I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3182 
To advance United States leadership in planetary science and space 
exploration though education and outreach. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 23, 2015 
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself and Mr. SMITH of Texas) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To advance United States leadership in planetary science 
and space exploration though education and outreach. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Planetary Leadership 
Utilizing Teaching and Observations Act’’ or the 
‘‘PLUTO Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of NASA. 
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(2) NASA.—The term ‘‘NASA’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The New Frontiers Program represents a 
pivotal step in the advancement of solar system ex-
ploration. 
(2) The missions in the program tackle specific 
solar system exploration goals identified as top pri-
orities by consensus of the planetary community. 
(3) The New Frontiers strategy is to explore 
the solar system with frequent, medium-class space-
craft missions that conduct high-quality, focused sci-
entific investigations designed to enhance our under-
standing of the solar system. 
(4) The program objective is to launch high- 
science-return planetary investigations on an average 
of one every 36 months. 
(5) Added to the NASA budget for the first 
time in 2003, New Frontiers builds on the innova-
tive approaches used in NASA’s Discovery and Ex-
plorer Programs, but provides a mechanism for iden-
tifying and selecting missions that cannot be accom-
plished within the cost and time constraints of Dis-
covery. 
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(6) The New Horizons mission was the first 
mission launched under the New Frontiers program. 
(7) The fastest spacecraft ever launched, the 
New Horizons mission successfully completed the 
first reconnaissance of the Pluto system. 
(8) The exploration of outer space and the de-
velopment of space sciences are in the national inter-
ests of the United States. 
(9) In order to maintain preeminence in space 
science and exploration, it is imperative that the 
next generation of explorers is inspired to study 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
(STEM). 
(10) NASA’s science missions make unique con-
tributions to education by sharing the story, the 
science, and the adventure of NASA’s scientific ex-
plorations through public outreach. 
(11) One to two percent of the cost for each 
New Frontiers mission is allocated to education and 
public outreach activities that feature the science of 
the mission and its discoveries to enhance learning 
at all levels. 
(12) Planetary sciences, including the New Ho-
rizons mission, inspire students to study science, en-
gineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM). 
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SEC. 4. DIRECTION. 
The Administrator shall use observations, measure-
ments, data, and discoveries derived from the New Hori-
zons mission to— 
(1) enhance public awareness and appreciation 
for space exploration and engage the public in the 
process of scientific discovery; 
(2) communicate the importance of planetary 
science to students and teachers; 
(3) advance domestic science, technology, engi-
neering, and mathematics (STEM) education; 
(4) promote mutually beneficial international 
scientific partnerships; and 
(5) facilitate future progress in planetary 
science. 
Æ 
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