118 
become operational. The assessment shall also characterize 
the risks of using potential commercial reusable suborbital 
flights to Administration-sponsored researchers and sci-
entific investigations and flight hardware. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall trans-
mit the plan and assessment described in subsections (b) 
and (c) 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. 
(e) ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS.—In conjunction 
with the Administration’s annual budget request justifica-
tion for each fiscal year, 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 
describing progress in carrying out the Commercial Reus-
able Suborbital Research Program, including the number 
and type of suborbital missions planned in each fiscal year. 
(f) INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY.—The Adminis-
trator shall not proceed with a request for proposals, award 
any contract, commit any United States Government funds, 
or enter into any other agreement for the provision of a 
commercial reusable suborbital vehicle launch service for an 
Administration-sponsored spaceflight participant until 
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transmittal of the plan and assessment specified in sub-
sections (b) and (c), the liability issues associated with the 
use of such systems by the United States Government have 
been addressed, and the liability and indemnification pro-
visions that are planned to be included in such contracts 
or agreements have been provided 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. 
SEC. 718. FUNDAMENTAL SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL 
SCIENCES RESEARCH. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It the sense of Congress 
that fundamental, discovery-based space life and physical 
sciences research is critical for enabling space exploration, 
protecting humans in space, and providing societal benefits, 
and that the space environment facilitates the advancement 
of understanding of the life sciences and physical sciences. 
Space life and physical science research contributes to ad-
vancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
research, and provides careers and training opportunities 
in academia, Federal laboratories, and commercial indus-
try. Congress encourages the Administrator to augment dis-
covery-based fundamental research and to establish require-
ments reflecting the importance of such research in keeping 
with the priorities established in the National Academies’ 
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decadal survey entitled ‘‘Recapturing a Future for Space 
Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New 
Era’’. 
(b) BUDGET REQUEST.—The Administrator shall in-
clude as part of the Administration’s annual budget request 
for each fiscal year a budget line for fundamental space 
life and physical sciences research, devoted to competitive, 
peer-reviewed grants, that is separate from the Inter-
national Space Station Operations account. 
(c) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
(1) DEVELOPMENT.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with academia, other Federal agencies, and 
other potential stakeholders, shall develop a strategic 
plan for carrying out competitive, peer-reviewed fun-
damental space life science and physical sciences and 
related technology research, among other activities, 
consistent with the priorities in the National Acad-
emies’ decadal survey described in subsection (a). 
(2) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall transmit the strategic plan developed 
under paragraph (1) 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. 
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SEC. 719. RESTORING COMMITMENT TO ENGINEERING RE-
SEARCH. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that engineering excellence has long been a hallmark of the 
Administration’s ability to make significant advances in 
aeronautics and space exploration. However, as has been 
noted in recent National Academies reports, increasingly 
constrained funding and competing priorities have led to 
an erosion of the Administration’s commitment to basic en-
gineering research. This research provides the basis for the 
technology development that enables the Administration’s 
many challenging missions to succeed. If current trends 
continue, the Administration’s ability to attract and main-
tain the best and brightest engineering workforce at its Cen-
ters as well as its ability to remain on the cutting edge 
of aeronautical and space technology will continue to erode 
and will threaten the Administration’s ability to be a world 
leader in aeronautics research and development and space 
exploration. 
(b) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan for 
restoring a meaningful basic engineering research program 
at the Administration’s Centers, including, as appropriate, 
collaborations with industry, universities, and other rel-
evant organizations. The plan shall identify the organiza-
tional approach to be followed, an initial set of basic re-
search priorities, and a proposed budget. 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
the plan specified in subsection (b) 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. 
SEC. 720. LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
The Administrator shall consult with the Secretary of 
Defense to ensure that any next generation liquid rocket en-
gine made in the United States for national security space 
launch objectives can contribute, to the extent practicable, 
to the space programs and missions carried out by the Ad-
ministration. 
SEC. 721 REMOTE SATELLITE SERVICING DEMONSTRA-
TIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 
that— 
(1) the Administration plays a key role in dem-
onstrating the feasibility of using robotic technologies 
for a spacecraft that could autonomously access, in-
spect, repair, and refuel satellites; 
(2) demonstrating this feasibility would both as-
sist the Administration in its future missions and 
provide other Federal agencies and private sector en-
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