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determine the threat posed by such objects to cause 
widespread destruction and loss of life. 
(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘near-Earth object’’ means an asteroid or comet with 
a perihelion distance of less than 1.3 Astronomical Units 
from the Sun. 
(c) NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY.—The Adminis-
trator shall continue to detect, track, catalogue, and char-
acterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth objects 
equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter in order 
to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the 
Earth, pursuant to the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth 
Object Survey Act (42 U.S.C. 16691). It shall be the goal 
of the Survey program to achieve 90 percent completion 
of its near-Earth object catalogue (based on statistically 
predicted populations of near-Earth objects) by 2020. 
(d) WARNING AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HAZ-
ARDS
OF NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.—Congress reaffirms 
the policy set forth in section 20102(g) of title 51, United 
States Code (relating to detecting, tracking, cataloguing, 
and characterizing asteroids and comets). 
(e) PROGRAM REPORT.—The Director of the Office 
of Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
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mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, an initial report that provides— 
(1) recommendations for carrying out the Sur-
vey program and an associated proposed budget; 
(2) analysis of possible options that the Admin-
istration could employ to divert an object on a likely 
collision course with Earth; and 
(3) a description of the status of efforts to co-
ordinate and cooperate with other countries to dis-
cover hazardous asteroids and comets, plan a mitiga-
tion strategy, and implement that strategy in the 
event of the discovery of an object on a likely colli-
sion course with Earth. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Subsequent to the initial re-
port the Administrator shall annually transmit 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 a report 
that provides— 
(1) a summary of all activities carried out pur-
suant to subsection (c) since the date of enactment 
of this Act, including the progress toward achieving 
90 percent completion of the survey described in 
subsection (c); and 
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(2) a summary of expenditures for all activities 
carried out pursuant to subsection (c) since the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(g) STUDY.—The Administrator, in collaboration 
with other relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out a 
technical and scientific assessment of the capabilities and 
resources to— 
(1) accelerate the survey described in subsection 
(c); and 
(2) expand the Administration’s Near-Earth 
Object Program to include the detection, tracking, 
cataloguing, and characterization of potentially haz-
ardous near-Earth objects less than 140 meters in 
diameter. 
(h) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 270 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit the results of the assessment carried out under 
subsection (g) to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate. 
SEC. 323. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PART-
NERSHIPS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administration should seek to leverage the 
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capabilities of the private sector and philanthropic organi-
zations to the maximum extent practicable in carrying out 
the Near-Earth Object Survey program in order to meet 
the goal of the Survey program. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
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 a report 
describing how the Administration can expand collabo-
rative partnerships to detect, track, catalogue, and cat-
egorize near-Earth objects. 
SEC. 324. RESEARCH ON NEAR-EARTH OBJECT TSUNAMI 
EFFECTS. 
(a) REPORT
ON POTENTIAL TSUNAMI EFFECTS 
FROM NEAR-EARTH OBJECT IMPACT.—The Adminis-
trator, in collaboration with the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other 
relevant agencies, shall prepare a report identifying and 
describing existing research activities and further research 
objectives that would increase our understanding of the 
nature of the effects of potential tsunamis that could occur 
if a near-Earth object were to impact an ocean of Earth. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
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transmit the report required and prepared under sub-
section (a) 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. 
SEC. 325. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY. 
(a) STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies to develop 
a science strategy for astrobiology that would outline key 
scientific questions, identify the 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. The strategy shall include recommendations for 
coordination with international partners. 
(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use 
the strategy developed under subsection (a) in planning 
and funding research and other activities and initiatives 
in the field of astrobiology. 
(c) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Na-
tional Academies shall transmit a report to the Adminis-
trator, and 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, 
containing the strategy developed under subsection (a). 
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SEC. 326. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report de-
scribing how the Administration can expand collaborative 
partnerships to study life’s origin, evolution, distribution, 
and future in the Universe. 
SEC. 327. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with the National Academies to as-
sess— 
(1) the Administration’s revised post-2016 
Mars exploration architecture and its responsiveness 
to the strategies, priorities, and guidelines put for-
ward by the National Academies’ planetary science 
decadal surveys and other relevant National Acad-
emies Mars-related reports; 
(2) the long-term goals of the Administration’s 
Mars Exploration Program and such program’s abil-
ity to optimize the science return, given the current 
fiscal posture of the program; 
(3) the Mars architecture’s relationship to 
Mars-related activities to be undertaken by agencies 
and organizations outside of the United States; and 
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(4) the extent to which the Mars architecture 
represents a reasonably balanced mission portfolio. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate. 
Subtitle D—Heliophysics 
SEC. 331. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator 
shall seek to ensure to the extent practicable a steady ca-
dence of large, medium, and small heliophysics missions. 
SEC. 332. REVIEW OF SPACE WEATHER. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy, in consultation with the Adminis-
trator, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, the Director of the National 
Science Foundation, and heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies, shall enter into an arrangement with the Na-
tional Academies to provide a comprehensive study that 
reviews current and planned ground-based and space- 
based space weather monitoring requirements and capa-
bilities, identifies gaps, and identifies options for a robust 
and resilient capability. The study shall inform the process 
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of identifying national needs for future space weather 
monitoring, forecasts, and mitigation. The National Acad-
emies shall give consideration to international and private 
sector efforts and collaboration that could potentially con-
tribute to national space weather needs. The study shall 
also review the current state of research capabilities in ob-
serving, modeling, and prediction and provide rec-
ommendations to ensure future advancement of predictive 
capability. 
(b) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 14 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Na-
tional Academies shall transmit a report containing the 
results of the study provided under subsection (a) to the 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
and to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
Subtitle E—Earth Science 
SEC. 341. GOAL. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administration is being asked to undertake 
important Earth science activities in an environment of 
increasingly constrained fiscal resources, and that any 
transfer of additional responsibilities to the Administra-
tion, such as climate instrument development and meas-
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urements that are currently part of the portfolio of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, should 
be accompanied by the provision of additional resources 
to allow the Administration to carry out the increased re-
sponsibilities without adversely impacting its implementa-
tion of its existing Earth science programs and priorities. 
(b) GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue to 
carry out a balanced Earth science program that includes 
Earth science research, Earth systematic missions, com-
petitive Venture class missions, other missions and data 
analysis, mission operations, technology development, and 
applied sciences, consistent with the recommendations and 
priorities established in the National Academies’ Earth 
Science Decadal Survey. 
(c) COLLABORATION.—The Administrator shall col-
laborate with other Federal agencies, including the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, non-gov-
ernment entities, and international partners, as appro-
priate, in carrying out the Administration’s Earth science 
program. The Administration shall continue to develop 
first-of-a-kind instruments that, once proved, can be 
transitioned to other agencies for operations. 
(d) REIMBURSEMENT.—Whenever responsibilities for 
the development of sensors or for measurements are trans-
ferred to the Administration from another agency, the Ad-
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ministration shall seek, to the extent possible, to be reim-
bursed for the assumption of such responsibilities. 
SEC. 342. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 341(b), the Administrator 
shall seek to ensure to the extent practicable a steady ca-
dence of large, medium, and small Earth science missions. 
SEC. 343. VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administration’s 
Venture class missions provide opportunities for innova-
tion in the Earth science program, offer low-cost ap-
proaches for high-quality competitive science investiga-
tions, enable frequent flight opportunities to engage the 
Earth science and applications community, and serve as 
a training ground for students and young scientists. It is 
further the sense of Congress that the Administration 
should seek to increase the number of Venture class 
projects to the extent practicable as part of a balanced 
Earth science program. 
SEC. 344. ASSESSMENT. 
The Administrator shall carry out a scientific assess-
ment of the Administration’s Earth science global datasets 
for the purpose of identifying those datasets that are use-
ful for understanding regional changes and variability, and 
for informing applied science research. The Administrator 
shall complete and transmit the assessment to the Com-
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mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio will 
help maintain the United States status as a leader 
in aviation, enhance the competitiveness of the 
United States in the world economy and improve the 
quality of life of all citizens; 
(2) aeronautics research is essential to the Ad-
ministration’s mission, continues to be an important 
core element of the Administration’s mission and 
should be supported; 
(3) the Administrator should coordinate and 
consult with relevant Federal agencies and the pri-
vate sector to minimize duplication and leverage re-
sources; and 
(4) carrying aeronautics research to a level of 
maturity that allows the Administration’s research 
results to be transitioned to the users, whether pri-
vate or public sector, is critical to their eventual 
adoption. 
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SEC. 402. AERONAUTICS RESEARCH GOALS. 
The Administrator shall ensure that the Administra-
tion maintains a strong aeronautics research portfolio 
ranging from fundamental research through integrated 
systems research with specific research goals, including 
the following: 
(1) ENHANCE
AIRSPACE
OPERATIONS
AND 
SAFETY.—The Administration’s Aeronautics Re-
search Mission Directorate shall address research 
needs of the Next Generation Air Transportation 
System and identify critical gaps in technology 
which must be bridged to enable the implementation 
of the Next Generation Air Transportation System 
so that safety and productivity improvements can be 
achieved as soon as possible. 
(2) IMPROVE
AIR
VEHICLE
PERFORMANCE.— 
The Administration’s Aeronautics Research Mission 
Directorate shall conduct research to improve air-
craft performance and minimize environmental im-
pacts. The Associate Administrator for the Aero-
nautics Research Mission Directorate shall consider 
and pursue concepts to reduce noise, emissions, and 
fuel consumption while maintaining high safety 
standards, and shall conduct research related to the 
impact of alternative fuels on the safety, reliability 
and maintainability of current and new air vehicles. 
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(3) STRENGTHEN AVIATION SAFETY.—The Ad-
ministration’s Aeronautics Research Mission Direc-
torate shall proactively address safety challenges as-
sociated with current and new air vehicles and with 
operations in the Nation’s current and future air 
transportation system. 
(4) DEMONSTRATE CONCEPTS AT THE SYSTEM 
LEVEL.—The Administration’s Aeronautics Research 
Mission Directorate shall mature the most promising 
technologies to the point at which they can be dem-
onstrated in a relevant environment and shall inte-
grate individual components and technologies as ap-
propriate to ensure that they perform in an inte-
grated manner as well as they do when operated in-
dividually. 
SEC. 403. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DE-
VELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration and other Federal agencies, shall carry out 
research and technological development to facilitate the 
safe integration of unmanned aerial systems into the Na-
tional Airspace System, including— 
(1) positioning and navigation systems; 
(2) sense and avoid capabilities; 
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(3) secure data and communication links; 
(4) flight recovery systems; and 
(5) human systems integration. 
(b) ROADMAP.—The Administrator shall update a 
roadmap for unmanned aerial systems research and devel-
opment and transmit this roadmap to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) COOPERATIVE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AC-
TIVITIES.—Section 31504 of title 51, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ‘‘Operational flight data derived 
from these cooperative agreements shall be made available, 
in appropriate and usable formats, to the Administration 
and the Federal Aviation Administration for the develop-
ment of regulatory standards.’’ after ‘‘in remote areas.’’. 
SEC. 404. RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS 
USED IN AERONAUTICS. 
(a) PURPOSE
OF RESEARCH.—The Administrator 
shall continue the Administration’s cooperative research 
program with industry to identify and demonstrate more 
effective and safe ways of developing, manufacturing, and 
maintaining composite materials for use in airframes, sub-
systems, and propulsion components. 
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(b) EXPOSURE OF RESEARCH TO NEXT GENERATION 
OF ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS.—To the extent prac-
ticable, the Administration’s cooperative research program 
with industry on composite materials shall provide timely 
access to that research to the next generation of engineers 
and technicians at universities, community colleges, and 
vocational schools, thereby helping to develop a workforce 
ready to take on the development, manufacture, and main-
tenance of components reliant on advanced composite ma-
terials. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator, in over-
seeing the Administration’s work on composite materials, 
shall consult with relevant Federal agencies and partners 
in industry to accelerate safe development and certifi-
cation processes for new composite materials and design 
methods while maintaining rigorous inspection of new 
composite materials. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, 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 
detailing the Administration’s work on new composite ma-
terials and the coordination efforts among Federal agen-
cies and industry partners. 
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SEC. 405. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other 
Federal agencies, shall develop and transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a research and 
development roadmap for hypersonic aircraft research 
with the objective of exploring hypersonic science and 
technology using air-breathing propulsion concepts, 
through a mix of theoretical work, basic and applied re-
search, and development of flight research demonstration 
vehicles. The roadmap shall prescribe appropriate agency 
contributions, coordination efforts, and technology mile-
stones. 
SEC. 406. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the ability to fly commercial aircraft over 
land at supersonic speeds without adverse impacts 
on the environment or on local communities could 
open new global markets and enable new transpor-
tation capabilities; and 
(2) continuing the Administration’s research 
program is necessary to assess the impact in a rel-
evant environment of commercial supersonic flight 
operations and provide the basis for establishing ap-
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propriate sonic boom standards for such flight oper-
ations. 
(b) ROADMAP
FOR SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall develop and transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a roadmap that 
allows for flexible funding profiles for supersonic aero-
nautics research and development with the objective of de-
veloping and demonstrating, in a relevant environment, 
airframe and propulsion technologies to minimize the envi-
ronmental impact, including noise, of supersonic overland 
flight in an efficient and economical manner. The roadmap 
shall include— 
(1) the baseline research as embodied by the 
Administration’s existing research on supersonic 
flight; 
(2) a list of specific technological, environ-
mental, and other challenges that must be overcome 
to minimize the environmental impact, including 
noise, of supersonic overland flight; 
(3) a research plan to address such challenges, 
as well as a project timeline for accomplishing rel-
evant research goals; 
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(4) a plan for coordination with stakeholders, 
including relevant government agencies and indus-
try; and 
(5) a plan for how the Administration will en-
sure that sonic boom research is coordinated as ap-
propriate with relevant Federal agencies. 
SEC. 407. RESEARCH ON NEXTGEN AIRSPACE MANAGE-
MENT CONCEPTS AND TOOLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, in con-
sultation with other Federal agencies, review at least an-
nually the alignment and timing of the Administration’s 
research and development activities in support of the 
NextGen airspace management modernization initiative, 
and 
shall 
make 
any 
necessary 
adjustments 
by 
reprioritizing or retargeting the Administration’s research 
and development activities in support of the NextGen ini-
tiative. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Administrator shall re-
port to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an-
nually regarding the progress of the Administration’s re-
search and development activities in support of the 
NextGen airspace management modernization initiative, 
including details of technologies transferred to relevant 
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Federal agencies for eventual operation implementation, 
consultation with other Federal agencies, and any adjust-
ments made to research activities. 
SEC. 408. ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other 
Federal agencies, shall prepare and transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a roadmap for 
research relating to rotorcraft and other runway-inde-
pendent air vehicles, with the objective of developing and 
demonstrating improved safety, noise, and environmental 
impact in a relevant environment. The roadmap shall in-
clude specific goals for the research, a timeline for imple-
mentation, metrics for success, and guidelines for collabo-
ration and coordination with industry and other Federal 
agencies. 
SEC. 409. TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS RESEARCH. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator, 
in looking strategically into the future and ensuring that 
the Administration’s Center personnel are at the leading 
edge of aeronautics research, should encourage investiga-
tions into the early-stage advancement of new processes, 
novel concepts, and innovative technologies that have the 
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potential to meet national aeronautics needs. The Admin-
istrator shall continue to ensure that awards for the inves-
tigation of these concepts and technologies are open for 
competition among Administration civil servants at its 
Centers, separate from other awards open only to non-Ad-
ministration sources. 
SEC. 410. STUDY OF UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP IN AERO-
NAUTICS RESEARCH. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies for a study to 
benchmark the position of the United States in civil aero-
nautics research compared to the rest of the world. The 
study shall— 
(1) seek to define metrics by which relative 
leadership in civil aeronautics research can be deter-
mined; 
(2) ascertain how the United States compares 
to other countries in the field of civil aeronautics re-
search and any relevant trends; and 
(3) provide recommendations on what can be 
done to regain or retain global leadership, includ-
ing— 
(A) 
identifying 
research 
areas 
where 
United States expertise has been or is at risk 
of being overtaken; 
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(B) defining appropriate roles for the Ad-
ministration; 
(C) identifying public-private partnerships 
that could be formed; and 
(D) estimating the impact on the Adminis-
tration’s budget should such recommendations 
be implemented. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall pro-
vide the results of the study to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
TITLE V—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that space technology is 
critical to— 
(1) enabling a new class of Administration mis-
sions beyond low-Earth orbit; 
(2) developing technologies and capabilities that 
will make the Administration’s missions more afford-
able and more reliable; and 
(3) improving technological capabilities and pro-
moting innovation for the Administration and the 
Nation. 
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SEC. 502. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Section 70507 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70507. Space Technology Program authorized 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Administrator 
shall establish a Space Technology Program to pursue the 
research and development of advanced space technologies 
that have the potential of delivering innovative solutions 
and to support human exploration of the solar system or 
advanced space science. The program established by the 
Administrator shall take into consideration the rec-
ommendations of the National Academies’ review of the 
Administration’s Space Technology roadmaps and prior-
ities, as well as applicable enabling aspects of the Human 
Exploration Roadmap specified in section 70504. In con-
ducting the space technology program established under 
this section, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) to the maximum extent practicable, use a 
competitive process to select projects to be supported 
as part of the program; 
‘‘(2) make use of small satellites and the Ad-
ministration’s suborbital and ground-based plat-
forms, to the extent practicable and appropriate, to 
demonstrate space technology concepts and develop-
ments; and 
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‘‘(3) undertake partnerships with other Federal 
agencies, universities, private industry, and other 
spacefaring nations, as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS.—The Adminis-
trator shall organize and manage the Administration’s 
Small Business Innovation Research program and Small 
Business Technology Transfer Program within the Space 
Technology Program. 
‘‘(c) NONDUPLICATION CERTIFICATION.—The Ad-
ministrator shall include in the budget for each fiscal year, 
as transmitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 
31, a certification that no project, program, or mission 
undertaken by the Space Technology Program is duplica-
tive of any other project, program, or mission conducted 
by another office or directorate of the Administration.’’. 
(b) COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND ALIGN-
MENT.—The Administrator shall ensure that the Adminis-
tration’s projects, programs, and activities in support of 
technology research and development of advanced space 
technologies are fully coordinated and aligned and that re-
sults from such work are shared and leveraged within the 
Administration. Projects, programs, and activities being 
conducted by the Human Exploration and Operations Mis-
sion Directorate in support of research and development 
of advanced space technologies and systems focusing on 
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human space exploration should continue in that Direc-
torate. The Administrator shall ensure that organizational 
responsibility for research and development activities in 
support of human space exploration not initiated as of the 
date of enactment of this Act is established on the basis 
of a sound rationale. The Administrator shall provide the 
rationale in the report specified in subsection (d). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide 
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 a report 
comparing the Administration’s space technology invest-
ments with the high-priority technology areas identified by 
the National Academies in the National Research Coun-
cil’s report on the Administration’s Space Technology 
Roadmaps. The Administrator shall identify how the Ad-
ministration will address any gaps between the agency’s 
investments and the recommended technology areas, in-
cluding a projection of funding requirements. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator shall in-
clude in the Administration’s annual budget request for 
each fiscal year the rationale for assigning organizational 
responsibility for, in the year prior to the budget fiscal 
year, each initiated project, program, and mission focused 
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on research and development of advanced technologies for 
human space exploration. 
(e) TABLE OF SECTIONS AMENDMENT.—The item 
relating to section 70507 in the table of sections for chap-
ter 705 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘70507. Space Technology Program authorized.’’. 
SEC. 503. UTILIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE 
STATION FOR TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRA-
TIONS. 
The Administrator shall utilize the International 
Space Station and commercial services for space tech-
nology demonstration missions in low-Earth orbit when-
ever it is practical and cost effective to do so. 
TITLE VI—EDUCATION 
SEC. 601. EDUCATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Administration’s missions are an inspi-
ration for Americans and in particular for the next 
generation, and that this inspiration has a powerful 
effect in stimulating interest in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (in this section re-
ferred to as ‘‘STEM’’) education and careers; 
(2) the Administration’s Office of Education 
and mission directorates have been effective in deliv-
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ering Administration educational content because of 
the strong engagement of Administration scientists 
and engineers in the Administration’s education and 
outreach activities; and 
(3) the Administration should be a central part-
ner in contributing to the goals of the National 
Science and Technology Council’s Federal Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) 
Education 5-Year Strategic Plan. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Administration shall continue 
its education and outreach efforts to— 
(1) increase student interest and participation 
in STEM education; 
(2) improve public literacy in STEM; 
(3) employ proven strategies for improving stu-
dent learning and teaching; 
(4) provide curriculum support materials; and 
(5) create and support opportunities for profes-
sional development for STEM teachers. 
(c) ORGANIZATION.—In order to ensure the inspira-
tion and engagement of children and the general public, 
the Administration shall continue its STEM education and 
outreach activities within the Science, Aeronautics Re-
search, Space Operations, and Exploration Mission Direc-
torates. 
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(d) CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 
ACTIVITIES
AND PROGRAMS.—The Administrator shall 
continue to carry out education and outreach programs 
and activities through the Office of Education and the Ad-
ministration mission directorates and shall continue to en-
gage, to the maximum extent practicable, Administration 
and Administration-supported researchers and engineers 
in carrying out those programs and activities. 
(e) CONTINUATION OF SPACE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
The Administrator shall continue to operate the National 
Space Grant College and Fellowship program through a 
national network consisting of a State-based consortium 
in each State that provides flexibility to the States, with 
the objective of providing hands-on research, training, and 
education programs, with measurable outcomes, to en-
hance America’s STEM education and workforce. 
(f) REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.—Congress reaffirms 
its commitment to informal science education at science 
centers and planetariums as set forth in section 616 of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. 40907). 
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SEC. 602. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL SPACE 
GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the National Space Grant College and Fellow-
ship Program, which was established in the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
1988 (42 U.S.C. 2486 et seq.), has been an important 
program by which the Federal Government has partnered 
with State and local governments, universities, private in-
dustry, and other organizations to enhance the under-
standing and use of space and aeronautics activities and 
their benefits through education, fostering of interdiscipli-
nary and multidisciplinary space research and training, 
and supporting Federal funding for graduate fellowships 
in space-related fields, among other purposes. 
(b) REVIEW.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies for— 
(1) a review of the National Space Grant Col-
lege and Fellowship Program, including its structure 
and capabilities for supporting science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics education and train-
ing consistent with the National Science and Tech-
nology Council’s Federal Science, Technology, Engi-
neering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5- 
Year Strategic Plan; and 
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(2) recommendations on measures, if needed, to 
enhance the Program’s effectiveness and mecha-
nisms by which any increases in funding appro-
priated by Congress can be applied. 
(c) NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FEL-
LOWSHIP PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) PURPOSES.—Section 40301 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (5); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (6) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(7) support outreach to primary and sec-
ondary schools to help support STEM engagement 
and learning at the K–12 level and to encourage K– 
12 students to pursue postsecondary degrees in 
fields related to space.’’. 
(2) REGIONAL CONSORTIUM.—Section 40306 of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (2) 
and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respec-
tively; and 
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(ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) INCLUSION OF 2-YEAR INSTITUTIONS.—A 
space grant regional consortium designated in para-
graph (1)(B) may include one or more 2-year insti-
tutions of higher education.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (2)(C) and (3)(D)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (3)(C) and (4)(D)’’. 
SEC. 603. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
should make the continuation of the Administration’s Mi-
nority University Research and Education Program a pri-
ority in order to further STEM education for underrep-
resented students. 
TITLE VII—POLICY PROVISIONS 
SEC. 701. ASTEROID RETRIEVAL MISSION. 
(a) ASTEROID RETRIEVAL REPORT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall provide to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the proposed Asteroid 
Retrieval Mission. Such report shall include— 
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(1) a detailed budget profile, including cost esti-
mates for the development of all necessary tech-
nologies and spacecraft required for the mission; 
(2) a detailed technical plan that includes mile-
stones and a specific schedule; 
(3) a description of the technologies and capa-
bilities anticipated to be gained from the proposed 
mission that will enable future human missions to 
Mars which could not be gained by lunar missions; 
(4) a description of the technologies and capa-
bilities anticipated to be gained from the proposed 
mission that will enable future planetary defense 
missions, against impact threats from near-Earth 
objects equal to or greater than 140 meters in di-
ameter, which could not be gained by robotic mis-
sions; and 
(5) a complete assessment by the Small Bodies 
Assessment Group and the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Advisory Council of how the 
proposed mission is in the strategic interests of the 
United States in space exploration. 
(b) MARS FLYBY REPORT.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, an independent, 
private systems engineering and technical assistance orga-
nization contracted by the Human Exploration Operations 
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Mission Directorate shall transmit to the Administrator, 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
analyzing the proposal for a Mars Flyby human 
spaceflight mission to be launched in 2021. Such report 
shall include— 
(1) a technical development, test, fielding, and 
operations plan using the Space Launch System and 
other systems to successfully mount a Mars Flyby 
mission by 2021; 
(2) a description of the benefits in scientific 
knowledge and technologies demonstrated by a Mars 
Flyby mission to be launched in 2021 suitable for 
future Mars missions; and 
(3) an annual budget profile, including cost es-
timates, for the development test, fielding, and oper-
ations plan to carry out a Mars Flyby mission 
through 2021 and comparison of that budget profile 
to the 5-year budget profile contained in the Presi-
dent’s Budget request for fiscal year 2016. 
(c) ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 60 days after 
transmittal of the report specified in subsection (b), the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
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and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate an assessment by the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Advisory Council of 
whether the proposal for a Mars Flyby Mission to be 
launched in 2021 is in the strategic interests of the United 
States in space exploration. 
(d) CREWED
MISSION.—The report transmitted 
under subsection (b) may consider a crewed mission with 
the Space Launch System in cis-lunar space prior to the 
Mars Flyby mission in 2021. 
SEC. 702. TERMINATION LIABILITY SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that: 
(1) The International Space Station, the Space 
Launch System, and the Orion crew capsule will en-
able the Nation to continue operations in low-Earth 
orbit and to send its astronauts to deep space. The 
James Webb Space Telescope will revolutionize our 
understanding of star and planet formation and how 
galaxies evolved and advance the search for the ori-
gins of our universe. As a result of their unique ca-
pabilities and their critical contribution to the future 
of space exploration, these systems have been des-
ignated by Congress and the Administration as pri-
ority investments. 
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(2) In addition, contractors are currently hold-
ing program funding, estimated to be in the hun-
dreds of millions of dollars, to cover the potential 
termination liability should the Government choose 
to terminate a program for convenience. As a result, 
hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are unavail-
able for meaningful work on these programs. 
(3) According to the Government Accountability 
Office, the Administration procures most of its 
goods and services through contracts, and it termi-
nates very few of them. In fiscal year 2010, the Ad-
ministration terminated 28 of 16,343 active con-
tracts and orders—a termination rate of about 0.17 
percent. 
(4) The Administration should vigorously pur-
sue a policy on termination liability that maximizes 
the utilization of its appropriated funds to make 
maximum progress in meeting established technical 
goals and schedule milestones on these high-priority 
programs. 
SEC. 703. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS. 
Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘Proce-
dural Requirements 7120.5c, dated March 22, 
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2005’’ and inserting ‘‘Procedural Requirements 
7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘beginning 18 
months after the date the Administrator transmits a 
report under subsection (e)(1)(A)’’ and inserting 
‘‘beginning 18 months after the Administrator 
makes such determination’’. 
SEC. 704. PROJECT AND PROGRAM RESERVES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the judicious use of program and project re-
serves provides the Administration’s project and program 
managers with the flexibility needed to manage projects 
and programs to ensure that the impacts of contingencies 
can be mitigated. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act the Administrator shall transmit 
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 a report 
describing— 
(1) the Administration’s criteria for establishing 
the amount of reserves held at the project and pro-
gram levels; 
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ates of the same parent corporate entity, and 
particularly the award of subcontracts for soft-
ware integration or the development of a pro-
prietary software system architecture; or 
(D) the performance by, or assistance of, 
contractors in technical evaluations on major 
acquisition programs; 
(2) ensure that the Administration receives ad-
vice on systems architecture and systems engineer-
ing matters with respect to major acquisition pro-
grams from objective sources independent of the 
prime contractor; 
(3) require that a contract for the performance 
of systems engineering and technical assistance 
functions for a major acquisition program contains 
a provision prohibiting the contractor or any affiliate 
of the contractor from participating as a prime con-
tractor or a major subcontractor in the development 
of a system under the program; and 
(4) establish such limited exceptions to the re-
quirement in paragraphs (2) and (3) as may be nec-
essary to ensure that the Administration has contin-
ued access to advice on systems architecture and 
systems engineering matters from highly qualified 
contractors with domain experience and expertise, 
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