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 2015’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2015. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 
Subtitle A—Exploration 
Sec. 201. Space exploration policy. 
Sec. 202. Stepping stone approach to exploration. 
Sec. 203. Space Launch System. 
Sec. 204. Orion crew capsule. 
Sec. 205. Space radiation. 
Sec. 206. Planetary protection for human exploration missions. 
Subtitle B—Space Operations 
Sec. 211. International Space Station. 
Sec. 212. Barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the ISS’s National Labora-
tory by commercial companies. 
Sec. 213. Utilization of International Space Station for science missions. 
Sec. 214. International Space Station cargo resupply services lessons learned. 
Sec. 215. Commercial crew program. 
Sec. 216. Space communications. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—General 
Sec. 301. Science portfolio. 
Sec. 302. Radioisotope power systems. 
Sec. 303. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose. 
Sec. 304. University class science missions. 
Sec. 305. Assessment of science mission extensions. 
Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
Sec. 311. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 312. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy. 
Sec. 313. James Webb Space Telescope. 
Sec. 314. National Reconnaissance Office telescope donation. 
Sec. 315. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope.
Sec. 316. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
Sec. 321. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 322. Near-Earth objects. 
Sec. 323. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships. 
Sec. 324. Research on near-Earth object tsunami effects. 
Sec. 325. Astrobiology strategy. 
Sec. 326. Astrobiology public-private partnerships. 
Sec. 327. Assessment of Mars architecture. 
Subtitle D—Heliophysics 
Sec. 331. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 332. Review of space weather. 
Subtitle E—Earth Science 
Sec. 341. Goal. 
Sec. 342. Decadal cadence. 
Sec. 343. Venture class missions. 
Sec. 344. Assessment. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 402. Aeronautics research goals. 
Sec. 403. Unmanned aerial systems research and development. 
Sec. 404. Research program on composite materials used in aeronautics. 
Sec. 405. Hypersonic research. 
Sec. 406. Supersonic research. 
Sec. 407. Research on NextGen airspace management concepts and tools. 
Sec. 408. Rotorcraft research. 
Sec. 409. Transformative aeronautics research. 
Sec. 410. Study of United States leadership in aeronautics research. 
TITLE V—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
Sec. 501. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 502. Space Technology Program. 
Sec. 503. Utilization of the International Space Station for technology dem-
onstrations. 
TITLE VI—EDUCATION 
Sec. 601. Education. 
Sec. 602. Independent review of the National Space Grant College and Fellow-
ship Program. 
Sec. 603. Sense of Congress. 
TITLE VII—POLICY PROVISIONS 
Sec. 701. Asteroid Retrieval Mission. 
Sec. 702. Termination liability sense of Congress. 
Sec. 703. Baseline and cost controls. 
Sec. 704. Project and program reserves. 
Sec. 705. Independent reviews.
Sec. 706. Commercial technology transfer program. 
Sec. 707. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory Council. 
Sec. 708. Cost estimation. 
Sec. 709. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major Administration 
acquisition programs. 
Sec. 710. Facilities and infrastructure. 
Sec. 711. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts. 
Sec. 712. Space Act Agreements. 
Sec. 713. Human spaceflight accident investigations. 
Sec. 714. Fullest commercial use of space. 
Sec. 715. Orbital debris. 
Sec. 716. Review of orbital debris removal concepts. 
Sec. 717. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for research, devel-
opment, and education. 
Sec. 718. Fundamental space life and physical sciences research. 
Sec. 719. Restoring commitment to engineering research. 
Sec. 720. Liquid rocket engine development program. 
Sec. 721. Remote satellite servicing demonstrations. 
Sec. 722. Information technology governance. 
Sec. 723. Strengthening Administration security. 
Sec. 724. Prohibition on use of funds for contractors that have committed 
fraud or other crimes. 
Sec. 725. Protection of Apollo landing sites. 
Sec. 726. Astronaut occupational healthcare. 
Sec. 727. Sense of Congress on access to observational data sets. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Administra-
tion. 
(3) ORION CREW CAPSULE.—The term ‘‘Orion 
crew capsule’’ means the multipurpose crew vehicle 
described in section 303 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(42 U.S.C. 18323).
(4) SPACE ACT AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘Space 
Act Agreement’’ means an agreement created under 
the authority to enter into ‘‘other transactions’’ 
under section 20113(e) of title 51, United States 
Code. 
(5) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Space 
Launch System’’ means the follow-on Government- 
owned civil launch system developed, managed, and 
operated by the Administration to serve as a key 
component to expand human presence beyond low- 
Earth orbit, as described in section 302 of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322). 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATION OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2015. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Ad-
ministration for fiscal year 2015 $18,010,200,000 as fol-
lows: 
(1) For Space Exploration, $4,356,700,000, of 
which— 
(A) $1,700,000,000 shall be for the Space 
Launch System; 
(B) $351,300,000 shall be for Exploration 
Ground Systems;
(C) $1,194,000,000 shall be for the Orion 
crew capsule; 
(D) $306,400,000 shall be for Exploration 
Research and Development; and 
(E) $805,000,000 shall be for Commercial 
Crew Development activities. 
(2) For Space Operations, $3,827,800,000. 
(3) For Science, $5,244,700,000, of which— 
(A) $1,772,500,000 shall be for Earth 
Science; 
(B) $1,437,800,000 shall be for Planetary 
Science, with up to $30,000,000 for the 
Astrobiology Institute; 
(C) $684,800,000 shall be for Astro-
physics; 
(D) $645,400,000 shall be for the James 
Webb Space Telescope; 
(E) 
$662,200,000 
shall 
be 
for 
Heliophysics; and 
(F) $42,000,000 shall be for Education. 
(4) For Aeronautics, $651,000,000. 
(5) For Space Technology, $596,000,000. 
(6) For Education, $119,000,000. 
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 
$2,758,900,000.
(8) For Construction and Environmental Com-
pliance and Restoration, $419,100,000. 
(9) For Inspector General, $37,000,000. 
TITLE II—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 
Subtitle A—Exploration 
SEC. 201. SPACE EXPLORATION POLICY. 
(a) POLICY.—Human exploration deeper into the 
Solar System shall be a core mission of the Administra-
tion. It is the policy of the United States that the goal 
of the Administration’s exploration program shall be to 
successfully conduct a crewed mission to the surface of 
Mars to begin human exploration of that planet. The use 
of the surface of the Moon, cis-lunar space, near-Earth 
asteroids, Lagrangian points, and Martian moons may be 
pursued provided they are properly incorporated into the 
Human Exploration Roadmap described in section 70504 
of title 51, United States Code. 
(b) VISION
FOR
SPACE
EXPLORATION.—Section 
20302 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ORION CREW CAPSULE.—The term ‘Orion 
crew capsule’ means the multipurpose crew vehicle 
described in section 303 of the National Aeronautics
(d) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT
TRANSPORTATION
CAPABILITIES.—Section 
201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) USE OF NON-UNITED STATES HUMAN SPACE 
FLIGHT TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—NASA may not obtain non- 
United States human space flight capabilities unless 
no domestic commercial or public-private partnership 
provider that the Administrator has determined to 
meet safety and affordability requirements estab-
lished by NASA for the transport of its astronauts 
is available to provide such capabilities. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘domestic commercial provider’ 
means a person providing space transportation serv-
ices or other space-related activities, the majority 
control of which is held by persons other than a 
Federal, State, local, or foreign government, foreign 
company, or foreign national.’’. 
(e) REPEAL OF SPACE SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ASSUR-
ANCE.—Section 203 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18313) is amended—
(1) by striking subsection (b); 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as 
subsections (b) and (c), respectively. 
SEC. 202. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 70504 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to maximize the cost 
effectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utili-
zation activities of the United States, the Administrator 
shall direct the Human Exploration and Operations Mis-
sion Directorate, or its successor division, to develop a 
Human Exploration Roadmap to define the specific capa-
bilities and technologies necessary to extend human pres-
ence to the surface of Mars and the sets and sequences 
of missions required to demonstrate such capabilities and 
technologies. 
‘‘(b) INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.—The Presi-
dent should invite the United States partners in the Inter-
national Space Station program and other nations, as ap-
propriate, to participate in an international initiative 
under the leadership of the United States to achieve the
goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the 
surface of Mars. 
‘‘(c) ROADMAP REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the 
Human Exploration Roadmap, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) include the specific set of capabilities and 
technologies that contribute to extending human 
presence to the surface of Mars and the sets and se-
quences of missions necessary to demonstrate the 
proficiency of these capabilities and technologies 
with an emphasis on using or not using the Inter-
national Space Station, lunar landings, cis-lunar 
space, trans-lunar space, Lagrangian points, and the 
natural satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, as 
testbeds, as necessary, and shall include the most 
appropriate process for developing such capabilities 
and technologies; 
‘‘(2) include information on the phasing of 
planned intermediate destinations, Mars mission risk 
areas and potential risk mitigation approaches, tech-
nology requirements and phasing of required tech-
nology development activities, the management strat-
egy to be followed, related International Space Sta-
tion activities, and planned international collabo-
rative activities, potential commercial contributions, 
and other activities relevant to the achievement of
the goal established in section 201(a) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2015; 
‘‘(3) describe those technologies already under 
development across the Federal Government or by 
nongovernment entities which meet or exceed the 
needs described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(4) provide a specific process for the evolution 
of the capabilities of the fully integrated Orion crew 
capsule with the Space Launch System and how 
these systems demonstrate the capabilities and tech-
nologies described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(5) provide a description of the capabilities 
and technologies that need to be demonstrated or re-
search data that could be gained through the utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station and the sta-
tus of the development of such capabilities and tech-
nologies; 
‘‘(6) describe a framework for international co-
operation in the development of all technologies and 
capabilities required in this section, as well as an as-
sessment of the risks posed by relying on inter-
national partners for capabilities and technologies on 
the critical path of development;
‘‘(7) describe a process for utilizing nongovern-
mental entities for future human exploration beyond 
lunar landings and cis-lunar space and specify what, 
if any, synergy could be gained from— 
‘‘(A) partnerships using Space Act Agree-
ments (as defined in section 2 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2015); or 
‘‘(B) other acquisition instruments; 
‘‘(8) include in the Human Exploration Road-
map an addendum from the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Advisory Council, and an 
addendum from the Aerospace Safety Advisory 
Panel, each with a statement of review of the 
Human Exploration Roadmap that shall include— 
‘‘(A) subjects of agreement; 
‘‘(B) areas of concern; and 
‘‘(C) recommendations; and 
‘‘(9) include in the Human Exploration Road-
map an examination of the benefits of utilizing cur-
rent Administration launch facilities for trans-lunar 
missions. 
‘‘(d) UPDATES.—The Administrator shall update 
such Human Exploration Roadmap as needed but no less 
frequently than every 2 years and include it in the budget
for that fiscal year transmitted to Congress under section 
1105(a) of title 31, and describe— 
‘‘(1) the achievements and goals reached in the 
process of developing such capabilities and tech-
nologies during the 2-year period prior to the sub-
mission of the update to Congress; and 
‘‘(2) the expected goals and achievements in the 
following 2-year period. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘Orion 
crew capsule’ and ‘Space Launch System’ have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 20302.’’. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall transmit a copy of the Human Explo-
ration Roadmap developed under section 70504 of 
title 51, United States Code, to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) UPDATES.—The Administrator shall trans-
mit a copy of each updated Human Exploration 
Roadmap 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 7 days after such 
Human Exploration Roadmap is updated. 
SEC. 203. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the Space Launch System is the most prac-
tical approach to reaching the Moon, Mars, and be-
yond, and Congress reaffirms the policy and min-
imum capability requirements for the Space Launch 
System contained in section 302 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322); 
(2) the primary goal for the design of the fully 
integrated Space Launch System, including an 
upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, is 
to safely carry a total payload to enable human 
space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond 
over the course of the next century as required in 
section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18322(c)); and 
(3) in order to promote safety and reduce pro-
grammatic risk, the Administrator shall budget for 
and undertake a robust ground test and uncrewed 
and crewed flight test and demonstration program 
for the Space Launch System and the Orion crew
capsule and shall budget for an operational flight 
rate sufficient to maintain safety and operational 
readiness. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the President’s annual budget requests for the 
Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule develop-
ment, test, and operational phases should strive to accu-
rately reflect the resource requirements of each of those 
phases, consistent with the policy established in section 
201(a) of this Act. 
(c) IN GENERAL.—Given the critical importance of 
a heavy-lift launch vehicle and crewed spacecraft to enable 
the achievement of the goal established in section 201(a) 
of this Act, as well as the accomplishment of intermediate 
exploration milestones and the provision of a backup capa-
bility to transfer crew and cargo to the International 
Space Station, the Administrator shall make the expedi-
tious development, test, and achievement of operational 
readiness of the Space Launch System and the Orion crew 
capsule the highest priority of the exploration program. 
(d) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
VIEW.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General 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 
on the Administration’s acquisition of ground systems in 
support of the Space Launch System. The report shall as-
sess the extent to which ground systems acquired in sup-
port of the Space Launch System are focused on the direct 
support of the Space Launch System and shall identify 
any ground support projects or activities that the Admin-
istration is undertaking that do not solely or primarily 
support the Space Launch System. 
(e) UTILIZATION REPORT.—The Administrator, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Direc-
tor of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that 
addresses the effort and budget required to enable and 
utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch Sys-
tem configuration described in section 302(c) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). This report shall 
also include consideration of the technical requirements of 
the scientific and national security communities related to 
such Space Launch System and shall directly assess the 
utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using such 
Space Launch System for national security and space 
science missions. The Administrator shall transmit such 
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 
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(f) NAMING COMPETITION.—Beginning not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and 
concluding not later than 1 year after such date of enact-
ment, the Administrator shall conduct a well-publicized 
competition among students in elementary and secondary 
schools to name the elements of the Administration’s ex-
ploration program, including— 
(1) a name for the deep space human explo-
ration program as a whole, which includes the Space 
Launch System, the Orion crew capsule, and future 
missions; and 
(2) a name for the Space Launch System. 
(g) ADVANCED BOOSTER COMPETITION.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Associate Admin-
istrator of the Administration shall transmit 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 a report that—
(A) describes the estimated total develop-
ment cost of an advanced booster for the Space 
Launch System; 
(B) details any reductions or increases to 
the development cost of the Space Launch Sys-
tem which may result from conducting a com-
petition for an advanced booster; and 
(C) outlines any potential schedule delay to 
the Space Launch System 2017 Exploration 
Mission–1 launch as a result of increased costs 
associated with conducting a competition for an 
advanced booster. 
(2) COMPETITION.—If the Associate Adminis-
trator reports reductions pursuant to paragraph 
(1)(B), and no adverse schedule impact pursuant to 
paragraph (1)(C), then the Administration shall con-
duct a full and open competition for an advanced 
booster for the Space Launch System to meet the 
requirements described in section 302(c) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)), to 
begin as soon as practicable after the development of 
the upper stage has been initiated.
SEC. 204. ORION CREW CAPSULE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Orion crew capsule shall meet 
the practical needs and the minimum capability require-
ments described in section 303 of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 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 Sen-
ate— 
(1) detailing those components and systems of 
the Orion crew capsule that ensure it is in compli-
ance with section 303(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
18323(b)); 
(2) detailing the expected date that the Orion 
crew capsule will be available to transport crew and 
cargo to the International Space Station; and 
(3) certifying that the requirements of section 
303(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) will 
be met by the Administration. 
SEC. 205. SPACE RADIATION. 
(a) STRATEGY AND PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall de-
velop a space radiation mitigation and management
strategy and implementation plan to enable the 
achievement of the goal established in section 201 
that includes key research and monitoring require-
ments, milestones, a timetable, and an estimate of 
facility and budgetary requirements. 
(2) COORDINATION.—The strategy shall include 
a mechanism for coordinating Administration re-
search, technology, facilities, engineering, operations, 
and other functions required to support the strategy 
and plan. 
(3) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit the strategy and plan to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate. 
(b) SPACE RADIATION RESEARCH FACILITIES.—The 
Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other ap-
propriate Federal agencies, shall assess the national capa-
bilities for carrying out critical ground-based research on 
space radiation biology and shall identify any issues that 
could affect the ability to carry out that research.
SEC. 206. PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR HUMAN EXPLO-
RATION MISSIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies for a study to 
explore the planetary protection ramifications of potential 
future missions by astronauts such as to the lunar polar 
regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the 
surface of Mars. 
(b) SCOPE.—The study shall— 
(1) collate and summarize what has been done 
to date with respect to planetary protection meas-
ures to be applied to potential human missions such 
as to the lunar polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, 
the moons of Mars, and the surface of Mars; 
(2) identify and document planetary protection 
concerns associated with potential human missions 
such as to the lunar polar regions, near-Earth aster-
oids, the moons of Mars, and the surface of Mars; 
(3) develop a methodology, if possible, for defin-
ing and classifying the degree of concern associated 
with each likely destination; 
(4) assess likely methodologies for addressing 
planetary protection concerns; and 
(5) identify areas for future research to reduce 
current uncertainties.
(c) COMPLETION DATE.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall provide the results of the study 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 B—Space Operations 
SEC. 211. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The International Space Station is an ideal 
testbed for future exploration systems development, 
including long-duration space travel. 
(2) The use of the private market to provide 
cargo and crew transportation services is currently 
the most expeditious process to restore domestic ac-
cess to the International Space Station and low- 
Earth orbit. 
(3) Government access to low-Earth orbit is 
paramount to the continued success of the Inter-
national Space Station and National Laboratory. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The following is the policy of the 
United States: 
(1) The United States International Space Sta-
tion program shall have two primary objectives: sup-
porting achievement of the goal established in sec-
tion 201 of this Act and pursuing a research pro-
gram that advances knowledge and provides benefits 
to the Nation. It shall continue to be the policy of 
the United States to, in consultation with its inter-
national partners in the International Space Station 
program, support full and complete utilization of the 
International Space Station. 
(2) The International Space Station shall be 
utilized to the maximum extent practicable for the 
development of capabilities and technologies needed 
for the future of human exploration beyond low- 
Earth orbit and shall be considered in the develop-
ment of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed 
under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code. 
(3) The Administrator shall, in consultation 
with the International Space Station partners— 
(A) take all necessary measures to support 
the operation and full utilization of the Inter-
national Space Station; and 
(B) seek to minimize, to the extent prac-
ticable, the operating costs of the International 
Space Station. 
(4) Reliance on foreign carriers for crew trans-
fer is unacceptable, and the Nation’s human space 
flight program must acquire the capability to launch
United States astronauts on United States rockets 
from United States soil as soon as is safe and prac-
tically possible, whether on Government-owned and 
operated space transportation systems or privately 
owned systems that have been certified for flight by 
the appropriate Federal agencies. 
(c) REAFFIRMATION
OF POLICY.—Congress reaf-
firms— 
(1) its commitment to the development of a 
commercially developed launch and delivery system 
to the International Space Station for crew missions 
as expressed in the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public 
Law 109–155), the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public 
Law 110–422), and the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(Public Law 111–267); 
(2) that the Administration shall make use of 
United States commercially provided International 
Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue services 
to the maximum extent practicable; 
(3) that the Orion crew capsule shall provide an 
alternative means of delivery of crew and cargo to 
the International Space Station, in the event other
vehicles, whether commercial vehicles or partner-sup-
plied vehicles, are unable to perform that function; 
and 
(4) the policy stated in section 501(b) of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18351(b)) that 
the Administration shall pursue international, com-
mercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize 
International Space Station logistics supply, mainte-
nance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to 
International Space Station systems sustainability, 
and offset and minimize United States operations 
costs relating to the International Space Station. 
(d) ASSURED ACCESS TO LOW-EARTH ORBIT.—Sec-
tion 70501(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) POLICY STATEMENT.—It is the policy of the 
United States to maintain an uninterrupted capability for 
human space flight and operations in low-Earth orbit, and 
beyond, as an essential instrument of national security 
and the capability to ensure continued United States par-
ticipation and leadership in the exploration and utilization 
of space.’’. 
(e) REPEALS.—
(1) USE
OF
SPACE
SHUTTLE
OR
ALTER-
NATIVES.—Chapter 701 of title 51, United States 
Code, and the item relating to such chapter in the 
table of chapters for such title, are repealed. 
(2) SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMER-
CIAL AND FOREIGN USERS.—Chapter 703 of title 
51, United States Code, and the item relating to 
such chapter in the table of chapters for such title, 
are repealed. 
(3) SHUTTLE PRIVATIZATION.—Section 50133 
of title 51, United States Code, and the item relat-
ing to such section in the table of sections for chap-
ter 501 of such title, are repealed. 
(f) EXTENSION CRITERIA REPORT.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Admin-
istrator shall submit 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 on the feasibility of extending the op-
eration of the International Space Station that includes— 
(1) criteria for defining the International Space 
Station as a research success; 
(2) any necessary contributions to enabling exe-
cution of the Human Exploration Roadmap devel-
oped under section 70504 of title 51, United States 
Code; 
(3) cost estimates for operating the Inter-
national Space Station to achieve the criteria re-
quired under paragraph (1); 
(4) cost estimates for extending operations to 
2024 and 2030; 
(5) an assessment of how the defined criteria 
under paragraph (1) respond to the National Acad-
emies Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical 
Sciences in Space; and 
(6) an identification of the actions and cost es-
timate needed to deorbit the International Space 
Station once a decision is made to deorbit the lab-
oratory. 
(g) STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE 
STATION RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with 
the Administrator, academia, other Federal agencies, 
the International Space Station National Laboratory 
Advisory Committee, and other potential stake-
holders, shall develop and transmit 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 stra-
tegic plan for conducting competitive, peer-reviewed 
research in physical and life sciences and related 
technologies on the International Space Station 
through at least 2020. 
(2) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The strategic plan 
shall— 
(A) be consistent with the priorities and 
recommendations established by the National 
Academies in its Decadal Survey on Biological 
and Physical Sciences in Space; 
(B) provide a research timeline and iden-
tify resource requirements for its implementa-
tion, including the facilities and instrumenta-
tion necessary for the conduct of such research; 
and 
(C) identify— 
(i) criteria for the proposed research, 
including— 
(I) a justification for the research 
to be carried out in the space micro-
gravity environment; 
(II) the use of model systems; 
(III) the testing of flight hard-
ware to understand and ensure its
(iii) the capabilities needed to support 
direct, real-time communications between 
astronauts working on research experi-
ments onboard the International Space 
Station and the principal investigator on 
the ground; 
(iv) a process for involving the exter-
nal user community in research planning, 
including planning for relevant flight hard-
ware and instrumentation, and for utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station, 
free flyers, or other research platforms; 
(v) the acquisition strategy the Ad-
ministration plans to use to acquire any 
new support capabilities which are not 
operational on the International Space Sta-
tion as of the date of enactment of this 
Act, and the criteria the Administration 
will apply if less than full and open com-
petition is selected; and 
(vi) defined metrics for success of the 
research plan. 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall 
transmit 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 a report on 
the progress of the organization chosen for the 
management of the International Space Station 
National Laboratory as directed in section 504 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18354). 
(B) SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS.—The re-
port shall assess the management, organization, 
and performance of such organization and shall 
include a review of the status of each of the 
seven required activities listed in section 504(c) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18354(c)). 
SEC. 212. BARRIERS IMPEDING ENHANCED UTILIZATION OF 
THE ISS’S NATIONAL LABORATORY BY COM-
MERCIAL COMPANIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) enhanced utilization of the International 
Space Station’s National Laboratory requires a full 
understanding of the barriers impeding such utiliza-
tion and actions needed to be taken to remove or 
mitigate them to the maximum extent practicable; 
and 
(2) doing so will allow the Administration to en-
courage commercial companies to invest in micro-
gravity research using National Laboratory research 
facilities. 
(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with the National Academies for an 
assessment to— 
(1) identify barriers impeding enhanced utiliza-
tion of the International Space Station’s National 
Laboratory; 
(2) recommend ways to encourage commercial 
companies to make greater use of the International 
Space Station’s National Laboratory, including cor-
porate investment in microgravity research; and 
(3) identify any legislative changes that may be 
required. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year 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 the assessment described in subsection (b).
SEC. 213. UTILIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STA-
TION FOR SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
The Administrator shall utilize the International 
Space Station for Science Mission Directorate missions in 
low-Earth orbit wherever it is practical and cost effective 
to do so. 
SEC. 214. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CARGO RESUP-
PLY SERVICES LESSONS LEARNED. 
Not later than 120 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 that— 
(1) identifies the lessons learned to date from 
the Commercial Resupply Services contract; 
(2) indicates whether changes are needed to the 
manner in which the Administration procures and 
manages similar services upon the expiration of the 
existing Commercial Resupply Services contract; and 
(3) identifies any lessons learned from the Com-
mercial Resupply Services contract that should be 
applied to the procurement and management of com-
mercially provided crew transfer services to and 
from the International Space Station.
SEC. 215. COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that once developed and certified to meet the Admin-
istration’s safety and reliability requirements, United 
States commercially provided crew transportation systems 
offer the potential of serving as the primary means of 
transporting American astronauts and international part-
ner astronauts to and from the International Space Sta-
tion and serving as International Space Station emergency 
crew rescue vehicles. At the same time, the budgetary as-
sumptions used by the Administration in its planning for 
the Commercial Crew Program have consistently assumed 
significantly higher funding levels than have been author-
ized and appropriated by Congress. It is the sense of Con-
gress that credibility in the Administration’s budgetary es-
timates for the Commercial Crew Program can be en-
hanced by an independently developed cost estimate. Such 
credibility in budgetary estimates is an important factor 
in understanding program risk. 
(b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Administra-
tion’s Commercial Crew Program shall be to assist the de-
velopment of at least one crew transportation system to 
carry Administration astronauts safely, reliably, and 
affordably to and from the International Space Station 
and to serve as an emergency crew rescue vehicle as soon 
as practicable within the funding levels authorized. The
Administration shall not use any considerations beyond 
this objective in the overall acquisition strategy. 
(c) SAFETY.—Consistent with the findings and rec-
ommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation 
Board, the Administration shall ensure that safety and the 
minimization of the probability of loss of crew are the 
highest priorities of the commercial crew transportation 
program. 
(d) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Administrator shall 
strive through the competitive selection process to mini-
mize the life cycle cost to the Administration through the 
planned period of commercially provided crew transpor-
tation services. 
(e) TRANSPARENCY.—Transparency is the corner-
stone of ensuring a safe and reliable commercial crew 
transportation service to the International Space Station. 
The Administrator shall, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, ensure that every commercial crew transportation 
services provider has provided evidence-based support for 
their costs and schedule. 
(f) INDEPENDENT
COST
AND
SCHEDULE
ESTI-
MATE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after the Federal Acquisition Regulation-based con-
tract for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capa-
bility Contract is awarded, the Administrator shall 
arrange for the initiation of an Independent Cost 
and Schedule Estimate for— 
(A) all activities associated with the devel-
opment, test, demonstration, and certification 
of commercial crew transportation systems; 
(B) transportation and rescue services re-
quired by the Administration for International 
Space Station operations through calendar year 
2020 or later if Administration requirements so 
dictate; and 
(C) the estimated date of operational read-
iness for the program each assumption listed in 
paragraph (2) of this subsection. 
(2) ASSUMPTIONS.—The Independent Cost and 
Schedule Estimate shall provide an estimate for each 
of the following scenarios: 
(A) An appropriation of $600,000,000 over 
the next 3 fiscal years. 
(B) An appropriation of $700,000,000 
over the next 3 fiscal years. 
(C) An appropriation of $800,000,000 over 
the next 3 fiscal years. 
(D) The funding level assumptions over 
the next 3 fiscal years that are included as part
of commercial crew transportation capability 
contract awards. 
(3) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after initiation of the Independent Cost and Sched-
ule Estimate under paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall transmit the results of the Independent 
Cost and Schedule Estimate to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
completion of the Independent Cost and Schedule 
Estimate under subsection (f), the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report containing four dis-
tinct implementation strategies based on such Inde-
pendent Cost and Schedule Estimate for the final 
stages of the commercial crew program. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—These options shall in-
clude—
(A) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $600,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; 
(B) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $700,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; 
(C) a strategy that assumes an appropria-
tion of $800,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal 
years; and 
(D) a strategy that has yet to be consid-
ered previously in any budget submission but 
that the Administration believes could ensure 
the flight readiness date of 2017 for at least 
one provider. 
(3) INCLUSIONS.—Each strategy shall include 
the contracting instruments the Administration will 
employ to acquire the services in each phase of de-
velopment or acquisition and the number of commer-
cial providers the Administration will include in the 
program. 
SEC. 216. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan, 
in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, for updat-
ing the Administration’s space communications and navi-
gation architecture for low-Earth orbital and deep space
operations so that it is capable of meeting the Administra-
tion’s communications needs over the next 20 years. The 
plan shall include lifecycle cost estimates, milestones, esti-
mated performance capabilities, and 5-year funding pro-
files. The plan shall also include an estimate of the 
amounts of any reimbursements the Administration is 
likely to receive from other Federal agencies during the 
expected life of the upgrades described in the plan. At a 
minimum, the plan shall include a description of the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Steps to sustain the existing space commu-
nications and navigation network and infrastructure 
and priorities for how resources will be applied and 
cost estimates for the maintenance of existing space 
communications network capabilities. 
(2) Upgrades needed to support space commu-
nications and navigation network and infrastructure 
requirements, including cost estimates and schedules 
and an assessment of the impact on missions if re-
sources are not secured at the level needed. 
(3) Projected space communications and navi-
gation network requirements for the next 20 years, 
including those in support of human space explo-
ration missions.
(4) Projected Tracking and Data Relay Sat-
ellite System requirements for the next 20 years, in-
cluding those in support of other relevant Federal 
agencies, and cost and schedule estimates to main-
tain and upgrade the Tracking and Data Relay Sat-
ellite System to meet projected requirements. 
(5) Steps the Administration is taking to meet 
future space communications requirements after all 
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System third-gen-
eration communications satellites are operational. 
(6) Steps the Administration is taking to miti-
gate threats to electromagnetic spectrum use. 
(b) SCHEDULE.—The Administrator shall transmit 
the plan developed under this section 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. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—General 
SEC. 301. SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. 
(a) BALANCED AND ADEQUATELY FUNDED ACTIVI-
TIES.—Section 803 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 
2832) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 803. OVERALL SCIENCE PORTFOLIO—SENSE OF THE 
CONGRESS. 
‘‘Congress reaffirms its sense, expressed in the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2010, that a balanced and adequately funded 
set of activities, consisting of research and analysis grants 
programs, technology development, small, medium, and 
large space missions, and suborbital research activities, 
contributes to a robust and productive science program 
and serves as a catalyst for innovation and discovery.’’. 
(b) DECADAL SURVEYS.—In proposing the funding 
of programs and activities for the Administration for each 
fiscal year, the Administrator shall, to the greatest extent 
practicable, follow guidance provided in the current 
decadal surveys from the National Academies’ Space 
Studies Board. 
SEC. 302. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that conducting deep space exploration requires ra-
dioisotope power systems, and establishing continuity in 
the production of the material needed to power these sys-
tems is paramount to the success of these future deep 
space missions. It is further the sense of Congress that 
Federal agencies supporting the Administration through 
the production of such material should do so in a cost ef-
fective manner so as not to impose excessive reimburse-
ment requirements on the Administration. 
(b) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
and the Administrator, in consultation with other Federal 
agencies, shall conduct an analysis of— 
(1) the requirements of the Administration for 
radioisotope power system material that is needed to 
carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in 
the solar system and other surface exploration activi-
ties beyond low-Earth orbit; and 
(2) the risks to missions of the Administration 
in meeting those requirements, or any additional re-
quirements, due to a lack of adequate radioisotope 
power system material. 
(c) CONTENTS
OF ANALYSIS.—The analysis con-
ducted under subsection (b) shall— 
(1) detail the Administration’s current pro-
jected mission requirements and associated time-
frames for radioisotope power system material; 
(2) explain the assumptions used to determine 
the Administration’s requirements for the material, 
including— 
(A) the planned use of advanced thermal 
conversion 
technology 
such 
as 
advanced
thermocouples and Stirling generators and con-
verters; and 
(B) the risks and implications of, and con-
tingencies for, any delays or unanticipated tech-
nical challenges affecting or related to the Ad-
ministration’s mission plans for the anticipated 
use of advanced thermal conversion technology; 
(3) assess the risk to the Administration’s pro-
grams of any potential delays in achieving the sched-
ule and milestones for planned domestic production 
of radioisotope power system material; 
(4) outline a process for meeting any additional 
Administration requirements for the material; 
(5) estimate the incremental costs required to 
increase the amount of material produced each year, 
if such an increase is needed to support additional 
Administration requirements for the material; 
(6) detail how the Administration and other 
Federal agencies will manage, operate, and fund 
production facilities and the design and development 
of all radioisotope power systems used by the Ad-
ministration and other Federal agencies as nec-
essary; 
(7) specify the steps the Administration will 
take, in consultation with the Department of En-
ergy, to preserve the infrastructure and workforce 
necessary for production of radioisotope power sys-
tems and ensure that its reimbursements to the De-
partment of Energy associated with such preserva-
tion are equitable and justified; and 
(8) detail how the Administration has imple-
mented or rejected the recommendations from the 
National Research Council’s 2009 report titled ‘‘Ra-
dioisotope Power Systems: An Imperative for Main-
taining U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration’’. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit the results of the analysis 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. 
SEC. 303. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND 
PURPOSE. 
Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(10) The direction of the unique competence 
of the Administration to the search for life’s origin, 
evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe. 
In carrying out this objective, the Administration
may use any practicable ground-based, airborne, or 
space-based technical means and spectra of electro-
magnetic radiation.’’. 
SEC. 304. UNIVERSITY CLASS SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that principal investigator-led small orbital science 
missions, including CubeSat class, University Explorer 
(UNEX) class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class, and Ven-
ture class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science 
at low cost, train the next generation of scientists and en-
gineers, and enable participants in the program to acquire 
skills in systems engineering and systems integration that 
are critical to maintaining the Nation’s leadership in space 
and to enhancing the United States innovation and com-
petitiveness abroad. 
(b) REVIEW
OF
PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR-LED 
SMALL ORBITAL SCIENCE MISSIONS.—The Administrator 
shall conduct a review of the science missions described 
in subsection (a). The review shall include— 
(1) the status, capability, and availability of ex-
isting small orbital science mission programs and 
the extent to which each program enables the par-
ticipation of university scientists and students; 
(2) the opportunities such mission programs 
provide for scientific research;
(3) the opportunities such mission programs 
provide for training and education, including sci-
entific and engineering workforce development, in-
cluding for the Administration’s scientific and engi-
neering workforce; and 
(4) the extent to which commercial applications 
such as hosted payloads, free flyers, and data buys 
could provide measurable benefits for such mission 
programs, while preserving the principle of inde-
pendent peer review as the basis for mission selec-
tion. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 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 
on the review required under subsection (b) and on rec-
ommendations to enhance principal investigator-led small 
orbital science missions conducted by the Administration 
in accordance with the results of the review required by 
subsection (b). 
SEC. 305. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS. 
Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator shall carry 
out biennial reviews within each of the Science divisions 
to assess the cost and benefits of extending the date of 
the termination of data collection for those missions that 
exceed their planned missions’ lifetime. The assessment 
shall take into consideration how extending missions im-
pacts the start of future missions. 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF PO-
TENTIAL BENEFITS OF INSTRUMENTS ON MISSIONS.— 
When deciding whether to extend a mission that has an 
operational component, the Administrator shall consult 
with any affected Federal agency and shall take into ac-
count the potential benefits of instruments on missions 
that are beyond their planned mission lifetime. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—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, at the 
same time as the submission to Congress of the Adminis-
tration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year, a re-
port detailing any assessment required by subsection (a) 
that was carried out during the previous year.’’.
Subtitle B—Astrophysics 
SEC. 311. 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 astrophysics missions. 
SEC. 312. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGY. 
(a) STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall enter into 
an arrangement with the National Academies to develop 
a science strategy for the study and exploration of 
extrasolar planets, including the use of the Transiting 
Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Tele-
scope, a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 
mission, or any other telescope, spacecraft, or instrument 
as appropriate. Such strategy shall— 
(1) outline key scientific questions; 
(2) identify the most promising research in the 
field; 
(3) indicate the extent to which the mission pri-
orities in existing decadal surveys address the key 
extrasolar planet research goals; 
(4) identify opportunities for coordination with 
international partners, commercial partners, and 
other not-for-profit partners; and 
(5) make recommendations on the above as ap-
propriate.
(b) USE OF STRATEGY.—The Administrator shall use 
the strategy to— 
(1) inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other 
activities of the Administration as they relate to 
extrasolar planet research and exploration; and 
(2) provide a foundation for future activities 
and initiatives. 
(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). 
SEC. 313. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the James Webb Space Telescope will revo-
lutionize our understanding of star and planet for-
mation and how galaxies evolved, and advance the 
search for the origins of the universe; 
(2) the James Webb Space Telescope will en-
able American scientists to maintain their leadership 
in astrophysics and other disciplines; 
(3) the James Webb Space Telescope program 
is making steady progress towards a launch in 2018;
(4) the on-time and on-budget delivery of the 
James Webb Space Telescope is a high congressional 
priority; and 
(5) maintaining this progress will require the 
Administrator to ensure that integrated testing is 
appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive 
to enable potential issues to be identified and ad-
dressed early enough to be handled within the James 
Webb Space Telescope’s development schedule prior 
to launch. 
SEC. 314. NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE TELESCOPE 
DONATION. 
Not later than 90 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 out-
lining the cost of the Administration’s potential plan for 
developing the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope as 
described in the 2010 National Academies’ astronomy and 
astrophysics decadal survey, including an alternative plan 
for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 2.4, which 
includes the donated 2.4-meter aperture National Recon-
naissance Office telescope. Due to the budget constraints
on the Administration’s science programs, this report shall 
include— 
(1) an assessment of cost efficient approaches 
to develop the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope; 
(2) a comparison to the development of mission 
concepts that exclude the utilization of the donated 
asset; 
(3) an assessment of how the Administration’s 
existing science missions will be affected by the utili-
zation of the donated asset described in this section; 
and 
(4) a description of the cost associated with 
storing and maintaining the donated asset. 
SEC. 315. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administrator, to the extent practicable, 
should make progress on the technologies and capabilities 
needed to position the Administration to meet the objec-
tives of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, 
as outlined in the 2010 National Academies’ astronomy 
and astrophysics decadal survey, in a way that maximizes 
the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for 
the resources invested. It is further the sense of Congress 
that the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission
has the potential to enable scientific discoveries that will 
transform our understanding of the universe. 
(b) CONTINUITY OF DEVELOPMENT.—The Adminis-
trator shall ensure that the concept definition and pre- 
formulation activities of a Wide-Field Infrared Survey Tel-
escope mission continue while the James Webb Space Tel-
escope is being completed. 
SEC. 316. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED 
ASTRONOMY. 
The Administrator shall not use any funding appro-
priated to the Administration for fiscal year 2015 for the 
shutdown of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 
Astronomy or for the preparation therefor. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
SEC. 321. DECADAL CADENCE. 
In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator 
shall seek to ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, 
that the Administration carries out a balanced set of plan-
etary science programs in accordance with the priorities 
established in the most recent decadal survey for planetary 
science. Such programs shall include, at a minimum— 
(1) a Discovery-class mission at least once every 
24 months; 
(2) a New Frontiers-class mission at least once 
every 60 months; and
(3) at least one Flagship-class mission per 
decadal survey period, including a Europa mission 
with a goal of launching by 2021. 
SEC. 322. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Near-Earth objects pose a serious and cred-
ible threat to humankind, as many scientists believe 
that a major asteroid or comet was responsible for 
the mass extinction of the majority of the Earth’s 
species, including the dinosaurs, approximately 65 
million years ago. 
(2) Similar objects have struck the Earth or 
passed through the Earth’s atmosphere several times 
in the Earth’s history and pose a similar threat in 
the future. 
(3) Several such near-Earth objects have only 
been discovered within days of the objects’ closest 
approach to Earth, and recent discoveries of such 
large objects indicate that many large near-Earth 
objects remain to be discovered. 
(4) The efforts undertaken by the Administra-
tion for detecting and characterizing the hazards of 
near-Earth objects should continue to seek to fully
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-
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
(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
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
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).
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
(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
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-
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-
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-
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.
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.
(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;
(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.
(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.
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-
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;
(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
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
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;
(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.
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
‘‘(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
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
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-
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.
(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).
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
(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
(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—
(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
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
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.
(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,
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;
(2) how such criteria relate to the agency’s pol-
icy of budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level; 
and 
(3) the Administration’s criteria for waiving the 
policy of budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level 
and alternative strategies and mechanisms aimed at 
controlling program and project costs when a waiver 
is granted. 
SEC. 705. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS. 
Not later than 270 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— 
(1) the Administration’s procedures for con-
ducting independent reviews of projects and pro-
grams at lifecycle milestones and how the Adminis-
tration ensures the independence of the individuals 
who conduct those reviews prior to their assignment; 
(2) the internal and external entities inde-
pendent of project and program management that 
conduct reviews of projects and programs at life 
cycle milestones; and
(3) how the Administration ensures the inde-
pendence of such entities and their members. 
SEC. 706. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, while protecting national secu-
rity’’ after ‘‘research community’’. 
SEC. 707. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINIS-
TRATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academy of Public Admin-
istration to assess the effectiveness of the NASA Advisory 
Council and to make recommendations to Congress for 
any change to— 
(1) the functions of the Council; 
(2) the appointment of members to the Council; 
(3) qualifications for members of the Council; 
(4) duration of terms of office for members of 
the Council; 
(5) frequency of meetings of the Council; 
(6) the structure of leadership and Committees 
of the Council; and 
(7) levels of professional staffing for the Coun-
cil.
In carrying out the assessment, the Academy shall also 
assess the impacts of broadening the Council’s role to ad-
vising Congress, and any other issues that the Academy 
determines could potentially impact the effectiveness of 
the Council. The Academy shall consider the past activities 
of the NASA Advisory Council, as well as the activities 
of other analogous Federal advisory bodies in conducting 
its assessment. The results of the assessment, including 
any recommendations, shall be transmitted 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. 
(b) CONSULTATION AND ADVICE.—Section 20113(g) 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘and Congress’’ after ‘‘advice to the Administration’’. 
(c) SUNSET.—Effective on September 30, 2015, sec-
tion 20113(g) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘and Congress’’. 
SEC. 708. COST ESTIMATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that realistic cost estimating is critically important 
to the ultimate success of major space development 
projects. The Administration has devoted significant ef-
forts over the past 5 years to improving its cost estimating 
capabilities, but it is important that the Administration
continue its efforts to develop and implement guidance in 
establishing realistic cost estimates. 
(b) GUIDANCE AND CRITERIA.—The Administrator 
shall provide to programs and projects, and in a manner 
consistent with the Administration’s Space Flight Pro-
gram and Project Management Requirements— 
(1) guidance on when an Independent Cost Es-
timate and Independent Cost Assessment should be 
used; and 
(2) the criteria to be used to make such a de-
termination. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 270 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 re-
port— 
(1) describing efforts to enhance internal cost 
estimation and assessment expertise; 
(2) describing the mechanisms the Administra-
tion is using and will continue to use to ensure that 
adequate resources are dedicated to cost estimation; 
(3) listing the steps the Administration is un-
dertaking to advance consistent implementation of 
the joint cost and schedule process;
(4) identifying criteria used by programs and 
projects in determining when to conduct an Inde-
pendent Cost Estimate and Independent Cost As-
sessment; and 
(5) listing— 
(A) the costs of each individual Inde-
pendent Cost Estimate or Independent Cost As-
sessment activity conducted in fiscal year 2012, 
fiscal year 2013, and fiscal year 2014; 
(B) the purpose of the activity; 
(C) identification of the primary Adminis-
tration unit or outside body that conducted the 
activity; and 
(D) key findings and recommendations. 
(d) UPDATED REPORT.—Subsequent to submission 
of the report under subsection (c), for each subsequent 
year, the Administrator shall provide an update of listed 
elements in conjunction with subsequent congressional 
budget justifications. 
SEC. 709. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF IN-
TEREST IN MAJOR ADMINISTRATION ACQUI-
SITION PROGRAMS. 
(a) REVISED REGULATIONS REQUIRED.—Not later 
than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall revise the Administration Supple-
ment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide uni-
form guidance and recommend revised requirements for 
organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major 
acquisition programs in order to address elements identi-
fied in subsection (b). 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The revised regulations required by 
subsection (a) shall, at a minimum— 
(1) address organizational conflicts of interest 
that could potentially arise as a result of— 
(A) lead system integrator contracts on 
major acquisition programs and contracts that 
follow lead system integrator contracts on such 
programs, particularly contracts for production; 
(B) the ownership of business units per-
forming systems engineering and technical as-
sistance functions, professional services, or 
management support services in relation to 
major acquisition programs by contractors who 
simultaneously own business units competing to 
perform as either the prime contractor or the 
supplier of a major subsystem or component for 
such programs; 
(C) the award of major subsystem con-
tracts by a prime contractor for a major acqui-
sition program to business units or other affili-
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,
while ensuring that such advice comes from sources 
that are objective and unbiased. 
SEC. 710. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Administration must reverse the deterio-
rating condition of its facilities and infrastructure, 
as this condition is hampering the effectiveness and 
efficiency of research performed by both the Admin-
istration and industry participants making use of 
Administration facilities, thus reducing the competi-
tiveness of the United States aerospace industry; 
(2) the Administration has a role in providing 
laboratory capabilities to industry participants that 
are economically viable as commercial entities and 
thus are not available elsewhere; 
(3) to ensure continued access to reliable and 
efficient world-class facilities by researchers, the Ad-
ministration should seek to establish strategic part-
nerships with other Federal agencies, academic insti-
tutions, and industry, as appropriate; and 
(4) decisions on whether to dispose of, main-
tain, or modernize existing facilities must be made 
in the context of meeting future Administration and 
other Federal agencies’ laboratory needs, including
those required to meet the activities supporting the 
Human Exploration Roadmap required by section 
70504 of title 51, United States Code. 
(b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States 
that the Administration maintain reliable and efficient fa-
cilities and that decisions on whether to dispose of, main-
tain, or modernize existing facilities be made in the con-
text of meeting future Administration needs. 
(c) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan 
that has the goal of positioning the Administration to have 
the facilities, laboratories, tools, and approaches necessary 
to address future Administration requirements. Such plan 
shall identify— 
(1) future Administration research and develop-
ment and testing needs; 
(2) a strategy for identifying facilities that are 
candidates for disposal, that is consistent with the 
national strategic direction set forth in— 
(A) the National Space Policy; 
(B) the National Aeronautics Research, 
Development, Test, and Evaluation Infrastruc-
ture Plan; 
(C) National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration Authorization Acts; and
(D) the Human Exploration Roadmap 
specified in section 70504 of title 51, United 
States Code; 
(3) a strategy for the maintenance, repair, up-
grading, and modernization of the Administration’s 
laboratories, facilities, and equipment; 
(4) criteria for prioritizing deferred mainte-
nance tasks and also for upgrading or modernizing 
laboratories, facilities, and equipment and imple-
menting processes, plans, and policies for guiding 
the Administration’s Centers on whether to main-
tain, repair, upgrade, or modernize a facility and for 
determining the type of instrument to be used; 
(5) an assessment of modifications needed to 
maximize usage of facilities that offer unique and 
highly specialized benefits to the aerospace industry 
and the American public; and 
(6) implementation steps, including a timeline, 
milestones, and an estimate of resources required for 
carrying out the plan. 
(d) POLICY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
and make publically available a policy that guides the Ad-
ministration’s use of existing authorities to out-grant, 
lease, excess to the General Services Administration, sell,
100 
decommission, demolish, or otherwise transfer property, 
facilities, or infrastructure. This policy shall establish cri-
teria for the use of authorities, best practices, standard-
ized procedures, and guidelines for how to appropriately 
manage property, infrastructure, and facilities. 
(e) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit the plan developed under subsection (c) 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. 
(f) ESTABLISHMENT OF CAPITAL FUND.—The Ad-
ministrator shall establish a capital fund for the mod-
ernization of facilities and laboratories. The Administrator 
shall ensure to the maximum extent practicable that all 
financial savings achieved by closing outdated or surplus 
facilities at an Administration Center shall be made avail-
able to that Center for the purpose of modernizing the 
Center’s facilities and laboratories and for upgrading the 
infrastructure at the Center. 
(g) REPORT ON CAPITAL FUND.—Expenditures and 
other activities of the fund established under subsection 
(f) shall require review and approval by the Administrator 
and the status, including the amounts held in the capital 
fund, shall be reported to the Committee on Science,
101 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate in conjunction with the Administra-
tion’s annual budget request justification for each fiscal 
year. 
SEC. 711. DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE OF COUNTERFEIT 
ELECTRONIC PARTS. 
(a) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall revise the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Supplement to the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation to address the detection and 
avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts. 
(2) CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES.—The re-
vised regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (1) 
shall provide that— 
(A) Administration contractors who supply 
electronic parts or products that include elec-
tronic parts are responsible for detecting and 
avoiding the use or inclusion of counterfeit elec-
tronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic 
parts in such products and for any rework or 
corrective action that may be required to rem-
edy the use or inclusion of such parts; and
102 
(B) the cost of counterfeit electronic parts 
and suspect counterfeit electronic parts and the 
cost of rework or corrective action that may be 
required to remedy the use or inclusion of such 
parts are not allowable costs under Administra-
tion contracts, unless— 
(i) the covered contractor has an oper-
ational system to detect and avoid counter-
feit parts and suspect counterfeit electronic 
parts that has been reviewed and approved 
by the Administration or the Department 
of Defense; 
(ii) the covered contractor provides 
timely notice to the Administration pursu-
ant to paragraph (4); or 
(iii) the counterfeit electronic parts or 
suspect counterfeit electronic parts were 
provided to the contractor as Government 
property in accordance with part 45 of the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation. 
(3) SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRONIC PARTS.—The 
revised regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (1) 
shall—
103 
(A) require that the Administration and 
Administration contractors and subcontractors 
at all tiers— 
(i) obtain electronic parts that are in 
production or currently available in stock 
from the original manufacturers of the 
parts or their authorized dealers, or from 
suppliers who obtain such parts exclusively 
from the original manufacturers of the 
parts or their authorized dealers; and 
(ii) obtain electronic parts that are 
not in production or currently available in 
stock from suppliers that meet qualifica-
tion requirements established pursuant to 
subparagraph (C); 
(B) establish documented requirements 
consistent with published industry standards or 
Government contract requirements for— 
(i) notification of the Administration; 
and 
(ii) inspection, testing, and authen-
tication of electronic parts that the Admin-
istration or an Administration contractor 
or subcontractor obtains from any source
104 
other than a source described in subpara-
graph (A); 
(C) establish qualification requirements, 
consistent with the requirements of section 
2319 of title 10, United States Code, pursuant 
to which the Administration may identify sup-
pliers that have appropriate policies and proce-
dures in place to detect and avoid counterfeit 
electronic parts and suspect counterfeit elec-
tronic parts; and 
(D) authorize Administration contractors 
and subcontractors to identify and use addi-
tional suppliers beyond those identified pursu-
ant to subparagraph (C) provided that— 
(i) the standards and processes for 
identifying such suppliers comply with es-
tablished industry standards; 
(ii) the contractor or subcontractor 
assumes responsibility for the authenticity 
of parts provided by such suppliers as pro-
vided in paragraph (2); and 
(iii) the selection of such suppliers is 
subject to review and audit by appropriate 
Administration officials.
105 
(4) TIMELY NOTIFICATION.—The revised regu-
lations issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall re-
quire that any Administration contractor or subcon-
tractor who becomes aware, or has reason to sus-
pect, that any end item, component, part, or mate-
rial contained in supplies purchased by the Adminis-
tration, or purchased by a contractor or subcon-
tractor for delivery to, or on behalf of, the Adminis-
tration, contains counterfeit electronic parts or sus-
pect counterfeit electronic parts, shall provide notifi-
cation to the applicable Administration contracting 
officer within 30 calendar days. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the re-
vised regulations specified in subsection (a) have been im-
plemented, 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 updat-
ing the Administration’s actions to prevent counterfeit 
electronic parts from entering the supply chain as de-
scribed in its October 2011 report pursuant to section 
1206(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18444(d)). 
(c) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘elec-
tronic part’’ means a discrete electronic component, in-
106 
cluding a microcircuit, transistor, capacitor, resistor, or 
diode that is intended for use in a safety or mission critical 
application. 
SEC. 712. SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS. 
(a) COST SHARING.—To the extent that the Adminis-
trator determines practicable, the funds provided by the 
Government under a funded Space Act Agreement shall 
not exceed the total amount provided by other parties to 
the Space Act Agreement. 
(b) NEED.—A funded Space Act Agreement may be 
used only when the use of a standard contract, grant, or 
cooperative agreement is not feasible or appropriate, as 
determined by the Associate Administrator for Procure-
ment. 
(c) PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT.—The Adminis-
trator shall make available for public notice and comment 
each proposed Space Act Agreement at least 30 days be-
fore entering into such agreement, with appropriate 
redactions for proprietary, sensitive, or classified informa-
tion. 
(d) TRANSPARENCY.—The Administrator shall pub-
licly disclose on the Administration’s website and make 
available in a searchable format each Space Act Agree-
ment, with appropriate redactions for proprietary, sen-
107 
sitive, or classified information, not later than 60 days 
after such agreement is signed. 
(e) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the end of each fiscal year, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report on the use of Space 
Act Agreement authority by the Administration dur-
ing the previous fiscal year. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include for 
each Space Act Agreement in effect at the time of 
the report— 
(A) an indication of whether the agreement 
is a reimbursable, nonreimbursable, or funded 
Space Act Agreement; 
(B) a description of— 
(i) the subject and terms; 
(ii) the parties; 
(iii) the responsible— 
(I) mission directorate; 
(II) center; or 
(III) headquarters element; 
(iv) the value;
108 
(v) the extent of the cost sharing 
among Federal Government and non-Fed-
eral sources; 
(vi) the time period or schedule; and 
(vii) all milestones; and 
(C) an indication of whether the agreement 
was renewed during the previous fiscal year. 
(3) ANTICIPATED
AGREEMENTS.—The report 
shall also include a list of all anticipated reimburs-
able, nonreimbursable, and funded Space Act Agree-
ments for the upcoming fiscal year. 
(4) CUMULATIVE
PROGRAM
BENEFITS.—The 
report shall also include, with respect to the Space 
Act Agreements covered by the report, a summary 
of— 
(A) the technology areas in which research 
projects were conducted under such agreements; 
(B) the extent to which the use of the 
Space Act Agreements— 
(i) has contributed to a broadening of 
the technology and industrial base avail-
able for meeting Administration needs; and 
(ii) has fostered within the technology 
and industrial base new relationships and
109 
practices that support the United States; 
and 
(C) the total amount of value received by 
the Federal Government during the fiscal year 
pursuant to such Space Act Agreements. 
SEC. 713. HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT ACCIDENT INVESTIGA-
TIONS. 
Section 70702(a) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) any other orbital or suborbital space vehi-
cle carrying humans— 
‘‘(A) that is owned by the Federal Govern-
ment; or 
‘‘(B) that is being used pursuant to a con-
tract or Space Act Agreement, as defined in 
section 2 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2015, with the Federal Government for car-
rying a researcher or payload funded by the 
Federal Government; or’’. 
SEC. 714. FULLEST COMMERCIAL USE OF SPACE. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
110 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on current and continuing efforts by the Administration 
to ‘‘seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, 
the fullest commercial use of space,’’ as described in sec-
tion 20102(c) of title 51, United States Code. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the Administration’s ef-
forts to comply with the policy; 
(2) an explanation of criteria used to define 
compliance; 
(3) a description of programs, policies, and ac-
tivities the Administration is using, and will continue 
to use, to ensure compliance; 
(4) an explanation of how the Administration 
could expand on the efforts to comply; and 
(5) a summary of all current and planned ac-
tivities pursuant to this policy. 
(c) BARRIERS TO FULLEST COMMERCIAL USE OF 
SPACE.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enact-
ment 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