ISS GAP FILLER Act

Bill: 110-hr-7062
Sponsor: Rep. Feeney, Tom [R-FL-24]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Europe
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
International organizations and cooperation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Russia
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites
Technology transfer and commercialization
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
International Space Station Guaranteed Access Plan for Integrated Launch and Low Earth Rendezvous Act or ISS GAP FILLER Act - Authorizes appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for Space Shuttle operations and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. 

 Requires: (1) the utilization flights ULF-4 and ULF-5 to be considered part of the Space Shuttle baseline flight manifest to ensure adequate logistics and on-orbit spares are available to the International Space Station (ISS); and (2) the flight of one additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS. 

Authorizes NASA to: (1) continue Space Shuttle operations through FY2012; and (2) maintain the capability to safely fly at least two Shuttle missions per year through FY2012. 

Directs the Administrator of NASA to suspend any NASA activity that, if continued, would inhibit or preclude the continued safe and effective operation of the Space Shuttle through FY2012. 

Requires an assessment of the actions that have been taken and are planned to be taken to fully comply with the intent of the recertification recommendation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. 

Sets forth provisions for a crewed vehicle demonstration of a capsule and associated crew escape system capable of carrying astronauts to the ISS and returning them safely to Earth. 

Requires an evaluation of the actions necessary to human-rate Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles. 

Directs the Administrator to initiate discussions with representatives of the European Space Agency to determine the feasibility of development of a human-rated space transportation system to provide a backup capability to the Russian Soyuz. 

Sets forth provisions concerning the development of a means of providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the ISS. 

Requires a commercial space launch range study. 

Restricts the use of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle to only those missions carrying astronauts beyond low Earth orbit.

Provides for discussions among space-faring nations of a common docking system standard. 

Authorizes the President to make extraordinary payments to the Russian Federal Space Agency or any entity under such agency for equipment and services related to the ISS. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House