Title: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2020
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2020
The bill reauthorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through FY2020.
The bill authorizes NASA programs, activities, reports, and reviews, including those regarding a Moon to Mars Program, low-earth orbit activities, small satellites, commercial Earth observation, the wide field infrared survey telescope, the stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy, Mars communications infrastructure, a commercial lunar payload services program, a dedicated space-based infrared survey telescope mission, near-Earth objects, a space weather research to operations program, testing facilities for in-space propulsion, space nuclear systems, and orbital debris mitigation.
NASA shall
To advance progress toward federal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education goals, NASA shall establish an Office of STEM Engagement.
The Government Accountability Office shall, among other things, review NASA's space communications and navigation programs, activities, and plans.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5666 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5666

    To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 24, 2020

Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma (for herself, Mr. Babin, Ms. Johnson of 
Texas, and Mr. Lucas) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
           to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2020''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2020.
            TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

                    Subtitle A--Moon to Mars Program

Sec. 201. Sustainable human exploration program.
Sec. 202. Goals and objectives.
Sec. 203. Structure of Moon to Mars Program.
Sec. 204. Reporting and briefings.
Sec. 205. Critical enabling capabilities.
Sec. 206. Noncritical path activities.
Sec. 207. Core exploration capabilities.
Sec. 208. Reviews and assessments.
                Subtitle B--International Space Station

Sec. 221. Extension and post-ISS support.
Sec. 222. Priorities for ISS utilization.
Sec. 223. Assured crew access to the International Space Station.
Sec. 224. International Space Station Deorbit Capability and Plan.
Sec. 225. Replacement Extravehicular Mobility Units.
Sec. 226. Low Earth orbit development.
                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

Sec. 301. Importance of a balanced science program.
Sec. 302. Review of implementation of quality assurance program and 
                            parts policy in science mission 
                            development.
Sec. 303. Independent external technical, management, and cost reviews.
Sec. 304. Small satellites.
Sec. 305. Options for small satellite and payload access to the near-
                            space and space environment.
Sec. 306. Study on space life and physical sciences research and 
                            applications placement.
Sec. 307. Space life and physical sciences research requirements.
               Subtitle A--Earth Science and Applications

Sec. 311. Goal.
Sec. 312. Applied uses of Earth science data.
Sec. 313. Survey of State, Tribal, and territory use of NASA Earth 
                            observation data.
Sec. 314. Commercial Earth observation data.
Sec. 315. Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission.
Sec. 316. CLARREO Pathfinder.
                        Subtitle B--Astrophysics

Sec. 321. Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope.
Sec. 322. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.
Sec. 323. Research on technosignatures.
                     Subtitle C--Planetary Science

Sec. 331. Mars communications infrastructure.
Sec. 332. Mars sample return strategy and plan.
Sec. 333. Commercial Lunar Payload Services.
Sec. 334. Europa Clipper launch vehicle.
Sec. 335. Dedicated survey mission.
Sec. 336. Near-Earth object and planetary defense roadmap.
Sec. 337. Assessment of requirements for cataloguing and archiving 
                            near-Earth object data.
Sec. 338. International confidence and capacity building for near-Earth 
                            object impact mitigation.
Sec. 339. Close passing near-Earth objects.
          Subtitle D--Heliophysics and Space Weather Research

Sec. 341. Importance of heliophysics research to understanding space 
                            weather.
Sec. 342. Space Weather Research and Applications Program.
                Subtitle E--Data Science and Management

Sec. 361. Data science and management.
Sec. 362. Workshop on data analytics for Earth science research.
                     TITLE IV--SPACE COMMUNICATIONS

Sec. 401. Review of space communications.
                          TITLE V--AERONAUTICS

Sec. 501. Research effort to advance sustainable aviation.
Sec. 502. Workshop on research and development on noise.
Sec. 503. Aeronautics research and technology roundtable.
Sec. 504. Experimental aircraft demonstrations.
Sec. 505. Review of research roadmap on hypersonics.
Sec. 506. Supersonic flight.
Sec. 507. Urban air mobility.
Sec. 508. Aeronautics workforce and modeling and test facilities.
Sec. 509. University leadership initiative.
                       TITLE VI--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 601. Space nuclear systems.
Sec. 602. Nuclear thermal propulsion.
Sec. 603. Nuclear surface power.
Sec. 604. Review of flight opportunities program.
Sec. 605. Sense of Congress on optical communications.
Sec. 606. Propulsion testing facilities.
Sec. 607. In-space satellite servicing and assembly.
Sec. 608. Parachute systems research and development.
 TITLE VII--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

Sec. 701. Office of STEM engagement.
Sec. 702. Independent review of Space Grant.
           TITLE VIII--SAFETY, SUPPORT, AND MISSION SERVICES

Sec. 801. Policy and procedure.
Sec. 802. Monitoring millimeter-sized orbital debris.
Sec. 803. Planetary protection strategic plan.
  TITLE IX--CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

Sec. 901. Data collection on cost benefits to the Administration of use 
                            of enhanced-use leasing.
Sec. 902. Report on enhanced-use leasing requirements.
Sec. 903. Report on current and anticipated effects of climate change 
                            and extreme weather on agency 
                            infrastructure and facilities.
                      TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 1001. Space situational awareness and orbital debris mitigation.
Sec. 1002. International framework on active orbital debris removal.
Sec. 1003. Safety and technical risks of active debris removal.
Sec. 1004. Independent program analysis and evaluation office.
Sec. 1005. Report on use of the term ``commercial'' in NASA activities.
Sec. 1006. Supply chain and supplier base.
Sec. 1007. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for 
                            research, development, and education.
Sec. 1008. The space capabilities of the People's Republic of China.
Sec. 1009. Spectrum interference.
Sec. 1010. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 1011. General accountability office report on large-scale 
                            programs, projects, and activities.
Sec. 1012. NASA institutes.
Sec. 1013. Surveys on the industrial base of the United States.
Sec. 1014. Budgets.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) NASA should remain a multimission agency and continue 
        to carry out, in partnership with academia, industry, and 
        international partners, a balanced program of science, 
        aeronautics, space technology, human exploration, and 
        educational activities.
            (2) The Nation's investments in civil space research, 
        technology, and development have and will continue to 
        contribute significantly to the Nation's innovation capacity 
        and economic strength, and provide applications and benefits 
        that improve the lives of United States citizens and society.
            (3) International cooperation and collaboration strengthen 
        the Nation's science, aeronautics, and human exploration 
        programs and unify partner nations in the peaceful uses of 
        outer space.
            (4) NASA's leadership in aeronautics has contributed 
        greatly to the Nation's strength in civil and commercial 
        aviation and should remain a priority as innovative 
        technologies and aviation concepts offer the potential to 
        transform the future of aviation and support the Nation's 
        economic growth.
            (5) NASA makes essential contributions to our understanding 
        of the global challenge of climate change through its 
        collection of space-based Earth science data, research on 
        global, integrated Earth system science, and development of 
        models that advance our understanding of the climate system and 
        the natural and human impacts on it.
            (6) The Nation's human space exploration goal should be to 
        send humans to the surface of Mars.
            (7) Reducing the risk and demonstrating the capabilities 
        and operations needed to support a human mission to Mars may 
        require human exploration of the cis-lunar vicinity and lunar 
        surface.
            (8) A constancy of purpose, including clear and consistent 
        goals and objectives, is essential for making effective 
        progress on the Nation's science, aeronautics, space 
        technology, and human exploration programs and for attracting 
        and keeping the Nation's best, brightest, and most capable 
        workforce.
            (9) Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and 
        accountability provides transparency in the implementation of 
        the Nation's civil space goals and objectives.
            (10) The innovative capabilities of the commercial space 
        industry are essential to the Nation's science, aeronautics, 
        and human space exploration activities, are an important 
        instrument of technological and economic competitiveness, and 
        should be leveraged, as appropriate, to advance the Nation's 
        objectives in civil space.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 10101 of title 51, United 
        States Code.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 10101 of title 51, United 
        States Code.
            (3) Cis-lunar space.--The term ``cis-lunar space'' means 
        the region of space from the Earth out to and including the 
        region around the surface of the Moon.
            (4) Deep space.--The term ``deep space'' means the region 
        of space beyond low-Earth orbit, including cis-lunar space.
            (5) ISS.--The term ``ISS'' means the International Space 
        Station.
            (6) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration.
            (7) Orion.--The term ``Orion'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 20302 of title 51, United States Code.
            (8) Space launch system.--The term ``Space Launch System'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 20302 of title 51, 
        United States Code.
            (9) United states government astronaut.--The term ``United 
        States government astronaut'' has the meaning given the term 
        ``government astronaut'' in section 50902 of title 51, United 
        States Code.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2020.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for fiscal year 
2020, $22,629,000,000 as follows:
            (1) For exploration, $6,017,600,000, of which 
        $1,406,700,000 shall be for the Orion multi-purpose Crew 
        Vehicle, $2,585,900,000 shall be for the Space Launch System, 
        $590,000,000 shall be for Exploration Ground Systems, and 
        $1,435,000,000 shall be for Exploration Research and 
        Development.
            (2) For space operations, $4,140,200,000.
            (3) For science, $7,138,900,000, of which $1,971,800,000 
        shall be for Earth Science, $2,713,400,000 shall be for 
        Planetary Science, $1,306,200,000 shall be for Astrophysics, 
        $423,000,000 shall be for the James Webb Space Telescope, and 
        $724,500,000 shall be for Heliophysics.
            (4) For aeronautics, $783,900,000.
            (5) For space technology, $1,100,000,000.
            (6) For science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        (STEM), $120,000,000, of which $48,000,000 shall be for the 
        National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, 
        $24,000,000 shall be for the Established Program to Stimulate 
        Competitive Research (EPSCoR), $36,000,000 shall be for the 
        Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), and 
        $12,000,000 shall be for STEM Education and Accountability 
        Projects (SEAP).
            (7) For safety, security, and mission services, 
        $2,913,300,000.
            (8) For construction and environmental compliance and 
        restoration, $373,400,000.
            (9) For Inspector General, $41,700,000.

            TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

                    Subtitle A--Moon to Mars Program

SEC. 201. SUSTAINABLE HUMAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Nation's human exploration 
program is an important element of United States leadership in space 
exploration, economic strength, and national security. It is the 
further sense of Congress that constancy of purpose and the 
sustainability of the Nation's human exploration goals and objectives 
should be an inherent principle of a long-term, deep space human 
exploration program that spans several Congresses and Administrations.

SEC. 202. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator is authorized under sections 
20302 and 70504 of title 51, United States Code, and shall carry out 
plans and programs to achieve sustainable human exploration of deep 
space for the purpose of sending humans to the surface of Mars.
    (b) Establishment.--The goal of NASA's Moon to Mars Program shall 
be to land humans on Mars in a sustainable manner as soon as 
practicable. The Moon to Mars Program shall have the interim goal of 
sending a crewed mission to the lunar surface by 2028 and a goal of 
sending a crewed mission to orbit Mars by 2033.
    (c) Precursor Activities.--The Administrator shall undertake 
precursor crewed missions to cis-lunar space and the lunar surface for 
the purpose of risk reduction for human missions to Mars by developing 
and testing those systems and operational practices needed for 
successful crewed Mars missions.
    (d) Objectives.--The objectives of the human missions to Mars shall 
be to--
            (1) validate the capabilities required for sustained human 
        exploration of and operations on the surface of Mars;
            (2) pursue scientific investigations, as recommended by the 
        National Academies, that are enabled by the human exploration 
        of Mars; and
            (3) develop and maintain the scientific, technical, program 
        management, and human spaceflight operational skills required 
        to support a sustainable deep space exploration program.

SEC. 203. STRUCTURE OF MOON TO MARS PROGRAM.

    (a) Moon to Mars Program Office.--The Administrator shall establish 
a Moon to Mars Program Office within 60 days of the enactment of this 
Act to lead and manage the Moon to Mars Program.
    (b) Program Director.--The Administrator shall appoint a Program 
Director of the Office established in subsection (a) who shall report 
to the Associate Administrator and the Associate Administrator of the 
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The Moon to Mars Program Office shall be 
responsible for developing--
            (1) requirements for a human Mars orbital mission and a 
        human mission to the surface of Mars;
            (2) an architecture, integrated plan, and overall schedule 
        encompassing the elements of the Moon to Mars Program to carry 
        out a human mission to orbit Mars by 2033. The architecture and 
        plan shall be based on the mission requirements established in 
        paragraph (1); and
            (3) an integrated, master plan for the development of 
        required capabilities for the human mission to Mars.
    (d) Systems Engineering and Integration.--The Director of the Moon 
to Mars Program Office shall appoint a Systems Engineering and 
Integration Manager to manage the systems engineering and integration 
activities of the Moon to Mars Program.
    (e) Special Hiring Authorities.--The Administrator shall propose to 
Congress any special hiring authorities that the Administrator 
determines are needed to ensure that personnel with the requisite 
skills and experience are available to the Program Office.
    (f) Program Elements.--The Moon to Mars Program shall consist of 
the following:
            (1) A Gateway to Mars in cis-lunar space or at a Lagrangian 
        point for the purpose of reducing the risks of the capabilities 
        in paragraph (3) and serving as a testbed for the systems and 
        operational techniques needed to transport crews to, from, and 
        during operations in Mars orbit or on the surface of Mars. The 
        Gateway to Mars shall be developed to operate autonomously and 
        to be crew-tended, as needed, on an intermittent basis. The 
        Gateway to Mars shall be open and available for international 
        participation and use.
            (2) A Lunar Precursor Initiative (LPI) for the purpose of 
        gaining and demonstrating the operational experience and 
        systems needed to enable crewed transport to and from the 
        surface of Mars, as well as for limited operations and 
        habitation on Mars.
            (3) A Mars Enabling Technology Initiative (METI) for the 
        purpose of developing and testing the technologies and 
        capabilities needed for a human missions to Mars. Mars-enabling 
        technologies and capabilities to be demonstrated shall 
        include--
                    (A) Mars entry, descent, and landing systems;
                    (B) radiation safety;
                    (C) in-space power and propulsion, including 
                nuclear thermal propulsion;
                    (D) Mars transport vehicle;
                    (E) planetary ascent propulsion;
                    (F) environmental control and life support systems;
                    (G) Mars habitats;
                    (H) extravehicular activity suits;
                    (I) in-situ resource utilization of the Mars 
                atmosphere; and
                    (J) any other Mars-enabling technologies and 
                capabilities identified by the Administrator.
            (4) A Space Launch System for the purpose of providing 
        heavy-lift capability to carry out the Moon to Mars Program. 
        The Administrator shall complete development of the Space 
        Launch System and the Space Launch System variant enabled by an 
        Exploration Upper Stage, pursuant to section 302 of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
        of 2010. The Administrator shall take steps to develop the 
        Block 2 variant to provide the full range of launch capability 
        and performance available to the United States for the 
        Administration's crewed and robotic exploration of deep space. 
        The Administrator shall complete the development and testing of 
        the Exploration Upper Stage for the Space Launch System.
            (5) An Orion Crew vehicle for the purpose of crewed 
        spaceflight for the Moon to Mars Program.
            (6) A Mars Transport Vehicle for the purposes of crewed 
        transport to and around Mars. Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate 
        pre-formulation activities for a Mars transport vehicle.
    (g) Completion.--The Administrator shall plan to have all required 
testing completed to enable development and manufacture of an 
operational crewed Mars transport vehicle on a schedule consistent with 
the goal of a crewed mission to orbit Mars by 2033 and the 
architecture, integrated plan, and schedule in subsection (c)(2).

SEC. 204. REPORTING AND BRIEFINGS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall provide regular reports 
and briefings on the progress and status of the Moon to Mars Program, 
and associated activities to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate in accordance with 
this section.
            (1) Reporting with 60 days.--Within 60 days of the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a list 
        of the remaining human health risk reduction research tasks 
        that need to be completed to enable crewed missions to Mars and 
        that require the International Space Station, along with a plan 
        for completing all of those tasks within 5 years of the date of 
        the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Reporting within 120 days.--Within 120 days of the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop an 
        overall architecture and plan, consistent with sections 
        203(c)(1) and 203(c)(2), including--
                    (A) a list of the minimum set of human and robotic 
                lunar surface activities that must be completed to 
                enable a human mission to Mars, including those to be 
                tested on the Gateway to Mars, along with a plan for 
                completing those tasks within five years after the 
                first human lunar landing; and
                    (B) a list of the capabilities and risk reduction 
                measures listed in section 203(f)(3).
        For each high-priority technology or capability, the 
        Administrator shall develop a plan to include the development 
        milestones, including activities required to be carried out in 
        cis-lunar space or on the lunar surface, and an estimated 5-
        year funding profile required for demonstrating the capability 
        to a level of readiness for use in a Mars mission within 10 
        years of the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) Reporting within 270 days.--Within 270 days of the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit--
                    (A) five-year funding estimates and profiles for 
                the Moon to Mars Program. The budget profiles should 
                include estimated funding requirements and profiles for 
                the program elements in section 203(f), and related 
                infrastructure, facilities, and operations that are 
                consistent with the achievement of a crewed mission to 
                Mars orbit by 2033; and
                    (B) the Independent Program Analysis and Evaluation 
                Office established in section 1004 shall assess the 
                basis of the five-year budget profiles and shall 
                transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee 
                on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate not later than six 
                months after the budget profiles have been transmitted 
                to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
                the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (b) Biannual Briefings.--The Administrator shall provide biannual 
briefings on the status, progress, and any challenges identified in 
maturing and developing the key capabilities specified in section 
203(c)(3) and section 203(f)(3) to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the architecture 
and plans enumerated in section 204(a)(2) through section 204(a)(3) to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate within 15 days after their scheduled 
completion dates.

SEC. 205. CRITICAL ENABLING CAPABILITIES.

    (a) Lunar Landing Mission Architecture.--In order to reduce risk 
and complexity and make maximum use of taxpayer investments to date, 
the Administrator shall in the conduct of the Lunar Precursor 
Initiative employ an architecture that utilizes the Orion vehicle and 
an integrated lunar landing system carried on an Exploration Upper 
Stage-enhanced Space Launch System for the human lunar landing 
missions. The Gateway to Mars shall not be required for the conduct of 
human lunar landing missions.
    (b) Human-Rated Lunar Landing System.--For the purposes established 
in section 202(c), the Administrator shall develop and operate an 
integrated human lunar landing system to provide human access to the 
lunar surface. The human-rated integrated lunar landing system shall be 
designed with safety, sustainability, and affordability as priorities 
and developed through a means that allows for the United States 
Government to retain--
            (1) full ownership of the human landing system;
            (2) unlimited and unfettered insight into the design, 
        development, and testing of the integrated human landing 
        system;
            (3) final determination on whether the system meets 
        existing human-rating requirements;
            (4) leadership over any anomaly or accident investigation, 
        should it be necessary to carry out such an investigation; and
            (5) shall require at least one uncrewed and one crewed in-
        space test and demonstration prior to its use to carry 
        astronauts to the surface of the Moon and a plan for testing of 
        a Mars human lander in a suitable environment.
    (c) Exploration Space Suits.--The Administrator shall develop an 
exploration space suit to meet the requirements of the Moon to Mars 
Program. In developing an exploration space suit, the Administrator 
shall, to the greatest extent practicable, leverage prior and existing 
investments in advanced space suit technologies in order to maximize 
the benefits of such investments and technologies. The Administrator 
shall use the International Space Station for testing of exploration 
space suits.
    (d) Logistics Support.--To the maximum extent possible, logistics 
support to the Gateway to Mars and the lunar surface shall be provided 
by commercial services, provided that the availability of those 
services does not becoming the limiting critical path factor in NASA's 
ability to complete its Gateway to Mars and Lunar Precursor initiatives 
as scheduled. The Administrator shall develop contingency plans for the 
delivery of the minimum set of needed logistics in the event commercial 
services are not available when needed.
    (e) International Collaboration.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall lead and encourage 
        to the maximum extent practicable international partner 
        participation in the implementation of the elements of the Moon 
        to Mars Program under overall NASA leadership. The 
        Administrator shall encourage partnerships that enhance the 
        program.
            (2) Congressional authorization.--NASA shall seek 
        Congressional authorization prior to finalizing any exploration 
        architecture that depends on international or commercial 
        partnerships for overall mission success.
    (f) Crewed Lunar Landing Missions.--In order to minimize the time 
required for the Lunar Precursor Initiative phase of the Moon to Mars 
Program, NASA shall plan for and implement measures to enable a crewed 
lunar landing mission rate of at least two per year after the initial 
crewed lunar landing has been achieved.
    (g) Lunar Lander Management.--The Moon to Mars Program Office shall 
manage the overall development of the Human Lunar Landing System, with 
the Johnson Space Center responsible for the crew-related elements, 
vehicle structure, and Human Lunar Landing System integration and the 
Marshall Space Flight Center responsible for the Lander propulsion 
systems.
    (h) Ground and Flight Test Activities.--The Moon to Mars Program 
shall maintain a robust series of ground and flight test activities for 
each element of the Program, including at least one crewed flight test 
of each crewed system design prior to its use on a human lunar landing 
system or Mars mission.
    (i) Mars Landing and Ascent System Designs.--To the extent funding 
permits, the Administrator shall maintain two competing integrated 
crewed Mars landing/ascent system design concepts through the critical 
design review milestone, at which point the Administrator shall make a 
selection of the system to be utilized in the first human Mars landing 
mission.

SEC. 206. NONCRITICAL PATH ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Lunar Outpost.--Any establishment of a continuously crewed 
lunar outpost or research station shall not be considered an element of 
the Moon to Mars Program and shall be budgeted separately from the Moon 
to Mars Program.
    (b) Other Crewed Activities.--Crewed activities on or around the 
surface of the Moon that do not contribute to the goal of landing 
humans on Mars in as sustainable manner as practical shall not be 
included in the Moon to Mars Program and shall be budgeted separately 
from the Moon to Mars Program.
    (c) Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization.--Lunar in-situ resource 
utilization shall not be considered as risk reduction for the initial 
crewed missions to orbit and land on Mars. Any lunar in-situ resource 
utilization activities and shall not be included in the Moon to Mars 
Program and shall be budgeted separately from the Moon to Mars Program.

SEC. 207. CORE EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that ground 
systems, robust testing programs, and a flight cadence necessary to 
maintain critical human spaceflight skills are important elements of a 
safe and sustainable human exploration program.
    (b) Flight Rate and Safety.--After the first crewed lunar landing, 
the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, and taking into 
account the results of the Assessment in section 208(b), carry out a 
flight rate of at least two integrated Space Launch System and Orion 
crew vehicle missions per year, until the Lunar Precursor Initiative is 
complete, to maintain the critical human spaceflight production and 
operations skills necessary for the safety of human spaceflight 
activities in deep space.
    (c) Milestones.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a list of the key 
milestones required for completing each of the Space Launch System 
variants and an estimated date on which those milestones shall be 
completed.
    (d) Exploration Ground Systems Infrastructure.--The Administrator 
shall ensure that elements of a ground system infrastructure are in 
place to enable the preparation and use of the Space Launch System, 
specifically its Block 1 (70 mt) and Block 1B (105 mt) and Block 2 (130 
mt) variants of the Space Launch System.
    (e) Mobile Launch Facility.--In implementing the requirements in 
subsection (d), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to 
develop and complete a second mobile launch facility that will be in 
place to support the first Block 1B Space Launch System.
    (f) Ground-Based Test Program in Support of Crewed Flight Test.--
The Administrator shall carry out a robust ground-based test program, 
including the full Green Run test of the Space Launch System engines 
and the testing and qualification of the Exploration Upper Stage.

SEC. 208. REVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) Independent Review of Human Research Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
        arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, 
        Engineering, and Medicine for an independent, external review 
        of the Human Research Program. The purpose of the review shall 
        be to examine the effectiveness of approaches currently being 
        taken for identifying, measuring, and mitigating, and 
        establishing countermeasures for human health and performance 
        risks related to long-term human spaceflight, including any 
        human activities in deep space, and to make recommendations to 
        improve the program. The review shall consider the translation 
        of basic research into the Human Research Program.
            (2) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit the results 
        of the review to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
        than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Core Stage Production Capacity.--
            (1) Assessment.--The Administrator shall assess the 
        requirements and resource needed for increasing the production 
        capacity of the Space Launch System core stage from one to two 
        core stages per year, and shall identify the resources, 
        workforce, and infrastructure needed to increase the production 
        capacity.
            (2) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit the results 
        of the assessment not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (c) Vehicle Assembly Building.--Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate an assessment of requirements for 
concurrently processing 2 or more Space Launch System vehicles, 
including Space Launch System vehicles with an exploration upper stage.
    (d) Review of Risk Mitigation.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a review of the Orion crew vehicle and its 
systems, including the European Service Module, to identify any single-
point failure and zero-fault-tolerant systems, components, or designs. 
The review shall identify and describe all actions taken to mitigate 
the risks of the systems, components, or designs identified, and any 
risk mitigation actions that are planned to be taken.
    (e) Study on Enhanced Orion Service Module Performance.--Not later 
than 270 days after the date of enactment of the Act, the Administrator 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of an 
independent technical and cost analysis of the options for developing 
or acquiring an enhanced Orion service module, as appropriate, that 
would enable direct low lunar orbit access and departure.
    (f) Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS).--Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of a 
plan and schedule for the completion, full testing, qualification, and 
validation of the integrated ECLSS system to be used on the Orion crew 
vehicle. The plan shall include a schedule, milestones, and shall 
identify any technical or supply chain challenges, as well as 
approaches to overcoming the challenges, in meeting the schedule and 
milestone dates.

                Subtitle B--International Space Station

SEC. 221. EXTENSION AND POST-ISS SUPPORT.

    (a) Policy.--Section 70907 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``at least 2024'' and inserting ``at least 2028'' 
and adding at the end ``unless continued operations present an 
increased safety risk or Congress has authorized a detailed plan 
submitted by the Administration for a transition from the International 
Space Station to an alternate platform, platforms or other means for 
continued research, as determined in section 226(b) and section 307''.
    (b) Independent Cost Estimate.--The Independent Program Analysis 
and Evaluation Office established in section 1004 shall arrange for an 
independent estimate of the cost of continuing International Space 
Station operations through 2028. The estimate shall include the cost of 
crew and cargo transportation and of the research to be undertaken 
reflecting the priorities identified in section 222. The assessment 
shall identify opportunities for operational efficiencies that could 
result in cost savings and increased research productivity.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the independent cost estimate to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (d) Study.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the results of 
an assessment of--
            (1) technological challenges to operating the ISS until 
        2028; and
            (2) the potential viability of commercial space stations as 
        an alternative to the ISS for carrying out--
                    (A) the research requirements of the Human Research 
                Program and the requirements recommended in sections 
                226(b) and 307;
                    (B) to test systems necessary for crewed, long 
                duration deep space missions; and
                    (C) key capabilities at NASA Centers that can be 
                leveraged for the Administration's continued safety in 
                and use of low Earth orbit.

SEC. 222. PRIORITIES FOR ISS UTILIZATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall prioritize the use of 
available NASA allocation of crew time and resources on the 
International Space Station toward research and technology development 
that enables the Moon to Mars goal in section 202. Priority research 
and development areas should include--
            (1) the research of the Human Research Program, including 
        research on reduction of human health and performance risks, 
        behavioral and psychological risks, and astronaut safety 
        related to long-duration human spaceflight, and the development 
        of countermeasures to mitigate those risks;
            (2) the reduction of risks for exploration technologies, 
        including for ECLSS, extravehicular activity and space suits, 
        environmental monitoring, safety, and emergency response, deep 
        space communications, among other critical enabling 
        technologies for human exploration of deep space identified in 
        section 203(f); and
            (3) basic space life and physical science research 
        consistent with the priorities of the most recent space life 
        and physical sciences National Academies decadal survey.
In addressing paragraphs (1) and (2), the Administrator shall take into 
account the data associated with the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut 
Health program, other relevant data, and recommendations from relevant 
National Academies reports.
    (b) Biannual Progress.--The Administrator shall provide to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a biannual accounting of the use of NASA 
crew time and ISS resources, including allocation of such resources 
toward the priorities established in subsection (a).
    (c) Prohibition.--The Administration is prohibited from authorizing 
spaceflight participants access to the International Space Station when 
fewer than 3 United States Government astronauts are onboard as part of 
an International Space Station expedition crew.

SEC. 223. ASSURED CREW ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

    Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to Congress a contingency plan, including 
an implementation timeline, for assured crew access to the 
International Space Station until certified commercial crew 
transportation services are taking place, in the event that the 
availability of those services is delayed or unavailable.

SEC. 224. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION DEORBIT CAPABILITY AND PLAN.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit to the Congress an International Space 
Station Deorbit Capability and Plan, including a cost estimate of 
implementing the plan.

SEC. 225. REPLACEMENT EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY UNITS.

    (a) Replacement Suits.--The Administrator shall take all necessary 
steps to provide for upgraded and replacement International Space 
Station Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), including spares, to 
ensure the safety of the International Space Station crew and crew 
operations. The upgraded and replacement units shall be fully tested 
and demonstrated, including on the ISS, to be certified by the 
Administration for use by crew as soon as practicable. Upgraded and 
replacement EMUs, including spares, shall accommodate the diversity of 
ISS crew, suit sizes, and other requirements established to support 
extravehicular activities.
    (b) Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a plan for the provision of 
upgraded and replacement EMUs to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 226. LOW EARTH ORBIT DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall carry out development 
activities in low Earth orbit for the purposes of meeting the 
requirements established in subsection (b) and of supporting basic 
space life and physical sciences research and applications, in 
accordance with the requirements identified in section 307, following 
the end of International Space Station operations.
    (b) Requirements for Low Earth Orbit Activities and Research in 
Support of Human Exploration.--The Administrator shall continue to 
develop and regularly update detailed research, development and 
associated requirements and capabilities that are needed to support 
NASA's human spaceflight and Moon to Mars Program and that must be 
carried out in low Earth orbit. Requirements and capabilities for NASA 
human spaceflight and exploration should include--
            (1) human health and performance research;
            (2) crew accommodation and training;
            (3) cargo and crew transportation services;
            (4) technology demonstration and qualification; and
            (5) options for how such requirements could be met, 
        including through the use of suborbital launch systems, free 
        flying orbital platforms, and the feasibility of and potential 
        risks associated with each option.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the requirements 
in subsection (b) to Congress not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act and shall provide annual updates to Congress.
    (d) Request for Information.--Within 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue a request for 
information for the development or provision of low Earth orbit 
platforms, modules, or on-orbit capabilities, including options for 
ownership and services provisions, that can meet the requirements 
transmitted in subsection (c).
    (e) Results.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of the 
request for information to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 120 
days after the date the responses to the request for information are 
submitted to the Administration.

                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

SEC. 301. IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED SCIENCE PROGRAM.

    It is the sense of Congress that a balanced and adequately funded 
set of activities, consisting of NASA's research and analysis grants 
programs, technology development, small-, medium-, and large-sized 
space science missions, and suborbital research activities, continues 
to contribute to a robust and productive science program and serves as 
a catalyst for innovation.

SEC. 302. REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM AND 
              PARTS POLICY IN SCIENCE MISSION DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Review.--The Comptroller General shall review the 
implementation of quality assurance program and parts policy, 
processes, and procedures used in the development of instrument and 
spacecraft for space and Earth science missions. The review shall build 
on prior work carried out for the 2011 Government Accountability Office 
report on ``Space and Mission Defense Acquisitions: Periodic Assessment 
Needed to Correct Parts Quality Problems in Major Programs'', released 
in 2011, and include an assessment of--
            (1) the extent to which NASA is following established 
        policy related to the selection, acquisition, traceability, 
        testing, handling, packaging, storage, and application of 
        materials and mechanical and electrical parts and the reasons 
        for any deviations;
            (2) how NASA conducts surveillance of contractor 
        implementation of such policy, processes, and procedures; and
            (3) the extent to which established policy, processes, and 
        procedures follows Federal government best practices.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Comptroller General shall transmit the 
results of the review to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 303. INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL TECHNICAL, MANAGEMENT, AND COST REVIEWS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall arrange for independent 
external technical, management, and cost reviews of science missions 
with an estimated development cost of $1 billion or more prior to 
completing the system definition and mission definition reviews--Key 
Decision Point B--and entering into the preliminary design and 
technology completion phase--Phase B--of the mission development cycle.
    (b) Results.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of the 
review to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 10 days after the results 
of the review have been completed.

SEC. 304. SMALL SATELLITES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that small 
satellites and cubesats are increasingly important elements of NASA's 
exploration, scientific, and technology demonstration missions, have 
produced high-value science, and can contribute, where appropriate, to 
a balanced science mission portfolio. Cubesat-enabled science missions 
also provide opportunities for hands-on training and developing project 
management skills for students and early career professionals, as noted 
in the 2016 report of the National Academies, ``Achieving Science with 
CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box''.
    (b) Continuation.--The Administrator should continue to support the 
use of small satellite research and development in the space and Earth 
sciences, where appropriate, and for hands-on training and related 
skills.

SEC. 305. OPTIONS FOR SMALL SATELLITE AND PAYLOAD ACCESS TO THE NEAR-
              SPACE AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
the options for small satellites and payload access to the upper 
atmospheric, near-space, and space environments, including through 
suborbital rockets, balloons, hosted payloads, rideshares, dedicated 
launch vehicles, among any other options. The report shall also 
identify criteria for the selection of an option for small satellite 
and payload access to the upper atmospheric, near-space, and space 
environments, and shall identify the potential benefits and risks of 
each option.

SEC. 306. STUDY ON SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH AND 
              APPLICATIONS PLACEMENT.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on an evaluation 
of the potential transfer of the Space Life and Physical Sciences 
Research and Applications activities to the Science Mission 
Directorate. The study shall identify and consider issues related to 
the potential establishment of a Space Life and Physical Sciences 
Research and Applications Division under the Science Mission 
Directorate, the organization of a potential Division, and the 
potential scope of a Division's research and activities. The study 
shall include a recommendation on a potential transfer and 
identification of follow-on actions, if any, that would be required for 
implementation.

SEC. 307. SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine for the development of a comprehensive set of requirements to 
support life and physical sciences research in microgravity following 
the end of International Space Station operations. The study shall 
include, among other factors--
            (1) requirements to support basic research, as recommended 
        in the most recent National Academies decadal survey, and 
        requirements for applied research and development activities;
            (2) environmental requirements including thermal, 
        vibration, micro-g level, noise, sterility, and cleanliness;
            (3) laboratory facility hardware (e.g., glovebox, ovens, 
        rodent facilities);
            (4) technology demonstration and qualification;
            (5) crew time for carrying out basic research activities;
            (6) power;
            (7) data storage and transmission;
            (8) communications;
            (9) supporting facilities and infrastructure;
            (10) crew and cargo transportation services, including 
        pressurized upmass and downmass, to and from low Earth orbit 
        following the end of International Space Station operations;
            (11) options for how such requirements could be met, 
        including through the use of suborbital launch systems, free 
        flying orbital platforms, and the feasibility, and potential 
        risks associated with; and
            (12) options for governance and management models for non-
        NASA research and development activities and recommendations on 
        a governance and management approach.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the study in 
subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Prohibition.--The nonprofit management entity responsible for 
managing non-NASA research on the International Space Station, under 
section 70905(c)(2) of title 51, United States Code, shall not have 
access to any NASA-funded portion of any potential attached commercial 
or public-private platform or any free flying commercial or public-
private platform until the results of the study directed under 
subsection (a) have been provided to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and acted upon by 
the Congress.

               Subtitle A--Earth Science and Applications

SEC. 311. GOAL.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administration's Earth science and applications program are vital for 
the Nation's ability to research, understand, and take measures to 
address the challenge of global climate change and provide increasingly 
valuable data for applied uses, including on natural resource 
management, agriculture, forestry, food security, air quality 
monitoring, among many other application areas. It is the further sense 
of Congress that a robust and balanced Earth science and applications 
program contributes significantly to the Nation's scientific discovery, 
economic growth and to supporting the health and safety of Americans 
and citizens of the world.
    (b) Reaffirmation.--Congress reaffirms section 60501 of title 51, 
United States Code, on the goal for NASA's Earth science and 
applications program, which is that the Administration's Earth Science 
program shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, 
and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it 
supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in 
the future. In pursuit of this goal, the Administration's Earth Science 
program shall ensure that securing practical benefits for society will 
be an important measure of its success in addition to securing new 
knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further pursuit 
of this goal, the Administration shall, together with other relevant 
agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and carrying 
out a cooperative international Earth observations-based research 
program.
    (c) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare an implementation plan 
for the most recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine's decadal survey on Earth science and applications.
    (d) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the Plan in 
subsection (c) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation in the Senate not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 312. APPLIED USES OF EARTH SCIENCE DATA.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that there are 
substantive and innovative applications and uses of space-based Earth 
science observations that are benefitting other Federal Government 
agencies, State and local government agencies, and the broader user 
community and society. It is the further sense of Congress that the 
Administration should continue to seek means, to the extent practicable 
and in collaboration with other Federal Government agencies, industry, 
and academia, to expand the applied uses of NASA space-based Earth 
science observations and data. It is also the sense of Congress that 
quantifying the uses of these observations by other Federal Government 
agencies is important for understanding the impact and value of the 
Nation's investments in space-based Earth science observations and 
data.
    (b) Report.--The Administrator shall prepare a report identifying 
the use of NASA space-based Earth science observations by other civil 
Federal Government agencies. The report shall, for each Federal agency, 
identify the extent of space-based Earth science observations used, the 
type of Earth science observations used, the purpose of the data use, 
and any tools or decision support services developed in the use of the 
space-based Earth science data for operational or research and 
development purposes.
    (c) Consideration.--The report shall take into account the work of 
the Satellite Needs Working Group under the U.S. Group on Earth 
Observations, which identifies high-priority Federal satellite user 
needs.

SEC. 313. SURVEY OF STATE, TRIBAL, AND TERRITORY USE OF NASA EARTH 
              OBSERVATION DATA.

    (a) Survey.--The Administrator shall arrange for a survey of the 
use of NASA Earth observation data by States, Tribal organizations, and 
territories.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Director shall transmit the results of the 
Survey in subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 314. COMMERCIAL EARTH OBSERVATION DATA.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out 
a study on the opportunities and challenges related to the potential 
use of commercial Earth observation data collected for the purposes of 
conducting Earth science research.
    (b) Inclusion.--The study in subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the Administration's private sector 
        small satellite constellation pilot program;
            (2) options for government or private sector roles in 
        performing calibration and validation and reanalysis of 
        commercial Earth observations data;
            (3) approaches to ensuring consistency with Administration 
        data and information policies for Earth observation data 
        obtained or purchased from commercial providers;
            (4) the results of the assessment in paragraph (1);
            (5) the benefits of using commercially provided data, 
        observations, or services for Earth science research;
            (6) recommendations on guidelines, decision rules, and 
        requirements for the use of commercial Earth observation data 
        in support of Earth science research; and
            (7) recommendations on any other relevant factors and 
        issues regarding the use of commercial Earth observation data 
        for the purposes of conducting Earth science research.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the study to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 315. PLANKTON, AEROSOL, CLOUD, OCEAN ECOSYSTEM MISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall continue development of 
the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission to advance 
2007 National Academies decadal survey priorities for systematic 
measurements on clouds and aerosols and global ocean color measurements 
that extend systematic data records for Earth system and climate 
science, including on the carbon cycle and ocean biogeochemistry.
    (b) Cost and Schedule.--In carrying out the development in 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow all requirements under 
section 30104 of title 51, United States Code.

SEC. 316. CLARREO PATHFINDER.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall continue development of 
the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) 
Pathfinder mission, as recommended by the 2007 National Academies 
decadal survey, to demonstrate measurement capabilities, verify the 
accuracy of radiometry for long-term climate studies, and to help 
provide a baseline climate record for shortwave reflectance and 
infrared measurements.
    (b) Cost and Schedule.--In carrying out the development in 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow all requirements under 
section 30104 of title 51, United States Code.

                        Subtitle B--Astrophysics

SEC. 321. WIDE FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall continue development of 
the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), in the configuration 
established through preliminary design review, to meet the objectives 
prioritized in the 2010 decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics of 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
    (b) Cost and Schedule.--In carrying out the development in 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall follow all requirements under 
section 30104 of title 51, United States Code.
    (c) Baseline Plan.--Following Key Decision Point-C or project 
confirmation, the Administrator shall prepare a cost and schedule 
baseline plan for the development of WFIRST against which the project 
performance can be measured by Congress. The plan shall include an 
annual funding profile required for WFIRST through the completion of 
its development and initial science phase, including cost and schedule 
reserves levels, consistent with NASA policy.
    (d) Transmittal.--Not later than 30 days after Key Decision Point-C 
has taken place, the Administrator shall provide the plan in subsection 
(c) to the appropriate Committees of Congress.
    (e) Quarterly Reporting.--The Administrator shall provide quarterly 
reports on the progress of the WFIRST development and the status on 
cost and schedule relative to the baseline plan developed in subsection 
(a) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.
    (f) Comptroller General Review.--The Comptroller General shall 
provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate an annual review of the performance and 
progress of the WFIRST development under subsections (a) through (c). 
The review shall examine the Administration's performance in meeting 
cost, schedule, and technical objectives and overall management of the 
project's development.

SEC. 322. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
scientific program and operations of the Stratospheric Observatory for 
Infrared Astronomy. The report shall provide--
            (1) a description of the scientific instruments that are 
        flying, including--
                    (A) their current operating status;
                    (B) operating costs;
                    (C) anticipated operational lifetimes; and
                    (D) the anticipated scientific impact of each 
                instrument; and
            (2) a description of the scientific instruments are planned 
        to be flown on the observatory, including the--
                    (A) development status;
                    (B) estimated development costs;
                    (C) anticipated launch date;
                    (D) the anticipated operational lifetime; and
                    (E) the anticipated scientific impact of the 
                instrument.

SEC. 323. RESEARCH ON TECHNOSIGNATURES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the search 
for life in the universe is an integral component of the 
Administration's space science program and that the search for life in 
the universe has increasingly encompassed a multi- and 
interdisciplinary approach. It is the further sense of Congress that 
research related to the search for life has encompassed nongovernment 
funded research on and searches for intelligent life. Those efforts 
include searches for signatures of advanced technologies that could be 
used to indicate the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth, or 
what is referred to as ``technosignatures''.
    (b) Research.--The Administrator may support, as appropriate, peer-
reviewed, competitively selected research on technosignatures.

                     Subtitle C--Planetary Science

SEC. 331. MARS COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Requirements.--The Administrator shall develop an estimate of 
the Administration's communication requirements, including bandwidth 
and communications needs, to serve current and future robotic orbiter, 
lander, rover and human missions to Mars into the 2040s.
    (b) Assessment.--The Administrator shall prepare an assessment of 
the existing Mars communication infrastructure and its capabilities to 
meet the Administration's requirements in subsection (a), including the 
risk of potential gaps in communications relays between Mars spacecraft 
and Earth within the next 5 years.
    (c) Plan.--Based on the assessment in subsection (b), the 
Administrator shall develop a plan for addressing the risk of potential 
gaps of meeting future robotic and potential human mission requirements 
into the 2040s.
    (d) Inclusion.--The Plan in subsection (c) shall include--
            (1) options for a Mars communication infrastructure that 
        meets the estimated requirements in subsection (a), options for 
        mitigating any risks identified in the Assessment in subsection 
        (b), and a preliminary estimate of the potential costs of each 
        option, including--
                    (A) the tradeoffs of using a dedicated Mars 
                communications orbiter, a Mars science orbiter that 
                handles communications relays, and other options; and
                    (B) an identification of any technology, software, 
                and cybersecurity developments anticipated to become 
                available in the next 2-5 years that could facilitate 
                the capability, accelerate the development, and enable 
                implementation of a Mars communication infrastructure; 
                and
            (2) options for acquisition approaches for a Mars 
        communications infrastructure, including partnerships with 
        international or commercial partners.
    (e) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
the assessment and plan in subsections (b) and (c) not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 332. MARS SAMPLE RETURN STRATEGY AND PLAN.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 2011 
National Academies decadal survey, ``Vision and Voyages for Planetary 
Science in the Decade 2013-2022'' states that ``The Mars community . . 
. was emphatic in their view that a sample return mission is the next 
step in Mars exploration. Mars science has reached a level of 
sophistication such that fundamental advances in addressing the 
important questions . . . will come only from analysis of returned 
samples.''. It is the further sense of Congress that the decadal survey 
recommended a Mars sample return mission as the highest priority large 
mission, and that in addition to advancing high priority science, Mars 
samples returned to Earth would contribute science and information that 
is valuable for planning a human mission to Mars.
    (b) Strategy.--The Administrator shall develop a strategy, 
including options, for returning samples that are planned to be cached 
by the Mars 2020 rover to Earth for terrestrial laboratory study. The 
strategy shall identify--
            (1) technologies required to carry out a sample return 
        mission, including requirements for sample containment and 
        handling in space and upon return to Earth;
            (2) research, technology, and developments needed to 
        effectively manage planetary protection;
            (3) opportunities for potential international partnership; 
        and
            (4) a recommended mission option, and an estimated cost.
    (c) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a plan for 
implementing the strategy in subsection (a), including a timeline and a 
list of key milestones, to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (d) Early Technology Development.--The Administrator shall continue 
early technology development work in preparation for a Mars sample 
return mission.

SEC. 333. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator may establish a Commercial Lunar 
Payload Services program for the purposes of transporting and landing 
science instruments and payloads on the lunar surface or to cislunar 
space.
    (b) Relationship to Other Mission Directorates.--Any lander 
demonstrations, services, instruments, or payloads, and the commercial 
lunar payload services required to deliver those payloads or 
instruments to the lunar surface or lunar vicinity, that are not 
carried out for the purposes established in subsection (a) or that are 
carried out for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission 
Directorate or the Space Technology Mission Directorate shall be funded 
from the Mission Directorate sponsoring the use of the program 
established in subsection (a).
    (c) Commercial Landers.--In carrying out the program under (a), the 
Administrator shall procure the services of commercial landers that are 
majority-designed, majority-developed, and majority-built in the United 
States.
    (d) Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out an assessment of 
the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program to identify lessons 
learned, ongoing challenges, and approaches to addressing the 
challenges. The study shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 3 
years after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 334. EUROPA CLIPPER LAUNCH VEHICLE.

    (a) Assessment of Launch Vehicle Options.--Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall carry 
out and complete an assessment of the launch vehicle options that would 
be available at the earliest flight readiness date for launch of the 
Europa Clipper mission. The assessment shall include--
            (1) an analysis of the marginal cost, schedule, risk, and 
        benefits associated with launching the Europa Clipper mission 
        on a Space Launch System as compared to an alternative launch 
        vehicle, including any additional cost, schedule, and risk 
        incurred from spacecraft design changes due to alternative 
        interplanetary trajectories; and
            (2) a consideration of whether an increased Space Launch 
        System production rate would allow the Europa Clipper orbiter 
        mission to be launched on a Space Launch System on a schedule 
        that is consistent with the flight readiness date for the 
        mission.
    (b) Authorization.--The Administrator is authorized, based on the 
results of the assessment in subsection (a), to select the launch 
vehicle for the Europa Clipper mission taking into account the 
probability of mission success and based on cost, schedule, vehicle 
availability, and impact on science requirements.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 15 days after completing the assessment 
in subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
report including the complete assessment of launch vehicle options in 
subsection (a), the Administrator's selection of the Europa Clipper 
launch vehicle as authorized in subsection (b), and the estimated cost 
of the selected launch option.

SEC. 335. DEDICATED SURVEY MISSION.

    (a) Dedicated Survey Mission.--The Administrator shall develop a 
dedicated space-based infrared survey telescope mission, as soon as is 
practicable, for the purpose of accomplishing the objectives of the 
George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act, and consistent with 
section 71101 of title 51, United States Code. The mission design shall 
take into account the recommendations of the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's report, ``Finding Hazardous 
Asteroids Using Infrared and Visible Wavelength Telescopes''.
    (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall transmit a plan for carrying out 
the dedicated survey mission described in subsection (a) to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 336. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT AND PLANETARY DEFENSE ROADMAP.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall lead the development of a Roadmap to 
improve the detection, tracking, and characterization of near-Earth 
objects for the purpose of reducing uncertainties and advancing the 
accuracy of decision making on potentially hazardous near-Earth 
objects. The Roadmap shall identify existing or planned telescope 
programs that could contribute to improving the detection and tracking 
of near-Earth objects and completing the goals of the George E. Brown, 
Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey.
    (b) NASA Responsibilities.--In carrying out subsection (a), NASA 
shall, in cooperation with relevant Federal agencies and international 
partners--
            (1) lead activities that--
                    (A) enhance national capabilities for near-Earth 
                object detection, tracking, and characterization; and
                    (B) seek to develop technologies for fast-response 
                near-Earth object deflection and disruption; and
            (2) participate in activities that--
                    (A) seek to improve national capabilities for 
                potentially hazardous near-Earth object modeling, 
                predictions, and information integration; and
                    (B) increase international cooperation on near-
                Earth object preparation.

SEC. 337. ASSESSMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CATALOGUING AND ARCHIVING 
              NEAR-EARTH OBJECT DATA.

    (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to 
carry out an assessment to identify the requirements and capabilities 
needed for the cataloguing, archiving, and maintaining observational 
space-based and ground-based data of near-Earth objects through 2030, 
including data from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.
    (b) Inclusion.--The assessment in subsection (a) shall address--
            (1) the extent to which the existing facilities, including 
        the Minor Planet Center, can accommodate the identified needs;
            (2) and any additional facilities, equipment, and 
        capabilities needed to catalogue, archive, and maintain near-
        Earth object data anticipated to be collected through 2030;
            (3) requirements and capabilities for automated analysis of 
        the data and objects in the catalogue and archive, including 
        artificial intelligence; and
            (4) an estimated timeline and budget required to support 
        the requirements and capabilities identified in paragraphs (1) 
        through (3).
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 338. INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR NEAR-EARTH 
              OBJECT IMPACT MITIGATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall expand efforts being 
carried out with international entities, including the Space Missions 
Planning Advisory Group of the Working Group on near-Earth Objects of 
the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations 
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, to support confidence-
building and capacity-building activities related to near-Earth object 
impact mitigation techniques, such the use of a kinetic impactor, 
gravity tractor, and nuclear explosive device.
    (b) Confidence and Capacity-Building.--The Administrator may carry 
out workshops, technical exchanges of information, training, or other 
means, as appropriate, with international entities for building 
confidence, and developing technical understanding and awareness of in-
space near-Earth object deflection or impact mitigation techniques.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall provide a briefing to staff of the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on plans for carrying out the activities 
in subsections (a) and (b).

SEC. 339. CLOSE PASSING NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.

    The Administration should consider planning preparatory actions to 
take advantage of opportunities related to close passing near-Earth 
objects for both scientific and public outreach purposes, including the 
close approach of asteroid 99942 Apophis anticipated to occur in 2029, 
to conduct close-up studies of a large asteroids as they pass by Earth.

          Subtitle D--Heliophysics and Space Weather Research

SEC. 341. IMPORTANCE OF HELIOPHYSICS RESEARCH TO UNDERSTANDING SPACE 
              WEATHER.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) NASA's Heliophysics Division is a key contributor to a 
        greater understanding of the Sun, solar activity, and the space 
        environment of Earth and other planets;
            (2) fundamental research in Heliophysics plays a key role 
        in understanding and predicting space weather, which describes 
        naturally occurring phenomena that have the potential to 
        severely and adversely affect numerous assets in space and on 
        Earth, including military and commercial satellite 
        communications, the global power grid, and pipelines that 
        provide fuel and water to billions of people; and
            (3) understanding space weather is crucial in advance of 
        human exploration activities in order to minimize deleterious 
        effects on humans in space.

SEC. 342. SPACE WEATHER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other 
relevant Federal Government agencies, shall establish within the 
Heliophysics Division a Space Weather Research and Applications Program 
to support the transition of scientific research to operations and to 
carry out competitively selected applied research for the purposes of 
improving the modeling, forecasting, and prediction of space weather 
phenomena. In carrying out the Program established in this subsection, 
the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, partner with 
relevant Federal Government agencies, academia, industry, and the space 
weather user community.
    (b) Community Coordinated Modeling Center.--The Administrator, in 
collaboration with relevant Federal Government agencies and 
stakeholders, shall lead the coordination of space weather model 
development, testing, and validation in preparation for transitioning 
such models to operational users. In leading the Center, the 
Administrator should, to the extent practicable--
            (1) take steps to support the integration of additional 
        data sources (including international, academic, and 
        commercial) that could improve space weather models, predictive 
        capabilities, and forecasts; and
            (2) increase efforts to coordinate the Community 
        Coordinated Modeling Center activities with academia, industry, 
        international, and other space weather modeling and forecasting 
        entities.
    (c) Observations.--The Administrator should continue to consider, 
to the extent practicable, the use of small spacecraft to expand space 
weather observations and enhance research related to space weather 
model development.

                Subtitle E--Data Science and Management

SEC. 361. DATA SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator should take 
steps to establish a data science and management initiative to expand 
data analytic capabilities, such as cloud computing, in the management 
of the Administration's scientific databases that can enable the 
pursuit of new, interdisciplinary areas of scientific investigation and 
facilitate the broadest possible use of space science and Earth science 
data for research and applied purposes.

SEC. 362. WORKSHOP ON DATA ANALYTICS FOR EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH.

    (a) Workshop.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for 
a workshop on the scientific opportunities related to the use of 
advanced data analytics and modeling techniques in Earth science 
research and applications. The workshop should identify--
            (1) the opportunities and challenges of using advanced data 
        analytics and modeling techniques for Earth science research, 
        including those areas of Earth science research that currently 
        use advanced data analytics and modeling techniques;
            (2) current and future developments in data analytics and 
        modeling techniques; and
            (3) potential areas of interdisciplinary Earth science and 
        applications research that could be enabled by advanced data 
        analytics and modeling techniques.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall provide a report on the 
Workshop in subsection (a) not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

                     TITLE IV--SPACE COMMUNICATIONS

SEC. 401. REVIEW OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) Review.--The Comptroller General shall undertake a review of 
the Administration's space communications and navigation programs, 
activities, and plans.
    (b) Inclusion.--The review in subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) the extent to which there is a well-defined plan, 
        architecture, and identification of communications and 
        navigation needs over the next 20 years;
            (2) an identification of performance capabilities required 
        to meet the Administration's plans and needs over the next 20 
        years;
            (3) the extent to which the Administration has developed an 
        estimate of the costs, including life cycle costs, of paragraph 
        (2);
            (4) approaches the Administrator is taking to sustain the 
        existing space communications and navigations architecture;
            (5) any risks to the sustainment and operations of the 
        architecture;
            (6) planned upgrades to the architecture;
            (7) an estimated cost for the upgrades in paragraph (6);
            (8) the extent to which there is an established means for 
        prioritizing investments and how such investments are balanced 
        between sustaining existing operations, upgrading systems, and 
        undertaking new developments;
            (9) the technical and programmatic viability of any 
        approaches for meeting space communications needs after all 
        Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System third-generation 
        communications satellites are operational; and
            (10) the extent to which the Administration has an 
        established plan and measures for mitigating threats to 
        electromagnetic spectrum use.
    (c) Transmittal.--The review in subsection (a) shall be transmitted 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

                          TITLE V--AERONAUTICS

SEC. 501. RESEARCH EFFORT TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in consultation with other 
relevant Federal agencies, industry, and academia, shall conduct 
research and development efforts that contribute to reducing the 
environmental impact of aviation, providing for a sustainable future 
for aviation, and improving the efficiency and performance of United 
States commercial aircraft.
    (b) Research Effort.--The research effort in subsection (a) shall 
include research, development, and demonstration projects on--
            (1) subsonic aircraft and engine design and technology;
            (2) sustainable aviation fuels;
            (3) electric and hybrid-electric propulsion; and
            (4) other efforts that contribute to a sustainable future 
        for aviation.
    (c) Goals.--The goals of the initiative in subsection (b) shall be 
to reach--
            (1) two percent annual fuel efficiency improvement through 
        2050; and
            (2) carbon neutral growth.
    (d) Annual Report.--Not later than June 1 of every year, the 
Administrator shall submit a report identifying the activities carried 
out under the research effort under subsection (a) and the progress 
toward meeting the goals identified in subsection (c).

SEC. 502. WORKSHOP ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ON NOISE.

    (a) Workshop.--The Administrator shall organize a workshop on the 
status of existing research and technology activities, and to identify 
planned research and technology demonstration activities and 
opportunities for future research and development activities, including 
noiseless aircraft, related to reducing the noise effects from subsonic 
aircraft, urban air mobility and uncrewed aviation systems, supersonic 
aircraft, and commercial space launch vehicles.
    (b) Participants.--The Workshop described in subsection (a) shall 
include participants from relevant Federal government agencies, 
industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations.
    (c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report on the 
results of the workshop to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 503. AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE.

    It is the sense of Congress that the National Academies Aeronautics 
Research and Technology Round Table has been a valuable forum for 
industry, academia, and government to share knowledge, define strategic 
issues, identify research topics of interest, and provide input into 
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's agenda. It is the 
further sense of Congress, that the Administrator should continue to 
support the Roundtable to facilitate continuing partnerships in United 
States aeronautics research going forward.

SEC. 504. EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall study, develop, and carry 
out large-scale testing and demonstrations in relevant environments 
that are needed to understand complex, transformational flight systems, 
including structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, controls and flight 
dynamics interactions, and advanced technologies and systems for their 
transition into aircraft and airspace systems by the aviation 
community.
    (b) Experimental Aircraft Demonstrations.--In meeting the 
objectives established in subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry 
out experimental aircraft demonstrations, including a--
            (1) subsonic demonstrator to demonstrate the performance 
        and feasibility of advanced, ultra-efficient subsonic flight 
        demonstrator configurations;
            (2) low-boom flight demonstrator to validate design tools 
        and technologies that can be applied to low sonic boom 
        commercial supersonic aircraft and support the development of a 
        noise-based standard for supersonic overland flight; and
            (3) hybrid wing body demonstrator to demonstrate the 
        performance and feasibility of an ultra-efficient hybrid wing 
        body configuration.
    (c) Collaboration With Industry and Academia.--The Administration 
shall seek means to increase collaboration with industry and academia 
in basic research, technology development, and experimental aircraft 
demonstration activities.

SEC. 505. REVIEW OF RESEARCH ROADMAP ON HYPERSONICS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to 
review the Roadmap for Hypersonic Research directed in section 603 of 
the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017. The review shall take 
into account research activities of the Department of Defense. The 
review shall identify and prioritize critical basic and applied 
research to be carried out by the Administration in the near-term 
(within 6 months to 3 years), mid-term (within 3 to 6 years), and long-
term (within 6 to 10 years), and shall identify the flight 
demonstration vehicles and demonstrations, capabilities, infrastructure 
and facilities, and workforce skills needed to establish global 
leadership in hypersonics.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the review in 
subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 506. SUPERSONIC FLIGHT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
development of low-boom commercial supersonic transport that is 
efficient, cost-effective, and safe for the environment will be 
transformative for the aviation industry and will help ensure continued 
United States leadership in enabling new transportation capabilities. 
It is the further sense of Congress that NASA, in its work on a low-
boom flight demonstrator aircraft, should continue consulting with the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO), other international aeronautics research 
organizations.
    (b) Continued Research.--The Administrator shall continue to 
conduct research and development activities to enable the development 
and operational use of low-boom supersonic aircraft.

SEC. 507. URBAN AIR MOBILITY.

    (a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall develop a strategy, 
including goals and objectives, for the Administration's research and 
development activities on urban air mobility. The strategy shall--
            (1) take into account the Administration's work on uncrewed 
        aviation systems;
            (2) consider relevant National Academies reports on the 
        feasibility of a safe and efficient urban air mobility system;
            (3) provide a description of the Administration's ``Grand 
        Challenges'' for urban air mobility and how it contributes to 
        achieving the goals and objectives identified in the strategy;
            (4) identify any research gaps and options for addressing 
        the gaps; and
            (5) identify the means of partnering with the other 
        relevant Federal agencies, academia, and industry on urban air 
        mobility research and development.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the strategy to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 508. AERONAUTICS WORKFORCE AND MODELING AND TEST FACILITIES.

    (a) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry 
out a comprehensive review of--
            (1) the Nation's aeronautics workforce and skills-base; and
            (2) the status of NASA's aeronautical modeling and test 
        facilities.
The review shall make prioritized recommendations on actions needed to 
align the workforce with research objectives, strategic goals, and 
commercial aeronautics opportunities and on the improvements and 
additions to modeling capabilities and test facilities needed to meet 
the Nation's aeronautics strategic goals and objectives.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the review not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.
    (c) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
that the review is completed and published, the Administrator shall 
provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a plan for implementing the 
recommendations in the review in subsection (a).

SEC. 509. UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that United 
States leadership in aeronautics will depend, in part, on infusing 
innovation into the Nation's aeronautical research and development 
programs and in transferring the proven capabilities and technologies 
established through research and development into commercial aviation. 
It is the further sense of Congress that the University Leadership 
Initiative is encouraging innovation by successfully engaging 
multidisciplinary teams, including academia and industry, in compelling 
research activities that address the Aeronautics Research Mission 
Directorate's strategic research goals while also energizing the 
aeronautics research enterprise. The Administrator should continue to 
support the University Leadership Initiative.
    (b) Review.--The Administrator shall arrange for an external review 
of the University Leadership Initiative for the purposes of considering 
the Initiative's progress toward meeting the program's objectives, 
identifying options and recommendations for strengthening the program, 
and evaluating the project's efforts to increase the participation of 
women, HBCU and underrepresented and minority participants in the 
program.
    (c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

                       TITLE VI--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 601. SPACE NUCLEAR SYSTEMS.

    It is the sense of Congress that:
            (1) Space nuclear technology development, including nuclear 
        propulsion and surface power reactors, is critical for enabling 
        Moon and Mars missions. Nuclear propulsion technologies can 
        reduce transit times to Mars, particularly making possible 
        opposition class missions. Surface power would enable robotic 
        and human exploration. It is important that the United States 
        lead in developing the safe and sustainable use of space 
        nuclear power.
            (2) NASA should continue to develop technologies that rely 
        on low enriched uranium fuel and continue partnerships on such 
        concepts with the commercial sector. Where feasible, the use of 
        low enriched uranium should be prioritized.

SEC. 602. NUCLEAR THERMAL PROPULSION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall carry out nuclear thermal 
propulsion research and development activities, including for systems 
based on the use of low-enriched uranium, for the purposes of 
developing an in-space propulsion system to support crewed missions to 
Mars.
    (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan, including a cost 
estimate, to achieve an in-space flight test of a nuclear thermal 
propulsion system within 10 years of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 603. NUCLEAR SURFACE POWER.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--Developing lightweight fission reactors 
systems is critical for generating sufficient power to run systems that 
enable long-term presence, robotic or human, in space. It is the sense 
of Congress that NASA should continue developing kilopower technology.
    (b) Program.--The Administrator shall establish a program for 
research, testing, and development of a space surface power reactor 
design.
    (c) Plan.--NASA shall develop a plan and timeline for a kilopower 
program taking into consideration mission needs and shall include 
opportunities for participation by United States commercial entities.
    (d) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit plan to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 12 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 604. REVIEW OF FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM.

    (a) Review.--The Comptroller General shall carry out a review of 
the Flight Opportunities Program to assess--
            (1) the goals and objectives of the program, and the basis 
        for those goals and objectives;
            (2) the extent to which the program goals and objectives 
        have changed over time since the establishment of the program, 
        and the rationale for such changes;
            (3) the performance measurements NASA has established to 
        oversee progress toward meeting the goals and objectives of the 
        program;
            (4) the activities conducted and level of resources 
        provided to date toward meeting the goals;
            (5) the basis for the resource requirements;
            (6) the extent to which NASA is using the results of the 
        flight opportunities research activities to advance the 
        agency's strategic goals;
            (7) the challenges in achieving program objectives; and
            (8) the factors that should be considered in evaluating 
        whether the program, as structured and funded, could be 
        expanded to include science and education projects, and any 
        potential implications of such an expansion.
    (b) Transmittal.--The report in subsection (a) shall be transmitted 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 605. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS.

    It is the sense of Congress that advances in interplanetary 
communications are an essential enabler for future robotic and human 
exploration, and that optical communications can provide increased 
bandwidth at farther distances with greater accuracy and speed than 
radio frequency transmissions. Optical communications involve 
opportunities and challenges that can transform scientific 
investigations in space and support deep space human exploration 
operations that will require broadband communications with Earth. In 
addition, optical communications systems are lighter, more compact and 
use less power than radio frequency communications, and the 
Government's investment in advancing optical communications also has 
the potential to offer significant benefits to the private sector and 
future space commerce.

SEC. 606. PROPULSION TESTING FACILITIES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administration's development of next generation in-space and electric 
propulsion will help enable the Nation's goal of sending humans to 
Mars, especially for use in emplacing the cargo and infrastructure 
necessary to support human activities at Mars. It is the further sense 
of Congress that additional testing capabilities may be needed to 
support research and development on in-space propulsion and that such 
facilities could serve government, industry, and university work on 
maturing in-space propulsion development work.
    (b) Needs Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out a needs 
assessment for facilities and technical capabilities required to 
support advanced research and development on in-space propulsion, 
including high-power electric propulsion devices and ground-based 
testing of a full-scale, full-power nuclear thermal engine. The 
assessment should consider the potential development of facilities that 
will support long-term research and development of in-space propulsion 
systems.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 607. IN-SPACE SATELLITE SERVICING AND ASSEMBLY.

    (a) RESTORE-L.--The Administrator shall continue development of 
RESTORE-L technologies and capabilities for a planned on-orbit 
demonstration to refuel the Landsat 7 spacecraft.
    (b) Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out an assessment of 
in-space assembly and servicing technologies, the potential uses of 
those technologies, and related issues. The assessment shall include--
            (1) the capabilities, technological readiness levels, and 
        relevant applications of the Administration's existing in-space 
        servicing and assembly technology across directorates and 
        divisions;
            (2) the projected requirements for in-space satellite 
        servicing and assembly and the research and development, other 
        than that being conducted under subsection (b), needed to 
        address the requirements;
            (3) the potential advantages of incorporating in-space 
        assembly and servicing into spacecraft design, construction, 
        and operations;
            (4) a determination of any areas of overlap or alignment 
        among Administration directorates and divisions of current 
        capabilities and potential enabling technologies for in-space 
        servicing and assembly;
            (5) a description of the criteria, information needed in 
        order to develop criteria, that could be used in determining 
        whether in-space servicing and assembly could increase the 
        capabilities, mitigate risks, reduce the costs, or otherwise 
        benefit a given mission or project;
            (6) a comparison of the relative opportunities and 
        challenges of human versus robotic assembly and servicing, 
        taking into account prior and current servicing activities;
            (7) a description of ways in which the Administration could 
        partner with the private sector or otherwise use available 
        private sector in-space satellite servicing and assembly 
        services; and
            (8) a description of the approaches the Administration is 
        taking to ensure that the project under subsection (a) does not 
        involve competition with the private sector and does not 
        preclude the development of commercial capabilities for in-
        space satellite servicing and assembly.
    (c) Transmittal.--The results of the Assessment in subsection (c) 
shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 608. PARACHUTE SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    It is the sense of Congress that parachute design, development, and 
performance is essential for the safety and success of both robotic and 
human spaceflight systems, including the Orion crew vehicle, capsules 
being developed under the Commercial Crew Program, as well as some 
robotic spacecraft that are to be landed on solar system bodies. It is 
the further sense of Congress that the risks and complexities involved 
in parachute systems warrant additional research and development that 
could benefit both internal development programs and those of United 
States industry partners. The Administrator should strongly consider 
supporting research and development on parachute systems for the 
purposes of contributing to the overall safety and success of United 
States robotic and human spaceflight systems.

 TITLE VII--SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

SEC. 701. OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that 
NASA's inspiring mission, specialized facilities, skilled engineering 
and scientific workforce, and research activities present unique 
opportunities for inspiring public engagement in STEM and increasing 
the number of students pursuing STEM degrees and careers.
    (b) In General.--The Administrator shall establish an Office of 
STEM Engagement for the purpose of advancing progress toward the 
Nation's Federal STEM education goals for enhancing STEM literacy, 
increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, and preparing the 
STEM workforce for the future.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The Office established in subsection (b) 
shall be responsible for coordinating efforts to administer and support 
evidence-based formal and informal education programs, research 
experiences, and related activities among organizations across the 
agency, including NASA headquarters, Mission Directorates, and Centers, 
to administer and support evidence-based formal and informal education 
programs, research experiences, and related activities designed to--
            (1) create unique opportunities for students and the public 
        to learn from and contribute to NASA's work in exploration and 
        discovery;
            (2) contribute to the growth of a diverse STEM workforce; 
        and
            (3) strengthen public understanding of science by enabling 
        connections to NASA's mission and work.
    (d) Portfolio.--The Office shall coordinate and administer--
            (1) the National Space Grant College and Fellowship 
        Program;
            (2) the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive 
        Research;
            (3) the Minority University Research and Education Project;
            (4) the NextGen STEM Project; and
            (5) any other programs or activities determined appropriate 
        by the Administrator.

SEC. 702. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF SPACE GRANT.

    (a) Review.--The Administrator shall make arrangements for an 
independent external review of the National Space Grant College and 
Fellowship Program to evaluate its management, accomplishments, and 
responsiveness to the purposes and goals defined in Chapter 403 of 
title 51, United States Code.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report on the independent 
external review of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship 
Program described in subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

           TITLE VIII--SAFETY, SUPPORT, AND MISSION SERVICES

SEC. 801. POLICY AND PROCEDURE.

    (a) Policy and Procedure.--The Administrator shall develop an 
Administration policy and procedure for assessment every 3 to 5 years 
of the Administration's strategic capabilities, including 
infrastructure and facilities, and workforce skills and capabilities. 
The policy and procedure shall include acquiring data and support for 
Administration decisions and recommendations on strategic capabilities, 
including on infrastructure and facilities, and workforce skills and 
capabilities needed to support the Administration's goals and 
objectives through 2040.
    (b) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the policy and 
procedure in subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 802. MONITORING MILLIMETER-SIZED ORBITAL DEBRIS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on--
            (1) the risks of millimeter-sized and larger orbital debris 
        objects to NASA orbiting assets and space activities; and
            (2) the gaps in monitoring of millimeter-sized orbital 
        debris data, orbital debris object sizes of 2-10 centimeters, 
        and orbital debris objects larger than 10 centimeters;
            (3) an identification of options to address any identified 
        risks and gaps; and
            (4) a recommended option for further analysis and potential 
        implementation.

SEC. 803. PLANETARY PROTECTION STRATEGIC PLAN.

    (a) Strategic Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a strategic 
plan for the Administration's planetary protection policy, research, 
and development activities.
    (b) Inclusion.--The strategic plan shall include the 
Administration's approach to--
            (1) managing planetary protection policy implementation;
            (2) organizing and receiving input from independent, 
        external experts on planetary protection;
            (3) understanding the application of planetary protection 
        to cubesats;
            (4) setting planetary protection research and technology 
        investment priorities, including on planetary protection 
        techniques and measures for verifying compliance with planetary 
        protection guidelines; and
            (5) coordinating the strategic plan and any planetary 
        protection issues related to sample return and human missions 
        to Mars in the Administration's robotic and human solar system 
        exploration activities, as informed by the National Academies 
        report, ``Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy 
        Development Processes''.
    (c) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of the 
Strategic Plan in subsection (a) and to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

  TITLE IX--CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

SEC. 901. DATA COLLECTION ON COST BENEFITS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF USE 
              OF ENHANCED-USE LEASING.

    (a) Data Collection.--The Administrator shall establish and follow 
a means to collect quantitative data on--
            (1) the annual and cumulative number of enhanced-use leases 
        entered into;
            (2) the annual and cumulative costs savings to the 
        Administration on reduced maintenance, operating, and 
        associated costs resulting from entering into enhanced-use 
        leases at NASA Centers; and
            (3) other quantifiable benefits to the Administration of 
        the use of enhanced-use leasing authority.
    (b) Inclusion.--The data collected in subsection (a) shall be 
included the annual report required under section 20145(f) of title 51, 
United States Code.

SEC. 902. REPORT ON ENHANCED-USE LEASING REQUIREMENTS.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall prepare and transmit a report to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
requirements for enhanced-use leasing applicants, including 
requirements related to the involvement of foreign entities, foreign 
entity ownership, and foreign entity investment in the entities 
applying for enhanced-use leases.

SEC. 903. REPORT ON CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE 
              AND EXTREME WEATHER ON AGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
              FACILITIES.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on vulnerabilities of Administration facilities 
and infrastructure resulting from climate change and extreme weather 
events over the next 20 years.
    (b) Contents.--The assessment shall include--
            (1) an identification of existing facilities and 
        infrastructure vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather 
        events based on the effects of sea level rise, increased 
        flooding, drought, desertification, wildfires, thawing 
        permafrost, increases in heavy precipitation events, and any 
        other categories the Administrator deems necessary;
            (2) a description of the potential impacts to facilities 
        and infrastructure identified in paragraph (1);
            (3) an overview of measures that may be necessary to ensure 
        the continued operational viability and to increase the 
        resiliency of the identified vulnerable facilities and 
        infrastructure and the cost of such measures; and
            (4) considerations and recommendations for policies and 
        practices for future Administration facilities and 
        infrastructure design, construction, and operation that would 
        promote resilience to changing environmental conditions and 
        extreme weather events.
    (c) Consideration and Incorporation of Reliable and Authorized 
Sources.--In conducting the assessment, the Administrator shall 
consider and incorporate climate change impacts, projections and 
analyses from reliable and authorized sources, such as the National 
Academies of Sciences, the United States Geological Survey, the U.S. 
Global Change Research Office and National Climate Assessment, and the 
Administration's Earth Science Division.

                      TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 1001. SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator is authorized to carry out 
activities, including research and development, orbital debris 
measurement, tracking, modeling, mitigation, remediation, conjunction 
analysis, and collision avoidance, for the purposes of maintaining the 
safety of the Administration's human spaceflight crew and spacecraft 
operations and for advancing the understanding of practical approaches 
to ensuring the sustainability of the space environment for the future 
of civil and commercial activities in space.
    (b) Research and Technology Strategy.--The Administrator, in 
collaboration with other relevant Federal agencies, academia, and 
industry, shall develop a research and technology strategy for 
advancing the Nation's capability for conducting space situational 
awareness and orbital debris mitigation activities. The strategy shall 
identify and prioritize--
            (1) basic and applied research to improve object 
        identification, orbit determination, object characterization, 
        data cataloguing, and orbit propagation tracking and 
        prediction;
            (2) technology development and demonstrations needed to 
        further the activities identified in subsection (a);
            (3) specific research and technology activities regarding 
        small satellite constellations, projections for debris 
        production by small satellite constellations, and potential 
        means for the prevention of debris by such constellations;
            (4) other relevant research and technology activities that 
        have the potential to materially improve the Nation's 
        understanding and capabilities in space situational awareness 
        and orbital debris mitigation;
            (5) mechanisms to coordinate and transition basic and 
        applied research on space situational awareness into space 
        situational awareness operations; and
            (6) methods for communicating the research and technology 
        activities in paragraphs (1) through (4) to external 
        stakeholders.
    (c) Transmittal.--The Administrator shall transmit the Strategy in 
subsection (b) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 270 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1002. INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK ON ACTIVE ORBITAL DEBRIS REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in consultation with other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out international discussions 
and capacity-building activities on orbital debris removal, including 
active satellite debris removal, for the purposes of making progress 
toward international guidelines on orbital debris removal, including 
active satellite debris removal.
    (b) Inclusion.--The international discussions and capacity-building 
activities in subsection (a) shall identify--
            (1) opportunities for shared responsibilities for orbital 
        debris removal;
            (2) legal issues related to international responsibilities 
        for orbital debris removal, including active satellite debris 
        removal; and
            (3) research and technology developments being carried out 
        by national entities.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
status of international discussions and capacity-building activities in 
subsection (a), including the status of progress toward the development 
of international guidelines under subsection (a).

SEC. 1003. SAFETY AND TECHNICAL RISKS OF ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL.

    (a) Report.--The Administrator shall identify safety and technical 
risks associated with active debris removal that would need to be 
addressed in active debris removal operations of the Administration's 
assets and provide report on the identified safety and technical risks 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1004. INDEPENDENT PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OFFICE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish within NASA an 
independent program analysis and evaluation capability for the purposes 
of independently assessing program performance, making programmatic, 
technical risk mitigation and institutional recommendations, performing 
cost estimates and analyses, and conducting strategic planning 
activities, among other functions.
    (b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish an 
Independent Program Analysis and Evaluation Office to carry out the 
functions in subsection (a). The Office shall remain independent of any 
Program, and shall have no programmatic responsibilities so as to 
maintain its independent assessment integrity.
    (c) Authorization.--The Administrator is authorized to carry out 
research on program assessment; cost, schedule, and technical 
estimation; and other relevant functions for the purposes of obtaining 
the highest level of expertise and the most effective decision-making 
tools with which to inform the Administrator.
    (d) Moon to Mars Program.--The Office established in subsection (b) 
shall maintain an ongoing, focused effort to assess the goals, 
objectives, requirements, architectural approach, cost and schedule, 
and progress of the Moon to Mars Program established under section 202.

SEC. 1005. REPORT ON USE OF THE TERM ``COMMERCIAL'' IN NASA ACTIVITIES.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
definitions of ``commercial'' being used across the Administration.

SEC. 1006. SUPPLY CHAIN AND SUPPLIER BASE.

    (a) Review.--The Administrator, in collaboration with industry and 
other Federal agencies, shall carry out a review of the health of the 
supply chain and supplier base for critical materials, parts, and 
systems used in the manufacturing and production of development 
systems, spacecraft, instruments, and other relevant elements and shall 
provide recommendations to address any identified vulnerabilities.
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of the 
review, including any recommended actions in response to the review, to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 1007. USE OF OPERATIONAL COMMERCIAL SUBORBITAL VEHICLES FOR 
              RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION.

    (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall conduct an assessment of 
the issues and risks related to the potential use of operational 
commercial reusable suborbital flight vehicles for carrying out 
potential NASA-sponsored science and engineering investigations, 
technology demonstrations, and educational activities involving NASA-
sponsored researchers. The report shall--
            (1) characterize the risks of using potential commercial 
        reusable suborbital flights to NASA-sponsored researchers and 
        scientific investigations and flight hardware;
            (2) identify and describe the United States Government and 
        space flight operator responsibilities for liability and 
        indemnification with respect to commercial suborbital vehicle 
        flights that involve NASA-sponsored payloads or activities, 
        potential NASA-supported space flight participants, or other 
        NASA-related contributions; and
            (3) identify any statutory provisions that may be required 
        to authorize and enforce the liability and indemnification 
        responsibilities described in paragraph (2).
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan and assessment 
described in subsections (a) and (b) to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 1008. THE SPACE CAPABILITIES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the National Space Council shall coordinate an interagency 
assessment of the space exploration capabilities of the People's 
Republic of China, including any threats to United States assets in 
space as well as the impact of cooperation and participation of the 
People's Republic of China with other nations on space activities.
    (b) Strategy.--The report required in subsection (a) shall include 
a strategy to ensure United States leadership in space exploration and 
counter any identified threats posed by the People's Republic of China.
    (c) Classified Annex.--The report identified in subsection (a) may 
include a classified annex.

SEC. 1009. SPECTRUM INTERFERENCE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct an assessment of 
the impact of the loss of observations based on protection limits 
derived from the Word Radio Conference 19 (WRC19) international 
agreement.
    (b) Transmittal.--The assessment conducted in subsection (a) shall 
be delivered to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1010. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 301 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 30105. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    ``Any report or notification provided to Congress by NASA, 
including on the status of balances of funding at the account level and 
on cost increases of 10 percent or more, shall be provided the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate concurrently with its delivery to any 
other committee or office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 301 of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item 
relating to section 30104 the following:

``30105. Reports to Congress.''.

SEC. 1011. GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON LARGE-SCALE 
              PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES.

    Section 30104(c) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) GAO report.--The GAO shall issue an annual report on 
        the status of large-scale the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration's major programs, programs, projects and 
        activities.
            ``(5) Schedule.--The report directed in this subsection 
        shall be delivered to the Congress annually and in advance of 
        the annual budget submission of the President.
            ``(6) Access.--The Administrator is directed to cooperate 
        fully and to provide timely program analysis, evaluation data 
        and relevant information to the GAO so that it can conduct this 
        review and meet the annual schedule. Such information includes, 
        but is not limited to, copies of preliminary cost estimates, 
        access to relevant online agency applications, databases, and 
        web portals, and access to information from contractor and 
        agency personnel.''.

SEC. 1012. NASA INSTITUTES.

    (a) In General.--Section 30103(a) of title 51, United States Code, 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) the budget for each NASA-funded institute; and''.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall deliver to the Authorizing Committees 
of Congress, a report that recommends guidance and metrics for the 
management, utilization, expectations for return on investment, and 
financial condition for NASA-funded institutes.

SEC. 1013. SURVEYS ON THE INDUSTRIAL BASE OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 315 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 30506. INDUSTRIAL BASE SURVEYS.

    ``No funds may be obligated or expended by the Administrator of 
NASA for the purpose of carrying out a Bureau of Industry and Security 
survey with respect to the United States space and aerospace industrial 
base until the date that is 90 days after the date on which the 
Administrator submits to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written 
notification that includes--
            ``(1) the proposed subject matter of such survey;
            ``(2) a description of the information to be required of 
        survey respondents; and
            ``(3) any penalties to be assessed against respondents for 
        noncompliance with survey requirements.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 315 of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item 
relating to section 30505 the following:

``30506. Industrial base surveys.''.

SEC. 1014. BUDGETS.

    Section 30103(a)(1)(A) of title 51, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ``space shuttle'' and inserting ``Commercial Crew and 
Commercial Cargo''.
                                 <all>