‘‘(7) Other matters relating to the utilization of 
the International Space Station national laboratory 
facilities for research and development as the Ad-
ministrator considers appropriate. 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH CAPACITY ALLOCATION AND INTE-
GRATION OF RESEARCH PAYLOADS.— 
‘‘(1) ALLOCATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL
SPACE 
STATION
RESEARCH
CAPACITY.—The International 
Space Station national laboratory managed experi-
ments shall be guaranteed access to, and utilization 
of, not less than 50 percent of the United States re-
search capacity allocation, including power, cold 
stowage, and requisite crew time onboard the Inter-
national Space Station through at least September 
30, 2030. Access to the International Space Station 
research capacity includes provision for the adequate 
upmass and downmass capabilities to utilize the 
International Space Station research capacity, as 
available. The Administrator may allocate additional 
capacity to the International Space Station national 
laboratory should such capacity be in excess of Ad-
ministration research requirements. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES.—If 
any Administration research plan is determined to 
require research capacity onboard the International 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
Space Station beyond the percentage allocated under 
paragraph (1), the research plan shall be prepared 
in the form of a requested research opportunity to 
be submitted to the process established under this 
section for the consideration of proposed research 
within the capacity allocated to the International 
Space Station national laboratory. A proposal for 
such a research plan may include the establishment 
of partnerships with non-Administration institutions 
eligible to propose research to be conducted within 
the International Space Station national laboratory 
capacity. Until at least September 30, 2030, the of-
ficial or employee designated under subsection (b) 
may grant an exception to this requirement in the 
case of a proposed experiment considered essential 
for purposes of preparing for exploration beyond 
low-Earth orbit, as determined by joint agreement 
between the organization with which the Adminis-
trator enters into a cooperative agreement under 
subsection (a) and the official or employee des-
ignated under subsection (b). 
‘‘(3) RESEARCH
PRIORITIES
AND
ENHANCED 
CAPACITY.—The organization with which the Admin-
istrator enters into the cooperative agreement shall 
consider recommendations of the National Acad-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
emies Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical 
Sciences in Space in establishing research priorities 
and in developing proposed enhancements of re-
search capacity and opportunities for the Inter-
national Space Station national laboratory. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSIBILITY
FOR
RESEARCH
PAY-
LOAD.—The Administration shall retain its roles and 
responsibilities in providing research payload phys-
ical, analytical, and operations integration during 
pre-flight, post-flight, transportation, and orbital 
phases essential to ensure safe and effective flight 
readiness and vehicle integration of research activi-
ties approved and prioritized by the organization 
with which the Administrator enters into the cooper-
ative agreement and the official or employee des-
ignated under subsection (b). 
‘‘§ 70912. Primary objectives of International Space 
Station program 
‘‘The primary objectives of the International Space 
Station program shall be— 
‘‘(1) to achieve the long term goal and objec-
tives under section 71512 of this title; and 
‘‘(2) to pursue a research program that ad-
vances knowledge and provides other benefits to the 
Nation.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
(x) REVISION OF SECTION 71102.—Section 71102(1) 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘attaching a tracking device,’’ and inserting ‘‘attaching a 
tracking device to,’’. 
(y) ENACTMENT OF CHAPTER 715.—Title 51, United 
States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) CONTENT.—Title 51, United States Code, 
is amended by adding after chapter 713 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Chapter 715—HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT AND EXPLORATION 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘71501. Definitions. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—POLICY, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES 
‘‘71511. Human space flight policy. 
‘‘71512. Goals and objectives. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—EXPANSION OF HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT BEYOND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STA-
TION AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT 
‘‘71521. Space Launch System as follow-on launch vehicle to the space shuttle. 
‘‘71522. Multipurpose crew vehicle. 
‘‘71523. Utilization of existing workforce and assets in development of Space 
Launch System and multipurpose crew vehicle. 
‘‘71524. Launch support and infrastructure modernization program. 
‘‘71525. Development of technologies and in-space capabilities for beyond near- 
Earth space missions. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—SPACE SCIENCE 
‘‘71541. Technology development. 
‘‘71542. Suborbital research activities. 
‘‘71543. In-space servicing. 
‘‘71544. Ongoing restoration of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material 
production. 
‘‘71545. Coordinated approach for robotic missions. 
‘‘71546. Near-Earth object survey and policy with respect to threats posed. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘Subchapter I—GENERAL 
PROVISIONS 
‘‘§ 71501. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) CIS-LUNAR
SPACE.—The term ‘cis-lunar 
space’ means the region of space from the Earth out 
to and including the region around the surface of 
the Moon. 
‘‘(2) DEEP
SPACE.—The term ‘deep space’ 
means the region of space beyond cis-lunar space. 
‘‘(3) NEAR-EARTH
SPACE.—The term ‘near- 
Earth space’ means the region of space that includes 
low-Earth orbit and extends out to and includes geo- 
synchronous orbit. 
‘‘(4) SPACE
LAUNCH
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘Space Launch System’ means the follow-on Govern-
ment-owned civil launch system developed, managed, 
and operated by the Administration to serve as a 
key component to expand human presence beyond 
low-Earth orbit. 
‘‘Subchapter II—POLICY, GOALS, 
AND OBJECTIVES 
‘‘§ 71511. Human space flight policy 
‘‘(a) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) COMMERCIAL PROVIDER.—The term 
‘commercial provider’ means any person pro-
viding human space flight transportation serv-
ices, primary control of which is held by persons 
other than the Federal Government, a State or 
local government, or a foreign government. 
‘‘(B) QUALIFIED FOREIGN ENTITY.—The 
term ‘qualified foreign entity’ means a foreign 
entity that is in compliance with all applicable 
safety standards and is not prohibited from 
providing space transportation services under 
other law. 
‘‘(C) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL PRO-
VIDER.—The term ‘United States commercial 
provider’ means a commercial provider, orga-
nized under the laws of the United States or of 
a State, that is more than 50 percent owned by 
United States nationals. 
‘‘(2) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Government 
may not acquire human space flight transportation 
services from a foreign entity unless— 
‘‘(A) no United States Government-oper-
ated human space flight capability is available; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) no United States commercial provider 
is available; and 
‘‘(C) it is a qualified foreign entity. 
‘‘(3) ARRANGEMENTS
WITH
FOREIGN
ENTI-
TIES.—Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the 
Administrator from negotiating or entering into 
human space flight transportation arrangements 
with foreign entities to ensure safety of flight and 
continued International Space Station operations. 
‘‘(b) UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT CAPA-
BILITIES.—Congress reaffirms the policy stated in section 
70501(a) of this title that the United States shall main-
tain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight 
and operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an es-
sential instrument of national security and of the capacity 
to ensure continued United States participation and lead-
ership in the exploration and utilization of space. 
‘‘§ 71512. Goals and objectives 
‘‘(a) LONG-TERM GOALS.—The long-term goals of 
the human space flight and exploration efforts of the Ad-
ministration shall be— 
‘‘(1) to expand permanent human presence be-
yond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, 
in a manner involving international, academic, and 
industry partners; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) crewed missions and progress toward 
achieving the goal in paragraph (1) to enable the po-
tential for subsequent human exploration and the ex-
tension of human presence throughout the solar sys-
tem; and 
‘‘(3) to enable a capability to extend human 
presence, including potential human habitation on 
another celestial body and a thriving space economy 
in the 21st century. 
‘‘(b) KEY OBJECTIVES.—The key objectives of the 
United States for human expansion into space shall be— 
‘‘(1) to sustain the capability for long-duration 
presence in low-Earth orbit, initially through con-
tinuation of the International Space Station and full 
utilization of the United States segment of the 
International Space Station as a national laboratory, 
and through assisting and enabling an expanded 
commercial presence in, and access to, low-Earth 
orbit, as elements of a low-Earth orbit infrastruc-
ture; 
‘‘(2) to determine whether humans can live for 
extended periods in space with decreasing reliance 
on Earth, starting with utilization of low-Earth orbit 
infrastructure, to— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) identify potential roles that space re-
sources such as energy and materials can play; 
‘‘(B) meet national and global needs and 
challenges such as potential cataclysmic threats; 
and 
‘‘(C) explore the viability of and lay the 
foundation for sustainable economic activities in 
space; 
‘‘(3) to maximize the role that human explo-
ration of space can play in— 
‘‘(A) advancing overall knowledge of the 
universe; 
‘‘(B) supporting United States national 
and economic security and the United States 
global competitive posture; and 
‘‘(C) inspiring young people in their edu-
cational pursuits; 
‘‘(4) to build on the cooperative and mutually 
beneficial framework established by the International 
Space Station partnership agreements and experi-
ence in developing and undertaking programs and 
meeting objectives designed to realize the goal of 
human space flight set forth in subsection (a); and 
‘‘(5) to achieve human exploration of Mars and 
beyond through the prioritization of those tech-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
nologies and capabilities best suited for such a mis-
sion in accordance with the stepping stone approach 
to exploration under section 70504 of this title. 
‘‘Subchapter III—EXPANSION OF 
HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT BE-
YOND THE INTERNATIONAL 
SPACE STATION AND LOW- 
EARTH ORBIT 
‘‘§ 71521. Space Launch System as follow-on launch 
vehicle to the space shuttle 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States 
that the Administration develop a Space Launch System 
as a follow-on to the space shuttle that can access cis- 
lunar space and the regions of space beyond low-Earth 
orbit in order to enable the United States to participate 
in global efforts to access and develop that increasingly 
strategic region. 
‘‘(b) INITIATION OF DEVELOPMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—As soon as practicable 
after October 11, 2010, the Administrator shall ini-
tiate development of a Space Launch System meet-
ing the minimum capability requirements specified 
in subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) 
MODIFICATION
OF
CURRENT
CON-
TRACTS.—In order to limit the Administration’s ter-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
mination liability costs and support critical capabili-
ties, the Administrator shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, extend or modify existing (as of October 11, 
2010) vehicle development and associated contracts 
necessary to meet the requirement in paragraph (1), 
including contracts for ground testing of solid rocket 
motors, if necessary, to ensure their availability for 
development of the Space Launch System. 
‘‘(c) MINIMUM CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Space Launch System 
developed pursuant to subsection (b) shall be de-
signed to have, at a minimum, the following: 
‘‘(A) The initial capability of the core ele-
ments, without an upper stage, of lifting pay-
loads weighing between 70 and 100 tons into 
low-Earth orbit in preparation for transit for 
missions beyond low-Earth orbit. 
‘‘(B) The capability to carry an integrated 
upper Earth departure stage bringing the total 
lift capability of the Space Launch System to 
130 tons or more. 
‘‘(C) The capability to lift the multipur-
pose crew vehicle. 
‘‘(D) The capability to serve as a backup 
system for supplying and supporting Inter-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
national Space Station cargo delivery require-
ments or crew delivery requirements not other-
wise met by available commercial or partner- 
supplied vehicles. 
‘‘(E) The capacity for efficient and timely 
evolution, including the incorporation of new 
technologies, competition of sub-elements, and 
commercial operations. 
‘‘(2) FLEXIBILITY.—The Space Launch System 
shall be designed from inception as a fully integrated 
vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 130 
tons or more into low-Earth orbit in preparation for 
transit for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The 
Space Launch System shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, incorporate capabilities for evolutionary 
growth to carry heavier payloads. Developmental 
work and testing of the core elements and the upper 
stage should proceed in parallel subject to appropria-
tions. Priority should be placed on the core elements 
with the goal for operational capability for the core 
elements not later than December 31, 2016. 
‘‘(3) TRANSITION NEEDS.—The Administrator 
shall ensure that critical skills and capabilities are 
retained, modified, and developed, as appropriate, in 
areas relating to solid and liquid engines, large di-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
ameter fuel tanks, rocket propulsion, and other 
ground test capabilities for an effective transition to 
the follow-on Space Launch System. 
‘‘§ 71522. Multipurpose crew vehicle 
‘‘(a) INITIATION OF DEVELOPMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
continue the development of a multipurpose crew ve-
hicle to be available as soon as practicable, and no 
later than for use with the Space Launch System. 
The vehicle shall continue to advance development of 
the human safety features, designs, and systems in 
the Orion project. 
‘‘(2) GOAL FOR OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY.—It 
shall be the goal to achieve full operational capa-
bility for the transportation vehicle developed pursu-
ant to this subsection by not later than December 
31, 2016. For purposes of meeting such goal, the 
Administrator may undertake a test of the transpor-
tation vehicle at the International Space Station be-
fore that date. 
‘‘(b) MINIMUM CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS.—The 
multipurpose crew vehicle developed pursuant to sub-
section (a) shall be designed to have, at a minimum, the 
following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) The capability to serve as the primary 
crew vehicle for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. 
‘‘(2) The capability to conduct regular in-space 
operations, such as rendezvous, docking, and extra- 
vehicular activities, in conjunction with payloads de-
livered by the Space Launch System developed pur-
suant to section 71521 of this title, or other vehicles, 
in preparation for missions beyond low-Earth orbit 
or servicing of assets described in section 71543 of 
this title, or other assets in cis-lunar space. 
‘‘(3) The capability to provide an alternative 
means of delivery of crew and cargo to the Inter-
national Space Station, in the event other vehicles, 
whether commercial vehicles or partner-supplied ve-
hicles, are unable to perform that function. 
‘‘(4) The capacity for efficient and timely evo-
lution, including the incorporation of new tech-
nologies, competition of sub-elements, and commer-
cial operations. 
‘‘§ 71523. Utilization of existing workforce and assets 
in development of Space Launch System 
and multipurpose crew vehicle 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In developing the Space Launch 
System pursuant to section 71521 of this title and the 
multipurpose crew vehicle pursuant to section 71522 of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
this title, the Administrator shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, utilize— 
‘‘(1) existing (as of October 11, 2010) con-
tracts, investments, workforce, industrial base, and 
capabilities from the space shuttle and Orion and 
Ares 1 projects, including— 
‘‘(A) spacesuit development activities for 
application to, and coordinated development of, 
a multipurpose crew vehicle suit and associated 
life-support requirements with potential devel-
opment of standard Administration-certified 
suit and life support systems for use in alter-
native commercially developed crew transpor-
tation systems; and 
‘‘(B) space shuttle-derived components and 
Ares 1 components that use existing (as of Oc-
tober 11, 2010) United States propulsion sys-
tems, including liquid fuel engines, external 
tank or tank-related capability, and solid rocket 
motor engines; and 
‘‘(2) associated testing facilities in existence or 
under construction as of October 11, 2010. 
‘‘(b) DISCHARGE OF REQUIREMENTS.—In meeting 
the requirements of subsection (a), the Administrator— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) shall, to the extent practicable, utilize 
ground-based manufacturing capability, ground test-
ing activities, launch and operations infrastructure, 
and workforce expertise; 
‘‘(2) shall, to the extent practicable, minimize 
the modification and development of ground infra-
structure and maximize the utilization of existing (as 
of October 11, 2010) software, vehicle, and mission 
operations processes; 
‘‘(3) shall complete construction and activation 
of the A–3 test stand with a completion goal of Sep-
tember 30, 2013; 
‘‘(4) may procure, develop, and flight test appli-
cable components; and 
‘‘(5) shall take appropriate actions to ensure 
timely and cost-effective development of the Space 
Launch System and the multipurpose crew vehicle, 
including the use of a procurement approach that in-
corporates adequate and effective oversight, the fa-
cilitation of contractor efficiencies, and the stream-
lining of contract and procurement requirements. 
‘‘(c) CONTINUATION OF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT.— 
The Administrator may not terminate any contract that 
provides the system transitions necessary for shuttle-de-
rived hardware to be used on the Space Launch System 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:02 Feb 23, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7339.IH
H7339
dmwilson on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS