I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1021 
To provide for a prize program to encourage development of space and 
aeronautics technologies and establish an endowment to further educate 
and inspire the public’s interest in space and aeronautics. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 1, 2005 
Mr. ROHRABACHER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science 
A BILL 
To provide for a prize program to encourage development 
of space and aeronautics technologies and establish an 
endowment to further educate and inspire the public’s 
interest in space and aeronautics. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Space and Aeronautics 
Prize Act’’.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR SPACE AND AERO-
NAUTICS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Na-
tional Endowment for Space and Aeronautics (referred to 
in this Act as the ‘‘Endowment’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Endowment is— 
(1) to further the public’s knowledge of and in-
spiration by the Earth, the Earth’s atmosphere, 
human and robotic spaceflight and science missions, 
and celestial bodies in space; 
(2) to carry out a program to award cash prizes 
in recognition of outstanding achievements in basic, 
advanced, and applied research, technology develop-
ment, and prototype demonstration that have the po-
tential for application to the Nation’s space and 
aeronautical endeavors in conjunction with, or inde-
pendent of, the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration (in this Act referred to as ‘‘NASA’’); 
(3) to carry out a program for tasteful adver-
tising of commercial products and services in con-
junction with the Nation’s space and aeronautics en-
deavors in conjunction with, or independent of, 
NASA; and 
(4) to encourage private gifts of real and per-
sonal property or any income therefrom or other in-
terest therein for the benefit of, or in connection
with, the Nation’s aeronautics and space endeavors 
to include those of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, its activities and its services. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON OF THE ENDOWMENT.—The En-
dowment shall be headed by a Chairperson, who shall be 
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate. Under the supervision and direction 
of the President, the Chairperson shall be responsible for 
the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all duties 
of the Endowment, and shall have authority and control 
over all personnel and activities thereof. The Chairperson 
shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or em-
ployment while serving as such. 
(d) TERMS.—The Chairperson shall serve for a term 
of 4 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Upon 
expiration of the chairperson’s term of office the Chair-
person shall serve until the Chairperson’s successor shall 
be appointed. 
(e) DUTIES.—The Chairperson shall correlate the 
programs of the Endowment, insofar as practicable, with 
existing programs of Federal, State, regional, or private 
groups, and shall develop the programs of the Endowment 
with due regard to the contribution to the objectives of 
this section which can be made by other Federal agencies 
under existing programs. The Chairperson may enter into
interagency agreements to promote or assist the space and 
aeronautics activities of other Federal agencies on a reim-
bursable or nonreimbursable basis, and may use funds au-
thorized to be appropriated for the purposes of subsection 
(b) for the costs of such activities. 
(f) AUTHORITY OF ENDOWMENT.—In the perform-
ance of carrying out the purposes specified in subsection 
(b), the Endowment is authorized— 
(1) to make, promulgate, issue, rescind, and 
amend rules and regulations governing the manner 
of its operations and the exercise of the powers vest-
ed in it by law; 
(2) to appoint and fix the compensation of such 
officers and employees as may be necessary to carry 
out the purposes specified in subsection (b), in ac-
cordance with civil service laws; and 
(3) to appoint such advisory committees as may 
be appropriate for purposes of consultation and ad-
vice to the Endowment. 
(g) GIFTS; DEVISES; BEQUESTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
paragraph (2), the Endowment may accept, receive, 
solicit, hold, administer, and use any gifts, devises, 
or bequests, either absolutely or in trust, of real or 
personal property or any income therefrom or other