I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5666 
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 24, 2020 
Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma (for herself, Mr. BABIN, Ms. JOHNSON 
of Texas, and Mr. LUCAS) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2020’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
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TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2020. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS 
Subtitle A—Moon to Mars Program 
Sec. 201. Sustainable human exploration program. 
Sec. 202. Goals and objectives. 
Sec. 203. Structure of Moon to Mars Program. 
Sec. 204. Reporting and briefings. 
Sec. 205. Critical enabling capabilities. 
Sec. 206. Noncritical path activities. 
Sec. 207. Core exploration capabilities. 
Sec. 208. Reviews and assessments. 
Subtitle B—International Space Station 
Sec. 221. Extension and post-ISS support. 
Sec. 222. Priorities for ISS utilization. 
Sec. 223. Assured crew access to the International Space Station. 
Sec. 224. International Space Station Deorbit Capability and Plan. 
Sec. 225. Replacement Extravehicular Mobility Units. 
Sec. 226. Low Earth orbit development. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Sec. 301. Importance of a balanced science program. 
Sec. 302. Review of implementation of quality assurance program and parts 
policy in science mission development. 
Sec. 303. Independent external technical, management, and cost reviews. 
Sec. 304. Small satellites. 
Sec. 305. Options for small satellite and payload access to the near-space and 
space environment. 
Sec. 306. Study on space life and physical sciences research and applications 
placement. 
Sec. 307. Space life and physical sciences research requirements. 
Subtitle A—Earth Science and Applications 
Sec. 311. Goal. 
Sec. 312. Applied uses of Earth science data. 
Sec. 313. Survey of State, Tribal, and territory use of NASA Earth observation 
data. 
Sec. 314. Commercial Earth observation data. 
Sec. 315. Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission. 
Sec. 316. CLARREO Pathfinder. 
Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
Sec. 321. Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope. 
Sec. 322. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. 
Sec. 323. Research on technosignatures. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
Sec. 331. Mars communications infrastructure. 
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Sec. 332. Mars sample return strategy and plan. 
Sec. 333. Commercial Lunar Payload Services. 
Sec. 334. Europa Clipper launch vehicle. 
Sec. 335. Dedicated survey mission. 
Sec. 336. Near-Earth object and planetary defense roadmap. 
Sec. 337. Assessment of requirements for cataloguing and archiving near-Earth 
object data. 
Sec. 338. International confidence and capacity building for near-Earth object 
impact mitigation. 
Sec. 339. Close passing near-Earth objects. 
Subtitle D—Heliophysics and Space Weather Research 
Sec. 341. Importance of heliophysics research to understanding space weather. 
Sec. 342. Space Weather Research and Applications Program. 
Subtitle E—Data Science and Management 
Sec. 361. Data science and management. 
Sec. 362. Workshop on data analytics for Earth science research. 
TITLE IV—SPACE COMMUNICATIONS 
Sec. 401. Review of space communications. 
TITLE V—AERONAUTICS 
Sec. 501. Research effort to advance sustainable aviation. 
Sec. 502. Workshop on research and development on noise. 
Sec. 503. Aeronautics research and technology roundtable. 
Sec. 504. Experimental aircraft demonstrations. 
Sec. 505. Review of research roadmap on hypersonics. 
Sec. 506. Supersonic flight. 
Sec. 507. Urban air mobility. 
Sec. 508. Aeronautics workforce and modeling and test facilities. 
Sec. 509. University leadership initiative. 
TITLE VI—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
Sec. 601. Space nuclear systems. 
Sec. 602. Nuclear thermal propulsion. 
Sec. 603. Nuclear surface power. 
Sec. 604. Review of flight opportunities program. 
Sec. 605. Sense of Congress on optical communications. 
Sec. 606. Propulsion testing facilities. 
Sec. 607. In-space satellite servicing and assembly. 
Sec. 608. Parachute systems research and development. 
TITLE VII—SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND 
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION 
Sec. 701. Office of STEM engagement. 
Sec. 702. Independent review of Space Grant. 
TITLE VIII—SAFETY, SUPPORT, AND MISSION SERVICES 
Sec. 801. Policy and procedure. 
Sec. 802. Monitoring millimeter-sized orbital debris. 
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Sec. 803. Planetary protection strategic plan. 
TITLE IX—CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 
AND RESTORATION 
Sec. 901. Data collection on cost benefits to the Administration of use of en-
hanced-use leasing. 
Sec. 902. Report on enhanced-use leasing requirements. 
Sec. 903. Report on current and anticipated effects of climate change and ex-
treme weather on agency infrastructure and facilities. 
TITLE X—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 1001. Space situational awareness and orbital debris mitigation. 
Sec. 1002. International framework on active orbital debris removal. 
Sec. 1003. Safety and technical risks of active debris removal. 
Sec. 1004. Independent program analysis and evaluation office. 
Sec. 1005. Report on use of the term ‘‘commercial’’ in NASA activities. 
Sec. 1006. Supply chain and supplier base. 
Sec. 1007. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for research, de-
velopment, and education. 
Sec. 1008. The space capabilities of the People’s Republic of China. 
Sec. 1009. Spectrum interference. 
Sec. 1010. Reports to Congress. 
Sec. 1011. General accountability office report on large-scale programs, 
projects, and activities. 
Sec. 1012. NASA institutes. 
Sec. 1013. Surveys on the industrial base of the United States. 
Sec. 1014. Budgets. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) NASA should remain a multimission agency 
and continue to carry out, in partnership with aca-
demia, industry, and international partners, a bal-
anced program of science, aeronautics, space tech-
nology, human exploration, and educational activi-
ties. 
(2) The Nation’s investments in civil space re-
search, technology, and development have and will 
continue to contribute significantly to the Nation’s 
innovation capacity and economic strength, and pro-
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vide applications and benefits that improve the lives 
of United States citizens and society. 
(3) International cooperation and collaboration 
strengthen the Nation’s science, aeronautics, and 
human exploration programs and unify partner na-
tions in the peaceful uses of outer space. 
(4) NASA’s leadership in aeronautics has con-
tributed greatly to the Nation’s strength in civil and 
commercial aviation and should remain a priority as 
innovative technologies and aviation concepts offer 
the potential to transform the future of aviation and 
support the Nation’s economic growth. 
(5) NASA makes essential contributions to our 
understanding of the global challenge of climate 
change through its collection of space-based Earth 
science data, research on global, integrated Earth 
system science, and development of models that ad-
vance our understanding of the climate system and 
the natural and human impacts on it. 
(6) The Nation’s human space exploration goal 
should be to send humans to the surface of Mars. 
(7) Reducing the risk and demonstrating the 
capabilities and operations needed to support a 
human mission to Mars may require human explo-
ration of the cis-lunar vicinity and lunar surface. 
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(8) A constancy of purpose, including clear and 
consistent goals and objectives, is essential for mak-
ing effective progress on the Nation’s science, aero-
nautics, space technology, and human exploration 
programs and for attracting and keeping the Na-
tion’s best, brightest, and most capable workforce. 
(9) Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and 
accountability provides transparency in the imple-
mentation of the Nation’s civil space goals and ob-
jectives. 
(10) The innovative capabilities of the commer-
cial space industry are essential to the Nation’s 
science, aeronautics, and human space exploration 
activities, are an important instrument of techno-
logical and economic competitiveness, and should be 
leveraged, as appropriate, to advance the Nation’s 
objectives in civil space. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
10101 of title 51, United States Code. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
10101 of title 51, United States Code. 
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(3) 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. 
(4) DEEP
SPACE.—The term ‘‘deep space’’ 
means the region of space beyond low-Earth orbit, 
including cis-lunar space. 
(5) ISS.—The term ‘‘ISS’’ means the Inter-
national Space Station. 
(6) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(7) ORION.—The term ‘‘Orion’’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 20302 of title 51, 
United States Code. 
(8) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Space 
Launch System’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 20302 of title 51, United States Code. 
(9) UNITED
STATES
GOVERNMENT
ASTRO-
NAUT.—The term ‘‘United States government astro-
naut’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘government 
astronaut’’ in section 50902 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
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TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2020. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for 
fiscal year 2020, $22,629,000,000 as follows: 
(1) For exploration, $6,017,600,000, of which 
$1,406,700,000 shall be for the Orion multi-purpose 
Crew Vehicle, $2,585,900,000 shall be for the Space 
Launch System, $590,000,000 shall be for Explo-
ration Ground Systems, and $1,435,000,000 shall be 
for Exploration Research and Development. 
(2) For space operations, $4,140,200,000. 
(3) For science, $7,138,900,000, of which 
$1,971,800,000 
shall 
be 
for 
Earth 
Science, 
$2,713,400,000 shall be for Planetary Science, 
$1,306,200,000 
shall 
be 
for 
Astrophysics, 
$423,000,000 shall be for the James Webb Space 
Telescope, 
and 
$724,500,000 
shall 
be 
for 
Heliophysics. 
(4) For aeronautics, $783,900,000. 
(5) For space technology, $1,100,000,000. 
(6) For science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM), $120,000,000, of which 
$48,000,000 shall be for the National Space Grant 
College and Fellowship Program, $24,000,000 shall 
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be for the Established Program to Stimulate Com-
petitive Research (EPSCoR), $36,000,000 shall be 
for the Minority University Research and Education 
Project (MUREP), and $12,000,000 shall be for 
STEM 
Education 
and 
Accountability 
Projects 
(SEAP). 
(7) For safety, security, and mission services, 
$2,913,300,000. 
(8) For construction and environmental compli-
ance and restoration, $373,400,000. 
(9) For Inspector General, $41,700,000. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE EXPLO-
RATION AND OPERATIONS 
Subtitle A—Moon to Mars Program 
SEC. 201. SUSTAINABLE HUMAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Nation’s human 
exploration program is an important element of United 
States leadership in space exploration, economic strength, 
and national security. It is the further sense of Congress 
that constancy of purpose and the sustainability of the 
Nation’s human exploration goals and objectives should be 
an inherent principle of a long-term, deep space human 
exploration program that spans several Congresses and 
Administrations. 
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SEC. 202. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator is authorized 
under sections 20302 and 70504 of title 51, United States 
Code, and shall carry out plans and programs to achieve 
sustainable human exploration of deep space for the pur-
pose of sending humans to the surface of Mars. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The goal of NASA’s Moon to 
Mars Program shall be to land humans on Mars in a sus-
tainable manner as soon as practicable. The Moon to Mars 
Program shall have the interim goal of sending a crewed 
mission to the lunar surface by 2028 and a goal of sending 
a crewed mission to orbit Mars by 2033. 
(c) PRECURSOR
ACTIVITIES.—The Administrator 
shall undertake precursor crewed missions to cis-lunar 
space and the lunar surface for the purpose of risk reduc-
tion for human missions to Mars by developing and testing 
those systems and operational practices needed for suc-
cessful crewed Mars missions. 
(d) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the human mis-
sions to Mars shall be to— 
(1) validate the capabilities required for sus-
tained human exploration of and operations on the 
surface of Mars; 
(2) pursue scientific investigations, as rec-
ommended by the National Academies, that are en-
abled by the human exploration of Mars; and 
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(3) develop and maintain the scientific, tech-
nical, program management, and human spaceflight 
operational skills required to support a sustainable 
deep space exploration program. 
SEC. 203. STRUCTURE OF MOON TO MARS PROGRAM. 
(a) MOON TO MARS PROGRAM OFFICE.—The Admin-
istrator shall establish a Moon to Mars Program Office 
within 60 days of the enactment of this Act to lead and 
manage the Moon to Mars Program. 
(b) PROGRAM DIRECTOR.—The Administrator shall 
appoint a Program Director of the Office established in 
subsection (a) who shall report to the Associate Adminis-
trator and the Associate Administrator of the Human Ex-
ploration and Operations Mission Directorate. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Moon to Mars Program 
Office shall be responsible for developing— 
(1) requirements for a human Mars orbital mis-
sion and a human mission to the surface of Mars; 
(2) an architecture, integrated plan, and overall 
schedule encompassing the elements of the Moon to 
Mars Program to carry out a human mission to 
orbit Mars by 2033. The architecture and plan shall 
be based on the mission requirements established in 
paragraph (1); and 
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(3) an integrated, master plan for the develop-
ment of required capabilities for the human mission 
to Mars. 
(d) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION.— 
The Director of the Moon to Mars Program Office shall 
appoint a Systems Engineering and Integration Manager 
to manage the systems engineering and integration activi-
ties of the Moon to Mars Program. 
(e) SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES.—The Adminis-
trator shall propose to Congress any special hiring au-
thorities that the Administrator determines are needed to 
ensure that personnel with the requisite skills and experi-
ence are available to the Program Office. 
(f) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The Moon to Mars Pro-
gram shall consist of the following: 
(1) A Gateway to Mars in cis-lunar space or at 
a Lagrangian point for the purpose of reducing the 
risks of the capabilities in paragraph (3) and serving 
as a testbed for the systems and operational tech-
niques needed to transport crews to, from, and dur-
ing operations in Mars orbit or on the surface of 
Mars. The Gateway to Mars shall be developed to 
operate autonomously and to be crew-tended, as 
needed, on an intermittent basis. The Gateway to 
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Mars shall be open and available for international 
participation and use. 
(2) A Lunar Precursor Initiative (LPI) for the 
purpose of gaining and demonstrating the oper-
ational experience and systems needed to enable 
crewed transport to and from the surface of Mars, 
as well as for limited operations and habitation on 
Mars. 
(3) A Mars Enabling Technology Initiative 
(METI) for the purpose of developing and testing 
the technologies and capabilities needed for a human 
missions to Mars. Mars-enabling technologies and 
capabilities to be demonstrated shall include— 
(A) Mars entry, descent, and landing sys-
tems; 
(B) radiation safety; 
(C) in-space power and propulsion, includ-
ing nuclear thermal propulsion; 
(D) Mars transport vehicle; 
(E) planetary ascent propulsion; 
(F) environmental control and life support 
systems; 
(G) Mars habitats; 
(H) extravehicular activity suits; 
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(I) in-situ resource utilization of the Mars 
atmosphere; and 
(J) any other Mars-enabling technologies 
and capabilities identified by the Administrator. 
(4) A Space Launch System for the purpose of 
providing heavy-lift capability to carry out the Moon 
to Mars Program. The Administrator shall complete 
development of the Space Launch System and the 
Space Launch System variant enabled by an Explo-
ration Upper Stage, pursuant to section 302 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010. The Administrator shall 
take steps to develop the Block 2 variant to provide 
the full range of launch capability and performance 
available to the United States for the Administra-
tion’s crewed and robotic exploration of deep space. 
The Administrator shall complete the development 
and testing of the Exploration Upper Stage for the 
Space Launch System. 
(5) An Orion Crew vehicle for the purpose of 
crewed spaceflight for the Moon to Mars Program. 
(6) A Mars Transport Vehicle for the purposes 
of crewed transport to and around Mars. Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
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Act, the Administrator shall initiate pre-formulation 
activities for a Mars transport vehicle. 
(g) COMPLETION.—The Administrator shall plan to 
have all required testing completed to enable development 
and manufacture of an operational crewed Mars transport 
vehicle on a schedule consistent with the goal of a crewed 
mission to orbit Mars by 2033 and the architecture, inte-
grated plan, and schedule in subsection (c)(2). 
SEC. 204. REPORTING AND BRIEFINGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall provide 
regular reports and briefings on the progress and status 
of the Moon to Mars Program, and associated activities 
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 in ac-
cordance with this section. 
(1) REPORTING
WITH
DAYS.—Within 60 
days of the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall develop a list of the remaining 
human health risk reduction research tasks that 
need to be completed to enable crewed missions to 
Mars and that require the International Space Sta-
tion, along with a plan for completing all of those 
tasks within 5 years of the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
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(2) REPORTING WITHIN 120 DAYS.—Within 120 
days of the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall develop an overall architecture and 
plan, 
consistent 
with 
sections 
203(c)(1) 
and 
203(c)(2), including— 
(A) a list of the minimum set of human 
and robotic lunar surface activities that must be 
completed to enable a human mission to Mars, 
including those to be tested on the Gateway to 
Mars, along with a plan for completing those 
tasks within five years after the first human 
lunar landing; and 
(B) a list of the capabilities and risk re-
duction measures listed in section 203(f)(3). 
For each high-priority technology or capability, the 
Administrator shall develop a plan to include the de-
velopment milestones, including activities required to 
be carried out in cis-lunar space or on the lunar sur-
face, and an estimated 5-year funding profile re-
quired for demonstrating the capability to a level of 
readiness for use in a Mars mission within 10 years 
of the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(3) REPORTING WITHIN 270 DAYS.—Within 270 
days of the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall transmit— 
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(A) five-year funding estimates and pro-
files for the Moon to Mars Program. The budg-
et profiles should include estimated funding re-
quirements and profiles for the program ele-
ments in section 203(f), and related infrastruc-
ture, facilities, and operations that are con-
sistent with the achievement of a crewed mis-
sion to Mars orbit by 2033; and 
(B) the Independent Program Analysis and 
Evaluation Office established in section 1004 
shall assess the basis of the five-year budget 
profiles and shall transmit the results of the as-
sessment 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 not later than 
six months after the budget profiles have been 
transmitted 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. 
(b) BIANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—The Administrator shall 
provide biannual briefings on the status, progress, and any 
challenges identified in maturing and developing the key 
capabilities specified in section 203(c)(3) and section 
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203(f)(3) 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. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the architecture and plans enumerated in section 
204(a)(2) through section 204(a)(3) 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 within 15 days after 
their scheduled completion dates. 
SEC. 205. CRITICAL ENABLING CAPABILITIES. 
(a) LUNAR LANDING MISSION ARCHITECTURE.—In 
order to reduce risk and complexity and make maximum 
use of taxpayer investments to date, the Administrator 
shall in the conduct of the Lunar Precursor Initiative em-
ploy an architecture that utilizes the Orion vehicle and an 
integrated lunar landing system carried on an Exploration 
Upper Stage-enhanced Space Launch System for the 
human lunar landing missions. The Gateway to Mars shall 
not be required for the conduct of human lunar landing 
missions. 
(b) HUMAN-RATED LUNAR LANDING SYSTEM.—For 
the purposes established in section 202(c), the Adminis-
trator shall develop and operate an integrated human 
lunar landing system to provide human access to the lunar 
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surface. The human-rated integrated lunar landing system 
shall be designed with safety, sustainability, and afford-
ability as priorities and developed through a means that 
allows for the United States Government to retain— 
(1) full ownership of the human landing system; 
(2) unlimited and unfettered insight into the 
design, development, and testing of the integrated 
human landing system; 
(3) final determination on whether the system 
meets existing human-rating requirements; 
(4) leadership over any anomaly or accident in-
vestigation, should it be necessary to carry out such 
an investigation; and 
(5) shall require at least one uncrewed and one 
crewed in-space test and demonstration prior to its 
use to carry astronauts to the surface of the Moon 
and a plan for testing of a Mars human lander in 
a suitable environment. 
(c) EXPLORATION SPACE SUITS.—The Administrator 
shall develop an exploration space suit to meet the require-
ments of the Moon to Mars Program. In developing an 
exploration space suit, the Administrator shall, to the 
greatest extent practicable, leverage prior and existing in-
vestments in advanced space suit technologies in order to 
maximize the benefits of such investments and tech-
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nologies. The Administrator shall use the International 
Space Station for testing of exploration space suits. 
(d) LOGISTICS SUPPORT.—To the maximum extent 
possible, logistics support to the Gateway to Mars and the 
lunar surface shall be provided by commercial services, 
provided that the availability of those services does not 
becoming the limiting critical path factor in NASA’s abil-
ity to complete its Gateway to Mars and Lunar Precursor 
initiatives as scheduled. The Administrator shall develop 
contingency plans for the delivery of the minimum set of 
needed logistics in the event commercial services are not 
available when needed. 
(e) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall lead 
and encourage to the maximum extent practicable 
international partner participation in the implemen-
tation of the elements of the Moon to Mars Program 
under overall NASA leadership. The Administrator 
shall encourage partnerships that enhance the pro-
gram. 
(2) CONGRESSIONAL
AUTHORIZATION.—NASA 
shall seek Congressional authorization prior to final-
izing any exploration architecture that depends on 
international or commercial partnerships for overall 
mission success. 
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(f) CREWED LUNAR LANDING MISSIONS.—In order 
to minimize the time required for the Lunar Precursor Ini-
tiative phase of the Moon to Mars Program, NASA shall 
plan for and implement measures to enable a crewed lunar 
landing mission rate of at least two per year after the ini-
tial crewed lunar landing has been achieved. 
(g) LUNAR LANDER MANAGEMENT.—The Moon to 
Mars Program Office shall manage the overall develop-
ment of the Human Lunar Landing System, with the 
Johnson Space Center responsible for the crew-related ele-
ments, vehicle structure, and Human Lunar Landing Sys-
tem integration and the Marshall Space Flight Center re-
sponsible for the Lander propulsion systems. 
(h) GROUND AND FLIGHT TEST ACTIVITIES.—The 
Moon to Mars Program shall maintain a robust series of 
ground and flight test activities for each element of the 
Program, including at least one crewed flight test of each 
crewed system design prior to its use on a human lunar 
landing system or Mars mission. 
(i) MARS
LANDING
AND
ASCENT
SYSTEM
DE-
SIGNS.—To the extent funding permits, the Administrator 
shall maintain two competing integrated crewed Mars 
landing/ascent system design concepts through the critical 
design review milestone, at which point the Administrator 
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shall make a selection of the system to be utilized in the 
first human Mars landing mission. 
SEC. 206. NONCRITICAL PATH ACTIVITIES. 
(a) LUNAR OUTPOST.—Any establishment of a con-
tinuously crewed lunar outpost or research station shall 
not be considered an element of the Moon to Mars Pro-
gram and shall be budgeted separately from the Moon to 
Mars Program. 
(b) OTHER CREWED ACTIVITIES.—Crewed activities 
on or around the surface of the Moon that do not con-
tribute to the goal of landing humans on Mars in as sus-
tainable manner as practical shall not be included in the 
Moon to Mars Program and shall be budgeted separately 
from the Moon to Mars Program. 
(c) LUNAR
IN-SITU
RESOURCE
UTILIZATION.— 
Lunar in-situ resource utilization shall not be considered 
as risk reduction for the initial crewed missions to orbit 
and land on Mars. Any lunar in-situ resource utilization 
activities and shall not be included in the Moon to Mars 
Program and shall be budgeted separately from the Moon 
to Mars Program. 
SEC. 207. CORE EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that ground systems, robust testing programs, and 
a flight cadence necessary to maintain critical human 
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spaceflight skills are important elements of a safe and sus-
tainable human exploration program. 
(b) FLIGHT RATE
AND SAFETY.—After the first 
crewed lunar landing, the Administrator shall, to the ex-
tent practicable, and taking into account the results of the 
Assessment in section 208(b), carry out a flight rate of 
at least two integrated Space Launch System and Orion 
crew vehicle missions per year, until the Lunar Precursor 
Initiative is complete, to maintain the critical human 
spaceflight production and operations skills necessary for 
the safety of human spaceflight activities in deep space. 
(c) MILESTONES.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit a list of the key milestones required for com-
pleting each of the Space Launch System variants and an 
estimated date on which those milestones shall be com-
pleted. 
(d) EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS INFRASTRUC-
TURE.—The Administrator shall ensure that elements of 
a ground system infrastructure are in place to enable the 
preparation and use of the Space Launch System, specifi-
cally its Block 1 (70 mt) and Block 1B (105 mt) and 
Block 2 (130 mt) variants of the Space Launch System. 
(e) MOBILE LAUNCH FACILITY.—In implementing 
the requirements in subsection (d), the Administrator 
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shall take all necessary steps to develop and complete a 
second mobile launch facility that will be in place to sup-
port the first Block 1B Space Launch System. 
(f) GROUND-BASED TEST PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF 
CREWED FLIGHT TEST.—The Administrator shall carry 
out a robust ground-based test program, including the full 
Green Run test of the Space Launch System engines and 
the testing and qualification of the Exploration Upper 
Stage. 
SEC. 208. REVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS. 
(a) INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF HUMAN RESEARCH 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
enter into an arrangement with the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for an 
independent, external review of the Human Research 
Program. The purpose of the review shall be to ex-
amine the effectiveness of approaches currently 
being taken for identifying, measuring, and miti-
gating, and establishing countermeasures for human 
health and performance risks related to long-term 
human spaceflight, including any human activities in 
deep space, and to make recommendations to im-
prove the program. The review shall consider the 
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translation of basic research into the Human Re-
search Program. 
(2) REPORT.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the review to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) CORE STAGE PRODUCTION CAPACITY.— 
(1) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall as-
sess the requirements and resource needed for in-
creasing the production capacity of the Space 
Launch System core stage from one to two core 
stages per year, and shall identify the resources, 
workforce, and infrastructure needed to increase the 
production capacity. 
(2) REPORT.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the assessment not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate. 
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(c) VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING.—Not later than 
270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall transmit 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 an assessment of requirements for 
concurrently processing 2 or more Space Launch System 
vehicles, including Space Launch System vehicles with an 
exploration upper stage. 
(d) REVIEW OF RISK MITIGATION.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall transmit 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 review of the Orion crew vehicle 
and its systems, including the European Service Module, 
to identify any single-point failure and zero-fault-tolerant 
systems, components, or designs. The review shall identify 
and describe all actions taken to mitigate the risks of the 
systems, components, or designs identified, and any risk 
mitigation actions that are planned to be taken. 
(e) STUDY ON ENHANCED ORION SERVICE MODULE 
PERFORMANCE.—Not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of the Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
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the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the results of an independent technical and cost anal-
ysis of the options for developing or acquiring an enhanced 
Orion service module, as appropriate, that would enable 
direct low lunar orbit access and departure. 
(f) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND LIFE SUPPORT 
SYSTEM (ECLSS).—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit 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 
the results of a plan and schedule for the completion, full 
testing, qualification, and validation of the integrated 
ECLSS system to be used on the Orion crew vehicle. The 
plan shall include a schedule, milestones, and shall identify 
any technical or supply chain challenges, as well as ap-
proaches to overcoming the challenges, in meeting the 
schedule and milestone dates. 
Subtitle B—International Space 
Station 
SEC. 221. EXTENSION AND POST-ISS SUPPORT. 
(a) POLICY.—Section 70907 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘at least 2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘at least 2028’’ and adding at the end ‘‘unless 
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continued operations present an increased safety risk or 
Congress has authorized a detailed plan submitted by the 
Administration for a transition from the International 
Space Station to an alternate platform, platforms or other 
means for continued research, as determined in section 
226(b) and section 307’’. 
(b) INDEPENDENT
COST
ESTIMATE.—The Inde-
pendent Program Analysis and Evaluation Office estab-
lished in section 1004 shall arrange for an independent 
estimate of the cost of continuing International Space Sta-
tion operations through 2028. The estimate shall include 
the cost of crew and cargo transportation and of the re-
search to be undertaken reflecting the priorities identified 
in section 222. The assessment shall identify opportunities 
for operational efficiencies that could result in cost savings 
and increased research productivity. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the results of the independent cost estimate 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 not later 
than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) STUDY.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
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the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the re-
sults of an assessment of— 
(1) technological challenges to operating the 
ISS until 2028; and 
(2) the potential viability of commercial space 
stations as an alternative to the ISS for carrying 
out— 
(A) the research requirements of the 
Human Research Program and the require-
ments recommended in sections 226(b) and 
307; 
(B) to test systems necessary for crewed, 
long duration deep space missions; and 
(C) key capabilities at NASA Centers that 
can be leveraged for the Administration’s con-
tinued safety in and use of low Earth orbit. 
SEC. 222. PRIORITIES FOR ISS UTILIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall prioritize 
the use of available NASA allocation of crew time and re-
sources on the International Space Station toward re-
search and technology development that enables the Moon 
to Mars goal in section 202. Priority research and develop-
ment areas should include— 
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(1) the research of the Human Research Pro-
gram, including research on reduction of human 
health and performance risks, behavioral and psy-
chological risks, and astronaut safety related to 
long-duration human spaceflight, and the develop-
ment of countermeasures to mitigate those risks; 
(2) the reduction of risks for exploration tech-
nologies, including for ECLSS, extravehicular activ-
ity and space suits, environmental monitoring, safe-
ty, and emergency response, deep space communica-
tions, among other critical enabling technologies for 
human exploration of deep space identified in section 
203(f); and 
(3) basic space life and physical science re-
search consistent with the priorities of the most re-
cent space life and physical sciences National Acad-
emies decadal survey. 
In addressing paragraphs (1) and (2), the Administrator 
shall take into account the data associated with the Life-
time Surveillance of Astronaut Health program, other rel-
evant data, and recommendations from relevant National 
Academies reports. 
(b) BIANNUAL PROGRESS.—The Administrator shall 
provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
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on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a biannual accounting of the use of NASA crew time and 
ISS resources, including allocation of such resources to-
ward the priorities established in subsection (a). 
(c) PROHIBITION.—The Administration is prohibited 
from authorizing spaceflight participants access to the 
International Space Station when fewer than 3 United 
States Government astronauts are onboard as part of an 
International Space Station expedition crew. 
SEC. 223. ASSURED CREW ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL 
SPACE STATION. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress 
a contingency plan, including an implementation timeline, 
for assured crew access to the International Space Station 
until certified commercial crew transportation services are 
taking place, in the event that the availability of those 
services is delayed or unavailable. 
SEC. 224. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION DEORBIT CAPA-
BILITY AND PLAN. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Con-
gress an International Space Station Deorbit Capability 
and Plan, including a cost estimate of implementing the 
plan. 
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SEC. 225. REPLACEMENT EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY 
UNITS. 
(a) REPLACEMENT SUITS.—The Administrator shall 
take all necessary steps to provide for upgraded and re-
placement International Space Station Extravehicular Mo-
bility Units (EMUs), including spares, to ensure the safety 
of the International Space Station crew and crew oper-
ations. The upgraded and replacement units shall be fully 
tested and demonstrated, including on the ISS, to be cer-
tified by the Administration for use by crew as soon as 
practicable. Upgraded and replacement EMUs, including 
spares, shall accommodate the diversity of ISS crew, suit 
sizes, and other requirements established to support 
extravehicular activities. 
(b) PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
a plan for the provision of upgraded and replacement 
EMUs 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. 226. LOW EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall carry out 
development activities in low Earth orbit for the purposes 
of meeting the requirements established in subsection (b) 
and of supporting basic space life and physical sciences 
research and applications, in accordance with the require-
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ments identified in section 307, following the end of Inter-
national Space Station operations. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT ACTIVI-
TIES AND RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN EXPLO-
RATION.—The Administrator shall continue to develop 
and regularly update detailed research, development and 
associated requirements and capabilities that are needed 
to support NASA’s human spaceflight and Moon to Mars 
Program and that must be carried out in low Earth orbit. 
Requirements 
and 
capabilities 
for 
NASA 
human 
spaceflight and exploration should include— 
(1) human health and performance research; 
(2) crew accommodation and training; 
(3) cargo and crew transportation services; 
(4) technology demonstration and qualification; 
and 
(5) options for how such requirements could be 
met, including through the use of suborbital launch 
systems, free flying orbital platforms, and the feasi-
bility of and potential risks associated with each op-
tion. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the requirements in subsection (b) to Congress not 
later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act and shall provide annual updates to Congress. 
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(d) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.—Within 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall issue a request for information for the development 
or provision of low Earth orbit platforms, modules, or on- 
orbit capabilities, including options for ownership and 
services provisions, that can meet the requirements trans-
mitted in subsection (c). 
(e) RESULTS.—The Administrator shall transmit the 
results of the request for information 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 120 days 
after the date the responses to the request for information 
are submitted to the Administration. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
SEC. 301. IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED SCIENCE PRO-
GRAM. 
It is the sense of Congress that a balanced and ade-
quately funded set of activities, consisting of NASA’s re-
search and analysis grants programs, technology develop-
ment, small-, medium-, and large-sized space science mis-
sions, and suborbital research activities, continues to con-
tribute to a robust and productive science program and 
serves as a catalyst for innovation. 
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SEC. 302. REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY AS-
SURANCE PROGRAM AND PARTS POLICY IN 
SCIENCE MISSION DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General shall review 
the implementation of quality assurance program and 
parts policy, processes, and procedures used in the devel-
opment of instrument and spacecraft for space and Earth 
science missions. The review shall build on prior work car-
ried out for the 2011 Government Accountability Office 
report on ‘‘Space and Mission Defense Acquisitions: Peri-
odic Assessment Needed to Correct Parts Quality Prob-
lems in Major Programs’’, released in 2011, and include 
an assessment of— 
(1) the extent to which NASA is following es-
tablished policy related to the selection, acquisition, 
traceability, testing, handling, packaging, storage, 
and application of materials and mechanical and 
electrical parts and the reasons for any deviations; 
(2) how NASA conducts surveillance of con-
tractor implementation of such policy, processes, and 
procedures; and 
(3) the extent to which established policy, proc-
esses, and procedures follows Federal government 
best practices. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The Comptroller General shall 
transmit the results of the review to the Committee on 
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Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 303. INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL TECHNICAL, MANAGE-
MENT, AND COST REVIEWS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall arrange 
for independent external technical, management, and cost 
reviews of science missions with an estimated development 
cost of $1 billion or more prior to completing the system 
definition and mission definition reviews—Key Decision 
Point B—and entering into the preliminary design and 
technology completion phase—Phase B—of the mission 
development cycle. 
(b) RESULTS.—The Administrator shall transmit the 
results of the review to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate not later than 10 days after the results of the 
review have been completed. 
SEC. 304. SMALL SATELLITES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that small satellites and cubesats are increasingly 
important elements of NASA’s exploration, scientific, and 
technology demonstration missions, have produced high- 
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value science, and can contribute, where appropriate, to 
a balanced science mission portfolio. Cubesat-enabled 
science missions also provide opportunities for hands-on 
training and developing project management skills for stu-
dents and early career professionals, as noted in the 2016 
report of the National Academies, ‘‘Achieving Science with 
CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box’’. 
(b) CONTINUATION.—The Administrator should con-
tinue to support the use of small satellite research and 
development in the space and Earth sciences, where ap-
propriate, and for hands-on training and related skills. 
SEC. 305. OPTIONS FOR SMALL SATELLITE AND PAYLOAD 
ACCESS TO THE NEAR-SPACE AND SPACE EN-
VIRONMENT. 
Not later than 1 year 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 the options for small satellites and payload access 
to the upper atmospheric, near-space, and space environ-
ments, including through suborbital rockets, balloons, 
hosted payloads, rideshares, dedicated launch vehicles, 
among any other options. The report shall also identify 
criteria for the selection of an option for small satellite 
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and payload access to the upper atmospheric, near-space, 
and space environments, and shall identify the potential 
benefits and risks of each option. 
SEC. 306. STUDY ON SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES 
RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS PLACEMENT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report 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 on an 
evaluation of the potential transfer of the Space Life and 
Physical Sciences Research and Applications activities to 
the Science Mission Directorate. The study shall identify 
and consider issues related to the potential establishment 
of a Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Appli-
cations Division under the Science Mission Directorate, 
the organization of a potential Division, and the potential 
scope of a Division’s research and activities. The study 
shall include a recommendation on a potential transfer 
and identification of follow-on actions, if any, that would 
be required for implementation. 
SEC. 307. SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH 
REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
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enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for the develop-
ment of a comprehensive set of requirements to support 
life and physical sciences research in microgravity fol-
lowing the end of International Space Station operations. 
The study shall include, among other factors— 
(1) requirements to support basic research, as 
recommended in the most recent National Academies 
decadal survey, and requirements for applied re-
search and development activities; 
(2) environmental requirements including ther-
mal, vibration, micro-g level, noise, sterility, and 
cleanliness; 
(3) laboratory facility hardware (e.g., glovebox, 
ovens, rodent facilities); 
(4) technology demonstration and qualification; 
(5) crew time for carrying out basic research 
activities; 
(6) power; 
(7) data storage and transmission; 
(8) communications; 
(9) supporting facilities and infrastructure; 
(10) crew and cargo transportation services, in-
cluding pressurized upmass and downmass, to and 
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from low Earth orbit following the end of Inter-
national Space Station operations; 
(11) options for how such requirements could 
be met, including through the use of suborbital 
launch systems, free flying orbital platforms, and the 
feasibility, and potential risks associated with; and 
(12) options for governance and management 
models for non-NASA research and development ac-
tivities and recommendations on a governance and 
management approach. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the study in subsection (a) 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 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) PROHIBITION.—The nonprofit management enti-
ty responsible for managing non-NASA research on the 
International Space Station, under section 70905(c)(2) of 
title 51, United States Code, shall not have access to any 
NASA-funded portion of any potential attached commer-
cial or public-private platform or any free flying commer-
cial or public-private platform until the results of the 
study directed under subsection (a) have been provided to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
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House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
acted upon by the Congress. 
Subtitle A—Earth Science and 
Applications 
SEC. 311. GOAL. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administration’s Earth science and applica-
tions program are vital for the Nation’s ability to research, 
understand, and take measures to address the challenge 
of global climate change and provide increasingly valuable 
data for applied uses, including on natural resource man-
agement, agriculture, forestry, food security, air quality 
monitoring, among many other application areas. It is the 
further sense of Congress that a robust and balanced 
Earth science and applications program contributes sig-
nificantly to the Nation’s scientific discovery, economic 
growth and to supporting the health and safety of Ameri-
cans and citizens of the world. 
(b) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms section 
60501 of title 51, United States Code, on the goal for 
NASA’s Earth science and applications program, which 
is that the Administration’s Earth Science program shall 
be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, 
and applications activities to better understand the Earth, 
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how it supports life, and how human activities affect its 
ability to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, the 
Administration’s Earth Science program shall ensure that 
securing practical benefits for society will be an important 
measure of its success in addition to securing new knowl-
edge about the Earth system and climate change. In fur-
ther pursuit of this goal, the Administration shall, to-
gether with other relevant agencies, provide United States 
leadership in developing and carrying out a cooperative 
international Earth observations-based research program. 
(c) PLAN.—The Administrator shall prepare an im-
plementation plan for the most recent National Academies 
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s decadal survey 
on Earth science and applications. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the Plan in subsection (c) to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation in the Senate not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 312. APPLIED USES OF EARTH SCIENCE DATA. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that there are substantive and innovative applica-
tions and uses of space-based Earth science observations 
that are benefitting other Federal Government agencies, 
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State and local government agencies, and the broader user 
community and society. It is the further sense of Congress 
that the Administration should continue to seek means, 
to the extent practicable and in collaboration with other 
Federal Government agencies, industry, and academia, to 
expand the applied uses of NASA space-based Earth 
science observations and data. It is also the sense of Con-
gress that quantifying the uses of these observations by 
other Federal Government agencies is important for un-
derstanding the impact and value of the Nation’s invest-
ments in space-based Earth science observations and data. 
(b) REPORT.—The Administrator shall prepare a re-
port identifying the use of NASA space-based Earth 
science observations by other civil Federal Government 
agencies. The report shall, for each Federal agency, iden-
tify the extent of space-based Earth science observations 
used, the type of Earth science observations used, the pur-
pose of the data use, and any tools or decision support 
services developed in the use of the space-based Earth 
science data for operational or research and development 
purposes. 
(c) CONSIDERATION.—The report shall take into ac-
count the work of the Satellite Needs Working Group 
under the U.S. Group on Earth Observations, which iden-
tifies high-priority Federal satellite user needs. 
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SEC. 313. SURVEY OF STATE, TRIBAL, AND TERRITORY USE 
OF NASA EARTH OBSERVATION DATA. 
(a) SURVEY.—The Administrator shall arrange for a 
survey of the use of NASA Earth observation data by 
States, Tribal organizations, and territories. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The Director shall transmit the 
results of the Survey in subsection (a) 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 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 314. COMMERCIAL EARTH OBSERVATION DATA. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a study 
on the opportunities and challenges related to the poten-
tial use of commercial Earth observation data collected for 
the purposes of conducting Earth science research. 
(b) INCLUSION.—The study in subsection (a) shall in-
clude— 
(1) an assessment of the Administration’s pri-
vate sector small satellite constellation pilot pro-
gram; 
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(2) options for government or private sector 
roles in performing calibration and validation and 
reanalysis of commercial Earth observations data; 
(3) approaches to ensuring consistency with Ad-
ministration data and information policies for Earth 
observation data obtained or purchased from com-
mercial providers; 
(4) the results of the assessment in paragraph 
(1); 
(5) the benefits of using commercially provided 
data, observations, or services for Earth science re-
search; 
(6) recommendations on guidelines, decision 
rules, and requirements for the use of commercial 
Earth observation data in support of Earth science 
research; and 
(7) recommendations on any other relevant fac-
tors and issues regarding the use of commercial 
Earth observation data for the purposes of con-
ducting Earth science research. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit 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-
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tation of the Senate not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 315. PLANKTON, AEROSOL, CLOUD, OCEAN ECO-
SYSTEM MISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue 
development of the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Eco-
system (PACE) mission to advance 2007 National Acad-
emies decadal survey priorities for systematic measure-
ments on clouds and aerosols and global ocean color meas-
urements that extend systematic data records for Earth 
system and climate science, including on the carbon cycle 
and ocean biogeochemistry. 
(b) COST AND SCHEDULE.—In carrying out the de-
velopment in subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow 
all requirements under section 30104 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 316. CLARREO PATHFINDER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue 
development of the Climate Absolute Radiance and 
Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Pathfinder mis-
sion, as recommended by the 2007 National Academies 
decadal survey, to demonstrate measurement capabilities, 
verify the accuracy of radiometry for long-term climate 
studies, and to help provide a baseline climate record for 
shortwave reflectance and infrared measurements. 
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(b) COST AND SCHEDULE.—In carrying out the de-
velopment in subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow 
all requirements under section 30104 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
SEC. 321. WIDE FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue 
development of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope 
(WFIRST), in the configuration established through pre-
liminary design review, to meet the objectives prioritized 
in the 2010 decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics 
of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine. 
(b) COST AND SCHEDULE.—In carrying out the de-
velopment in subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow 
all requirements under section 30104 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
(c) BASELINE PLAN.—Following Key Decision Point- 
C or project confirmation, the Administrator shall prepare 
a cost and schedule baseline plan for the development of 
WFIRST against which the project performance can be 
measured by Congress. The plan shall include an annual 
funding profile required for WFIRST through the comple-
tion of its development and initial science phase, including 
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cost and schedule reserves levels, consistent with NASA 
policy. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
Key Decision Point-C has taken place, the Administrator 
shall provide the plan in subsection (c) to the appropriate 
Committees of Congress. 
(e) QUARTERLY REPORTING.—The Administrator 
shall provide quarterly reports on the progress of the 
WFIRST development and the status on cost and schedule 
relative to the baseline plan developed in subsection (a) 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and of the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(f) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.—The Comp-
troller General 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 an annual review of the performance 
and progress of the WFIRST development under sub-
sections (a) through (c). The review shall examine the Ad-
ministration’s performance in meeting cost, schedule, and 
technical objectives and overall management of the 
project’s development. 
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SEC. 322. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED 
ASTRONOMY. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 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 on the 
scientific program and operations of the Stratospheric Ob-
servatory for Infrared Astronomy. The report shall pro-
vide— 
(1) a description of the scientific instruments 
that are flying, including— 
(A) their current operating status; 
(B) operating costs; 
(C) anticipated operational lifetimes; and 
(D) the anticipated scientific impact of 
each instrument; and 
(2) a description of the scientific instruments 
are planned to be flown on the observatory, includ-
ing the— 
(A) development status; 
(B) estimated development costs; 
(C) anticipated launch date; 
(D) the anticipated operational lifetime; 
and 
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(E) the anticipated scientific impact of the 
instrument. 
SEC. 323. RESEARCH ON TECHNOSIGNATURES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the search for life in the universe is an integral 
component of the Administration’s space science program 
and that the search for life in the universe has increasingly 
encompassed a multi- and interdisciplinary approach. It 
is the further sense of Congress that research related to 
the search for life has encompassed nongovernment fund-
ed research on and searches for intelligent life. Those ef-
forts include searches for signatures of advanced tech-
nologies that could be used to indicate the existence of 
intelligent life beyond Earth, or what is referred to as 
‘‘technosignatures’’. 
(b) RESEARCH.—The Administrator may support, as 
appropriate, peer-reviewed, competitively selected research 
on technosignatures. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
SEC. 331. MARS COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall de-
velop an estimate of the Administration’s communication 
requirements, including bandwidth and communications 
needs, to serve current and future robotic orbiter, lander, 
rover and human missions to Mars into the 2040s. 
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(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall prepare 
an assessment of the existing Mars communication infra-
structure and its capabilities to meet the Administration’s 
requirements in subsection (a), including the risk of poten-
tial gaps in communications relays between Mars space-
craft and Earth within the next 5 years. 
(c) PLAN.—Based on the assessment in subsection 
(b), the Administrator shall develop a plan for addressing 
the risk of potential gaps of meeting future robotic and 
potential human mission requirements into the 2040s. 
(d) INCLUSION.—The Plan in subsection (c) shall in-
clude— 
(1) options for a Mars communication infra-
structure that meets the estimated requirements in 
subsection (a), options for mitigating any risks iden-
tified in the Assessment in subsection (b), and a pre-
liminary estimate of the potential costs of each op-
tion, including— 
(A) the tradeoffs of using a dedicated 
Mars communications orbiter, a Mars science 
orbiter that handles communications relays, and 
other options; and 
(B) an identification of any technology, 
software, and cybersecurity developments antici-
pated to become available in the next 2–5 years 
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that could facilitate the capability, accelerate 
the development, and enable implementation of 
a Mars communication infrastructure; and 
(2) options for acquisition approaches for a 
Mars communications infrastructure, including part-
nerships with international or commercial partners. 
(e) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the 
assessment and plan in subsections (b) and (c) not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 332. MARS SAMPLE RETURN STRATEGY AND PLAN. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the 2011 National Academies decadal survey, 
‘‘Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 
2013-2022’’ states that ‘‘The Mars community . . . was 
emphatic in their view that a sample return mission is the 
next step in Mars exploration. Mars science has reached 
a level of sophistication such that fundamental advances 
in addressing the important questions . . . will come only 
from analysis of returned samples.’’. It is the further sense 
of Congress that the decadal survey recommended a Mars 
sample return mission as the highest priority large mis-
sion, and that in addition to advancing high priority 
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science, Mars samples returned to Earth would contribute 
science and information that is valuable for planning a 
human mission to Mars. 
(b) STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall develop a 
strategy, including options, for returning samples that are 
planned to be cached by the Mars 2020 rover to Earth 
for terrestrial laboratory study. The strategy shall iden-
tify— 
(1) technologies required to carry out a sample 
return mission, including requirements for sample 
containment and handling in space and upon return 
to Earth; 
(2) research, technology, and developments 
needed to effectively manage planetary protection; 
(3) opportunities for potential international 
partnership; and 
(4) a recommended mission option, and an esti-
mated cost. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall transmit a plan for implementing the strategy 
in subsection (a), including a timeline and a list of key 
milestones, 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. 
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(d) EARLY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.—The Ad-
ministrator shall continue early technology development 
work in preparation for a Mars sample return mission. 
SEC. 333. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may establish 
a Commercial Lunar Payload Services program for the 
purposes of transporting and landing science instruments 
and payloads on the lunar surface or to cislunar space. 
(b) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
MISSION
DIREC-
TORATES.—Any lander demonstrations, services, instru-
ments, or payloads, and the commercial lunar payload 
services required to deliver those payloads or instruments 
to the lunar surface or lunar vicinity, that are not carried 
out for the purposes established in subsection (a) or that 
are carried out for the Human Exploration and Oper-
ations Mission Directorate or the Space Technology Mis-
sion Directorate shall be funded from the Mission Direc-
torate sponsoring the use of the program established in 
subsection (a). 
(c) COMMERCIAL LANDERS.—In carrying out the 
program under (a), the Administrator shall procure the 
services of commercial landers that are majority-designed, 
majority-developed, and majority-built in the United 
States. 
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(d) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall carry 
out an assessment of the Commercial Lunar Payload Serv-
ices program to identify lessons learned, ongoing chal-
lenges, and approaches to addressing the challenges. The 
study shall be transmitted 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 not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 334. EUROPA CLIPPER LAUNCH VEHICLE. 
(a) ASSESSMENT OF LAUNCH VEHICLE OPTIONS.— 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall carry out and complete an 
assessment of the launch vehicle options that would be 
available at the earliest flight readiness date for launch 
of the Europa Clipper mission. The assessment shall in-
clude— 
(1) an analysis of the marginal cost, schedule, 
risk, and benefits associated with launching the Eu-
ropa Clipper mission on a Space Launch System as 
compared to an alternative launch vehicle, including 
any additional cost, schedule, and risk incurred from 
spacecraft design changes due to alternative inter-
planetary trajectories; and 
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(2) a consideration of whether an increased 
Space Launch System production rate would allow 
the Europa Clipper orbiter mission to be launched 
on a Space Launch System on a schedule that is 
consistent with the flight readiness date for the mis-
sion. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Administrator is author-
ized, based on the results of the assessment in subsection 
(a), to select the launch vehicle for the Europa Clipper 
mission taking into account the probability of mission suc-
cess and based on cost, schedule, vehicle availability, and 
impact on science requirements. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 15 days after com-
pleting the assessment in subsection (a), the Adminis-
trator shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report including the complete assessment of 
launch vehicle options in subsection (a), the Administra-
tor’s selection of the Europa Clipper launch vehicle as au-
thorized in subsection (b), and the estimated cost of the 
selected launch option. 
SEC. 335. DEDICATED SURVEY MISSION. 
(a) DEDICATED SURVEY MISSION.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop a dedicated space-based infrared sur-
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vey telescope mission, as soon as is practicable, for the 
purpose of accomplishing the objectives of the George E. 
Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act, and consistent 
with section 71101 of title 51, United States Code. The 
mission design shall take into account the recommenda-
tions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine’s report, ‘‘Finding Hazardous Asteroids 
Using Infrared and Visible Wavelength Telescopes’’. 
(b) PLAN.—The Administrator shall transmit a plan 
for carrying out the dedicated survey mission described in 
subsection (a) 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 not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 336. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT AND PLANETARY DEFENSE 
ROADMAP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in collabora-
tion with other relevant Federal agencies, shall lead the 
development of a Roadmap to improve the detection, 
tracking, and characterization of near-Earth objects for 
the purpose of reducing uncertainties and advancing the 
accuracy of decision making on potentially hazardous 
near-Earth objects. The Roadmap shall identify existing 
or planned telescope programs that could contribute to im-
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proving the detection and tracking of near-Earth objects 
and completing the goals of the George E. Brown, Jr. 
Near-Earth Object Survey. 
(b) NASA RESPONSIBILITIES.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), NASA shall, in cooperation with relevant Fed-
eral agencies and international partners— 
(1) lead activities that— 
(A) enhance national capabilities for near- 
Earth object detection, tracking, and character-
ization; and 
(B) seek to develop technologies for fast- 
response near-Earth object deflection and dis-
ruption; and 
(2) participate in activities that— 
(A) seek to improve national capabilities 
for potentially hazardous near-Earth object 
modeling, predictions, and information integra-
tion; and 
(B) increase international cooperation on 
near-Earth object preparation. 
SEC. 337. ASSESSMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CATA-
LOGUING AND ARCHIVING NEAR-EARTH OB-
JECT DATA. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with the National Academies of 
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of new, interdisciplinary areas of scientific investigation 
and facilitate the broadest possible use of space science 
and Earth science data for research and applied purposes. 
SEC. 362. WORKSHOP ON DATA ANALYTICS FOR EARTH 
SCIENCE RESEARCH. 
(a) WORKSHOP.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine for a workshop on the scientific 
opportunities related to the use of advanced data analytics 
and modeling techniques in Earth science research and ap-
plications. The workshop should identify— 
(1) the opportunities and challenges of using 
advanced data analytics and modeling techniques for 
Earth science research, including those areas of 
Earth science research that currently use advanced 
data analytics and modeling techniques; 
(2) current and future developments in data 
analytics and modeling techniques; and 
(3) potential areas of interdisciplinary Earth 
science and applications research that could be en-
abled by advanced data analytics and modeling tech-
niques. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall provide 
a report on the Workshop in subsection (a) not later than 
18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
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TITLE IV—SPACE 
COMMUNICATIONS 
SEC. 401. REVIEW OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Comptroller General shall under-
take a review of the Administration’s space communica-
tions and navigation programs, activities, and plans. 
(b) INCLUSION.—The review in subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) the extent to which there is a well-defined 
plan, architecture, and identification of communica-
tions and navigation needs over the next 20 years; 
(2) an identification of performance capabilities 
required to meet the Administration’s plans and 
needs over the next 20 years; 
(3) the extent to which the Administration has 
developed an estimate of the costs, including life 
cycle costs, of paragraph (2); 
(4) approaches the Administrator is taking to 
sustain the existing space communications and navi-
gations architecture; 
(5) any risks to the sustainment and operations 
of the architecture; 
(6) planned upgrades to the architecture; 
(7) an estimated cost for the upgrades in para-
graph (6); 
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workforce skills and capabilities needed to support the Ad-
ministration’s goals and objectives through 2040. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit the policy and procedure in subsection (a) 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 not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 802. MONITORING MILLIMETER-SIZED ORBITAL DE-
BRIS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 270 days 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 
on— 
(1) the risks of millimeter-sized and larger or-
bital debris objects to NASA orbiting assets and 
space activities; and 
(2) the gaps in monitoring of millimeter-sized 
orbital debris data, orbital debris object sizes of 2– 
10 centimeters, and orbital debris objects larger 
than 10 centimeters; 
(3) an identification of options to address any 
identified risks and gaps; and 
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