ments with the private sector as the Administrator 
considers appropriate. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—Earth Science 
SEC. 301. REIMBURSABLE BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 
SENSORS AND INSTRUMENTS. 
Chapter 605 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 60507. Reimbursable basis for development of sen-
sors and instruments 
‘‘Any work undertaken by the Administration for the 
benefit of another agency shall be conducted on a reim-
bursable basis that accounts for the full cost of the work, 
including work undertaken for the development of oper-
ational Earth science systems, including satellite, sensor, 
or instrument development, acquisition, and operations, as 
well as product development and data analysis.’’. 
(1) TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for chapter 605 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘60507. Reimbursable basis for development of sensors and instruments.’’. 
SEC. 302. EARTH OBSERVATIONS STUDY. 
Section 702 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18371) is amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘The Director of’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out the strategic 
implementation plan under subsection (a), the Director 
shall take into account and incorporate into such plan, as 
appropriate, purchasing Earth observation data and serv-
ices from the private sector or through public-private part-
nerships to meet Earth observation requirements.’’. 
SEC. 303. LAND IMAGING. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the continuous collection and utilization of 
land remote sensing data from space are of major 
benefit in studying and understanding human im-
pacts on the global environment, in managing the 
Earth’s natural resources, in carrying out national 
security functions, and in planning and conducting 
many other activities of scientific, economic, and so-
cial importance; and 
(2) to the greatest extent practicable, the 
United States should foster the development of U.S. 
private sector remote sensing capabilities and anal-
yses that can satisfy the public interest in long-term 
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continuous collection of medium-resolution land re-
mote sensing data. 
(b) CONTINUOUS LAND REMOTE SENSING DATA 
COLLECTION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subchapter IV of chapter 
601 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 60135. Continuous land remote sensing data collec-
tion 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States 
to— 
‘‘(1) ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, 
the continuous collection of space-based, medium- 
resolution observations of the Earth’s land cover; 
‘‘(2) ensure that the collected data are made 
available in such ways as to facilitate the widest pos-
sible use; and 
‘‘(3) to the greatest extent practicable, foster 
the development of U.S. private sector remote sens-
ing capabilities and analyses that can satisfy the 
public interest in long-term continuous collection of 
medium-resolution land remote sensing data. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION.—The National Space Council, 
in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
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coordinate United States Government activities described 
under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a).’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for subchapter IV of chapter 601 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘60135. Continuous land remote sensing data collection.’’. 
SEC. 304. LANDSAT DATA POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.—No funds 
may be obligated or expended for Landsat 11 or any 
other subsequent Landsat system until the Adminis-
trator has completed a study assessing which aspects 
of Landsat system observations and associated 
science requirements can be provided by purchasing 
data from the private sector or through public-pri-
vate partnerships. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 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 Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate, a report containing the re-
sults of the study required under paragraph (1). 
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(b) DEFINITION OF LANDSAT SYSTEM.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘Landsat system’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 60101 of title 51, United States Code. 
SEC. 305. EARTH SCIENCE MISSIONS. 
The Administrator shall continue to restructure the 
Earth science portfolio of NASA to reduce overall costs, 
support innovative and sustainable programs and missions 
with commercial and international partners, and align 
with the recommendations of the National Academy of 
Sciences included in the publication published in 2018 ti-
tled ‘‘Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strat-
egy for Earth Observation from Space’’ to ensure that the 
Earth science portfolio is focused on the highest priority 
missions for the science and applications communities 
within a balanced, comprehensive Earth science program. 
SEC. 306. GODDARD INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES IN-
SPECTOR GENERAL REPORT. 
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 con-
taining the results of NASA’s implementation of the rec-
ommendations identified in the report published by the 
NASA Office of Inspector General on April 5, 2018, titled 
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‘‘NASA’s Management GISS: The Goddard Institute for 
Space Studies’’. 
Subtitle B—Astronomy and 
Astrophysics 
SEC. 311. SEARCH FOR THE ORIGIN, EVOLUTION, DISTRIBU-
TION, AND FUTURE OF LIFE IN THE UNI-
VERSE. 
(a) POLICY.—Section 20102(d)(10) of title 51, 
United States Code, includes the search for life’s origin, 
evolution, distribution, and future in the universe as an 
objective of U.S. aeronautical and space activities. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—NASA shall partner with the pri-
vate sector and philanthropic organizations to the max-
imum extent practicable to search for technosignatures, 
such as radio transmissions, in order to meet the NASA 
objective to search for life’s origin, evolution, distribution, 
and future in the universe. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
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, 
produced in consultation with industry and academia, on 
all NASA programs, including partnerships with the pri-
vate sector and philanthropic organizations, that con-
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tribute to the search for life’s origin, evolution, distribu-
tion, and future in the universe. 
(d) AUTHORIZED FUNDING.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations, the Administrator shall make 
available at least $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 and 2019 for the search for technosignatures. 
SEC. 312. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SPACE TELESCOPE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Concurrent flagship programs challenge sig-
nificantly NASA’s program management capacity, 
especially during later stages of the program man-
agement process. 
(2) The Wide-Field Infrared Space Telescope 
(hereinafter referred to as ‘‘WFIRST’’) was can-
celled in the President’s fiscal year 2019 budget re-
quest. 
(3) WFIRST was funded in the amount of 
$150,000,000 in NASA’s appropriation for fiscal 
year 2018. 
(4) Pursuant to direction in NASA’s appropria-
tion for fiscal year 2018, NASA is conducting a pre-
liminary life-cycle cost estimate, including any addi-
tions needed to achieve Class A classification, along 
with a year-by-year breakout of development costs. 
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(5) Until such preliminary life-cycle cost esti-
mate is complete, Congress has insufficient informa-
tion to judge whether or not WFIRST should be au-
thorized to proceed in fiscal year 2019. 
(b) TOTAL COST.—The total formulation and devel-
opment cost, as such term is defined in section 30104 of 
title 51, United States Code, for the Wide-Field Infrared 
Space Telescope shall not exceed $3,200,000,000. 
(c) BUDGET.—The Administrator shall include in the 
budget for fiscal year 2020 a 5-year funding profile nec-
essary to achieve the goal in subsection (b). 
(d) LIMITATION.—The Administrator shall not pro-
cure a launch vehicle for the Wide-Field Infrared Space 
Telescope until the James Webb Space Telescope is oper-
ational in space. 
Subtitle C—Planetary Science 
SEC. 321. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Ob-
ject Survey Act (Public Law 109–155) established 
the Near-Earth Object Survey program to detect, 
track, and catalogue the physical characteristics of 
near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 me-
ters in diameter in order to assess the threat of such 
objects to Earth. 
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(2) The goal of the Survey program is to 
achieve 90 percent completion of the near-Earth 
project catalogue (based on statistically predicted 
populations of near-Earth objects) not later than 15 
years after the date of the enactment of the George 
E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act. 
(3) NASA has been successful finding more 
than 90 percent of the near-Earth asteroids larger 
than one kilometer but has only found about 30 per-
cent of the near-Earth objects larger than 140 me-
ters. 
(4) The vast majority of near-Earth object dis-
coveries have been made by NASA-supported 
ground-based telescopic surveys. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) in order to meet the statutory requirements 
of the George E Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Sur-
vey Act (Public Law 109–155), a space-based tele-
scope mission should be fully funded and supported 
by NASA and carried out by the Planetary Defense 
Coordination Office; and 
(2) the space-based telescope Near-Earth Ob-
ject Camera mission, or a similar infrared telescope 
concept optimized for near-Earth object search and 
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characterization, could discover and characterize 
most of the potentially hazardous asteroids that are 
near the Earth. 
SEC. 322. SPACE NUCLEAR POWER. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that in-space nuclear 
fission power complements the use of Plutonium-238 radi-
oisotope thermoelectric generators (in this section referred 
to as ‘‘RTG’’) for spacecraft power needs. 
(b) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States— 
(1) to continue the development of in-space nu-
clear fission technology, as necessary, for purposes 
including— 
(A) in-space power generation for advanced 
in-space propulsion; 
(B) onboard power generation to replace or 
supplement RTG systems; 
(C) power generation on the surface of ce-
lestial bodies; 
(D) extraction and processing of in situ re-
sources; and 
(E) nuclear thermal and nuclear electric 
propulsion able to transport crew or cargo 
among Earth and other celestial bodies much 
more rapidly than is practical with non-nuclear 
systems; 
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(2) that research and development of in-space 
nuclear fission power should be carried out as part 
of a portfolio that appropriately balances develop-
ment of power systems at different sizes and matu-
rities, with an emphasis on early development of ma-
ture, operational systems; and 
(3) that NASA should continually seek to 
streamline the process for space launch approval of 
nuclear 
materials, 
eliminate 
redundant 
and 
unneeded processes, and regularize the process for 
efficient, regular functioning, and toward that end, 
the Administrator should update the launch approval 
process and seek to establish a licensing process for 
private nuclear power sources in space. 
(c) SPACE NUCLEAR POWER REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall submit 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, produced in 
consultation with industry and academia, on the use 
and role of nuclear fission power in space. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
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(A) an assessment of the prospects for in- 
space nuclear fission reactors, describing par-
ticular roles and missions for which nuclear 
power is uniquely well-suited; 
(B) a description of the convergence be-
tween NASA’s existing Plutonium-238 RTG 
programs and ongoing nuclear thermal propul-
sion and nuclear power generation development 
programs; 
(C) a detailed plan for encouraging conver-
gence between NASA’s various nuclear power 
and propulsion efforts; 
(D) an identification of key infrastructure 
and facilities needed for the development of in- 
space nuclear fission power reactors; 
(E) an identification of particular legal 
issues, including regulatory challenges, that 
must be addressed for the use of nuclear fission 
power systems; 
(F) how small in-space nuclear fission re-
actors can complement or replace existing and 
planned radioisotope thermal generator capa-
bilities; and 
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(G) information on very low cost, high reli-
ability designs that can be made operational 
quickly. 
(d) DEMONSTRATION.—NASA should demonstrate a 
nuclear electric power reactor for use in space using exist-
ing authorized funding levels and within a schedule made 
possible by appropriated funding. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 401. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH. 
(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States to 
reduce Government barriers to the development of civil su-
personic transportation. 
(b) RESEARCH.—Section 40112(a) of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) RESEARCH.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration, shall undertake research on 
supersonic transport to inform and accelerate the 
promulgation of domestic regulations and inter-
national standards and recommended practices that 
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will open up the U.S. civil airspace to civil super-
sonic transport.’’. 
SEC. 402. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) TITLE 51.—Chapter 315 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘§ 31506. Unmanned aircraft systems research 
‘‘The Administrator, in consultation with the Admin-
istrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and other 
Federal agencies, shall conduct research on facilitating the 
safe integration of unmanned aircraft 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.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 
sections for chapter 315 of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘31506. Unmanned aircraft systems research.’’. 
(b) COOPERATIVE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AC-
TIVITIES.—Section 31504 of title 51, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Oper-
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ational flight data derived from such cooperative agree-
ments shall be made available, in appropriate and usable 
formats, to the Administration and the Federal Aviation 
Administration for the development of regulatory stand-
ards.’’. 
SEC. 403. 21ST CENTURY AERONAUTICS RESEARCH CAPA-
BILITIES INITIATIVE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish an initiative to be known as the 21st Century Aero-
nautics Research Capabilities Initiative, funded through 
the Construction of Facilities account, to ensure that 
NASA possesses the infrastructure capabilities and com-
putational tools necessary to conduct flight demonstration 
projects across the range of NASA aeronautics interests. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the 21st Century 
Aeronautics Research Capabilities Initiative, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) upgrade and create facilities for civil and 
national security aeronautics research; and 
(2) support flight testing activities. 
(c) OPERATING MODEL.—In carrying out the 21st 
Century Aeronautics Research Capabilities Initiative, the 
Administrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, 
build on NASA’s work on developing its Operating Model 
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and the results of the Technical Capabilities Assessment 
Team. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator 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 
containing a 5-year plan for the implementation of 
the 21st Century Aeronautics Research Capabilities 
Initiative. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under 
this subsection shall include— 
(A) a description of proposed projects; 
(B) a description of how the projects align 
with the Aeronautics Strategic Implementation 
Plan; and 
(C) a timetable for carrying out activities 
and initiatives authorized under this section. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000, funded 
through the Construction of Facilities account, for fiscal 
year 2019 to carry out this section. 
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SEC. 404. EXPERIMENTAL PLANE PROGRAM. 
(a) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States to 
maintain the role of the United States as a world leader 
in aeronautical science and technology. 
(b) OBJECTIVE.—A fundamental objective of NASA 
aeronautics research is the steady progression and expan-
sion of high-speed flight research and capabilities, includ-
ing the science and technology of critical underlying dis-
ciplines and competencies, the most important of which 
are computational-based analytical and predictive tools 
and methodologies, aero thermodynamics, high-speed 
flight propulsion, high-temperature structures and mate-
rials, and flight controls. 
SEC. 405. HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY PROJECT. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the development of new hypersonic flight 
technologies is important to the United States; 
(2) though hypersonic flight technologies are 
likely to be applied to enhance defense systems in 
the near-term, in the long-term, application of such 
technologies may expand to include improved access- 
to-space capabilities that benefit NASA; and 
(3) NASA maintains specialized facilities and 
experts who will focus on research areas that explore 
challenges in hypersonic flight. 
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(b) POLICY.—In carrying out the Hypersonic Tech-
nology project, NASA should focus research and develop-
ment efforts on high-speed propulsion systems, reusable 
vehicle technologies, high-temperature materials, and sys-
tems analysis. 
(c) AUTHORIZED FUNDING.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations, the Administrator shall make 
available at least $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 for the 
Hypersonic Technology project. 
TITLE V—COMMERCIAL 
SEC. 501. COMMERCIAL SUPPLY OF SPACE PRODUCTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 501 of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 50117. Commercial supply of space products 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In planning and carrying out 
space exploration missions, the Administrator shall, to the 
greatest extent practicable, prioritize the acquisition and 
use of space products provided by a United States com-
mercial provider or through a public-private partnership 
with a United States commercial provider. 
‘‘(b) SPACE PRODUCT DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘space product’ means a tangible good, including a 
finished good, or commodity, including a propellant, water, 
oxygen, or gas, that— 
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‘‘(1) is required for space exploration activities; 
and 
‘‘(2) originates in outer space. 
‘‘(c) COMMODITIES USED IN SPACE.— 
‘‘(1) LIST
OF
COMMODITIES.—In planning a 
space exploration mission, the Administrator shall 
create a list of commodities to be used during such 
mission. The list shall include specification of each 
commodity, anticipated quantity, and the location 
and the timeframe of need. 
‘‘(2) COMMODITY COST BASIS.—For each com-
modity listed pursuant paragraph (1), NASA shall 
establish a commodity cost basis that shall represent 
the lesser of— 
‘‘(A) the estimated cost to procure the 
commodity on Earth and deliver the commodity 
to the location of use; and 
‘‘(B) the estimated cost for the Govern-
ment to procure the equivalent commodity that 
is a space product. 
‘‘(3) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall 
annually publish the information compiled under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) during the previous calendar 
year. 
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‘‘(d) EXCEPTIONS.—The Administrator shall not be 
required to prioritize the acquisition of space products for 
the purposes described in subsection (a) if, on a case-by- 
case basis— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator determines that— 
‘‘(A) cost-effective space products that 
meet specific mission requirements would not be 
reasonably available from United States com-
mercial providers when required; 
‘‘(B) the use of space products from 
United States commercial providers poses an 
unacceptable mission risk; or 
‘‘(C) the use of space products is incon-
sistent with international agreements for inter-
national collaborative efforts relating to science 
and technology; or 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of the Air Force determines 
that the use of space commodities from United 
States commercial providers is inconsistent with na-
tional security objectives. 
‘‘(e) AGREEMENTS
WITH
FOREIGN
ENTITIES.— 
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Administrator 
from planning or negotiating agreements with foreign gov-
ernmental entities for the provision of space products.’’. 
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(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 501 of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘50117. Commercial supply of space products.’’. 
SEC. 502. COMMERCIAL PROVISION OF SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 501 of 
title 51, United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘§ 50118. Commercial provision of services 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In planning and carrying out 
space exploration missions, the Administrator shall, to the 
greatest extent practicable, acquire services to be carried 
out in outer space by a United States commercial provider 
or through a public-private partnership with a United 
States commercial provider to support such missions. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTIONS.—The Administrator shall not be 
required to acquire services under subsection (a) from a 
United States commercial provider or through a public- 
private partnership with a United States commercial pro-
vider if, on a case-by-case basis— 
‘‘(1) the Administrator determines that— 
‘‘(A) cost-effective services that meet spe-
cific mission requirements would not be reason-
ably available from United States commercial 
providers when required; 
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‘‘(B) the use of such services from United 
States commercial providers poses an unaccept-
able mission risk; or 
‘‘(C) the use of such services is incon-
sistent with international agreements for inter-
national collaborative efforts relating to science 
and technology; or 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of the Air Force determines 
that the use of services from United States commer-
cial providers is inconsistent with national security 
objectives. 
‘‘(c) AGREEMENTS
WITH
FOREIGN
ENTITIES.— 
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Administrator 
from planning or negotiating agreements with foreign gov-
ernmental entities for the provision of support services to 
be carried out in outer space.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 501 of title 51, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘50118. Commercial provision of services.’’. 
SEC. 503. COMMERCIAL IN-SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 501 of 
title 51, United States Code, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
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agreements for international collaborative ef-
forts relating to science and technology; or 
‘‘(2) the Secretary of the Air Force determines 
that the use of commercial in-space infrastructure is 
inconsistent with national security objectives. 
‘‘(d) AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN ENTITIES.— 
Nothing in this section shall prevent the Administrator 
from planning or negotiating agreements with foreign gov-
ernmental entities for the use infrastructure in support 
of United States civil government activities in outer 
space.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 501 of title 51, United States Code, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘50119. Commercial in-space infrastructure.’’. 
SEC. 504. PREFERENCE FOR LAUNCH VEHICLES MANUFAC-
TURED IN THE UNITED STATES. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator 
should, to the greatest extent possible, with respect to en-
tering into contracts for commercial space data and serv-
ices, provide weighed preference, selection points, and 
other incentives for the use of launch vehicles that are 
manufactured in the United States. 
SEC. 505. STUDIES ON INDUSTRIAL BASE. 
No funds may be obligated or expended by the Ad-
ministrator for purposes of carrying out a Bureau of In-
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dustry and Security survey of the United States aerospace 
industrial base until the date that is 30 days after the 
date on which the Administrator submits 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 written notifi-
cation that includes— 
(1) the proposed subject matter of such survey; 
(2) a description of the information to be re-
quired of survey respondents; and 
(3) any penalties proposed to be assessed by the 
Federal Government against respondents for non-
compliance with survey requirements. 
SEC. 506. SPECTRUM COORDINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop 
and implement a plan to more effectively and efficiently, 
taking into account NASA’s spectrum requirements, share 
electromagnetic spectrum assigned to NASA with United 
States nongovernmental entities operating or proposing to 
operate space objects. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
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merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
on the plan developed under subsection (a). 
SEC. 507. ENHANCED-USE LEASING. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA possesses a variety of unique and 
world-class facilities; 
(2) NASA is developing and using many dif-
ferent methods to offset the cost of maintaining and 
operating such facilities; 
(3) nongovernmental entities may be able to use 
such facilities in a manner that is cost-effective; and 
(4) agreements between NASA and nongovern-
mental entities regarding the use of such facilities 
may offset a portion of the spending of NASA. 
(b) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO LEASE NON-EX-
CESS PROPERTY.—Section 20145(g) of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2020’’. 
(c) CONDITION ON USE OF FUNDS.—For any year 
for which funds are made available under section 20145 
of title 51, United States Code, (as amended by subsection 
(b)), no funds may be expended by the Administrator 
under such section after January 31 unless Administrator 
submits, before such date, to the Committee on Science, 
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Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate the annual report required under such 
section for the prior year. 
SEC. 508. SATELLITE SERVICING TECHNOLOGIES. 
The Administrator shall continue to restructure 
NASA investments in the development of satellite serv-
icing technologies to reduce the overall cost to NASA and 
align with NASA needs for exploration. 
TITLE VI—POLICY 
SEC. 601. NASA-FUNDED INSTITUTES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that on June 9, 
2016, the Office of Inspector General of NASA reported 
that— 
(1) NASA does not aggregate information on 
the universe, status, or funding levels for the many 
institutes it supports; 
(2) the absence of this information makes it dif-
ficult for NASA leaders to strategically evaluate the 
scope or purpose of its institute investments and for 
Congress and other stakeholders to understand how 
NASA is spending more than three-quarters of a bil-
lion dollars of its budget annually; 
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(3) absent comprehensive, centralized informa-
tion about these investments, it may be difficult for 
NASA to avoid duplication among its efforts; 
(4) NASA has not defined what constitutes an 
institute or established guidance and metrics on the 
management, use, or expectations for return on in-
vestment; 
(5) such guidance may enable NASA to gain a 
better understanding of how funds directed to 
NASA-funded institutes are utilized to accomplish 
the mission and goals of NASA, increase its return 
on investment, and evaluate the performance of such 
institutes; and 
(6) NASA lacks a standard process to assess a 
potential grantee’s financial condition prior to grant 
award or to impose additional reporting or oversight 
requirements that such a condition may warrant, 
and without such a mechanism, NASA risks making 
uninformed investment decisions. 
(b) INSTITUTE BUDGETS.—Section 30103(a) of title 
51, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as para-
graph (7); and 
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(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(6) the budget for each NASA-funded insti-
tute; and’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
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 recommends guidance and metrics for the manage-
ment, utilization, expectations for return on investment, 
and financial condition of NASA-funded institutes. 
SEC. 602. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS. 
Section 30104(e)(1)(A) of title 51, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in clause (iii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) any changes made in the per-
formance or schedule milestones and the 
degree to which such changes have contrib-
uted to the increase in total cost; 
‘‘(v) new estimates of the specific 
project or specific program cost; and 
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‘‘(vi) a statement validating that the 
management structure of the project or 
program is adequate to control cost; and’’. 
SEC. 603. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 301 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 30105. Concurrent reports 
‘‘For any report that the Administration submits to 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives or the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, the Administrator shall concurrently submit such 
report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation Committee of the Sen-
ate.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter 301 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘30105. Concurrent reports.’’. 
SEC. 604. INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL 
STANDARDS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) section 71301 of title 51, United States 
Code, directs the Administrator to ‘‘enter into dis-
cussions with the appropriate representatives of 
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spacefaring nations who have or plan to have crew 
transportation systems capable of orbital flight or 
flight beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of 
agreeing on a common docking system standard’’; 
(2) the development of an international docking 
standard has been beneficial in promoting Govern-
ment and private sector space exploration, interoper-
ability, and United States international leadership; 
(3) NASA continues the development described 
in paragraph (2) by coordinating the development of 
joint international deep space interoperability stand-
ards; and 
(4) the long-term goals of NASA, as described 
in section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 18312(a)), include expanding permanent 
human presence beyond low-Earth orbit. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the plans of NASA for crewed exploration 
beyond low-Earth orbit should involve a wide array 
of partners to address the technological challenges of 
deep space exploration; 
(2) the development of common terminology 
and concepts for spacecraft design and safety will 
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help promote NASA leadership in space and space-
craft design; 
(3) the adoption of common design and safety 
terminology and concepts across NASA would enable 
NASA to pursue the long-term goals of NASA, de-
scribed in section 202(a) of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(a)), in a manner that is 
effective and efficient; and 
(4) NASA should continue to develop and pro-
mote common terminology and concepts for space-
craft design and safety. 
SEC. 605. NASA CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY WATCH 
LIST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish 
and maintain a watch list of contractors with a history 
of poor performance on space procurement contracts or 
research, development, test, and evaluation space program 
contracts. 
(b) BASIS FOR INCLUSION ON LIST.— 
(1) DETERMINATION.—The Administrator may 
place a contractor, including parties contracting 
under other transaction authorities, on the watch list 
established under subsection (a) upon determining 
that the ability of the contractor to perform a con-
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tract specified in such subsection is uncertain be-
cause of any of the following: 
(A) Poor performance or award fee scores 
below 50 percent. 
(B) Financial concerns. 
(C) Felony convictions or civil judgements. 
(D) Security or foreign ownership and con-
trol issues. 
(2) DISCRETION
OF
THE
ADMINISTRATOR.— 
The Administrator shall be responsible for deter-
mining which contractors to place on the watch list, 
whether an entire company or a specific division 
should be included, and when to remove a contractor 
from the list. 
(c) EFFECT OF LISTING.— 
(1) PRIME CONTRACTS.—NASA may not solicit 
an offer from, award a contract to, execute an engi-
neering change proposal with, or exercise an option 
on any program of NASA with a contractor included 
on the list established under subsection (a) without 
the prior direct approval of the Administrator. 
(2) SUBCONTRACTS.—A prime contractor on a 
contract entered into with NASA may not enter into 
a subcontract valued in excess of $3,000,000 or five 
percent of the prime contract value, whichever is 
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