tent practicable and appropriate. The Administrator 
should ensure that Administration investments and future 
capabilities for space technology, robotics, and human 
space flight take the ability to service and repair observ-
atory-class scientific spacecraft into account, as appro-
priate, and incorporate those capabilities into design and 
operational plans. 
‘‘§ 71544. Ongoing restoration of radioisotope thermo-
electric generator material production 
‘‘The Administrator shall, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Energy, pursue a joint approach beginning 
in fiscal year 2011 toward restarting and sustaining the 
domestic production of radioisotope thermoelectric gener-
ator material for deep space and other science and explo-
ration missions. Funds authorized by the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2010 for the Administration shall be made available under 
a reimbursable agreement with the Department of Energy 
for the purpose of reestablishing facilities to produce fuel 
required for radioisotope thermoelectric generators to en-
able future missions. 
‘‘§ 71545. Coordinated approach for robotic missions 
‘‘The Administrator shall ensure that the Exploration 
Systems Mission Directorate and the Space Operations 
Mission Directorate coordinate with the Science Mission 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Directorate on an overall approach and plan for inter-
agency and international collaboration on robotic missions 
that are developed by the Administration or internation-
ally developed, including lunar, Lagrangian, near-Earth 
orbit, and Mars spacecraft, such as the International 
Lunar Network. 
‘‘§ 71546. Near-Earth object survey and policy with 
respect to threats posed 
‘‘(a) POLICY REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms 
the policy set forth in section 20102(g) of this title relat-
ing to surveying near-Earth asteroids and comets. 
‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—Consistent with section 
71103 of this title, the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall implement, before September 
30, 2012, a policy for notifying Federal agencies and rel-
evant emergency response institutions of an impending 
near-Earth object threat if near-term public safety is at 
risk, and assign a Federal agency or agencies to be respon-
sible for protecting the United States and working with 
the international community on such threats.’’. 
(aa) ENACTMENT
OF
CHAPTER
717.—Title 51, 
United States Code, as amended by subsection (z), is 
amended by adding after chapter 715 the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘Chapter 717—ADVANCING 
HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘71701. Definitions. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER II—ADVANCING HUMAN DEEP SPACE 
EXPLORATION 
‘‘PART A—ASSURING CORE CAPABILITIES FOR 
EXPLORATION 
‘‘71711. Space launch system, Orion, and exploration ground systems. 
‘‘PART B—JOURNEY TO MARS 
‘‘71721. Human exploration roadmap. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—ADVANCING SPACE SCIENCE 
‘‘71731. Policy on maintaining balanced space science portfolio. 
‘‘71732. Mission priorities for planetary science. 
‘‘71733. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy. 
‘‘71734. Astrobiology strategy. 
‘‘71735. Collaboration. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
‘‘71741. Space technology infusion. 
‘‘71742. Space technology program. 
‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY 
‘‘PART 
A—ADMINISTRATION 
INFORMATION 
TECHNOLOGY AND CYBERSECURITY 
‘‘71751. Information technology governance. 
‘‘71752. Information technology strategic plan. 
‘‘71753. Information security plan for cybersecurity. 
‘‘PART B—COLLABORATION AMONG MISSION 
DIRECTORATES AND OTHER MATTERS 
‘‘71761. Collaboration among mission directorates. 
‘‘71762. Administration launch capabilities collaboration. 
‘‘71763. Education and outreach. 
‘‘71764. Leveraging commercial satellite servicing capabilities across mission di-
rectorates. 
‘‘71765. Flight opportunities. 
‘‘71766. Space Act Agreements. 
‘‘Subchapter I—GENERAL 
PROVISIONS 
‘‘§ 71701. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’ means— 
‘‘(A) 
the 
Committee 
on 
Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives. 
‘‘(2) 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. 
‘‘(3) DEEP
SPACE.—The term ‘deep space’ 
means the region of space beyond low-Earth orbit, 
to include cis-lunar space. 
‘‘(4) ORION.—The term ‘Orion’ means the mul-
tipurpose crew vehicle described under section 71522 
of this title. 
‘‘(5) SPACE
LAUNCH
SYSTEM.—The term 
‘Space Launch System’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 71501 of this title. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘Subchapter 
II—ADVANCING 
HUMAN DEEP SPACE EXPLO-
RATION 
‘‘Part A—ASSURING CORE CAPA-
BILITIES FOR EXPLORATION 
‘‘§ 71711. Space launch system, Orion, and explo-
ration ground systems 
‘‘(a) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms the pol-
icy and minimum capability requirements for the Space 
Launch System under section 71521 of this title. 
‘‘(b) CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF FULLY INTE-
GRATED SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The Administrator 
shall continue the development of the fully integrated 
Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed 
to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable 
human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond 
over the course of the next century as required in section 
71521(c) of this title. 
‘‘(c) EXPLORATION MISSIONS.—The Administrator 
shall continue development of— 
‘‘(1) an uncrewed exploration mission to dem-
onstrate the capability of both the Space Launch 
System and Orion as an integrated system by 2018; 
‘‘(2) subject to applicable human rating proc-
esses and requirements, a crewed exploration mis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
sion to demonstrate the Space Launch System, in-
cluding the Core Stage and Exploration Upper 
Stages, by 2021; 
‘‘(3) subsequent missions beginning with EM– 
3 at operational flight rate sufficient to maintain 
safety and operational readiness using the Space 
Launch System and Orion to extend into cis-lunar 
space and eventually to Mars; and 
‘‘(4) a deep space habitat as a key element in 
a deep space exploration architecture along with the 
Space Launch System and Orion. 
‘‘(d) OTHER USES.—The Administrator shall assess 
the utility of the Space Launch System for use by the 
science community and for other Federal Government 
launch needs, including consideration of overall cost and 
schedule savings from reduced transit times and increased 
science returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the 
Space Launch System. 
‘‘Part B—JOURNEY TO MARS 
‘‘§ 71721. Human exploration roadmap 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop 
a human exploration roadmap, including a critical decision 
plan, to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit 
to the surface of Mars and beyond, considering potential 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
interim destinations such as cis-lunar space and the moons 
of Mars. 
‘‘(b) SCOPE.—The human exploration roadmap shall 
include— 
‘‘(1) an integrated set of exploration, science, 
and other goals and objectives of a United States 
human space exploration program to achieve the 
long-term goal of human missions near or on the 
surface of Mars in the 2030s; 
‘‘(2) opportunities for international, academic, 
and industry partnerships for exploration-related 
systems, services, research, and technology if those 
opportunities provide cost-savings, accelerate pro-
gram schedules, or otherwise benefit the goals and 
objectives developed under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) sets and sequences of precursor missions 
in cis-lunar space and other missions or activities 
necessary— 
‘‘(A) to demonstrate the proficiency of the 
capabilities and technologies identified under 
paragraph (4); and 
‘‘(B) to meet the goals and objectives de-
veloped under paragraph (1), including antici-
pated timelines and missions for the Space 
Launch System and Orion; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00092
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) an identification of the specific capabilities 
and technologies, including the Space Launch Sys-
tem, Orion, a deep space habitat, and other capabili-
ties, that facilitate the goals and objectives developed 
under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(5) a description of how cis-lunar elements, 
objectives, and activities advance the human explo-
ration of Mars; 
‘‘(6) an assessment of potential human health 
and other risks, including radiation exposure; 
‘‘(7) mitigation plans, whenever possible, to ad-
dress the risks identified in paragraph (6); 
‘‘(8) a description of those technologies already 
under development across the Federal Government 
or by other entities that facilitate the goals and ob-
jectives developed under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(9) a specific process for the evolution of the 
capabilities of the fully integrated Orion with the 
Space Launch System and a description of how 
these systems facilitate the goals and objectives de-
veloped under paragraph (1) and demonstrate the 
capabilities and technologies described in paragraph 
(4); 
‘‘(10) a description of the capabilities and tech-
nologies that need to be demonstrated or research 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
data that could be gained through the utilization of 
the International Space Station and the status of 
the development of such capabilities and tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(11) a framework for international cooperation 
in the development of all capabilities and tech-
nologies identified under this section, including an 
assessment of the risks posed by relying on inter-
national partners for capabilities and technologies on 
the critical path of development; 
‘‘(12) a process for partnering with nongovern-
mental entities using Space Act Agreements or other 
acquisition instruments for future human space ex-
ploration; and 
‘‘(13) information on the phasing of planned in-
termediate destinations, Mars mission risk areas and 
potential risk mitigation approaches, technology re-
quirements and phasing of required technology de-
velopment activities, the management strategy to be 
followed, related International Space Station activi-
ties, planned international collaborative activities, 
potential commercial contributions, and other activi-
ties relevant to the achievement of the goal estab-
lished in this section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the human ex-
ploration roadmap, the Administrator shall consider— 
‘‘(1) using key exploration capabilities, namely 
the Space Launch System and Orion; 
‘‘(2) using existing commercially available tech-
nologies and capabilities or those technologies and 
capabilities being developed by industry for commer-
cial purposes; 
‘‘(3) establishing an organizational approach to 
ensure collaboration and coordination among the Ad-
ministration’s mission directorates under section 
71761 of this title, when appropriate, including to 
collect and return to Earth a sample from the Mar-
tian surface; 
‘‘(4) building upon the initial uncrewed mission, 
EM–1, and first crewed mission, EM–2, of the 
Space Launch System and Orion to establish a sus-
tainable cadence of missions extending human explo-
ration missions into cis-lunar space, including antici-
pated timelines and milestones; 
‘‘(5) developing the robotic and precursor mis-
sions and activities that will demonstrate, test, and 
develop key technologies and capabilities essential 
for achieving human missions to Mars, including 
long-duration human operations beyond low-Earth 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00095
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
orbit, space suits, solar electric propulsion, deep 
space habitats, environmental control life support 
systems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, de-
scent, landing, ascent, Mars surface systems, and in- 
situ resource utilization; 
‘‘(6) demonstrating and testing 1 or more habi-
tat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare for Mars 
missions; 
‘‘(7) using public-private, firm fixed-price part-
nerships, where practicable; 
‘‘(8) collaborating with international, academic, 
and industry partners, when appropriate; 
‘‘(9) any risks to human health and sensitive 
onboard technologies, including radiation exposure; 
‘‘(10) any risks identified through research out-
comes under the Administration Human Research 
Program’s Behavioral Health Element; and 
‘‘(11) the recommendations and ideas of several 
independently developed reports or concepts that de-
scribe potential Mars architectures or concepts and 
identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space 
exploration, including the reports described under 
section 431 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 
2017 (Public Law 115–10, 131 Stat. 38). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(d) CRITICAL DECISION PLAN ON HUMAN SPACE 
EXPLORATION.—As part of the human exploration road-
map, the Administrator shall include a critical decision 
plan— 
‘‘(1) identifying and defining key decisions 
guiding human space exploration priorities and plans 
that need to be made before June 30, 2020, includ-
ing decisions that may guide human space explo-
ration capability development, precursor missions, 
long-term missions, and activities; 
‘‘(2) defining decisions needed to maximize effi-
ciencies and resources for reaching the near-, inter-
mediate-, and long-term goals and objectives of 
human space exploration; and 
‘‘(3) identifying and defining timelines and 
milestones for a sustainable cadence of missions be-
ginning 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
ROAD-
MAP.—The Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00097
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) an initial human exploration road-
map, including a critical decision plan, before 
December 1, 2017; and 
‘‘(B) an updated human exploration road-
map periodically as the Administrator considers 
necessary but not less than biennially. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each human exploration 
roadmap under this subsection shall include a de-
scription of— 
‘‘(A) the achievements and goals accom-
plished in the process of developing capabilities 
and technologies described in this section dur-
ing the 2-year period prior to the submission of 
the human exploration 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 in-
cluded in the budget for that fiscal year transmitted 
to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘Subchapter III—ADVANCING 
SPACE SCIENCE 
‘‘§ 71731. Policy on maintaining balanced space 
science portfolio 
‘‘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 ensure, to the greatest ex-
tent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of Dis-
covery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions at the ca-
dence recommended by the most recent Planetary Science 
Decadal Survey. 
‘‘(b) MISSION PRIORITY ADJUSTMENTS.—Consistent 
with the set of missions 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 mis-
sion priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing 
budget projections. 
‘‘§ 71733. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
100 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
enter into an arrangement with the National Acad-
emies 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 Telescope, a potential Wide- 
Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any 
other telescope, spacecraft, or instrument, as appro-
priate. 
‘‘(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 mis-
sion priorities in existing decadal surveys ad-
dress the key extrasolar planet research and ex-
ploration goals; 
‘‘(D) identify opportunities for coordina-
tion with international partners, commercial 
partners, and not-for-profit partners; and 
‘‘(E) make recommendations regarding the 
activities under subparagraphs (A) through 
(D), as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall 
use the strategy— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
101 
‘‘(1) to inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and 
other activities of the Administration as they relate 
to extrasolar planet research and exploration; and 
‘‘(2) to provide a foundation for future activi-
ties and initiatives related to extrasolar planet re-
search 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 
developed under subsection (a). 
‘‘§ 71734. Astrobiology strategy 
‘‘(a) STRATEGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
enter into an arrangement with the National Acad-
emies to develop a science strategy for astrobiology 
that would outline key scientific questions, identify 
the most promising research in the field, and indi-
cate the extent to which the mission priorities in ex-
isting decadal surveys address the search for life’s 
origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the uni-
verse. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The strategy shall 
include recommendations for coordination with inter-
national partners. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
102 
‘‘(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall 
use the strategy developed under subsection (a) in plan-
ning and funding research and other activities and initia-
tives 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 
developed 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 re-
sponsibilities for the development of sensors or for meas-
urements are transferred to the Administration from an-
other agency, the Administration shall seek, to the extent 
possible, to be reimbursed for the assumption of such re-
sponsibilities. 
‘‘Subchapter IV—SPACE 
TECHNOLOGY 
‘‘§ 71741. Space technology infusion 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States 
that the Administrator shall develop technologies to sup-
port the Administration’s core missions, as described in 
section 2(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:14 Dec 03, 2021
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5982.RH
H5982
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS