H. R. 4346—370 
(3) initial criteria for determining whether NASA should 
make, manage, or buy key capabilities within the Program 
or engage with international partners to access such capabili-
ties; 
(4) strategies to ensure consistent insight into the activities 
of NASA partners, including nongovernmental partners, as 
required to identify and mitigate mission risks; 
(5) progress towards the establishment of a systems 
engineering and integration function; and 
(6) an annual budget profile for resources required to imple-
ment the Program during the 5-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 10812. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS. 
(a) EXPLORATION
GROUND
SYSTEMS
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The 
Administrator shall ensure that— 
(1) the necessary elements of a ground system infrastruc-
ture are in place to enable the preparation and use of the 
Space Launch System, specifically the Block 1 (at least 70 
mt), Block 1B (at least 105 mt), and Block 2 (at least 130 
mt) variants of the Space Launch System; and 
(2) not fewer than 2 bays of the vehicle assembly building 
of such ground system infrastructure are outfitted and dedi-
cated to support Space Launch System stacking and prepara-
tions. 
(b) FLIGHT RATE AND SAFETY.—After the first crewed lunar 
landing of the Administration’s Moon to Mars activities, the 
Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, seek to carry out 
a flight rate of 2 integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew 
vehicle missions annually until the lunar activities needed to enable 
a human mission to Mars are completed so as to maintain the 
critical human spaceflight production and operations skills nec-
essary for the safety of human spaceflight activities in deep space. 
(c) MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator is authorized to main-
tain 2 operational mobile launch platforms to enable the launch 
of multiple configurations of the Space Launch System. 
(2) SECOND MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In implementing paragraph (1), the 
Administrator shall take all necessary steps to develop 
and complete a second mobile launch platform, to be in 
place by 2026, to support the first launch of the Block 
1B variant of the Space Launch System. 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—Such second mobile launch plat-
form shall be sized and constructed to accommodate the 
Block 2 variant of the Space Launch System. 
(d) REPORTS.—The Administrator shall submit to Congress— 
(1) not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, a report on the steps the Administrator and industry 
partners are taking— 
(A) to address the cost, schedule, and performance 
challenges in the development of the Mobile Launch–2 
platform; and 
(B) to ensure that such platform is ready for oper-
ational use on a schedule that aligns with the current 
plans for an Artemis IV launch, which is currently antici-
pated in 2027; and
H. R. 4346—371 
(2) not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, 
a report that contains a list of the key milestones required 
for completing each of the Space Launch System variants, 
and an estimated date on which such milestones will be com-
pleted. 
(e) EXPLORATION UPPER STAGE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—To meet the capability requirements 
under section 302(c)(2) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration 
Authorization 
Act 
of 
2010 
(42 
U.S.C. 
18322(c)(2)), the Administrator shall continue development of 
the Exploration Upper Stage for the Space Launch System 
on a schedule consistent with the Artemis IV lunar mission. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
appropriate committees of Congress on the development and 
scheduled availability of the Exploration Upper Stage for the 
Artemis IV lunar mission. 
(f) MAIN PROPULSION TEST ARTICLE.—To meet the requirements 
under section 302(c)(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)(3)), 
the Administrator may initiate development of a main propulsion 
test article for the integrated Exploration Upper Stage element 
of the Space Launch System, consistent with cost and schedule 
constraints, particularly for long-lead propulsion hardware needed 
for flight. 
SEC. 10813. ROCKET ENGINE TEST INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, continue to carry out a program to modernize rocket propul-
sion test infrastructure at NASA facilities— 
(1) to increase capabilities; 
(2) to enhance safety; 
(3) to support propulsion development and testing; and 
(4) to foster the improvement of Government and commer-
cial space transportation and exploration. 
(b) PROJECTS.—Projects funded under the program described 
in subsection (a) may include— 
(1) infrastructure and other facilities and systems relating 
to rocket propulsion test stands and rocket propulsion testing; 
(2) enhancements to test facility capacity and flexibility; 
and 
(3) such other projects as the Administrator considers 
appropriate to meet the goals described in that subsection. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the program under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) to the extent practicable and appropriate, prioritize 
investments in projects that enhance test and flight certification 
capabilities, including for large thrust-level atmospheric and 
altitude engines and engine systems, and multi-engine 
integrated test capabilities; 
(2) continue to make underutilized test facilities available 
for commercial use on a reimbursable basis; and 
(3) ensure that no project carried out under this program 
adversely impacts, delays, or defers testing or other activities 
associated with facilities used for Government programs, 
including—
H. R. 4346—372 
(A) the Space Launch System and the Exploration 
Upper Stage of the Space Launch System; 
(B) in-space propulsion to support exploration missions; 
or 
(C) nuclear propulsion testing. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall pre-
clude a NASA program, including the Space Launch System and 
the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System, from 
using the modernized test infrastructure developed under this sec-
tion. 
(e) WORKING CAPITAL FUND STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this division, the Administrator shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
use of the authority under section 30102 of title 51, United 
States Code, to promote increased use of NASA rocket propul-
sion test infrastructure for research, development, testing, and 
evaluation activities by other Federal agencies, firms, associa-
tions, corporations, and educational institutions. 
(2) MATTERS
TO
BE
INCLUDED.—The report required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of prior use, if any, of the authority 
under section 30102 of title 51, United States Code, to 
improve testing infrastructure. 
(B) An analysis of any barrier to implementation of 
such authority for the purpose of promoting increased use 
of NASA rocket propulsion test infrastructure. 
SEC. 10814. PEARL RIVER MAINTENANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall coordinate with the 
Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers on a comprehensive plan 
to ensure the continued navigability of the Pearl River and Little 
Lake channels sufficient to support NASA barge operations sur-
rounding Stennis Space Center and the Michoud Assembly Facility. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this division, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
efforts under subsection (a). 
(c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 10815. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION RELATING TO INTER-
NATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) POLICY.—Section 501(a) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18351(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 
30, 2030’’. 
(b) MAINTENANCE OF UNITED STATES SEGMENT AND ASSURANCE 
OF CONTINUED OPERATIONS.—Section 503(a) of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18353(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2030’’.
H. R. 4346—373 
(c) RESEARCH CAPACITY ALLOCATION
AND INTEGRATION
OF 
RESEARCH PAYLOADS.—Section 504(d) of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18354(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence— 
(A) by striking ‘‘As soon as practicable’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘2011,’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting 
‘‘September 30, 2030’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), in the third sentence, by striking 
‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2030’’. 
(d) MAINTENANCE OF USE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 70907 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2030’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2030’’; and 
(C) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘September 30, 
2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2030’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for 
chapter 709 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 70907 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘70907. Maintaining use through at least 2030.’’. 
(e) TRANSITION PLAN REPORTS.—Section 50111(c)(2) of title 51, 
United States Code is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2028’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (J), by striking ‘‘2028’’ and inserting 
‘‘2030’’. 
(f) ASSESSMENTS AND REPORT.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the viability 
of the ISS to operate safely and support full and productive 
use through 2030, including all necessary analyses to certify 
ISS operations through 2030; 
(2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, submit to the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel 
an assessment of— 
(A) the root cause of cracks and air leaks in the Russian 
Service Module Transfer Tunnel; 
(B) the certification of all United States systems and 
modules to operate through 2030; 
(C)(i) an inventory of spares or replacements for ele-
ments, systems, and equipment, including systems certified 
under subparagraph (B), that are currently produced, in 
inventory, or on order; 
(ii) a description of the state of the readiness of such 
spares and replacements; and 
(iii) a schedule for delivery of such spares and replace-
ments to the ISS, including the planned transportation 
means for such delivery and the estimated cost and 
schedule for procurement of such spares and replacements 
and their delivery to the ISS; and 
(D) any other relevant data, information, or analysis 
relevant to the safe and productive use of the ISS through 
2030; and