[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2541 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2541

   To reauthorize and restructure the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 17, 2004

Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mrs. Hutchison, and Mr. Allen,) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
           Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To reauthorize and restructure 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 ``NASA Authorization 
Act of 2004''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

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

Sec. 101. Exploration capabilities.
Sec. 102. Exploration, science, and aeronautics.
Sec. 103. Inspector General.
Sec. 104. Independent technical engineering authority authorizations.
Sec. 105. Total authorizations.
                TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE RETURN TO FLIGHT

Sec. 201. Lessons-learned program.
Sec. 202. Independent technical engineering authority.
Sec. 203. Safety and integration.
Sec. 204. Recertification of space shuttle.
Sec. 205. Return to flight certification.
Sec. 206. Launch plans for ISS.
                      TITLE III--NASA's NEW VISION

Sec. 301. Exploration of the solar system.
Sec. 302. Human missions to the Moon and Mars.
Sec. 303. Systems requirements document.
Sec. 304. Life cycle cost estimate.
Sec. 305. Commercialization plan with Office of Space 
                            Commercialization.
Sec. 306. Industrial assessment.
Sec. 307. Reports on costs of major systems.
Sec. 308. International cooperation.
Sec. 309. Technology Transfer and Licensing Office.
Sec. 310. Robotic lunar missions.
Sec. 311. Legal aspects of lunar exploration.
Sec. 312. NASA engineering school.
                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 401. Integrated financial management program.
Sec. 402. Future launch plan.
Sec. 403. Commercial goods and services.
Sec. 404. Industry Advisory Board.
Sec. 405. Requirement for independent cost analysis.
Sec. 406. Electronic access to business opportunities.
Sec. 407. Retrocession of jurisdiction.
Sec. 408. Centennial challenge program.
Sec. 409. Cultural assessment.
Sec. 410. Sense of the Congress regarding competitive contracting.
Sec. 411. Employees stationed in foreign countries.
Sec. 412. Hubble Telescope.
Sec. 413. Confirmation requirement.
Sec. 414. National Aeronautics and Space Foundation Study.
Sec. 415. Near-earth object survey.
             TITLE V--AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 501. Findings.
Sec. 502. Environmental aircraft research and development initiative.
Sec. 503. Civil supersonic transport research and development 
                            initiative.
Sec. 504. NASA aeronautics scholarships.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration.
            (2) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) NASA has a proud heritage of promoting the development 
        of space through the pursuit of ambitious goals requiring the 
        design and development of new, complex technologies.
            (2) The President's new vision for space will require new, 
        affordable, and safe access to space. Such access will have 
        significant implications for national security, civil sector, 
        and commercial uses of space.
            (3) Basic and applied research in space science, earth 
        science, and aeronautics remain a significant part of the 
        Nation's goals for the use and development of space.
            (4) America's history is built on a desire to open new 
        frontiers and to seek new discoveries.
            (5) Exploration, like investments in other Federal science 
        and technology activities, is an investment in our future.
            (6) Our Nation's investment in space has and will continue 
        to yield returns many fold, through a tremendously promising 
        program of discovery and exploration that historically has 
        provided benefits that improve the quality of life on Earth, as 
        well as inspiring Americans and people throughout the world.
            (7) Over the next few years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, NASA will face great cultural and organizational 
        change as it learns from the Columbia tragedy and implements 
        the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation 
        Board, the President's Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond, 
        and ongoing reviews by the National Academy of Sciences, 
        Congress expects that the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration will create and support a robust, independent 
        safety and technical engineering authorities called for by the 
        Columbia Accident Investigation Board while striving to ensure 
        safety and the protection of human life in all aspects of 
        design, development, test, launch, and operations. While human 
space exploration will always be risky, the management and organization 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration itself cannot be 
the root cause of space accidents in the future.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES.

    Subject to the limitation in section 105, the following amounts are 
authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the following programs and 
fiscal years:
            (1) Fiscal year 2005:
                    (A) International Space Station, $1,863,000,000.
                    (B) Space shuttle, $4,319,000,000.
                    (C) Space flight support, $492,000,000.
                    (D) Transportation systems, $689,000,000.
                    (E) Human and robotic technology, $1,079,000,000, 
                of which $20,000,000 shall be for the Centennial 
                Challenges Program established under section 318 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by 
                section 408 of this Act.
            (2) Fiscal year 2006:
                    (A) International Space Station, $1,764,000,000.
                    (B) Space shuttle, $4,326,000,000.
                    (C) Space flight support, $435,000,000.
                    (D) Transportation systems, $1,261,000,000.
                    (E) Human and robotic technology, $1,302,500,000, 
                of which $25,000,000 shall be for the Centennial 
                Challenges Program established under section 318 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by 
                section 408 of this Act.
            (3) Fiscal year 2007:
                    (A) International Space Station, $1,780,000,000.
                    (B) Space shuttle, $4,314,000,000.
                    (C) Space flight support, $430,000,000.
                    (D) Transportation systems, $1,624,000,000.
                    (E) Human and robotic technology, $1,301,000,000, 
                of which $25,000,000 shall be for the Centennial 
                Challenges Program established under section 318 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by 
                section 408 of this Act.
            (4) Fiscal year 2008:
                    (A) International Space Station, $1,779,000,000.
                    (B) Space shuttle, $4,027,000,000.
                    (C) Space flight support, $456,000,000.
                    (D) Transportation systems, $1,423,000,000.
                    (E) Human and robotic technology, $1,369,600,000, 
                of which $10,000,000 shall be for the Centennial 
                Challenges Program established under section 318 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by 
                section 408 of this Act.
            (5) Fiscal year 2009:
                    (A) International Space Station, $2,115,000,000.
                    (B) Space shuttle, $3,030,000,000.
                    (C) Space flight support, $453,000,000.
                    (D) Transportation systems, $1,863,000,000.
                    (E) Human and robotic technology, $1,433,000,000.

SEC. 102. EXPLORATION, SCIENCE, AND AERONAUTICS.

    Subject to the limitation in section 105, the following amounts are 
authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the following programs and 
fiscal years:
            (1) Fiscal year 2005:
                    (A) Space science, $4,138,000,000, of which 
                $20,000,000 shall be for activities under section 416 
                of this Act.
                    (B) Earth science, $1,485,000,000, of which 
                $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.
                    (C) Biological and physical research, 
                $1,049,000,000.
                    (D) Aeronautics Technology, $919,000,000.
                    (E) Education, $169,000,000, of which $500,000 
                shall be for scholarships under section 504.
            (2) Fiscal year 2006:
                    (A) Space science, $4,404,000,000, of which 
                $20,000,000 shall be for activities under section 
                415(b) of this Act.
                    (B) Earth science, $1,390,000,000, of which 
                $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.
                    (C) Biological and physical research, $950,000,000.
                    (D) Aeronautics Technology, $957,000,000.
                    (E) Education, $169,000,000, of which $750,000 
                shall be for scholarships under section 504.
            (3) Fiscal year 2007:
                    (A) Space science, $4,906,000,000.
                    (B) Earth science, $1,368,000,000 of which 
                $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.
                    (C) Biological and physical research, $938,000,000.
                    (D) Aeronautics, $938,000,000.
                    (E) Education, $171,000,000, of which $1,000,000 
                shall be for scholarships under section 504.
            (4) Fiscal year 2008:
                    (A) Space science, $5,520,000,000.
                    (B) Earth science, $1,343,000,000 of which 
                $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.
                    (C) Biological and physical research, $941,000,000.
                    (D) Aeronautics Technology, $926,000,000.
                    (E) Education, $170,000,000, of which $1,000,000 
                shall be for scholarships under section 504.
            (5) Fiscal year 2009:
                    (A) Space science, $5,561,000,000.
                    (B) Earth science, $1,474,000,000 of which 
                $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.
                    (C) Biological and physical research, $944,000,000.
                    (D) Aeronautics Technology, $942,000,000.
                    (E) Education, $170,000,000, of which $1,000,000 
                shall be for scholarships under section 504.

SEC. 103. INSPECTOR GENERAL.

    Subject to the limitation in section 105, there are authorized to 
be appropriated to NASA for the Office of Inspector General--
            (1) for fiscal year 2005, $28,000,000,
            (2) for fiscal year 2006, $29,000,000,
            (3) for fiscal year 2007, $30,000,000,
            (4) for fiscal year 2008, $31,000,000, and
            (5) for fiscal year 2009, $32,000,000.

SEC. 104. INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AUTHORITY AUTHORIZATIONS.

    Subject to the limitation in section 105, there are authorized to 
be appropriated to NASA for the technical engineering authority 
established under section 202 of this Act--
            (1) for fiscal year 2005, $15,000,000;
            (2) for fiscal year 2006, $15,500,000;
            (3) for fiscal year 2007, $16,000,000;
            (4) for fiscal year 2008, $16,400,000; and
            (5) for fiscal year 2009, $17,000,000.

SEC. 105. TOTAL AUTHORIZATIONS.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the total amount 
authorized to be appropriated to NASA under this Act, shall not 
exceed--
            (1) for fiscal year 2005, $16,245,000,000;
            (2) for fiscal year 2006, $17,125,000,000;
            (3) for fiscal year 2007, $17,727,584,000;
            (4) for fiscal year 2008, $17,581,562,000; and
            (5) for fiscal year 2009, $17,676,948,000.

                TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE RETURN TO FLIGHT

SEC. 201. LESSONS-LEARNED PROGRAM.

    Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall establish an agency-wide lessons-learned and best 
practices program to ensure that lessons learned and best practices at 
NASA are available to all employees. The Administrator shall determine 
the process and frequency by which the information is provided to 
NASA's employees. The program--
            (1) may include experiences realized outside of NASA;
            (2) shall include criteria by which entries in the program 
        are determined; and
            (3) shall use a standardized, user-friendly format for data 
        reports.

SEC. 202. INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall establish within NASA a Technical 
Engineering Authority that--
            (1) has its own budgetary line within NASA's budget;
            (2) does not have any programmatic connection to, or 
        responsibility for cost and schedule;
            (3) will serve as a resource for the entire agency;
            (4) is responsible for all technical standards and all 
        waivers to them for the Space Shuttle program and any other 
        program designated by the Administrator; and
            (5) will develop and build a disciplined systemic approach 
        for identifying, analyzing, and controlling hazards throughout 
        the life cycle of the Space Shuttle system or any other program 
        designated by the Administrator.
    (b) Functions.--The Authority established under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) develop and maintain technical standards for all Space 
        Shuttle Program projects and elements;
            (2) be the sole waiver-granting authority for all technical 
        standards;
            (3) conduct trend and risk analysis at the subsystem, 
        system, and enterprise level;
            (4) own the failure mode, effects analysis and hazard 
        reporting systems;
            (5) conduct integrated hazard analysis;
            (6) decide what is and is not an anomalous event;
            (7) independently verify launch readiness;
            (8) approve the provisions of the recertification program 
        called for in section 205 of this Act; and
            (9) approve all mission simulated activities, including 
        testing of abort scenarios, ``GO'' and ``NO-GO'' decisions, and 
        other ``red-teaming'' activities.
    (c) Implementation Plan.--Within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Science, a plan for defining, 
establishing, transitioning, and implementing the Authority.
    (d) Annual Report.--The Administrator shall include a report on the 
activities of the Authority as part of NASA's annual budget request.

SEC. 203. SAFETY AND INTEGRATION.

    (a) Safety and Mission Assurance.--The Administrator shall provide 
the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance--
            (1) direct line authority over the entire Space Shuttle 
        safety organization; and
            (2) independent funding.
    (b) Space Shuttle Integration.--The Administrator shall reorganize 
the Space Shuttle Integration Office to ensure that it is capable of 
integrating all elements of the Space Shuttle program, including the 
orbiters.
    (c) Submission of Implementation Plans to Congress.--Within 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a plan for 
defining, establishing, transitioning, and implementing--
            (1) the direct line authority over the entire Space Shuttle 
        safety organization and the independent funding for the Office 
        of Safety and Mission Assurance required by subsection (a); and
            (2) the reorganization of the Space Shuttle Integration 
        Office required by subsection (b).

SEC. 204. RECERTIFICATION OF SPACE SHUTTLE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, after approval by the Technical 
Engineering Authority established in section 202 of this Act, shall 
recertify the Space Shuttle orbiters for operation prior to any 
operations beyond 2010. The recertification shall be conducted on the 
material, component, subsystem, and system levels and shall be included 
as part of the Shuttle Service Life Extension program.
    (b) Plan To Be Submitted.--If the Administrator determines that it 
is necessary to operate the Space Shuttle orbiters after 2010, the 
Administrator shall submit plans, including costs and scheduling, 
before 2009 for recertifying the Space Shuttle orbiters consistent with 
the requirements of subsection (a), before commencing any such 
recertification to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science. 
The plan shall be approved by the Technical Engineering Authority as 
established under section 202 of this Act.
    (c) Upgrade of Drawing System.--The Administrator shall establish a 
long-term program to upgrade the Space Shuttle and the International 
Space Station engineering drawing systems. The upgrade shall include--
            (1) review of drawings for accuracy;
            (2) conversion of all drawing to a computer-aided drafting 
        system; and
            (3) incorporation of drawing changes.

SEC. 205. RETURN TO FLIGHT CERTIFICATION.

    The Administrator may not return the Space Shuttle program to 
launching orbiters until all safety recommendations of the Columbia 
Accident Investigation Board report which were identified as ``Return 
To Flight'' tasks have been completely satisfied. The Administrator 
shall certify to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science 
that those recommendations have been satisfied before the first such 
return to launch.

SEC. 206. LAUNCH PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

    Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall submit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on 
Science plans for launching assembly elements, crew, and supplies to 
the International Space Station from the year 2010 through the year 
2014.

                      TITLE III--NASA'S NEW VISION

SEC. 301. EXPLORATION INITIATIVE.

    The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1985 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                  ``TITLE V--SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION

``SEC. 501. SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration shall establish a program--
            ``(1) to implement a sustained and affordable human and 
        robotic exploration of the solar system and beyond;
            ``(2) to extend human presence across the solar system, 
        starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in 
        preparation for human exploration of Mars and other 
        destinations;
            ``(3) to develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, 
        and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions 
        about the destinations for human exploration; and
            ``(4) to promote international and commercial participation 
        in exploration to further United States scientific, security, 
        and economic interests.
    ``(b) Action Required.--To accomplish the goals of the program, the 
Administrator shall--
            ``(1) return the Space Shuttle to flight consistent with 
        safety concerns and the recommendations of the Columbia 
        Accident Investigation Board, with the chief purpose to help 
        finish assembly of the International Space Station;
            ``(2) retire the Space Shuttle as soon as assembly of 
        International Space Station is completed;
            ``(3) begin developing a new crewed exploration vehicle to 
        explore beyond Earth orbit to be ready for testing by the end 
of the decade, and to conduct its first human mission no later than 
2014; and
            ``(4) take the steps necessary to return humans to Earth's 
        moon as early as 2015 and no later than 2020, and use the Moon 
        as a stepping-stone for missions to Mars and other destinations 
        in space.''.

SEC. 302. HUMAN MISSIONS TO THE MOON AND MARS.

    (a) Report on Activities and Funding Budgeted for Fiscal Year 
2005.--Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit a report to the Senate Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Science that identifies all activities and funding, using 
full cost accounting, in the fiscal year 2005 budget request that 
support human missions to the Moon and Mars.
    (b) Inclusion in Budget Request.--The Administrator shall include 
in NASA's annual budget request all activities and funding, using full 
cost accounting, that support human missions to the Moon and Mars.

SEC. 303. SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT.

    (a) In General.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit a system requirements document 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
the House of Representatives Committee on Science that includes--
            (1) the baseline technical requirements for NASA to conduct 
        a human mission to the Moon by 2014 and the eventual human 
        mission to the planet Mars; and
            (2) a description of the process for making revisions to 
        the document.
    (b) Report To Be Combined With Section 304 Report.--The 
Administrator shall combine the report required under subsection (a) 
with the life cycle cost estimate required by section 304 and submit 
them as a single document.

SEC. 304. LIFE CYCLE COST ESTIMATE.

    (a) Submission of Estimate to Congress.--Within 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a life 
cycle cost estimate for a manned mission to the Moon to the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Science. The Administrator shall ensure 
that the life cycle cost estimate has been approved by the Chief 
Engineer and reviewed by an independent organization prior to 
submission. The cost estimate shall also include whether or not the 
planned budgetary profile for these missions as submitted in NASA's 
fiscal year 2005 budget request is sufficient to meet the targeted 
dates of the missions.
    (b) GAO Review.--Within 90 days after the Administration submits 
the life cycle cost estimate to the Committees under subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall conduct a review of the estimate and 
transmit a report containing the results of that review to those 
Committees.
    (c) Revised Estimates.--After the first life cycle cost estimate 
under subsection (a) has been submitted to the Committees, the 
Administrator shall prepare and submit, in accordance with the 
requirements of subsection (a) but without regard to the last sentence 
thereof, a revised life cycle cost estimate for the mission for each 
fiscal year to the Committees on or before the date on which the 
President submits the Budget of the United States to the Congress.

SEC. 305. COMMERCIALIZATION PLAN WITH OFFICE OF SPACE 
              COMMERCIALIZATION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator and the Director of the Office 
of Space Commercialization of the Department of Commerce shall develop 
a commercialization plan to support the human missions to the Moon and 
Mars. The plan shall identify opportunities for the private sector to 
participate in the future missions, including opportunities for 
partnership between NASA and the private sector in the development of 
technologies and services.
    (b) Report.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator and the Director jointly shall submit a copy of 
the plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science.
    (c) Report To Be Combined With Section 306 Report.--The 
Administrator shall combine the plan required under subsection (b) with 
the report required by section 306 and submit them as a single 
document.

SEC. 306. INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator and the Director of the Office 
of Space Commercialization of the Department of Commerce shall develop 
an assessment of the capability of the private sector, including small 
businesses, to support the manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The 
assessment shall include the ability of private industry to support--
            (1) the definition of basic program requirements;
            (2) an assessment of current technologies and shortfalls; 
        and
            (3) the production and manufacturing capabilities necessary 
        to implement the manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
    (b) Report.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator and the Director jointly shall submit a copy of 
the assessment to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science.

SEC. 307. REPORTS ON COSTS OF MAJOR SYSTEMS.

    (a) Quarterly Life Cycle Cost Reports.--
            (1) In general.--The program manager for each major system, 
        as determined by the Administrator, of the solar system 
        exploration initiative under section 501 of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as added by section 301 of 
        this Act, shall submit to the Administrator, within 7 days 
        after the end of each quarter of the fiscal year, a written 
        report on the major system for which such manager has 
        responsibility. The Administrator shall submit a listing of all 
        major systems to the Senate Committee on Commmerce, Science, 
        and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee 
        on Science within 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
        Act. The program manager shall include in each such report the 
        total life cycle cost for such major system as of the last day 
of such quarter and the history of the total life cycle cost of each 
major system from the date on which funds were first authorized to be 
appropriated for such system.
            (2) Cost overrun reports.--If at any time during a fiscal 
        year the program manager of a major system referred to in 
        paragraph (1) has reasonable cause to believe that the total 
        life cycle cost has exceeded the applicable percentage increase 
        specified in subsection (b), the manager shall immediately 
        submit to the Administrator a report containing the 
        information, as of the date of such report, required by 
        paragraph (1).
            (3) Schedule or system changes.--The program manager shall 
        also include in each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) 
        or (2) any change from schedule milestones or system 
        performances requirements with respect to such system that are 
        known, expected, or anticipated by such manager.
    (b) Stop-Loss Provisions for 15 Percent Cost Overruns.--
            (1) Systems.--If the Administrator determines, on the basis 
        of any report submitted to him pursuant to subsection (a), that 
        the total life cycle cost (including any increase for expected 
        inflation) for any major system has increased by more than 15 
        percent over the total life cycle cost for such system, then 
        (except as provided in paragraph (2)) no additional funds may 
        be obligated in connection with such system after the end of 
        the 30-day period beginning on the day on which the 
        Administrator makes such determination. The Administrator shall 
        notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on 
        Science promptly in writing of such increase upon making such a 
        determination with respect to any such major system and shall 
        include in such notice the date on which such determination was 
        made.
            (2) Exception.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
        on the obligation of funds shall not apply in the case of any 
        major system to which such prohibition would otherwise apply if 
        the Administrator submits to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
        Committee on Science, before the end of the 30-day period 
        referred to in paragraph (1), a written report which includes--
                    (A) a statement of the reasons for such increase in 
                total life cycle cost or procurement cost;
                    (B) the identities of the program officers 
                responsible for program management and cost control of 
                the major system;
                    (C) the action taken and proposed to be taken to 
                control future cost growth of such system;
                    (D) any changes made in the performance or schedule 
                milestones of such system and the degree to which such 
                changes have contributed to the increase in total life 
                cycle cost or procurement cost;
                    (E) the identities of the principal contractors for 
                the major system; and
                    (F) an index of all testimony and documents 
                formally provided to the Congress on the estimated cost 
                of such system.
    (c) Stop-Loss Provision for 25 Percent Cost Overruns.--
            (1) In general.--If the Administrator--
                    (A) determines, on the basis of a report submitted 
                to him pursuant to subsection (a)--
                            (i) that the total life cycle cost 
                        (including an increase for expected inflation) 
                        for a major system has increased by more than 
                        25 percent over the total life cycle cost, or
                            (ii) that the current procurement cost of 
                        such system has increased by more than 25 
                        percent over the initial procurement cost, in 
                        the case of any such system for which 
                        procurement funds are authorized to be 
                        appropriated by this Act, and
                    (B) has submitted a report to the Senate Committee 
                on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House 
                of Representatives Committee on Science with respect to 
                such system pursuant to subsection (b)(3),
        then (except as provided in paragraph (2)) no additional funds 
        may be obligated in connection with such system after the end 
        of the 60-day period beginning on the day on which the 
        Administrator makes such determination.
            (2) Exception.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
        on the obligation of funds shall not apply in the case of a 
        major system to which such prohibition would otherwise apply if 
        the Administrator submits to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
        Committee on Science, before the end of the 60-day period 
        referred to in such paragraph, a written certification stating 
        that--
                    (A) such system is essential to the future of the 
                Exploration Initiative;
                    (B) there are no alternatives to such system which 
                will provide equal or greater capability at less cost;
                    (C) the new estimates of the total program 
                acquisition cost or procurement cost are reasonable; 
                and
                    (D) the management structure for such major system 
                is adequate to manage and control total program 
                acquisition cost or procurement cost.

SEC. 308. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

    Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, NASA shall 
provide a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science on 
opportunities for international cooperation from all space faring 
nations on a human mission to the Moon and Mars. The report shall 
present a variety of options for the United States to enter into 
partnership with other nations in pursuit of the program established by 
section 301 of this Act. The report shall be developed in cooperation 
with the Department of State and other appropriate agencies.

SEC. 309. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND LICENSING OFFICE.

    (a) Establishment of the Office.--The Administrator shall establish 
a Technology Transfer and Licensing Office within the program 
established under section 301. The Office shall--
            (1) facilitate the transfer of technologies into and out of 
        the agency; and
            (2) handle the licensing activities of the agency.
    (b) Technology Transfer Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and 
implement a technology transfer plan for the program. The technology 
transfer plan shall include--
            (1) a framework of oversight and administrative 
        requirements for carrying out technology transfer activities;
            (2) a description of how the program will identify, assess, 
        license, and monitor research and development projects that the 
        agency and its related facilities determine have a potential 
        for public and commercial application; and
            (3) procedures for the dissemination of information on 
        Federally owned or originated products, processes, and services 
        to interested parties.
    (c) Plan and Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a copy of 
the plan, together with recommendations (including legislative 
recommendations) if any, to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on 
Science within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 310. ROBOTIC LUNAR MISSIONS.

    Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall submit a plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee 
on Science for the robotic lunar missions to the Earth's moon within 3 
years. The plan should include the specific science and technical goals 
to be met, the role of scientific peer review panels in selecting 
missions, and the use of the private sector to accomplish the goals of 
the mission.

SEC. 311. LEGAL ASPECTS OF LUNAR EXPLORATION.

    The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State, 
shall submit a legal review and interpretation of laws and treaties 
governing the exploration of space and the possible ownership of 
resources on the Moon and Mars. The review should determine if any 
changes or new agreements are needed to reflect the growing role of the 
private sector in space exploration. The review shall be submitted to 
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
House of Representatives Committee on Science within 90 days of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 312. NASA ENGINEERING SCHOOL.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a NASA 
Engineering School. The school shall be available to all employees of 
NASA and its contractors to facilitate increased knowledge of 
engineering and scientific principles to further the missions of NASA.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the school is to provide a unique 
training program to bridge the gap between the broad-based training 
provided by universities, and the specific training needed to 
understand the different technologies which form the basis for work at 
NASA.
    (c) Submission of Plan.--Within 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Science a plan for establishing the 
school.

                        TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 401. INTEGRATED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

    Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief 
Financial officer shall provide a report to the Senate Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Science on NASA's ability to improve its financial 
management. The report shall include--
            (1) a statement of the status of the implementation of the 
        integrated financial management program; and
            (2) a description of plans and architecture for the full 
        implementation of the management system.

SEC. 402. FUTURE LAUNCH PLAN.

    Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee 
on Science a plan for future launches of space vehicles that includes 
an estimate of costs, schedules, and factors relevant to other United 
States space sectors. The plan should address assessments of reusable 
components and approaches that can lead to significant cost reductions 
in United States access to space.

SEC. 403. COMMERCIAL GOODS AND SERVICES.

    It is the sense of the Congress that NASA should purchase 
commercially available space goods and services to the fullest extent 
feasible in support of the human missions to the Moon and Mars and 
shall not conduct activities with commercial applications that preclude 
or deter commercial space activities except for reasons of national 
security or public safety. For purposes of this section--
            (1) a space good or service shall be considered to be 
        commercially available if it is offered by a commercial 
        provider, or if it could be supplied by a commercial provider 
        in response to a Government procurement request; and
            (2) a purchase shall be considered to be feasible if it 
        meets mission requirements in a cost-effective manner while 
        offering the same or a higher level of safety.

SEC. 404. INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD.

    The Administrator shall establish an Industry Advisory Board to 
review and discuss opportunities for the private sector to invest in 
and take advantage of activities at NASA. The Board shall meet at least 
twice a year with the Administrator or his designee.

SEC. 405. REQUIREMENT FOR INDEPENDENT COST ANALYSIS.

    Section 301 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 2459g) is amended--
            (1) by striking the first sentence of subsection (a) and 
        inserting ``For each project that is projected to cost more 
        than $250,000,000 in total project costs, the Chief Financial 
        Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        shall conduct and consider an independent life-cycle cost 
        analysis and report the results of that analysis to the Senate 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        House of Representatives Committee on Science as soon as 
        practicable after the contract, or contracts, for the project 
        have been awarded.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Total Project Costs.--In this section, the term `total 
project costs' includes--
            ``(1) all activity in the life cycle of a program or 
        project after preliminary design, independent assessment of the 
        preliminary design, and approval to proceed into 
        implementation; and
            ``(2) design, development, testing, certification, launch, 
        operations, and disposal.''.

SEC. 406. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

    Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2451, et seq.), is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 316. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator may implement a pilot program 
providing for reduction in the waiting period between publication of 
notice of a proposed contract action and release of the solicitation 
for procurements conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.
    ``(b) Applicability.--The program implemented under subsection (a) 
shall apply to non-commercial acquisitions--
            ``(1) with a total value in excess of $100,000 but not more 
        than $5,000,000 including options;
            ``(2) that do not involve bundling of contract requirements 
        as defined in section 3(o) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
        632(o)); and
            ``(3) for which a notice is required by subsection 8(e) of 
        the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) and subsection 18(a) 
        of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
        416(a)).
    ``(c) Notice.--
            ``(1) Notice of acquisitions subject to the program 
        authorized by this section shall be made accessible through the 
        single Government-wide point of entry designated in the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulation, consistent with paragraph 30(c)(4) of 
        the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
        426(c)(4)).
            ``(2) Providing access to notice in accordance with 
        paragraph (1) satisfies the publication requirements of 
        subsection 8(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) 
        and subsection 18(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement 
        Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)).
    ``(d) Solicitation.--Solicitations subject to the program 
authorized by this section shall be made accessible through the single 
Government-wide point of entry, consistent with requirements set forth 
in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, except for adjustments to the 
wait periods as provided in subsection (e).
    ``(e) Wait Periods.--
            ``(1) Whenever a notice required by section 8(e)(1)(A) of 
        the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 637(e)(1)(A)) and section 
        18(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 
        U.S.C. 416(a)) is made accessible in accordance with subsection 
        (c) of this section, the wait period set forth in section 
        8(e)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)(3)(A)) 
        and section 18(a)(3)(A) of the Office of Federal Procurement 
        Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(A)), shall be reduced by 5 
        days. If the solicitation applying to that notice is accessible 
        electronically in accordance with subsection (d) simultaneously 
        with issuance of the notice, the wait period set forth in 
        section 8(e)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
        637(e)(3)(A)) and section 18(a)(3)(A) of the Office of Federal 
        Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(A)) shall not apply 
        and the period specified in section 8(e)(3)(B) of the Small 
        Business Act and section 18(a)(3)(B) of the Office of Federal 
        Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(B)) for submission 
        of bids or proposals shall begin to run from the date the 
        solicitation is electronically accessible.
            ``(2) When a notice and solicitation are made accessible 
        simultaneously and the wait period is waived pursuant to 
        paragraph (1), the deadline for the submission of bids or 
        proposals shall be not less than 5 days greater than the 
        minimum deadline set forth in section 8(e)(3)(B) of the Small 
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)(3)(B)) and section 18(a)(3)(B) 
        of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
        416(a)(3)(B)).
    ``(f) D23/Implementation.--
            ``(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
        modifying regulatory requirements set forth in the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulation, except with respect to--
                    ``(A) the applicable wait period between 
                publication of notice of a proposed contract action and 
                release of the solicitation; and
                    ``(B) the deadline for submission of bids or 
                proposals for procurements conducted in accordance with 
                the terms of this pilot program.
            ``(2) This section shall not apply to the extent the 
        President determines it is inconsistent with any international 
        agreement to which the United States is a party.
    ``(g) Study.--Within 18 months after the effective date of the 
program, NASA shall evaluate the impact of the pilot program and submit 
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report that--
            ``(1) sets forth in detail the results of the test, 
        including the impact on competition and small business 
        participation; and
            ``(2) at the discretion of the President, addresses whether 
        the pilot program should be made permanent, continued as a test 
        program, or allowed to expire.
    ``(h) Effective Date.--
            ``(1) The authority set forth in this section shall take 
        effect on the date specified in the final regulations 
        promulgated pursuant to paragraph 3. The date so specified 
        shall be no less than 30 days after the date on which the final 
        regulation is published.
            ``(2) NASA shall publish proposed revisions to the NASA 
        Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement as may be necessary 
        to implement this section in the Federal Register not later 
        than 120 days after the date of enactment of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2004. 
        The proposed regulations shall be made available for public 
        comment for a period of not less than 60 days.
            ``(3) Final regulations shall be published in the Federal 
        Register not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
        Act of 2004.
    ``(i) Expiration of Authority.--The authority to conduct this pilot 
program under subsection (a) and to award contracts under such program 
shall expire 2 years after the effective date established in the final 
regulations published in the Federal Register.''.

SEC. 407. RETROCESSION OF JURISDICTION.

    Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 406, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 317. RETROCESSION OF JURISDICTION.

    ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator 
may, whenever the Administrator considers it desirable, relinquish to a 
State all or part of the jurisdiction of the United States over lands 
or interests under the Administrator's control in that State. 
Relinquishment of jurisdiction under this section may be accomplished--
            ``(1) by filing with the Governor of the State concerned a 
        notice of relinquishment to take effect upon acceptance 
        thereof; or
            ``(2) as the laws of the State may otherwise provide.''.

SEC. 408. CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE PROGRAM.

    Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 407, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 318. AUTHORITY FOR COMPETITIVE PRIZE AWARD PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE 
              DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED SPACE AND AERONAUTICAL 
              TECHNOLOGIES.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--The Administrator may carry out a 
program, known as the Centennial Challenge Program, to award prizes to 
stimulate innovation in basic and applied research, technology 
development, and prototype demonstration that have the potential for 
application to the performance of the space and aeronautical activities 
of the Administration.
    ``(b) Program Requirements.--
            ``(1) Competitive process.--Recipients of prizes under the 
        program under this section shall be selected through one or 
        more competitions conducted by the Administrator.
            ``(2) Advertisement of competitions.--The Administrator 
        shall widely advertise any competitions conducted under the 
        program.
    ``(c) Registration; Assumption of Risk.--
            ``(1) Registration.--Each potential recipient of a prize in 
        a competition under the program under this section shall 
        register for the competition.
            ``(2) Assumption of risk.--In registering for a competition 
        under paragraph (1), a potential recipient of a prize shall 
        assume any and all risks, and waive claims against the United 
        States Government and its related entities (including 
        contractors and subcontractors at any tier, suppliers, users, 
        customers, cooperating parties, grantees, investigators, and 
        detailees), for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, 
        revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or 
        consequential, arising from participation in the competition, 
        whether such injury, death, damage, or loss arises through 
        negligence or otherwise, except in the case of willful 
        misconduct.
    ``(d) Budgeting and Awarding of Funds.--
            ``(1) Availability of funds.--Any funds appropriated to 
        carry out this section shall remain available until expended, 
        but for not more than 4 fiscal years.
            ``(2) Deposit and withdrawal of funds.--When a prize is 
        offered, the total amount of funding made available for that 
        prize shall be deposited in the Centennial Challenge Trust 
        Fund. If funding expires before a prize is awarded, the 
        Administrator shall deposit additional funds in the account to 
        ensure the availability of funding for all prizes. If a prize 
        competition expires before its goals are met, the Administrator 
        may redesignate those funds for a new challenge, but any 
        redesignated funds will be considered as newly deposited for 
        the purposes of paragraph (3). All cash awards made under this 
        section shall be paid from that account.
            ``(3) Overall limit.--The Administrator may not deposit 
        more than $25,000,000 annually in the Centennial Challenge 
        Trust Fund.
            ``(4) Maximum prize.--No competition under the program may 
        result in the award of more than $1,000,000 in cash prizes 
        without the approval of the Administrator.
    ``(e) Relationship to Other Authority.--The Administrator may 
exercise the authority in this section in conjunction with or in 
addition to any other authority of the Administrator to acquire, 
support, or stimulate basic and applied research, technology 
development, or prototype demonstration projects.''.

SEC. 409. CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct a NASA-wide 
assessment to identify and define areas of cultural and organizational 
changes and develop a NASA-wide plan--
            (1) to create a culture that promotes effective 
        communication and encourages expression of dissenting views, 
        including--
                    (A) improving the efficiency of information and 
                knowledge structures; and
                    (B) developing procedures to enhance sharing of 
                knowledge and data and decision-making;
            (2) to increase NASA's focus on the human elements 
        management and organizational development, including--
                    (A) establishing clear lines of authority, 
                accountability, and responsibility of individual 
                employees, work groups, and leadership; and
                    (B) promoting an understanding of program 
                interdependencies and implications of management 
                decisions across programs;
            (3) to develop and implement consistent procedures for 
        leadership, management, and employee training and skill 
        development, including hiring, promotion, and succession 
        planning; and
            (4) to create a robust system that institutionalizes checks 
        and balances to ensure the maintenance of NASA's technical and 
        safety standards.
    (b) Report and Plan.--Within 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Science a report on the assessment conducted under 
subsection (a), including areas identified for cultural and 
organizational changes and strategies and timelines for implementing 
the requirements of subsection (a).

SEC. 410. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING.

    (a) Finding.--The Congress finds that competition in contracting 
improves the efficiency and economy of the Government because it 
generally results in better products and services at lower prices.
    (b) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that 
NASA should--
            (1) strengthen its procurement process by increasing its 
        emphasis on competitive contracting;
            (2) take action to ensure that a structured and systemic 
        due diligence process exists when making strategic decisions to 
        limit competition for contract actions that are of a 
        substantial dollar value or have significant programmatic 
        impacts to the Agency; and
            (3) take measures to enhance the robustness of its 
        procurement advocacy programs (i.e., Ombudsman Program and 
        Competition Advocacy Program), which are intended to promote 
        full and open competition and improve the efficiency, economy, 
        and integrity of the acquisition process.

SEC. 411. EMPLOYEES STATIONED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

    Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 408, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 319. AUTHORITY TO PAY ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES 
              STATIONED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator, in the Administrator's 
discretion, may provide to civilian and military personnel, if the duty 
station of such personnel is outside the United States, allowances and 
benefits comparable to those provided by the Secretary of State to 
officers and employees of the Foreign Service under chapter 9 of title 
I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.).
    ``(b) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue such regulations 
as may be necessary to implement this section. Such regulations shall 
take effect with respect to members of a uniformed service only to the 
extent that the head of the executive department of which that 
uniformed service is a part has concurred in the application of the 
regulations to members of that uniform service. The regulations shall 
ensure that no person receives allowances or benefits under both this 
section and any other provision of law for the same purpose.
    ``(c) Relationship to Other Authority.--The authority granted to 
the Administrator by this section is in addition to authority granted 
to the Administrator by any other provision of law, and nothing in this 
section shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority 
of the Administrator under any other provision of law.
    ``(d) Funding.--Funds appropriated to the Administration shall be 
available for obligation and expenditure to carry out this section.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) United States.--The term `United States' means the 50 
        States and the District of Columbia.
            ``(2) Civilian personnel.--The term `civilian personnel' 
        means civilian officers and employees of the United States 
        Government employed by, or assigned or detailed to, the 
        Administration.
            ``(3) Military personnel.--The term `military personnel' 
        means members of the uniformed services assigned or detailed to 
        the Administration.
            ``(4) Uniformed services.--The term `uniformed services' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, 
        United States Code.
    ``(f) Taxation.--Section 912(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 shall apply with respect to amounts received by civilian personnel 
or military personnel as allowances or otherwise under this section in 
the same manner as it applies with respect to amounts received by 
civilian officers or employees as allowances or otherwise under chapter 
9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.''.

SEC. 412. HUBBLE TELESCOPE.

    Within 60 days after the National Academy of Sciences issues its 
study on the future of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Administrator, 
shall submit a plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science on 
the future of the Hubble space telescope. The plan shall include 
options for the future servicing of the facility along with the 
associated costs.

SEC. 413. CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENT.

    Section 202 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 
U.S.C. 2472) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs.--There shall 
be in the Administration an Assistant Administrator for Legislative 
Affairs, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall perform such duties as 
the Administrator may prescribe.''.

SEC. 414. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE FOUNDATION STUDY.

    Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee 
on Science a report on the advisability of establishing a charitable 
and nonprofit corporation--
            (1) to encourage private gifts of real and personal 
        property or any income therefrom or other interest therein for 
        the benefit of, or in connection with, the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, its activities, or its services; and
            (2) to further the public's knowledge of and inspiration by 
        the Earth, the Earth's atmosphere, space, and celestial bodies 
        in space, for current and future generations of Americans.

SEC. 415. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY.

    (a) Congressional Declaration of Policy and Purpose.--Section 102 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
    ``(g) The Congress declares that the general welfare and security 
of the United States require that the unique competence of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration in science and engineering systems 
be directed to detecting, tracking, cataloging, and characterizing 
near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to provide warning and 
mitigation of the potential hazard of those asteroids and comets 
striking the Earth.''.
    (b) Program.--The Administrator shall plan, develop, and implement 
a near-Earth object survey program to detect, track, catalog, and 
characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth asteroids and 
comets that are 100 meters or more in diameter in order to assess the 
threat of such objects striking the Earth.
    (c) Annual Report.--The Administrator shall transmit to the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Science a report, no later than the first 
February 28th occurring after the date of enactment of this Act and on 
each of the 5 succeeding anniversaries of such transmittal, a report 
containing--
            (1) a summary of all activities of the Administration under 
        subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year;
            (2) a summary of all amounts obligated or expended by the 
        Administration during such fiscal year for such activities; and
            (3) a detailed plan and budget request for each of the 5 
        fiscal years following the date on which the report is 
        transmitted.

             TITLE V--AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 501. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) It is in the national interest to maintain leadership 
        in aeronautics and aviation. The United States is in danger of 
        losing its leadership in these areas to international 
        competitors.
            (2) Past Federal investments in aeronautics research and 
        development have benefited the economy and national security of 
        the United States and the quality of life of its citizens.
            (3) Future growth in aviation increasingly will be 
        constrained by concerns related to aircraft noise, emissions, 
        fuel consumption, and air transportation system congestion. 
        International competitors have recognized the importance of 
        solving these problems and have established aggressive agendas 
        for addressing each of these concerns.
            (4) An aggressive initiative by the Federal Government to 
        develop technologies that would significantly reduce aircraft 
        noise, harmful emissions, and fuel consumption would benefit 
        the United States by--
                    (A) improving the competitiveness of the United 
                States aviation industry;
                    (B) improving the quality of life for our citizens 
                by drastically reducing the level of noise due to 
                aircraft operations;
                    (C) reducing the rate at which fossil fuels are 
                consumed; and
                    (D) reducing the rate at which greenhouse gases and 
                other harmful gases and particulates are added to the 
                atmosphere by aircraft.
            (5) Long-term progress in aeronautics and aviation will 
        require continued Federal investment in fundamental 
        aeronautical research.
            (6) It is important for NASA to continue at a healthy level 
        its cooperative research efforts with the Department of Defense 
        regarding military aviation technologies.
            (7) The report entitled ``The NASA Aeronautics Blueprint--
        Toward a Bold New Era of Aviation'' provides an excellent 
        statement of the problems facing aviation today, and presents 
        an exciting vision of what can be achieved by investments in 
        aeronautics research and technology. It does not, however, 
        provide a program plan to actually achieve the vision, nor does 
        it address the huge mismatch between current NASA aeronautics 
        funding and what is required to realize the vision.

SEC. 502. ENVIRONMENTAL AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a comprehensive 
plan for the development and demonstration, in a relevant environment, 
technologies that result in the following commercial aircraft 
performance characteristics:
            (1) Noise.--Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach 
        and landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the 
        absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from 
        which such commercial aircraft would normally operate.
            (2) Fuel efficiency.--A 10 percent improvement in fuel 
        efficiency, compared to aircraft in commercial service as of 
        the date of enactment of this Act, in each of the following:
                    (A) Specific fuel consumption.
                    (B) Lift to drag ratio.
                    (C) Structural weight fraction.
            (3) Emissions.--Nitrogen oxides at less than 5 grams per 
        kilogram of fuel burned.
    (b) Plan Requirements.--The plan described in subsection (a) shall 
include each of the following:
            (1) Technological roadmaps for achieving each of the 
        performance characteristics specified in subsection (a).
            (2) An estimate of the 10-year funding profile required to 
        achieve the objective specified in subsection (a).
            (3) A plan for carrying out a formal quantification of the 
        estimated costs and benefits of each technological option 
        selected for development beyond the initial concept definition 
        phase.
            (4) A plan for transferring the technologies to industry, 
        including the identification of requirements for prototype 
        demonstrations, as appropriate.

SEC. 503. CIVIL SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
              INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a feasibility 
study addressing the need for, and economic viability of, the 
development and demonstration, in a relevant environment, technologies 
to enable overland flight of supersonic civil transport aircraft with 
at least the following performance characteristics:
            (1) Mach number of at least 1.6.
            (2) Range of at least 4,000 nautical miles.
            (3) Payload of at least 150 passengers.
            (4) Lift to drag ratio of at least 9.0.
            (5) Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and 
        landing that meet community noise standards in place at 
        airports from which such commercial supersonic aircraft would 
        normally operate at the time the aircraft would enter 
        commercial service.
            (6) Shaped signature sonic boom overpressure of less than 
        1.0 pounds per square foot.
            (7) Nitrogen oxide emissions of less than 15 grams per 
        kilogram of fuel burned.
            (8) Water vapor emissions for stratospheric flight of no 
        greater than 1,400 grams per kilogram of fuel burned.
    (b) Study Requirements.--The study described in subsection (a) 
shall include--
            (1) the feasibility of researching, developing and 
        producing a civil transport with the performance 
        characteristics specified in subsection (a);
            (2) an estimate of the 10-year funding profile required to 
        achieve the objective specified in subsection (a);
            (3) the feasibility of transferring the technologies to 
        industry, including the identification of requirements for 
        prototype demonstrations, as appropriate;
            (4) the feasibility of research to quantify, within 3 years 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the limits on sonic 
        boom parameters, such as overpressure and rise time, that would 
        be acceptable to the general public; and
            (5) the feasibility of adjusting the noise reduction 
        research and development activities as needed to accommodate 
        changes in community noise standards that may occur over the 
        lifetime of the initiative.

SEC. 504. NASA AERONAUTICS SCHOLARSHIPS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall establish a program of 
scholarships for full-time graduate students who are United States 
citizens and are enrolled in, or have been accepted by and have 
indicated their intention to enroll in, accredited Masters degree 
programs in aeronautical engineering at institutions of higher 
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). Each such scholarship shall cover the costs of 
room, board, tuition, and fees, and may be provided for a maximum of 2 
years.
    (b) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish regulations 
governing the scholarship program.
    (c) Cooperative Training Opportunities.--Students who have been 
awarded a scholarship under this section shall have the opportunity for 
paid employment at one of the NASA Centers engaged in aeronautics 
research and development during the summer prior to the first year of 
the student's masters degree program, and between the first and second 
year, if applicable.
                                 <all>