‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the human exploration roadmap, 
the Administrator shall consider— 
‘‘(1) using key exploration capabilities, namely the Space Launch 
System and Orion; 
‘‘(2) using existing commercially available technologies and capabili-
ties or those technologies and capabilities being developed by industry 
for commercial purposes; 
‘‘(3) establishing an organizational approach to ensure collaboration 
and coordination among the Administration’s Mission Directorates 
under section 71761 of this title, when appropriate, including to collect 
and return to Earth a sample from the Martian surface; 
‘‘(4) building upon the initial uncrewed mission, EM–1, and first 
crewed mission, EM–2, of the Space Launch System and Orion to es-
tablish a sustainable cadence of missions extending human exploration 
missions into cis-lunar space, including anticipated timelines and mile-
stones; 
‘‘(5) developing the robotic and precursor missions and activities that 
will demonstrate, test, and develop key technologies and capabilities es-
sential for achieving human missions to Mars, including long-duration 
human operations beyond low-Earth orbit, space suits, solar electric 
propulsion, deep space habitats, environmental control life support sys-
tems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, descent, landing, ascent, 
Mars surface systems, and in-situ resource utilization; 
‘‘(6) demonstrating and testing 1 or more habitat modules in cis- 
lunar space to prepare for Mars missions; 
‘‘(7) using public-private, firm fixed-price partnerships, where prac-
ticable; 
‘‘(8) collaborating with international, academic, and industry part-
ners, when appropriate; 
‘‘(9) any risks to human health and sensitive onboard technologies, 
including radiation exposure; 
‘‘(10) any risks identified through research outcomes under the Ad-
ministration Human Research Program’s Behavioral Health Element; 
and 
‘‘(11) the recommendations and ideas of several independently devel-
oped reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or 
concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space ex-
ploration, including the reports described under section 431 of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization 
Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10, 131 Stat. 38). 
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‘‘(d) CRITICAL DECISION PLAN ON HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION.—As 
part of the human exploration roadmap, the Administrator shall include a 
critical decision plan— 
‘‘(1) identifying and defining key decisions guiding human space ex-
ploration priorities and plans that need to be made before June 30, 
2020, including decisions that may guide human space exploration ca-
pability development, precursor missions, long-term missions, and ac-
tivities; 
‘‘(2) defining decisions needed to maximize efficiencies and resources 
for reaching the near, intermediate, and long-term goals and objectives 
of human space exploration; and 
‘‘(3) identifying and defining timelines and milestones for a sustain-
able cadence of missions beginning with EM–3 for the Space Launch 
System and Orion to extend human exploration from cis-lunar space 
to the surface of Mars. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) INITIAL HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.—The Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress— 
‘‘(A) an initial human exploration roadmap, including a critical 
decision plan, before December 1, 2017; and 
‘‘(B) an updated human exploration roadmap periodically as the 
Administrator considers necessary but not less than biennially. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each human exploration roadmap under this sub-
section shall include a description of— 
‘‘(A) the achievements and goals accomplished in the process of 
developing capabilities and technologies described in this section 
during the 2-year period prior to the submission of the human ex-
ploration roadmap; and 
‘‘(B) the expected goals and achievements in the following 2- 
year period. 
‘‘(3) SUBMISSION WITH BUDGET.—Each human exploration roadmap 
under this section shall be included in the budget for that fiscal year 
transmitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE 
‘‘§ 71731. Policy on maintaining balanced space science port-
folio 
‘‘It is the policy of the United States to ensure, to the extent practicable, 
a steady cadence of large, medium, and small science missions. 
‘‘§ 71732. Mission priorities for planetary science 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the priorities established in the 
most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey, the Administrator shall en-
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sure, to the greatest extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of 
Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions at the cadence rec-
ommended by the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey. 
‘‘(b) MISSION PRIORITY ADJUSTMENTS.—Consistent with the set of mis-
sions described in subsection (a), and while maintaining the continuity of 
scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the 
Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, 
schedule, and scope in light of changing budget projections. 
‘‘§ 71733. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into an arrange-
ment with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for the 
study and exploration of extrasolar planets, including the use of the 
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Tele-
scope, a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or 
any other telescope, spacecraft, or instrument, as appropriate. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy shall— 
‘‘(A) outline key scientific questions; 
‘‘(B) identify the most promising research in the field; 
‘‘(C) indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in exist-
ing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet research and 
exploration goals; 
‘‘(D) identify opportunities for coordination with international 
partners, commercial partners, and not-for-profit partners; and 
‘‘(E) make recommendations regarding the activities under sub-
paragraphs (A) through (D), as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use the strategy— 
‘‘(1) to inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities of the 
Administration as they relate to extrasolar planet research and explo-
ration; and 
‘‘(2) to provide a foundation for future activities and initiatives re-
lated to extrasolar planet research and exploration. 
‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after March 21, 
2017, the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator and to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the strategy devel-
oped under subsection (a). 
‘‘§ 71734. Astrobiology strategy 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall enter into an arrange-
ment with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for 
astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the 
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most promising research in the field, and indicate the extent to which 
the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search for 
life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The strategy shall include recommenda-
tions for coordination with international partners. 
‘‘(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use the strategy devel-
oped under subsection (a) in planning and funding research and other ac-
tivities and initiatives in the field of astrobiology. 
‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 months after March 21, 
2017, the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator and to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the strategy devel-
oped under subsection (a). 
‘‘§ 71735. Collaboration 
‘‘The Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind instruments 
that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies for operations. 
Whenever responsibilities for the development of sensors or for measure-
ments are transferred to the Administration from another agency, the Ad-
ministration shall seek, to the extent possible, to be reimbursed for the as-
sumption of such responsibilities. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
‘‘§ 71741. Space technology infusion 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States that the Adminis-
trator shall develop technologies to support the Administration’s core mis-
sions, as described in section 2(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–267, 124 Stat. 
2807), and support sustained investments in early stage innovation, funda-
mental research, and technologies to expand the boundaries of the national 
aerospace enterprise. 
‘‘(b) PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES.—A goal of propulsion technologies de-
veloped under subsection (a) shall be to significantly reduce human travel 
time to Mars. 
‘‘§ 71742. Space technology program 
‘‘(a) SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Administrator 
shall conduct a space technology program (referred to in this section as the 
’Program’) to research and develop advanced space technologies that could 
deliver innovative solutions across the Administration’s space exploration 
and science missions. 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the Program, the Administrator 
shall consider— 
‘‘(1) the recommendations of the National Academies’ review of the 
Administration’s Space Technology roadmaps and priorities; and 
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