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(3) For the Space Technology Mission Direc-
torate, $1,181,800,000. 
(4) For the Science Mission Directorate, 
$7,334,200,000. 
(5) For the Aeronautics Research Mission Di-
rectorate, $965,800,000. 
(6) For the Office of STEM Engagement, 
$135,000,000. 
(7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 
$3,044,440,000. 
(8) For Construction and Environmental Com-
pliance and Restoration, $424,100,000. 
(9) For Inspector General, $47,600,000. 
TITLE II—EXPLORATION 
SEC. 201. CONTINUITY OF PURPOSE FOR SPACE EXPLO-
RATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) NASA continues to make progress in devel-
oping and testing the Space Launch System, Orion, 
and associated ground systems, including through 
the successful completion of the Artemis I mission in 
November 2022 and through continued preparations 
for the Artemis II crewed flight demonstration mis-
sion. 
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(2) The number of spacefaring countries is in-
creasing, and foreign countries have expanded activi-
ties for space exploration efforts, including efforts to 
explore and utilize the Moon through human and 
robotic missions. 
(3) A strong and ambitious space exploration 
program conducted with international and commer-
cial partners is important to maintaining United 
States leadership in space and enhancing United 
States international competitiveness. 
(4) Clear mission objectives that tie to concrete, 
long-term programmatic goals provide a measure to 
ensure accountability, enhance public support for ex-
ploration missions, and provide a clear signal of 
commitment to both international and domestic 
partners. 
(b) CONTINUITY OF EXISTING CAPABILITIES AND 
PROGRAMS.— 
(1) As part of the human exploration activities 
of the Administration, including progress on Artemis 
missions and activities, the Administrator shall con-
tinue development of space exploration elements pur-
suant to section 10811 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302). 
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(2) The Administrator shall leverage the private 
sector for logistical services to the extent practical, 
consistent with the Moon to Mars architecture re-
quirements and in accordance with section 50131 of 
title 51, United States Code. 
(3) Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress to 
maintain continuity of purpose as described in sec-
tion 201 of the 2017 NASA Transition Authoriza-
tion Act (Public Law 115–10; 131 Stat. 21). 
SEC. 202. ARTEMIS PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—The following is the sense 
of Congress: 
(1) Exploration of outer space, including explo-
ration of the lunar surface and cislunar space, pro-
vides benefits and economic opportunity, including 
by inspiring future generations and expanding the 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
workforce needed to sustain United States leader-
ship in science, space, and technology. 
(2) The lunar south pole is home to shadowed 
craters that may contain water ice and other 
volatiles. Understanding the nature of lunar polar 
volatiles, such as water ice, would advance science 
related to the origin and evolution of volatiles in the 
inner solar system and could facilitate the long-term 
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future of space exploration. Water ice lunar re-
sources have the potential to become an enabling 
component of future space exploration missions 
throughout the solar system, including crewed mis-
sions to Mars. 
(3) Other countries have demonstrated techno-
logical advances and successful robotic missions for 
lunar exploration and have announced credible plans 
for long-term human exploration of the Moon that 
include the intent to establish lunar bases. 
(4) United States leadership of and measurable 
progress on the exploration of deep space is essential 
for guiding development of norms related to oper-
ations on and around the Moon and for other space 
destinations. 
(5) It is in the national interest of the United 
States to hold a leadership role in discussions of fu-
ture norms governing activities in space, including 
those on the lunar surface and in cislunar space. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out activities to en-
able Artemis missions under the Moon to Mars Program 
set forth in section 10811 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167), the Administrator shall— 
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(1) use relevant elements set forth in section 
10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117–167); 
(2) continue to ensure that the elements under 
paragraph (1) enable the human exploration of 
Mars, consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167); 
(3) engage with international partners, as ap-
propriate, in a manner that is consistent with sec-
tion 10811(b)(2)(C) the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 
(Public Law 117–167), and that increases redun-
dancy, efficiency, and cost savings; and 
(4) leverage capabilities provided by United 
States commercial providers, as appropriate and 
practicable. 
(c) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL PROVIDER CAPA-
BILITIES
IN SUPPORT
OF LUNAR EXPLORATION EF-
FORTS.—The Administrator may enter into agreements 
with United States commercial providers or engage in pub-
lic-private partnerships to procure capabilities and services 
to support the human exploration of the Moon or cislunar 
space. 
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SEC. 203. REAFFIRMATION OF THE SPACE LAUNCH SYS-
TEM. 
(a) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.— 
(1) DEVELOPMENT
AND
CADENCE
OBJEC-
TIVES.—Congress reaffirms— 
(A) support for the full development of ca-
pabilities of the Space Launch System as set 
forth in section 302(c) of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)); and 
(B) its commitment to the flight rate of 
the integrated Space Launch System and Orion 
crew vehicle missions set forth in section 
10812(b) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20301 
note). 
(2) OTHER USES.—The Administrator shall as-
sess the demand for the Space Launch System by 
entities other than NASA and shall break out such 
demand according to the relevant Federal agency or 
nongovernment sector. This assessment may— 
(A) estimate cost and schedule savings 
from reduced transit times and the potential for 
increased returns enabled by the unique capa-
bilities of the Space Launch System; 
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(B) describe any barriers or challenges 
that could impede use of the Space Launch 
System by entities other than NASA; and 
(C) identify potential actions and costs as-
sociated with overcoming barriers and chal-
lenges described in subparagraph (B). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
describing the following: 
(1) NASA’s progress towards achieving the 
flight rate referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) and 
the expected launch of the integrated Space Launch 
System and Orion crew vehicle missions after which 
such cadence shall be achieved. 
(2) The results of the assessment conducted 
pursuant to subsection (a)(2). 
SEC. 204. HUMAN-RATED LUNAR LANDING CAPABILITIES. 
(a) REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms that the 
Moon to Mars program set forth in section 10811 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Author-
ization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 
20302 note.; 136 Stat. 1732) shall include human-rated 
lunar landing systems. 
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(b) HUMAN-RATED
LUNAR
LANDING
CAPABILI-
TIES.— 
(1) The Administrator shall support the devel-
opment and demonstration of, and shall obtain, 
human-rated lunar landing capabilities to further 
the goals of the human exploration roadmap under 
section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Transition Authorization Act of 
2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note) 
and the Moon to Mars Program set forth in section 
10811 of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 
117–167). 
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that such 
human-rated lunar landing capabilities meet all rel-
evant requirements, including requirements of the 
Moon to Mars program, and for human-rating and 
certification. 
(3) Any commercial provider from which the 
Administrator obtains human-rated lunar landing 
capabilities must be a United States commercial pro-
vider. 
(4) In carrying out paragraph (1)— 
(A) 
the 
Administrator 
may 
include 
uncrewed lunar landing services; and 
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(B) the Administrator shall, subject to the 
availability of appropriations for such purpose, 
seek to obtain capabilities from not fewer than 
two commercial providers. 
(c) REPORT.—The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress the following: 
(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a report— 
(A) identifying the contribution over the 
past five years, and the planned contribution 
for 2024–2029, of government personnel, exper-
tise, technologies and infrastructure utilized 
and to be utilized in support of design, develop-
ment, or operation of human lunar landing ca-
pabilities under this section; and 
(B) setting forth details and the associated 
costs of such government support, broken out 
according to the areas of contribution specified 
in subparagraph (A), as part of any develop-
ment initiative for obtaining human lunar land-
ing capabilities. 
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a report that sets forth, for 
any agreement with a United States commercial pro-
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vider for human lunar landing capabilities, the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The total value of the agreement when 
awarded. 
(B) If different from the amount in sub-
paragraph (A), the total value of the agreement 
as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
an explanation for any change in value, as well 
as an identification of whether NASA or the 
commercial partner is responsible for meeting 
the change in value. 
(C) The dollar amount invested and to be 
invested by the Administration, and the dollar 
amount invested and to be invested by the com-
mercial partner. 
(D) The full requirements, including 
human-rating and safety requirements, for 
human lunar landing capabilities under the 
agreement when awarded. 
(E) If different from the amount specified 
in subparagraph (C), the full requirements, in-
cluding human-rating and certification require-
ments, for the human lunar landing capabilities 
under the agreement as of the date of the en-
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actment of this Act and an explanation for any 
changes in requirements. 
(F) A description of milestone and associ-
ated payments provided for in the agreement, 
including the following: 
(i) An identification of all milestones 
under the agreement. 
(ii) The value of the associated pay-
ment for each milestone identified under 
clause (i). 
(iii) An identification of completed 
milestones and the date of completion. 
(iv) An identification of milestones 
which have not yet been completed and an 
estimated schedule for completion. 
(v) The value of all NASA payments 
under the agreement, outlays as of the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and the 
amount which as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act has not yet been paid. 
(vi) a description of any changes in 
milestones and associated payments be-
tween the date of contract award and the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
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(G) Any cost, schedule, and performance 
challenges as of the date of the enactment of 
this Act in provider performance of the agree-
ment. 
(H) A detailed justification of compliance 
with section 30301 of title 51, United States 
Code. 
(I) A detailed certification and justification 
of compliance with section 50503 of title 51, 
United States Code. 
(3) Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, in consultation with any 
United States commercial provider that is party to 
an agreement with NASA for human lunar landing 
capabilities under this section, a report on any steps 
the Administrator and such providers are taking to 
carry out the following: 
(A) Address cost, schedule, and perform-
ance challenges faced by each commercial pro-
vider in development and performance of 
human lunar landing capabilities described in 
paragraph (2)(G). 
(B) Facilitate the timely availability of 
human lunar landing capabilities of each pro-
vider to support the schedule of Artemis mis-
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sions in effect as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act, as applicable to each provider. 
(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, a report on alternative 
approaches, and implementation plans for such ap-
proaches, including an estimate of needed budgetary 
resources, for a human lunar landing capability that 
meets NASA human-rating and certification require-
ments in the event challenges referred to in para-
graph (3)(A) cannot be overcome or the timeline 
specified in paragraph (3)(B) cannot be met. 
SEC. 205. ADVANCED SPACESUIT CAPABILITIES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Space suits and associated extravehicular 
activity (EVA) technologies are critical exploration 
technologies that are necessary for future human 
deep space exploration efforts, including crewed mis-
sions to the Moon. 
(2) The NASA civil service workforce at the 
Johnson Space Center provides unique capabilities 
to design, integrate, and validate Space Suits and 
associated EVA technologies. 
(3) Maintaining a strong NASA core com-
petency in the design, development, manufacture, 
and operation of space suits and related technologies 
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allows NASA to be an informed purchaser of com-
petitively awarded commercial space suits and sub-
components. 
(4) According to a 2018 NASA Office of In-
spector General (OIG) report, current EVAs space 
suits, the Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), 
were developed in the late 1970s, are reaching the 
end of their useful life, have experienced multiple 
maintenance issues that threaten astronaut lives, 
and no longer accommodate the varying sizes of a 
diverse astronaut corps. 
(5) The same NASA OIG report found that ‘‘* 
* * manufacturers of several critical suit compo-
nents, including the very fibers of the suits, have 
now gone out of business * * *,’’ which further rein-
forces the importance of NASA’s role in maintaining 
a space suit core competency and limiting the risk 
posed by outsourcing key national capabilities. 
(6) The private sector currently is developing 
space suit capabilities. 
(7) Testing space suits and related technologies 
on the International Space Station could reduce risk 
and improve safety of such suits and technologies. 
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(b) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall obtain 
advanced spacesuit capabilities necessary to achieve the 
goals of NASA’s human spaceflight exploration programs. 
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Any commercial provider from 
which the Administrator obtains advanced spaceflight ca-
pabilities must be a United States commercial provider, 
as set forth in section 203(c) of this Act. 
(d) PRESERVING SPACESUIT EXPERTISE.— 
(1) In carrying out subsection (b), NASA shall 
maintain the internal expertise necessary to develop 
space suits for both extravehicular activity and sur-
face operations, including through partnerships with 
the private sector. 
(2) The Johnson Space Center shall continue to 
manage NASA’s spacesuit and extravehicular activ-
ity programs. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days from the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report— 
(1) describing NASA’s plans for— 
(A) in-space testing of advanced spacesuit 
capabilities, including— 
(i) space suit tests which must be con-
ducted in microgravity in low-Earth orbit; 
and 
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(ii) space suit tests that must be con-
ducted on the International Space Station 
before decommissioning of the Inter-
national Space Station; 
(B) transitioning from existing spacesuits 
in use on the International Space Station to use 
of advanced spacesuit capabilities; 
(C) future use of advanced spacesuit capa-
bilities by government astronauts with any non-
governmental platform in low-Earth orbit that 
is certified for use by the Administration for 
government astronauts (as such term is defined 
in section 50902(4) of title 51, United States 
Code); and 
(D) disposition of retired spacesuits used 
on the Space Shuttle or the International Space 
Station; and 
(2) including— 
(A) a detailed justification of compliance 
with section 30301 of title 51, United States 
Code; and 
(B) a detailed certification and justifica-
tion of compliance with section 50503 of title 
51, United States Code. 
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(f) ASSESSMENT
OF EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY 
UNITS USED ON THE ISS.— 
(1) No later than 45 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter 
into an arrangement with an independent science 
and technical engineering organization to review the 
technical status and performance of the Administra-
tion’s 
existing 
extravehicular 
mobility 
units 
(‘‘EMUs’’), to analyze the data associated with all 
mishaps, anomalies, and off-nominal events related 
to the EMUs used by government astronauts on the 
International Space Station over the last 10 years, 
and to make recommendations to the Administrator, 
as a result of such assessment. 
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that the en-
tity carrying out the assessment in paragraph (1) 
consults with relevant industry contractors regarding 
the Administration’s EMUs and EMU capabilities, 
and coordinates with the NASA Astronaut Office in 
carrying out such assessment. 
(3) The Administrator shall transmit the re-
sults of the assessment in paragraph (1) to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress as soon as prac-
ticable and no later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
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TITLE III—SPACE OPERATIONS 
SEC. 301. REPORT ON CONTINUED UNITED STATES PRES-
ENCE IN LOW EARTH ORBIT. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report con-
taining information on the following: 
(1) The United States Government description 
of and plans for implementation of the policy on an 
uninterrupted capability for human space flight and 
operations in accordance with section 70501(a) of 
title 51, United States Code, and section 201(b) of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(b)) re-
garding United States human space flight capabili-
ties. 
(2) The preparedness of the Administration to 
continue to meet statutory direction referenced in 
paragraph (1) under the planned approach to 
deorbit the International Space Station by not later 
than the end of calendar year 2031. 
SEC. 302. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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(1) ISS is a unique facility that provides the 
United States with capabilities in space that are cur-
rently unmatched; NASA continues to make produc-
tive use of the ISS; 
(2) the ISS serves several functions, including 
establishing the United States as a leader in space 
activities, acting as a beacon of international co-
operation, and conducting cutting-edge microgravity 
and observational research in low-Earth orbit; 
(3) NASA must complete certain objectives on 
the ISS to facilitate deep space exploration efforts, 
including carrying out human research and dem-
onstrating exploration-related technologies; and 
(4) reducing crew size or cargo deliveries, or re-
ducing sustaining engineering capabilities, would re-
duce the scientific output of the ISS and potentially 
increase the risk to the ISS and its crew. 
(b) FULL UTILIZATION.— 
(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that, to ensure the greatest return on in-
vestments made by the United States and the Inter-
national Space Station partners in the development, 
assembly, and operations of the International Space 
Station, the Administrator should maximize the uti-
lization and productivity of the International Space 
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Station with respect to the priorities set forth in sec-
tion 10816 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note), which include 
research of the human research program, risk reduc-
tion activities relevant to exploration technologies, 
the advancement of United States leadership of 
basic and applied space life and physical sciences, 
and other research and development essential to 
Moon to Mars program activities. 
(2) AMENDMENT.—Section 502(a) of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–267; 42 
U.S.C. 18352(a)), is amended by striking ‘‘take 
steps to’’. 
SEC. 303. NONGOVERNMENTAL MISSIONS ON THE INTER-
NATIONAL SPACE STATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) nongovernmental missions involving crew or 
spaceflight participants on the International Space 
Station carried out, as appropriate, pursuant to 
NASA policies and procedures, and Federal Govern-
ment laws and regulations, can provide lessons and 
learning experiences for both government and non-
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government entities to inform the development of fu-
ture commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and a 
low-Earth orbit economy; and 
(2) the Administrator should share lessons 
learned from nongovernmental missions on the 
International Space Station to advance the commer-
cial human spaceflight industry, to promote the safe-
ty of future commercial low-Earth orbit platforms, 
and to inform the evolution of policies guiding such 
activities in low-Earth orbit. 
(b) NONGOVERNMENTAL MISSIONS ON THE ISS.— 
The Administrator may enter into one or more agreements 
to enable one or more United States commercial providers 
to conduct nongovernmental missions on the International 
Space Station pursuant to NASA policies and procedures, 
and Federal government laws and regulations. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a report containing information relat-
ing to the following: 
(1) The number of nongovernmental missions 
on the ISS planned. 
(2) The number of nongovernmental missions 
on the ISS completed. 
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(3) The extent to which commercial entities car-
rying out nongovernmental missions on the ISS fully 
reimburse costs incurred by NASA in association 
with any nongovernmental missions carried out on 
the International Space Station. 
(4) The extent to which nongovernmental mis-
sions on the International Space Station impact the 
priorities specified in section 10816 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 
note). 
(5) The impact, if any, to operations of or ac-
tivities on the International Space Station that are 
not related to nongovernmental missions on the 
International Space Station. 
(6) The extent to which any nongovernmental 
mission on the ISS— 
(A) conforms with section 20102 of title 
51, United States Code; 
(B) adheres to the requirements of section 
50131 of title 51, United States Code; and 
(C) is consistent with the national security 
or foreign policy interests of the United States. 
(7) Any other issues related to nongovern-
mental missions on the International Space Station 
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that the Comptroller General determines are appro-
priate for review as part of undertaking the report 
in subsection (c). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘crew’’ 
and ‘‘spaceflight participant’’ have the meanings given 
such terms in section 50902 of title 51, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 304. REPORT ON SUBORBITAL CREW MISSIONS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall deliver to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the costs, 
benefits, risks, training requirements, and policy or legal 
implications, including liability matters, of launching 
United States Government personnel on commercial sub-
orbital vehicles. 
SEC. 305. UNITED STATES DEORBIT CAPABILITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the International Space Station is aging 
and eventually will need to be deorbited safely and 
disposed of in a controlled manner; and 
(2) to protect the safety of the public, and to 
avoid interfering with other space operators or ob-
jects, NASA plans to deorbit and disposition the 
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International Space Station through a controlled at-
mospheric reentry over an uninhabited region. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) The Administrator shall acquire ISS deorbit 
capabilities from one or more United States com-
mercial providers. 
(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Adminis-
trator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, not 
reduce or deprioritize NASA activities conducted on 
and in support of the ISS to support the acquisition 
of United States deorbit capabilities. 
(c) COSTS.— 
(1) INDEPENDENT
COST
ESTIMATE.—Before 
entering into an agreement for the capabilities de-
scribed in subsection (b), the Administrator shall ob-
tain an independent life-cycle cost estimate for the 
deorbit capability and shall report the results of 
such estimate and a five-year budget profile to the 
appropriate committees of Congress. 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report detailing the Administra-
tion’s plan for the financial, logistical, and 
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operational responsibilities associated with the 
deorbit capability. 
(B) Annually, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a report, to accompany the President’s budget 
request, containing a description of the annual 
and lifecycle costs for activities related to the 
deorbit of the International Space Station and 
how such costs are shared among the ISS part-
ners. 
SEC. 306. COMMERCIAL LOW-EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in 
consultation with the National Space Council, shall trans-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy 
for a robust and resilient architecture to advance NASA 
and other relevant Federal government civil research, de-
velopment, and operational requirements in low-Earth 
orbit. The architecture should— 
(1) include a mix of crewed and uncrewed plat-
forms; 
(2) consider an incremental approach to achiev-
ing the full suite of capabilities necessary to meet 
NASA research, development, and operational re-
quirements in low-Earth orbit; 
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(3) consider the requirements described in sub-
section (b); and 
(4) sustain and promote United States leader-
ship and international partnerships in carrying out 
low-Earth orbit activities. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
and make available to relevant United States commercial 
industry entities, a detailed account of the research, devel-
opment, and operational requirements for NASA activities 
in low-Earth orbit, including any requirements that could 
affect the design, development, instrumentation, and long- 
term operations of future United States commercial low- 
Earth orbit platforms and supporting capabilities. In pre-
paring the detailed account of research, development, and 
operational requirements, the Administrator may consider 
the requirements of other relevant Federal agencies. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION.—The Administrator is author-
ized to enter into agreements with one or more United 
States commercial providers to enable the development 
and certification of, and procure capabilities related to, a 
United States private, low-Earth orbit platform or plat-
forms, and to use such platforms or platforms and related 
capabilities to achieve the goals set forth in the strategy 
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under subsection (a), to sustain the priorities described 
in section 10816 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 
117–167; 51 U.S.C. 70901 note) and the activities under 
the Human Exploration Roadmap pursuant to section 
432(b)(2)(J) of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public 
Law 115–10), and to meet the requirements described in 
subsection (b). 
(d) ANCHOR TENANCY.—No later than November 15, 
2025, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate 
committees of Congress the following: 
(1) The results of a survey and assessment of 
the market for capabilities and services that may be 
provided through future United States commercial 
low-Earth orbit platforms that shall be prepared by 
an independent entity with appropriate expertise; 
(2) A detailed justification of compliance with 
section 30301 of title 51, United States Code. 
(3) A detailed certification and justification of 
compliance with section 50503 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
(e) USE OF UNITED STATES LAUNCH AND REENTRY 
SERVICES.—As a term of an agreement entered into under 
to subsection (c), the Administrator shall include a re-
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quirement for the use of United States commercially-pro-
vided launch and reentry services to support all Adminis-
tration activities under the agreement, in accordance with 
section 50131 of title 51, United States Code, as applica-
ble. 
(f) SAFETY.—When an agreement under subsection 
(c) involves a government astronauts (as such term is de-
fined in section 50902(4) of title 51, United States Code), 
the Administrator shall protect the safety of the govern-
ment astronaut by ensuring that each platform under the 
agreement meets all applicable human rating processes, 
certification, and safety requirements. 
SEC. 307. RISK OF LOSING ACCESS TO LOW-EARTH ORBIT. 
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that evalu-
ates the risk posed by a potential gap in access to low- 
Earth orbit on science and technology research and devel-
opment conducted by NASA and private entities. The re-
port shall describe the following: 
(1) The NASA science and exploration pro-
grams that may be adversely affected by the lack of 
a United States presence in low-Earth orbit. 
(2) The effects that a gap in low-Earth orbit 
would have on the United States’ competitiveness in 
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science and technology and in the development of 
the United States-based commercial space industry. 
(3) Potential options and associated costs for 
preventing such a gap, including the following: 
(A) Implementing the strategy described in 
section 306. 
(B) Supporting the operation of the Inter-
national Space Station beyond 2030. 
(C) Increasing investment in and accel-
erating development of commercial space sta-
tions. 
(D) Working with international partners to 
establish alternative means for conducting re-
search in low-Earth orbit. 
SEC. 308. MAINTENANCE OF SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL 
SPACE STATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to appropriations for such 
purpose, the Administrator shall maintain a flight cadence 
necessary to support the health and safety of the Inter-
national Space Station crew and the full and productive 
utilization of the International Space Station through its 
operational lifetime, consistent with the certification date 
of the International Space Station. In maintaining such 
flight cadence, the Administrator shall seek to carry out 
not less than the average annual cadence for the imme-
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diately preceding three fiscal years of crew and cargo 
flights on United States vehicles certified under NASA’s 
Commercial Crew and Cargo Program as of the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(b) WAIVER.—The Administrator may waive the re-
quirement under subsection (a) upon submission of a writ-
ten determination to Congress that— 
(1) the health and safety of the International 
Space Station requires a reduction in flights; or 
(2) the International Space Station has con-
cluded its operational lifetime. 
SEC. 309. ORBITAL DEBRIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that NASA’s research and development activities re-
lated to understanding and mitigating the hazards posed 
by orbital debris are critical to ensuring the continued safe 
operation of NASA missions, including the safety of hu-
mans living and working in space, and such activities fur-
ther enable scientific and technological advances that can 
be leveraged by the broader space operations community 
to foster a sustainable space environment. 
(b) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Adminis-
trator shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research 
and development to advance scientific understanding and 
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technological capabilities related to orbital debris charac-
terization and mitigation. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the research 
and development described in subsection (b), the Adminis-
trator may consider activities that— 
(1) improve the characterization and modeling 
of the space environment, including the characteriza-
tion and modeling of objects of both natural and an-
thropogenic origins that cannot be directly charac-
terized by ground-based measurements; 
(2) leverage space weather research and devel-
opment elements within NASA’s Heliophysics pro-
gram, to the extent appropriate and in accordance 
with the priorities established in the most recent 
solar and space physics decadal survey; and 
(3) support the application of relevant research, 
tools, and technologies to advance orbital debris 
characterization and mitigation and the transfer of 
such research, tools, and technologies to stake-
holders, as appropriate and practicable. 
SEC. 310. RESTRICTION ON FEDERAL FUNDS RELATING TO 
CERTAIN CHINESE SPACE AND SCIENTIFIC 
ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No Federal funds authorized in 
this Act may be obligated or expended for the following: 
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(1) For the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy (OSTP), or the National Space 
Council (NSC) to develop, design, plan, promulgate, 
implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, 
order, or contract of any kind to participate, collabo-
rate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China 
or any Chinese-owned company unless such activities 
are specifically authorized by a law enacted after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) To effectuate the hosting of official Chinese 
visitors at facilities belonging to or utilized by 
NASA. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—The restrictions described in sub-
section (a) shall not apply to activities with respect to 
which NASA, OSTP, or NSC, after consultation with the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation, have certified— 
(1) pose no risk of resulting in the transfer of 
technology, data, or other information with national 
security or economic security implications to China 
or a Chinese-owned company; and 
(2) will not involve knowing interactions with 
officials who have been determined by the United 
States to have direct involvement with violations of 
human rights. 
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(c) SUBMISSION.—Any certification made under sub-
section (b) shall be submitted to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Ap-
propriations of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation, not later than 30 days prior 
to the activity in question. Any such certification shall in-
clude a description of the purpose of such activity, its 
agenda, its major participants, and its location and tim-
ing. 
TITLE IV—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
SEC. 401. SBIR PHASE II FLEXIBILITY. 
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) 
is amended in subsection (cc) by striking ‘‘and the Depart-
ment of Education’’ and inserting ‘‘the Department of 
Education, and the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration’’. 
SEC. 402. LUNAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator may enter into an 
arrangement with an independent entity with appropriate 
expertise to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility of 
using power purchase agreements to facilitate the develop-
ment and deployment of lunar surface power. 
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(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) may include the following: 
(1) An identification of facilities and technical 
capabilities needed to support lunar surface power 
production. 
(2) A demand forecast for lunar surface power, 
including the following: 
(A) Forecasted demand of both govern-
mental and nongovernmental users. 
(B) To support the following: 
(i) Near-term exploration activities. 
(ii) Long-duration activities. 
(3) Potential policy and legal issues associated 
with lunar power purchase agreements between pro-
viders and the United States Government, inter-
national partners, and other private sector entities. 
(c) COORDINATION.—In conducting the study under 
this section, the Administrator may consult with the fol-
lowing: 
(1) The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium. 
(2) The Department of Energy, the Depart-
ment of Commerce, and other Federal agencies, as 
determined appropriate by the Administrator. 
(3) International partners. 
(4) Relevant private sector entities. 
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(d) REPORT.—Not later than 24 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator may 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
that describes the results of the study conducted pursuant 
to subsection (a). 
SEC. 403. CRYOGENIC FLUID VALVE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that advancing cryogenic fluid valve technology 
would support the Administration’s efforts to improve 
cryogenic fluid management and improve space vehicle re-
liability and efficiency. 
(b) TECHNOLOGY
AND RESEARCH REVIEW.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Ad-
ministrator shall enter into an agreement with an inde-
pendent research and development center or other inde-
pendent nonprofit organization, as determined appropriate 
by the Administrator, to conduct a review of cryogenic 
fluid valve technology in accordance with this section. The 
organization shall review recent advances in technologies 
related to cryogenic fluid valve use in space applications 
and assess opportunities to improve cryogenic fluid valve 
technologies, including support for research and develop-
ment activities to advance materials engineering for cryo-
genic fluid valves. 
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(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the organization con-
ducting the review shall submit to the Administrator and 
the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing 
the results of the review conducted under this section. 
SEC. 404. LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Reliable communication and navigation ca-
pabilities are essential for sustainable human and 
robotic exploration of the Moon. 
(2) Fostering the development of commercial 
capabilities can accelerate the deployment of lunar 
communication and navigation services. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator is authorized 
to develop a robust and resilient architecture for lunar 
communications and navigation to support the Adminis-
tration’s human and robotic lunar exploration activities. 
(c) STUDY AND PLAN.—To inform the development 
in subsection (a), the Administrator shall develop a study 
and prepare a plan to— 
(1) enable interoperable communications and 
navigation services for cislunar missions; 
(2) work with the private sector, other Federal 
agencies, and, as appropriate, international partners 
to establish technical standards, consistent with sec-
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tion 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–113), 
protocols, and interface requirements for cislunar 
communications and navigation services and sys-
tems; 
(3) support NASA lunar activities; 
(4) leverage NASA’s space technology research, 
development, and demonstration activities related to 
space communications and navigation; and 
(5) evaluate the opportunities, benefits, feasi-
bility, and challenges of potentially using commercial 
cislunar communication and navigation services, as 
appropriate, by United States commercial providers. 
SEC. 405. CELESTIAL TIME STANDARDIZATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) United States leadership of a sustained 
presence on the Moon and in deep space exploration 
is important for advancing science, exploration, com-
mercial growth, and international partnership; 
(2) the Artemis and Moon to Mars program of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) will involve governmental, commercial, aca-
demic, and international partners where there is a 
need for interoperability between systems; 
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(3) the use of Coordinated Universal Time has 
challenges when used beyond Earth at other celestial 
bodies, due to relativistic effects; 
(4) the United States should lead in developing 
time standardization for the Moon and other celes-
tial bodies other than Earth to support interoper-
ability and safe and sustainable operations; and 
(5) development of such standardization will ad-
vance United States leadership in standards setting 
for global competitiveness, and will benefit other 
spacefaring countries and entities. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT OF CELESTIAL TIME STANDARD-
IZATION.—The Administrator of NASA, in consultation 
with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, shall carry out the following: 
(1) Enable the development of celestial time 
standardization, including by leading the study and 
definition of a coordinated lunar time. 
(2) Develop a strategy to implement a coordi-
nated lunar time that would support future oper-
ations and infrastructure on and around the Moon. 
(3) In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2)— 
(A) coordinate with relevant Federal enti-
ties, including the Department of Commerce, 
the Department of Defense, the Department of 
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State, and the Department of Transportation; 
and 
(B) consult with— 
(i) relevant private sector entities; 
(ii) relevant academic entities; and 
(iii) relevant international standards 
setting bodies. 
(4) Incorporate the following features of a co-
ordinated lunar time, to the extent practicable, in 
the development of the strategy developed pursuant 
to paragraph (2): 
(A) Traceability to Coordinated Universal 
Time. 
(B) Accuracy sufficient to support preci-
sion navigation and science. 
(C) Resilience to loss of contact with 
Earth. 
(D) Scalability to space environments be-
yond the Earth-Moon system. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA 
shall submit 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 a report describing the strategy developed pursu-
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ant to subsection (b)(2), including relevant plans, 
timelines, and resources required for the implementation 
of a coordinated lunar time pursuant to such strategy. 
TITLE V—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY; AAM.—The terms 
‘‘advanced air mobility’’ and ‘‘AAM’’ mean a trans-
portation system that is comprised of urban air mo-
bility and regional air mobility using manned or un-
manned aircraft. 
(2) REGIONAL AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘‘re-
gional air mobility’’ means the movement of pas-
sengers or property by air between 2 points using an 
airworthy aircraft that— 
(A) has advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and land-
ing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; 
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds; and 
(C) is not urban air mobility. 
(3) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meanings given 
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such term in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(4) URBAN AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘‘urban 
air mobility’’ means the movement of passengers or 
property by air between 2 points in different cities 
or 2 points within the same city using an airworthy 
aircraft that— 
(A) has advanced technologies, such as dis-
tributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and land-
ing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, 
or autonomous technologies; and 
(B) has a maximum takeoff weight of 
greater than 1,320 pounds. 
(5) UTM.—The term ‘‘UTM’’ means an un-
manned aircraft system traffic management system 
or service. 
SEC. 502. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS. 
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consulta-
tion with industry and academia, shall conduct a study 
of past and future administration of the experimental air-
craft demonstrator projects. 
(b) FUTURE DEMONSTRATIONS.—The study under 
subsection (a) shall identify systems, capabilities, and 
technologies that could be viable candidates for matura-
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tion and demonstration through the development of an ex-
perimental aircraft demonstrator. Such systems, capabili-
ties, and technologies may include technological advance-
ments related to structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, 
controls, and autonomous capabilities. The study shall in-
clude a description of criteria and performance metrics 
used to determine the readiness of a system, capability, 
or technology to be demonstrated on a future experimental 
aircraft demonstrator. 
(c) LESSONS LEARNED.—The study under subsection 
(a) also shall include an assessment of lessons learned 
from the Administration’s previous experimental aircraft 
demonstration projects over the last decade, including the 
projects set forth under section 10831 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2022 (Public Law 117–167). This assessment shall in-
clude— 
(1) a quantitative assessment of each experi-
mental aircraft demonstration project’s ability to 
meet cost, schedule and performance goals, as de-
fined at the time of project confirmation; 
(2) the extent to which the project’s objectives 
or performance goals were changed or descoped; 
(3) the extent to which the system, capability, 
or technology that was the subject of the project was 
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matured as a result of its demonstration on an ex-
perimental aircraft demonstrator; and 
(4) the extent to which the project has contrib-
uted to advancing the capabilities of and innovation 
in the United States aircraft and aviation industries. 
SEC. 503. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) basic and applied hypersonic research— 
(A) is critical for enabling the development 
of advanced high-speed aeronautical and space 
systems; and 
(B) can improve understanding of tech-
nical challenges related to high-speed and reus-
able vehicle technologies, including those related 
to propulsion, noise, advanced materials, and 
entry, descent, and landing operations; 
(2) investments in hypersonic research are crit-
ical to sustaining United States global leadership in 
space and aeronautics; and 
(3) NASA efforts to study hypersonic research 
should complement research supported by the De-
partment of Defense and, when appropriate, be con-
ducted in partnership with universities and industry. 
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(b) HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.—The Administrator, in 
coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration and the Secretary of the Department 
of Defense, and in consultation with industry and aca-
demia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied 
hypersonic research. 
(c) HYPERSONIC RESEARCH ROADMAP.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator 
of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary 
of the Department of Defense, and with industry and aca-
demic institutions, shall update the hypersonic research 
roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Transition Authoriza-
tion Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 
note). In updating the research roadmap, the Adminis-
trator may consider advancements in— 
(1) system level design, analysis, and validation 
of hypersonic aircraft technologies; 
(2) propulsion capabilities and technologies; 
(3) vehicle technologies to include vehicle flow 
physics and vehicle thermal management associated 
with aerodynamic heating; 
(4) advanced materials, including materials ca-
pable of withstanding high temperatures and dem-
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onstrating durable materials, and efforts to create 
models and simulate use of such materials; and 
(5) other areas of hypersonic research as deter-
mined appropriate by the Administrator. 
(d) REPORT AND BRIEFING.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
(1) transmit the updated research roadmap 
under subsection (c) to the appropriate committees 
of Congress; and 
(2) provide a briefing on the research conducted 
under subsection (b), including how such research 
aligns with the updated research roadmap under 
subsection (c). 
SEC. 504. ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING 
TECHNOLOGY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to 
the appropriate committees of Congress on the status of 
NASA activities relating to section 10831(e), the Ad-
vanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Pro-
gram, and section 10831(f), regarding relevant Research 
Partnerships, as set forth in the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public 
Law 117–167). 
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SEC. 505. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM AND ADVANCED 
AIR MOBILITY. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that research and de-
velopment related to autonomous aviation is vital to en-
sure United States competitiveness as the National Air-
space System evolves from trajectory-based operations to 
collaborative and highly automated operations. 
(b) COLLABORATION.—The Administrator shall, in 
collaboration with the Administrator of Federal Aviation 
Administration, the heads of other relevant Federal agen-
cies, and appropriate representatives of academia and in-
dustry, continue its research on unmanned aircraft sys-
tems and advanced air mobility, including research related 
to UTM and autonomous capabilities, as practicable. 
(c) BRIEF.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief 
the appropriate committees of Congress on the progress 
of the research under subsection (b). 
SEC. 506. ADVANCED CAPABILITIES FOR EMERGENCY RE-
SPONSE OPERATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall leverage 
NASA-developed tools and technologies to conduct re-
search and development activities under the Advanced Ca-
pabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) 
project, or appropriate successor project or projects, to im-
prove aerial responses to wildfires. 
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(b) GOALS.—The research and development activities 
conducted under subsection (a) may include the following: 
(1) Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace 
management efforts to assist in the management, 
deconfliction, and coordination of aerial assets dur-
ing wildfire response efforts. 
(2) Information sharing and real-time data ex-
change for wildfire response teams. 
(3) Development of an interoperable platform to 
provide situational awareness of aerial assets during 
wildfire response. 
(4) Establishment of a multi-agency concept of 
operations, which may involve Federal, State, and 
local government agencies, to enable coordination of 
aerial activities for wildfire response. 
(c) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Administrator— 
(1) may coordinate and collaborate with other 
Federal, State, and local government agencies, re-
gional organizations, and commercial partners and 
academic institutions involved in wildfire manage-
ment; and 
(2) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
consult with the heads of other Federal departments 
and agencies to avoid duplication of activities. 
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(d) PROHIBITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 
subsection, the Administrator may not procure an 
unmanned aircraft system to conduct activities de-
scribed in this section if such unmanned aircraft sys-
tem is manufactured or assembled by a covered for-
eign entity. 
(2) 
EXEMPTION.—The 
Administrator 
may 
waive the prohibition under paragraph (1) on a case- 
by-case basis if the Administrator— 
(A) determines that the procurement of an 
unmanned aircraft system is— 
(i) in the national interest of the 
United States; and 
(ii) necessary for the sole purpose of 
improving aerial responses to wildfires; and 
(B) notifies 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 30 days after a determination in the 
affirmative under subparagraph (A). 
(e) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually 
thereafter until December 31, 2029, the Administrator 
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shall submit 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 a report describing the activities, including results, 
carried out pursuant to this section 2. Each such report, 
at minimum, shall contain the following: 
(1) A description of any research and develop-
ment activities. 
(2) A description of the Administrator’s activi-
ties pursuant to subsection (c). 
(3) An identification of any topics related to 
improvement of aerial responses to wildfires that 
could benefit from further research. 
(4) A description of any continuing efforts 
under this section. 
(5) Any other information determined appro-
priate by the Administrator. 
(f) DEFINITION.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
FOREIGN
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘covered foreign entity’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 1832 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 
118–31). 
(2) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
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such term in section 44801 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 507. HYDROGEN AVIATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations for such purpose, and taking into consider-
ation the strategy developed under and research conducted 
pursuant to section 1019 of the FAA Reauthorization Act 
of 2024 (Public Law 118–63), the Administrator may 
carry out research on emerging technologies related to hy-
drogen aviation. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the findings of the research under subsection (a). 
SEC. 508. HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHASE AIRCRAFT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA programs benefit from and rely upon 
high-performance chase aircraft for providing re-
search and mission support; and 
(2) NASA currently faces maintenance chal-
lenges related to its aging high-performance aircraft 
fleet, which is resulting in increased program costs. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, 
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the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress a briefing on the strategy of NASA 
relating to the following: 
(1) Collaboration with the Department of De-
fense on efforts for research and flight asset sharing 
to support NASA’s research mission support and 
pilot training requirements. 
(2) Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to 
keep NASA’s current fleet of chase aircraft oper-
ational, including potential use of 3D additive manu-
factured parts. 
(3) Strategies for acquiring or using through 
loan, sharing, or other agreements, as appropriate, 
Department of Defense aircraft to support NASA’s 
research and mission support activities, as required. 
SEC. 509. COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) colleges and universities are hubs of re-
search and innovation, with expertise in various 
fields of science and aeronautics; 
(2) collaborating with academia allows NASA to 
access cutting-edge research and expertise that can 
further enable advancements in aeronautics research 
and technology and address complex aeronautical 
challenges; 
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(3) a cutting-edge civil aeronautics research and 
development program can inspire the next genera-
tion to pursue education and careers in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, including 
aeronautics; and 
(4) opportunities for students to participate in 
NASA-supported academic research and develop-
ment projects, such as the University Leadership 
Initiative, the University Students Research Chal-
lenge, and related aeronautic projects and competi-
tions, contributes to training the next generation 
and developing the aeronautics workforce to support 
continued United States leadership and economic 
growth in civil aeronautics and aviation. 
SEC. 510. NATIONAL STUDENT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEMS COMPETITION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall lead a 
national pilot program to carry out unmanned aircraft sys-
tems technology competitions for students at the high 
school and undergraduate level (in this section referred to 
as ‘‘competitions’’) in which students shall compete to de-
sign, create, and demonstrate an unmanned aircraft sys-
tem. 
(b) COMPETITION ADMINISTRATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall award, on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis, 
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a grant to a nonprofit organization, an institution of high-
er education, or a consortium thereof, to administer the 
pilot program under subsection (a) (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘competition administrator’’). 
(c) AWARD CRITERIA.—The Administrator shall en-
sure that the award decision made under subsection (b) 
take into account the extent to which the eligible entity— 
(1) identifies a plan for engaging eligible insti-
tutions from diverse geographic areas, including 
poor, rural, and Tribal communities; and 
(2) identifies a plan for connecting science, 
technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) ac-
tivities to Administration missions and centers. 
(d) COMPETITION ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBIL-
ITIES.—In carrying out the pilot program, the competition 
administrator shall be responsible for the following: 
(1) Awarding grants to institutions of higher 
education or nonprofit organizations (or a consor-
tium thereof) on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis 
to host individual competitions. 
(2) Developing STEM curriculum to be utilized 
by the competition awardees to help students make 
the connection to the design, construction, and dem-
onstration of unmanned aircraft systems. 
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(3) Developing curriculum to assist students in 
making real-world connections to STEM content and 
educate students on the relevance and significance of 
STEM careers. 
(4) Ensuring competition awardees are sup-
porting the activities specified in subsection (f). 
(5) Conducting performance evaluations of com-
petitions, including data collection, on the following: 
(A) The number of students engaged. 
(B) Geographic and institutional diversity 
of participating schools and institutions of high-
er education. 
(6) Any other activities the Administrator finds 
necessary to ensure the competitions are successful. 
(e) ADDITIONAL
CONSIDERATIONS.—In awarding 
grants in subsection (d), the competition administrator 
shall consider applications that include a partnership with 
that State’s space grant program under chapter 403 of 
title 51, United States Code. 
(f) PERMITTED ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the 
pilot program under subsection (a), the competition ad-
ministrator shall ensure competitions occurring at both 
the high school and undergraduate levels— 
(1) allow students to design, construct, and 
demonstrate an unmanned aircraft system; 
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(2) allow students to compete with other teams 
in the performance of the constructed unmanned air-
craft system; 
(3) connect to relevant missions and NASA 
Center activities of the Administration; 
(4) connect relevant STEM curriculum to the 
design, construction, and demonstration of un-
manned aircraft systems; 
(5) support activities designed to help students 
make real-world connections to STEM content and 
educate students on the relevance and significance of 
STEM careers; 
(6) are geographically dispersed in order to 
serve a broad student population, including those in 
rural and underserved communities; and 
(7) encourage, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, the participation of students from groups 
historically underrepresented in STEM. 
(g) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than six 
months after the end of the pilot program under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report describing the ac-
complishments, lessons learned, any challenges in the im-
plementation of the pilot program, and recommendations 
for whether to continue the pilot program. 
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(h) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘eligible 
institution’’ means— 
(1) an institution of higher education; 
(2) a nonprofit research institution; 
(3) a high school; or 
(4) a consortium of 2 or more entities described 
in any of paragraphs (1) through (3). 
SEC. 511. DECADAL SURVEY FOR NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 
RESEARCH AND PRIORITIES REVIEW. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Engaging the science and engineering com-
munities, along with industry, through the develop-
ment of a National Academies of Science, Engineer-
ing, and Medicine decadal survey in aeronautics re-
search and development can provide a science and 
engineering community consensus on key research 
and development priorities in national civil aero-
nautics programs. 
(2) A decadal survey entails a comprehensive 
review of and strategy and priorities for civil na-
tional aeronautics research and development and 
prioritizes for the next decade. 
(3) A decadal survey for civil aeronautics re-
search and development can serve as a guiding 
framework for strategic planning and resource allo-
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cation in the field of civil aeronautics for the coming 
decade. 
(b) STUDY.—The Administrator in consultation with 
the heads of other relevant Federal Government agencies 
and in accordance with section 20305 of title 51. United 
States Code, shall seek to enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine (in this section referred to as the ‘‘National 
Academies’’) to conduct a decadal survey of civil aero-
nautics research and development for the 2025—2035 
decade. The survey shall recommend research priorities to 
sustain United States leadership in civil aeronautics re-
search and development and support a safe and sustain-
able future for aviation. The survey may also include rec-
ommendations related to the dissemination and transition 
of such research and development to the United States 
commercial aviation and aircraft industries, to enabling 
innovation, and to ensuring a world-class workforce for 
aeronautics research and development and related United 
States commercial industries and activities. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
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Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the 
results of such survey, including any recommendations. 
SEC. 
512. 
MAKING 
ADVANCEMENTS 
IN 
COMMERCIAL 
HYPERSONICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In conducting the hypersonics re-
search in section 40112(d) of title 51, United States Code, 
the Administrator may establish the Making Advance-
ments in Commercial Hypersonics Program (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Program’’), which shall facilitate 
opportunities for testing of high-speed aircraft and other 
technologies that advance scientific research and tech-
nology development related to hypersonic aircraft. 
(b) LIMITATION.—The Program under subsection (a) 
shall not fund the development of technologies that are 
supported by such testing opportunities. 
(c) PLAN.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, acting 
through the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, 
shall develop a strategic plan for activities under sub-
section (a) that aligns with the research roadmap under 
section 503 of this Act. 
(d) COORDINATION, CONSULTATION AND COLLABO-
RATION.— 
(1) The Administrator shall ensure coordination 
between the Aeronautics Research Mission Direc-
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torate and other Mission Directorates, as appro-
priate, to identify technologies eligible for testing op-
portunities under the Program. 
(2) The Administrator shall consult and seek to 
collaborate with, as appropriate, with the Secretary 
of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal 
Aviation Administration on activities related to the 
Program, including development, testing, and eval-
uation of high-speed aircraft and related tech-
nologies. 
(e) REPORT.—The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress, and the Committee 
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate— 
(1) not later than 80 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section, a report that— 
(A) describes activities of the program es-
tablished under subsection (a); and 
(B) includes the strategic plan produced 
under subsection (c); and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, a re-
port describing progress in carrying out the pro-
gram, including the number and type of testing op-
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portunities executed in the previous fiscal year and 
planned for the upcoming fiscal year. 
(f) RESEARCH SECURITY.—Nothing under this sec-
tion authorizes the Administrator to develop, implement, 
or execute an agreement related to technologies under this 
section with any entity of concern, a foreign business enti-
ty, or a foreign country of concern. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) ENTITY OF CONCERN.—the term ‘‘entity of 
concern’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
10114 of the Research and Development, Competi-
tion, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117–167; 42 
U.S.C. 18912). 
(2) FOREIGN
BUSINESS
ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘foreign business entity’’ means an entity that is 
majority-owned or majority-controlled (as such term 
is defined in section 800.208 of title 31, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation), or 
minority owned greater than 25 percent by— 
(A) any governmental organization of a 
foreign country of concern; or 
(B) any other entity that is— 
(i) known to be owned or controlled 
by any governmental organization of a for-
eign country of concern; or 
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(ii) organized under, or otherwise sub-
ject to, the laws of a foreign country of 
concern. 
(3) FOREIGN
COUNTRY
OF
CONCERN.—The 
term ‘‘foreign country of concern’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 9901 of title XCIX of di-
vision H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651). 
(4) HIGH-SPEED AIRCRAFT.—The term ‘‘high- 
speed aircraft’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 1009 of the Federal Aviation Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2024 (Public Law 118–63). 
TITLE VI—SCIENCE 
SEC. 601. MAINTAINING A BALANCED SCIENCE PORTFOLIO. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress reaffirms the 
sense of Congress that— 
(1) a balanced and adequately funded set of ac-
tivities consisting of research and analysis grant pro-
grams, technology development, suborbital research 
activities, and small, medium, and large space mis-
sions, contributes to a robust and productive science 
program and serves as a catalyst for innovation and 
discovery; and 
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(2) the Administrator should set science prior-
ities by following the recommendations and guidance 
provided by the scientific community through the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine decadal surveys. 
(b) POLICY REAFFIRMATION.—Congress reaffirms 
the policy of the United States set forth in section 501(c) 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115– 
10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note), which states, ‘‘It is the policy 
of the United States to ensure, to the extent practicable, 
a steady cadence of large, medium, and small science mis-
sions’’. 
SEC. 602. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCIENCE MISSION COST- 
CAPS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA science missions address compelling 
scientific questions prioritized by the National Acad-
emies decadal surveys, and often such missions ex-
ceed expectations in terms of performance, longevity, 
and scientific impact; 
(2) the Administrator should continue to pursue 
an ambitious science program while also seeking to 
avoid excessive cost growth that has the potential to 
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affect the balance across the Science portfolio and 
within the Science Divisions; 
(3) audits by the NASA Inspector General and 
the Government Accountability Office have reported 
that early cost estimates for missions in the prelimi-
nary phases of conception and development are im-
mature and unreliable, and the cost of a mission 
typically is not well-understood until the project is 
further along in the development process; 
(4) cost growth of a mission beyond its early 
cost estimates is a challenge for budget planning 
and has the potential to affect other missions in the 
Science Mission Directorate portfolio, including 
through delays to future mission solicitations; and 
(5) relying on early cost estimates made prior 
to preliminary design review for science missions 
which then experience such cost growth may 
disincentivize program and cost discipline moving 
forward. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a review of NASA practices related to establishment of 
and compliance with cost caps of competitively-selected, 
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principal investigator-led science missions. The review 
shall— 
(1) assess current cost cap values and deter-
mine whether existing cost-cap amounts are appro-
priate for different classes of missions; 
(2) consider the effectiveness of cost caps in 
maintaining a varied and balanced portfolio of mis-
sion types within the Science Mission Directorate; 
(3) describe the information NASA requires as 
part of a proposal submission related to project cost 
estimates and proposal compliance with cost caps, 
and assess whether such required information pro-
vides sufficient insight or confidence in the esti-
mates; 
(4) consider NASA processes for assessing pro-
posed cost estimates and the accuracy of such as-
sessments for past competitively-selected, principal 
investigator-led science missions; and 
(5) for the period starting on January 1, 2000 
and ending on the date of the enactment of this 
Act— 
(A) a list of— 
(i) competitively-selected, principal in-
vestigator-led science missions for which 
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costs have exceeded the associated cost 
cap; and 
(ii) reason the mission costs exceeded 
the cost-cap; 
(B) an assessment of NASA’s role in pre-
dicting, preventing, or managing competitively- 
selected, principal investigator-led science mis-
sion cost increases; and 
(C) a description of the impact of in-
creased competitively-selected, principal investi-
gator-led science mission costs beyond the cost 
caps on— 
(i) the missions for which the cost cap 
has been breached; and 
(ii) other missions within the applica-
ble division and within the Science Mission 
Directorate. 
SEC. 603. REEXAMINATION OF DECADAL SURVEYS. 
Title 51, United States Code, is amended in section 
20305(c) by inserting ‘‘, significant changes to the NASA 
budget’’ after ‘‘growth’’. 
SEC. 604. LANDSAT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to 
the appropriate committees of Congress describing— 
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(1) the Administrator’s efforts to comply with 
section 60134 of title 51, United States Code; 
(2) aspects of Landsat NEXT or any other 
Landsat observations that— 
(A) could be provided by private sector 
data-buys or service procurements; and 
(B) could— 
(i) meet associated science require-
ments while maintaining or exceeding the 
quality, integrity, and continuity of the 
Landsat observational capabilities and per-
formance, 
including 
requirements 
nec-
essary to ensure high-quality calibrated 
data continuity and traceability with the 
50-year Landsat data record; and 
(ii) comply with nondiscriminatory 
availability of unenhanced data and public 
archiving of data pursuant to section 
60141 and 60142 of title 51, United 
States Code, and all other relevant federal 
laws, regulations, and policies related to 
open science and data accessibility; 
(3) any potential tradeoffs or other impacts of 
subparagraphs (A) or (B) that could reduce the ben-
efit of Landsat data for scientific and applied uses 
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title 51, United States Code (as added and amend-
ed, respectively, by this section), during the imme-
diately preceding fiscal year, including the following: 
(A) An identification of the department or 
agency of the Federal Government from which 
such funds were transferred. 
(B) The total amount of funds so trans-
ferred, disaggregated by each such department 
or agency. 
(C) The purposes for which such funds 
were appropriated to each agency or depart-
ment. 
(D) The program or activity of the Admin-
istration to which such funds were made avail-
able by each such transfer. 
(E) The purposes of each such administra-
tion program or activity, and the amount of 
funding appropriated to the Administration for 
such purposes. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than three years after the 
date of enactment of the section, the Administrator of the 
Administration shall submit 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 that includes the following: 
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