intellectual property rights of
firms incorporated in the United States,
and that maintains substantial employment in the
United States and agrees to promote the manufactur-
ing within the United States of products resulting
from technologies developed under this title;
(3) the term ‘‘Federal laboratory’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 4(6) of the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980; and
(4) the term ‘‘United States’’ means the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and any other territory or possession of the
United States.
SEC. 206. TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT INITIATIVE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall coordinate
National Aeronautics and Space Administration resources
in the areas of procurement, commercial programs, and ad-
vanced technology in order to—
(1) fairly assess and procure commercially avail-
able technology from the marketplace in the most effi-
cient manner practicable;
(2) achieve a continuous pattern of integrating
advanced technology from the commercial sector into
the missions and programs of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration;
(3) incorporate private sector buying and bid-
ding procedures, including fixed price contracts, into
procurements; and
(4) provide incentives for cost-plus contractors of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
to integrate commercially available technology in sub-
system contracts on a fixed-price basis.
(b) CERTIFICATION.—Upon solicitation of any pro-
curement for space hardware, technology, or services that
are not commercially available, the Administrator shall cer-
tify, by publication of a notice and opportunity to comment
in the Commerce Business Daily, for each such procurement
action, that no functional equivalent, commercially avail-
able space hardware, technology, or service exists and that
no commercial method of procurement is available.
TITLE 
III—MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS 
RELATING 
TO
SPACE ACTIVITIES
SEC. 301. TRANSMISSION OF BUDGET ESTIMATES.
The Administrator shall, at the time of submission of
the President’s annual budget request for every fiscal year,
transmit to the Congress—
(1) a five-year budget detailing the estimated de-
velopment costs for each individual program under
the jurisdiction of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration for which development costs are
expected to exceed $200,000,000; and
(2) an estimate of the life-cycle costs associated
with each such program.
SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACT AMENDMENTS.
(a) AMENDMENTS.—The Commercial Space Launch
Act (49 U.S.C. App. 2601 et seq.) is amended—
(1) in section 4—
(A) by inserting ‘‘from Earth’’ after ‘‘if
any,’’ in paragraph (2);
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(9)
through (12) as paragraphs (11) through (14),
respectively; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (8) the fol-
lowing new paragraphs:
‘‘(9) ‘reenter’ and ‘reentry’ mean to return pur-
posefully, or attempt to return, a reentry vehicle and
payload, if any, from Earth orbit or outer space to
Earth;
‘‘(10) ‘reentry vehicle’ means any vehicle de-
signed to return from Earth orbit or outer space to
Earth substantially intact;’’;
(2) in section 6(a), by inserting ‘‘, or reenter a
reentry vehicle,’’ after ‘‘operate a launch site’’ each
place it appears;
(3) in section 6(a)(2) and (3), by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 4(11)’’ each place it appears and inserting in
lieu thereof ‘‘section 4(14)’’;
(4) in section 6(a)(3)(A), by inserting ‘‘or re-
entry’’ after ‘‘such launch or operation’’;
(5) in section 6(a)(3), by inserting ‘‘, or reentry
of a reentry vehicle,’’ after ‘‘operation of a launch
site’’ each place it appears;
(6) in section 6(b)(1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘launch license’’ and insert-
ing in lieu thereof ‘‘license’’;
(B) by inserting ‘‘or reenter’’ after ‘‘shall
not launch’’;
(C) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘relate
to the launch’’; and
(D) by inserting ‘‘or reentered’’ after ‘‘to be
launched’’;
(7) in section 6(b)(2)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘prevent
the launch’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘holder of a launch license’’
and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘licensee’’; and
(C) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘deter-
mines that the launch’’;
(8) in section 6(c)(1), by inserting ‘‘or reentry of
a reentry vehicle’’ after ‘‘operation of a launch site’’;
(9) in section 7, by striking ‘‘both’’ and inserting
in lieu thereof ‘‘for reentering one or more reentry ve-
hicles’’;
(10) in sections 8(a), 9(b), 11(a), 11(b),
12(a)(2)(B), and 12(b), by inserting ‘‘, or reentry of
a reentry vehicle,’’ after ‘‘operation of a launch site’’
each place it appears;
(11) in section 8(b), by inserting ‘‘and the re-
entry of reentry vehicles,’’ after ‘‘operation of launch
sites,’’;
(12) in section 11(a), by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’
after ‘‘launch or operation’’;
(13) in section 12(a)(1), by inserting ‘‘or re-
entry’’ after ‘‘prevent the launch’’;
(14) in section 12(b), by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’
after ‘‘prevent the launch’’;
(15) in section 14(a)(1)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or reentry site’’ after ‘‘ob-
servers at any launch site’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘or reentry vehicle’’ after
‘‘assembly of a launch vehicle’’;
(16) in section 15(b)(4)(A)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘and reentries’’ after ‘‘en-
sure that the launches’’;
(B) by inserting ‘‘or reentry date commit-
ment’’ after ‘‘launch date commitment’’;
(C) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘ob-
tained for a launch’’;
(D) by inserting ‘‘, reentry sites,’’ after
‘‘United States launch sites’’;
(E) by inserting ‘‘or reentry site’’ after ‘‘ac-
cess to a launch site’’;
(F) by inserting ‘‘, or services related to a
reentry,’’ after ‘‘amount for launch services’’;
and
(G) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘the
scheduled launch’’;
(17) in section 15(b)(4)(B), by inserting ‘‘or re-
entry’’ after ‘‘prompt launching’’;
(18) in section 15(c), by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’
after ‘‘launch site’’;
(19) in section 16(a)(1)(A) and (B), by inserting
‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘any particular launch’’ each place
it appears;
(20) in section 16(a)(1)(C) and (D), by inserting
‘‘or a reentry’’ after ‘‘launch services’’ each place it
appears;
(21) in section 16(a)(2), by inserting ‘‘or re-
entry’’ after ‘‘launch services’’;
(22) in section 16(b)(1) and (4) (A) and (B), by
inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘particular launch’’ each
place it appears;
(23) in section 17(b)(2)(A)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘reentry site,’’ after
‘‘launch site,’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘or reentry vehicle’’ after
‘‘site of a launch vehicle’’;
(24) in section 21(a), by inserting ‘‘and reentry’’
after ‘‘approval of space launch’’;
(25) in section 21(b)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘, reentry vehicle,’’ after
‘‘A launch vehicle’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘or reentry’’ after ‘‘the
launching’’;
(26) in section 21(c)(1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ in subparagraph (B);
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (D); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following new subparagraph:
‘‘(C) reentry of a reentry vehicle, or’’;
(27) in section 21(c)(2), by inserting ‘‘reentry,’’
after ‘‘launch,’’;
(28) in section 22(a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘ending after the date of en-
actment of this Act and before October 1, 1989’’;
and
(B) by inserting ‘‘and reentries’’ after ‘‘fur-
ther commercial launches’’; and
(29) in section 24, by inserting ‘‘There are au-
thorized 
to 
be 
appropriated 
to 
the 
Secretary
$4,467,000 to carry out this Act for fiscal year 1994.’’
after ‘‘$4,900,000 to carry out this Act.’’.
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of Trans-
portation shall submit to Congress an annual report to ac-
company the President’s budget request which reviews the
performance of the regulatory activities and the effectiveness
of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
SEC. 
303. 
SPACE 
TRANSPORTATION 
INFRASTRUCTURE
MATCHING GRANTS.
In order to ensure the continued resiliency of the Na-
tion’s space transportation infrastructure, the Secretary of
Transportation is authorized to make project grants to pub-
lic agencies in accordance with section 505 of Public Law
102–588. There are authorized to be appropriated for such
grants, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1995. Such funds shall
remain available until expended.
SEC. 304. OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE AUTHORIZATION.
(a) ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE.—
The Office of Space Commerce of the Department of Com-
merce shall be responsible for the development and coordina-
tion of all policy recommendations and activities pertain-
ing to commercial activities in space except those functions
and activities explicitly authorized in statute to other Fed-
eral agencies. In carrying out this responsibility, such Of-
fice shall consult with other Federal agencies as appro-
priate, including the Department of Transportation, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the De-
partment of Defense, the Department of State, and the Of-
fice of the United States Trade Representative.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In order
to carry out this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Commerce for the Office of Space
Commerce, $538,000 for fiscal year 1994.
SEC. 305. USE OF DOMESTIC PRODUCTS.
(a) GENERAL RULE.—Except as provided in sub-
section (b), the Administrator shall ensure that procure-
ments are conducted in compliance with sections 2 through
4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a through 10c,
popularly known as the ‘‘Buy American Act’’).
(b) LIMITATIONS.—This section shall apply only to
procurements made for which—
(1) amounts are authorized by this Act to be
made available; and
(2) solications for bids are issued after the date
of enactment of this Act.
(c) INAPPLICABILITY
IN CASE
OF VIOLATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.—This section shall not apply
to the extent that the United States Trade Representative
determines that a procurement described in subsection (b)
would be in violation of the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade or an international agreement to which the
United States is a party.
(d) PURCHASE OF AMERICAN MADE EQUIPMENT AND
PRODUCTS.—
(1) SENSE
OF
CONGRESS.—It is the sense of
Congress that any recipient of a grant under this Act,
or under any amendment made by this Act, should
purchase, when available and cost-effective, American
made equipment and products when expending grant
monies.
(2) NOTICE TO RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE.—In
allocating grants under this Act, or under any
amendment made by this Act, the Secretary shall pro-
vide to each recipient a notice describing the state-
ment made in paragraph (1) by the Congress.
SEC. 
306. 
REQUIREMENT 
FOR 
INDEPENDENT 
COST
ANALYSIS.
The Chief Financial Officer for the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration shall be responsible for
conducting independent cost analyses of all new projects es-
timated to cost more than $5,000,000 and shall report the
results annually to Congress at the time of the submission
of the President’s budget request. In developing cost ac-
counting and reporting standards for carrying out this sec-
tion, the Chief Financial Officer shall, to the extent prac-
ticable and consistent with other laws, solicit the advice of
expertise outside of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration.
SEC. 307. GLOBAL CHANGE DATA AND INFORMATION
SYSTEM.
Title I of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15
U.S.C. 2931 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
SEC. 308. ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED DATA FOR GLOBAL
CHANGE RESEARCH.
The Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences
shall develop and submit to the Congress within one year
after the date of enactment of this Act a plan for providing
access to data from classified archives and systems for glob-
al change research. The plan shall—
(1) to the extent consistent with classification re-
strictions, identify what data from classified archives
and systems may be valuable and available for global
change research;
(2) determine whether the Global Change Data
and Information System or other means should be
used to provide access to such data for the scientific
community; and
(3) identify what agencies should be responsible
for particular parts of such classified data and any
data centers needed to process, archive, and distribute
such data.
SEC. 309. ORBITAL DEBRIS.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in coordi-
nation with the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration, the Department of Defense, the Department of
State, and other agencies as appropriate, shall submit a
plan to Congress within one year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act for the control of orbital debris. The plan
shall include proposed launch vehicle and spacecraft design
standards and operational procedures to minimize the cre-
ation of new debris. The plan shall propose a schedule for
the incorporation of the standards into all United States
civil, military, and commercial space activities. Finally,
the plan shall include a schedule for the development of an
international agreement on the control of orbital debris.
SEC. 310. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACT OF 1958
AMENDMENTS.
(a) POLICY AND PURPOSE.—Section 102 of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451)
is amended—
(1) by striking subsections (e) and (f) and insert-
ing in lieu thereof the following:
‘‘(e) The Congress declares that the general welfare of
the United States requires that the unique competence in
scientific and engineering systems of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration also be directed toward
supporting the private sector development of advanced space
technologies which enhance economic growth, competitive-
ness, and productivity.’’;
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as
subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by strik-
ing ‘‘(f), and (g)’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘and
(f)’’.
(b) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Section 206(a) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C.
2476(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘calendar’’ and inserting
in lieu thereof ‘‘fiscal’’.
SEC. 311. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNITED STATES AND
FOREIGN 
EXPENDABLE 
SPACE 
LAUNCH
SYSTEMS.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall conduct a comprehensive study of the differences be-
tween existing United States and foreign expendable space
launch vehicles. This study shall determine specific dif-
ferences in the design, manufacture, processing, and overall
management and infrastructure of current United States
and foreign expendable space launch vehicles. The study
shall also determine the approximate effect of these dif-
ferences on the relative cost, reliability, and operational effi-
ciency of such space launch systems. This study shall be
conducted in consultation with the Department of Defense
and, as appropriate, other Federal agencies, United States
industries, and academic institutions. The results of this
study shall be submitted to the Congress no later than Octo-
ber 1, 1994.
SEC. 312. UNIVERSITY INNOVATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM
STUDY.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) universities offer a significant resource for
the conduct of innovative scientific and technological
research to advance the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration’s mission;
(2) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration should act to broaden the foundation of its
research base by increasing the direct involvement of
university research laboratories in the development of
technology for space science;
(3) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration should commit to strengthening university
research programs in technology beyond contracting
with universities for services in support of specific
programs; and
(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration should develop mechanisms to foster innova-
tive technological research at universities that do not
participate in the University Space Engineering Re-
search Centers.
(b) STUDY.—The Administrator shall undertake a
study of the feasibility and potential implementation of a
University Innovative Research Program which—
(1) promotes technological innovation in the
United States by using the Nation’s universities to
help meet the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration’s research and development needs, by
stimulating technology transfer between universities
and industry, and by encouraging participation by
minority and disadvantaged persons in technological
innovation;
(2) is modeled on the Small Business Innovation
Research Program;
(3) avoids duplication of existing National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration programs with the
universities; and
(4) derives funding from the Space Research and
Technology program.
(c) COMPLETION.—The study required by subsection
(b) shall be completed and its results submitted to the Con-
gress within one year after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(d) ADVICE.—In carrying out the study required by
subsection (b), the Administrator shall seek the advice of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advi-
sory Council, the National Research Council’s Aeronautics
and Space Engineering Board and Space Studies Board,
and other organizations as appropriate.
SEC. 313. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall give consideration to geographical distribution of its
research and development funds whenever feasible.
SEC. 314. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE.
(a) GENERAL RULE.—The Administrator shall require
that all cost-type research and development contracts en-
tered into by the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration for the acquisition of articles or services shall incor-
porate a provision which holds the contractor liable, in ac-
cordance with subsection (c) of this section, for failure to
comply with the requirements of the contract.
(b) LIABILITIES.—A provision described in subsection
(a) shall, in the event of such a failure, hold the contractor
liable for the lesser of—
(1) 50 percent of the cost of rectifying such fail-
ure; or
(2) 10 percent of the contract value at the time
of such failure.
(c) EXCEPTIONS.—Liability under subsection (b) shall
not be imposed if—
(1) the failure occurred despite the best efforts of
the contractor and could not have been reasonably
predicted at the time the contract was awarded; or
(2) the failure occurred notwithstanding the fact
that the contractor had adopted, and its employees
were following, generally accepted industrial practices
in carrying out the contract requirements.
(d) PROHIBITION.—The cost of insurance to cover po-
tential liabilities described in subsection (b) shall not be an
allowable cost under a contract described in subsection (a).
SEC. 315. LAND CONVEYANCE.
The Administrator may accept the conveyance to the
United States of certain parcels of land from the cities of
Cleveland and Brook Park, Ohio, for the purpose of estab-
lishing a Visitor Center for the Lewis Research Center.
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 401. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the aerospace industry makes a major con-
tribution to the economy of the United States, ac-
counting for the largest positive trade balance of any
United States industry (more than $28,000,000,000
in 1992), and providing over 1,000,000 high-value
jobs;
(2) the international market share of the United
States aerospace industry has steadily eroded due to
competition from foreign consortia that receive sub-
stantial direct subsidies from their governments;
(3) the United States aerospace industry is fur-
ther negatively impacted by reduced investment in
national defense;
(4) the continued competitiveness of the United
States aerospace industry can be significantly aided
by an enhanced Federal investment in technology base
research and development in aeronautics;
(5) maintaining state-of-the-art experimental fa-
cilities is a key element of Federal investment in aer-
onautics research and development;
(6) the long-term contribution of advances in
aeronautics to the economy and society will rely on
a continued commitment to pioneering research and
development such as the National Aero-Space Plane;
(7) the National Aero-Space Plane program
should explore the possibility of collaboration with
other nations for opportunities that would offer
unique programmatic benefits without compromising
the strategic advantage to the United States; and
(8) cost sharing for facilities use is a highly de-
sirable objective given the deficit reduction goals of the
President and the Congress.
SEC. 402. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this title, the term ‘‘independent orga-
nization’’ means an organization that does not receive sig-
nificant funding or support from the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, other than under sections 403,
404, and 406.
SEC. 403. INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall provide for the
development of a plan establishing criteria, procedures, and
milestones for the evaluation, by an independent organiza-
tion, of advances made in fundamental aeronautics research
and development and the progress made by the aeronautics
programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration in achieving their goals. Such plan shall be devel-
oped by an independent organization in consultation with
the Administrator. The plan shall also describe criteria and
procedures for terminating National Aeronautics and Space
Administration programs that are not making acceptable
progress toward their goals. The Administrator shall submit
a report describing such plan to the Congress within 6
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Beginning in the first year
after submission of the plan under subsection (a), at the
time of the President’s annual budget request to Congress,
the Administrator shall submit to the Congress an annual
report on the results of an evaluation, conducted by an inde-
pendent organization, of the progress made by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration in advancing aero-
nautics and achieving the goals of aeronautics programs.
Such evaluation shall be conducted using the criteria, proce-
dures, and milestones established under the plan required
by subsection (a).
SEC. 404. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER REVIEW.
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall provide for the
development of a plan establishing criteria and procedures
for the evaluation, by an independent organization, of the
effectiveness of technology transfer from the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration’s aeronautics programs
to industry and other public organizations. Such plan shall
be developed by an independent organization in consulta-
tion with the Administrator. The plan shall include clear,
quantitative measures of the success of such technology
transfer activities. The Administrator shall submit a report
describing such plan to the Congress within 6 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Beginning in the first year
after submission of the plan under subsection (a), at the
time of the President’s annual budget request to Congress,
the Administrator shall submit to the Congress an annual
report on the results of an evaluation, conducted by an inde-
pendent organization, of the effectiveness of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration’s technology trans-
fer programs. Such evaluation shall be conducted using the
criteria and procedures established under the plan required
by subsection (a).
SEC. 405. FACILITIES COST SHARING.
The Administrator, in conjunction with other ongoing
activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration such as the Aerospace Facilities Plan, shall study
existing and potential cost sharing provisions between the
Federal Government and industry as they relate to the use
of wind tunnels and related test facilities to ensure that
cost sharing is employed to the fullest reasonable extent. The
Administrator shall submit to the Congress the results of
such study concurrent with the completion of the Aerospace
Facilities Plan, or one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, whichever occurs first.
SEC. 406. JOINT AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator and the
heads of other appropriate Federal agencies shall jointly es-
tablish a program for the purpose of conducting research
on aeronautical technologies that enhance United States
competitiveness. Such program shall include—
(1) research on next-generation wind tunnel and
advanced wind tunnel instrumentation technology;
(2) research on advanced engine materials, en-
gine concepts, and testing of propulsion systems or
components of the high-speed civil transport research
program;
(3) advanced general aviation research;
(4) advanced rotorcraft research; and
(5) advanced hypersonic aeronautical research.
(b) CONTRACTS AND GRANTS.—Contracts and grants
entered into under the program established under subsection
(a) shall be administered using procedures developed jointly
by the Administrator and the heads of the other Federal
agencies involved in the program. These procedures should
include an integrated acquisition policy for contract and
grant requirements and for technical data rights that are
not an impediment to joint programs among the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the other Federal
agencies involved in the program, and industry.
(c) ELEMENTS
OF PROGRAM.—The program estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) selected programs that jointly enhance public
and private aeronautical technology development;
(2) an opportunity for private contractors to be
involved in such technology research and development;
and
(3) the transfer of Government-developed tech-
nologies to the private sector to promote economic
strength and competitiveness.
SEC. 407. NATIONAL AERO-SPACE PLANE.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) hypersonic flight will be critical to the con-
tinued contribution of aeronautics to the economic
and strategic interests of the United States in the
early twenty-first century;
(2) the data obtained through rocket-based
hypersonic flight experiments will not, by themselves,
reduce risk sufficiently to allow the development of a
single-stage-to-orbit, air-breathing plane; and
(3) a single-stage hypersonic research plane is
critical to the successful exploration of the hypersonic
flight regime and the timely realization of a single-
stage-to-orbit, air-breathing plane.
(b) HYPERSONIC RESEARCH PLANE ASSESSMENT.—
The Administrator shall conduct a study, through an inde-
pendent organization, of strategies that would optimize the
next phase of the National Aero-Space Plane program by
integrating with the rocket-based hypersonic flight experi-
ments the development, in the shortest possible time frame,
of a single-stage hypersonic research plane capable of speeds
in the Mach 10 to Mach 15 range or greater, with the objec-
tive of providing data that would accelerate the ultimate
development of a single-stage-to-orbit, air-breathing plane.
The Administrator shall report the results of the study to