(3) LIMITATION.—In charging and collecting 
fees under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
take into consideration the amount of the obligation. 
(i) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator shall issue 
final regulations before making any loan or loan guarantee 
under the program. Such regulations shall include— 
(1) criteria that the Administrator shall use to 
determine eligibility for loans and loan guarantees 
under this section, including whether a borrower 
demonstrates that a non-governmental market exists 
for the orbital human space transportation service, 
as evidenced by written statements of interest from 
potential purchasers of the services; 
(2) criteria that the Administrator shall use to 
determine the amount of any fees charged under 
subsection (h), including criteria related to the 
amount of the obligation; and 
(3) any other policies, procedures, or informa-
tion necessary to implement this section. 
(j) AUDIT.— 
(1) ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall enter into an arrangement with an 
independent auditor for annual evaluations of the 
program under this section. 
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(2) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL
REVIEW.—The 
Comptroller General of the United States shall con-
duct a biennial review of the Administrator’s execu-
tion of the program under this section. 
(3) REPORT.—The results of the independent 
audit under paragraph (1) and the Comptroller Gen-
eral’s review under paragraph (2) shall be provided 
directly to the Committee on Science and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(k) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Concurrent with the 
submission to Congress of the President’s annual budget 
request in each year after the date of enactment of this 
section, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report containing a summary of 
all activities carried out under this section. 
(l) MINIMIZING RISK.—The Administrator shall pro-
mulgate regulations and policies to carry out this section 
in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Cir-
cular No. A–129, entitled ‘‘Policies for Federal Credit 
Programs and Non-Tax Receivables’’, as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this section. 
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(m) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COST.—The term ‘‘cost’’ has the meaning 
given such term under section 502 of the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a). 
(2) 
OBLIGATION.—The 
term 
‘‘obligation’’ 
means the loan issued under this section or the loan 
or other debt obligation that is guaranteed under 
this section. 
(3) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘program’’ means 
the program established in subsection (a). 
TITLE III—SCIENCE 
Subtitle A—Earth Science 
SEC. 301. EARTH SCIENCE APPLICATIONS. 
The Administrator shall develop guidelines and proce-
dures for entering into arrangements with State, local, re-
gional, tribal, and other Federal Government agencies that 
seek to benefit from ongoing NASA technical information, 
capabilities, and support related to Earth science applica-
tions and decision support systems. The guidelines and 
procedures shall include a definition of the partnership, 
milestones, cost-sharing, and project-relevant criteria for 
the project. The guidelines and procedures shall define ar-
rangements for reimbursement for Government services, 
as appropriate, including the use of NASA spacecraft and 
aircraft, sensors, equipment, facilities, and associated per-
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sonnel for the purpose of aiding State, local, regional, trib-
al, and other Federal Government needs. 
SEC. 302. ESSENTIAL SPACE-BASED EARTH SCIENCE AND 
CLIMATE MEASUREMENTS. 
The Administrator, in cooperation with the Adminis-
trator of NOAA and other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 
for a study, to be completed, and transmitted to the Con-
gress not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, to provide a prioritized list and definition of 
essential Earth science and climate measurements that 
should be collected with space-based means, and main-
tained and archived by the Federal Government on a con-
tinuous basis. The study shall also identify which measure-
ments could potentially be obtained through international 
partnerships, from data purchases or other arrangements 
with private or commercial entities, or from other relevant 
sources. 
SEC. 303. COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING DATA PUR-
CHASES PILOT PROJECT. 
(a) WORKSHOP.—Not later than 9 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall or-
ganize a workshop including relevant commercial remote 
sensing data providers, scientists, and remote sensing data 
users, among other relevant stakeholders, to identify the 
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essential criteria for a pilot project for purchasing com-
mercial remote sensing data to support research in Earth 
science and for applied uses of the data to address State, 
local, regional, and tribal needs. The workshop shall ad-
dress lessons learned and recommendations related to past 
experience with commercial data purchases, including 
those outlined in the National Research Council report en-
titled ‘‘Toward New Partnerships in Remote Sensing: 
Government, the Private Sector, and Earth Science Re-
search’’. 
(b) PILOT PROJECT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, after consideration 
of the results of the workshop under subsection (a) and 
after obtaining relevant information from potential com-
mercial remote sensing data providers and users of such 
data, the Administrator shall establish a pilot project for 
the provision, through competitive solicitations, of com-
mercial remote sensing data to serve research and applied 
uses of the data to serve State, local, regional, and tribal 
needs. 
Subtitle B—Space Science 
SEC. 311. SUBORBITAL PROGRAMS. 
(a) RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall en-
sure that an individual who shall report directly to 
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the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission 
Directorate is designated to lead NASA’s suborbital 
and airborne program. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The designated indi-
vidual shall be responsible for— 
(A) leading near-term and long-term stra-
tegic planning for the suborbital and airborne 
program; 
(B) ensuring the implementation of stra-
tegic and other relevant plans; 
(C) integrating NASA’s suborbital and air-
borne programs; 
(D) ensuring the productivity of the sub-
orbital facilities and assets as necessary to 
carry out the plans; 
(E) coordinating NASA’s suborbital activi-
ties with associated NASA offices and Centers, 
universities, and other external institutions; and 
(F) monitoring progress on meeting the 
strategic objectives for enhanced suborbital and 
airborne activities, NASA workforce develop-
ment, and integration of suborbital activities 
within NASA’s overall plans and priorities. 
(b) STRATEGIC PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
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provide to the Congress a strategic plan to support the 
full and productive use of NASA’s suborbital and airborne 
assets as a foundation for meeting its scientific research, 
engineering, workforce development, and education goals 
and objectives across NASA centers and mission direc-
torates and in partnership with universities and other rel-
evant external institutions. The strategic plan shall— 
(1) be developed in consultation with relevant 
NASA offices and Centers and with input from uni-
versities, nonprofit research institutions, and private 
industry; 
(2) identify the needs and priorities for using 
NASA’s airborne and suborbital assets to support 
NASA’s scientific research, engineering, workforce 
development, and educational goals; 
(3) identify and prioritize the required infra-
structure investments, including maintenance, up-
grades, and any enhanced facility or equipment ca-
pabilities, that are required to carry out the needs 
and priorities described in paragraph (2); and 
(4) provide an estimate of the budget require-
ments and a schedule and timeline for implementing 
the plan. 
(c) TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.— 
The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, expand 
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the opportunities within NASA’s suborbital programs for 
training science and engineering students and for pro-
viding professional development for early career profes-
sionals. Training and development activities shall be ex-
panded consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
strategic plan to be developed under subsection (b). 
SEC. 312. EXPLORER PROGRAM. 
(a) REVIEW OF EXPLORER PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall enter into an arrangement with the Na-
tional Academies to conduct a review of the Explorer 
Program and offer any recommendations as it con-
siders necessary. 
(2) SCOPE.—Such review shall address at least 
the following: 
(A) A review of existing or recent Explorer 
program elements such as NASA’s University 
Class 
Explorer 
(UNEX), 
Small 
Explorer 
(SMEX), Medium Class Explorer (MIDEX), 
Explorers (EX), and Missions of Opportunity to 
assess the degree of— 
(i) innovation in instrumentation, and 
other technology and space mission ele-
ments; 
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(ii) flexibility and new approaches in 
management and collaboration; 
(iii) project implementation within the 
planned budget and schedule; and 
(iv) training opportunities for space 
scientists and engineers. 
(B) The status, capability, and availability 
of launch vehicles and infrastructure to support 
the Explorer program elements. 
(C) Projected launch capabilities and facili-
ties for Explorers, including private sector 
launch capabilities. 
(D) The frequency of Explorer missions. 
(E) The balance of Explorer missions 
among theme areas and between larger and 
smaller mission sizes. 
(F) The opportunities and challenges for 
partner participation in Explorer missions, in-
cluding international and interagency collabora-
tions. 
(G) The contributions of Explorers to a ro-
bust space science program, and the value of 
the Explorer Program for the Nation’s scientific 
research and engineering community, including 
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its impact on training of younger researchers 
and engineers. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 16 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Congress the review and a plan 
for responding to the recommendations of the re-
view. 
SEC. 313. RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR 
MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPLY. 
(a) ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS AND RISKS.—The 
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agen-
cies, shall conduct an analysis of NASA requirements for 
radioisotope power system material which is needed to 
carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in the 
solar system and other surface exploration activities be-
yond low-Earth orbit, as well as the risks to NASA mis-
sions in meeting those requirements, or any additional re-
quirements, due to a lack of adequate domestic production 
of radioisotope power system material. The analysis 
shall— 
(1) detail NASA’s current projected mission re-
quirements for radioisotope power system material; 
(2) explain the assumptions used to determine 
NASA’s requirements for the material, including— 
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(A) the planned use of Advanced Stirling 
Radioisotope Generator technology; 
(B) the status of and timeline for com-
pleting development and demonstration of the 
Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator tech-
nology, including the development of flight 
readiness requirements; and 
(C) the risks, implications, and contin-
gencies for NASA mission plans of any delays 
or unanticipated technical challenges related to 
the anticipated use of Advanced Stirling Radio-
isotope Generator technology; 
(3) assess the risk to NASA programs of any 
potential delays in achieving the schedule and mile-
stones for planned domestic production of radioiso-
tope power system material; 
(4) outline a process for meeting any additional 
NASA requirements for the material; and 
(5) estimate the incremental costs required to 
increase the amount of material produced each year, 
if such an increase is needed to support additional 
NASA requirements for the material. 
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in 
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consultation with other Federal agencies, shall transmit 
the results of the analysis to the Congress. 
TITLE IV—AERONAUTICS 
SEC. 401. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. 
Section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 
17721) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall 
develop a plan and associated timetable for this ini-
tiative identifying key milestones, including projected 
flight demonstrations to validate vehicle and tech-
nology concepts in a relevant environment. 
‘‘(2) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 270 days 
after the date of enactment of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010, the Administrator shall transmit the plan 
to the Congress.’’. 
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SEC. 402. RESEARCH ON NEXTGEN AIRSPACE MANAGE-
MENT CONCEPTS AND TOOLS. 
The Administrator shall review at least annually the 
alignment and timing of NASA’s research and develop-
ment activities in support of the NextGen airspace man-
agement modernization initiative and shall make any nec-
essary adjustments by reprioritizing or retargeting 
NASA’s research and development activities in support of 
the NextGen initiative. 
SEC. 403. RESEARCH ON AIRCRAFT CABIN AIR QUALITY. 
The Administrator shall initiate research on aircraft 
cabin air quality that complements research conducted by 
the Federal Aviation Administration and its Center of Ex-
cellence on Research in the Intermodal Transport Envi-
ronment, including research on innovative aircraft cabin 
air quality sensors operating during ground and flight op-
erations and on innovative warning and mitigation tech-
nologies for poor air quality. 
SEC. 404. RESEARCH ON ON-BOARD VOLCANIC ASH SENSOR 
SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall conduct 
a study to assess the feasibility of establishing a project 
focused on the development of a low-cost on-board volcanic 
ash sensor system. 
(b) SPECIFICATIONS.—The study shall consider, at a 
minimum— 
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(1) NASA’s unique capabilities; 
(2) opportunities for collaboration, both nation-
ally and internationally; and 
(3) projected resource requirements, research 
milestones, and potential accomplishments. 
SEC. 405. AERONAUTICS TEST FACILITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that— 
(1) NASA must reverse the deteriorating condi-
tion of its aeronautics ground test facilities and in-
frastructure, as this condition is hampering the ef-
fectiveness and efficiency of aeronautics research 
performed by both NASA and industry participants 
making use of NASA facilities, thus reducing the 
competitiveness of the United States aviation indus-
try; 
(2) NASA has a role in providing test capabili-
ties that are not economically viable as commercial 
entities and thus are not available elsewhere; and 
(3) to ensure continued access to reliable and 
efficient national-class test capabilities by research-
ers, NASA should seek to establish strategic part-
nerships with other Federal agencies, academic insti-
tutions, and industry. 
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(b) PLAN.—The Administrator shall develop a plan 
to stabilize and, where possible, reverse the deterioration 
of NASA’s aeronautics ground test facilities. 
SEC. 406. EXPANDED RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMPOSITE 
MATERIALS USED IN AEROSPACE. 
The Administrator shall expand NASA’s research 
program on composite materials used in aerospace appli-
cations to address— 
(1) progressive damage analysis, aging, inspec-
tion techniques, and new manufacturing and repair 
techniques; and 
(2) ways to mitigate how the environment, op-
erating fluids, and mechanical loads interact with 
composite materials over time. 
TITLE V—SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
SEC. 501. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a space technology program to enable research and 
development on advanced space technologies and systems 
that are independent of specific space mission flight 
projects. The program shall support— 
(1) early-stage concepts and innovation; 
(2) development of innovative technologies in 
areas such as in-space propulsion, power generation 
and storage, liquid rocket propulsion, avionics, struc-
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tures, and materials that may enable new ap-
proaches to human and robotic space missions; and 
(3) flight demonstrations of technologies, in-
cluding those that have the potential to benefit mul-
tiple NASA mission directorates, other Federal Gov-
ernment agencies, and the commercial space indus-
try. 
(b) PROCEDURE.—In establishing the space tech-
nology program under this section, the Administrator 
shall— 
(1) to the maximum extent practicable, use a 
competitive process to select projects to be supported 
as part of the program; 
(2) support the development of an organization 
to investigate innovative concepts for technological 
approaches, systems, architectures, or mission strat-
egies; 
(3) make use of small satellites and NASA sub-
orbital platforms, to the extent practicable, to dem-
onstrate space technology concepts and develop-
ments; and 
(4) undertake partnerships with other Federal 
agencies, universities, private industry, and other 
spacefaring nations, as appropriate. 
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