110 HR 6063 RH: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-06-09
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2008
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Title I—Authorization of Appropriations for
Fiscal Year 2009
Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2009.
Title II—Earth Science
Sec. 201. Goal.
Sec. 202. Governance of United States Earth
observations activities.
Sec. 203. Decadal survey missions.
Sec. 204. Transitioning experimental research
into operational services.
Sec. 205. Landsat thermal infrared data
continuity.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of Glory
Mission.
Sec. 207. Plan for disposition of Deep Space
Climate Observatory.
Title III—Aeronautics
Sec. 301. Environmentally friendly aircraft
research and development initiative.
Sec. 302. Research alignment.
Sec. 303. Research program to determine
perceived impact of sonic booms.
Sec. 304. External review of NASA’s aviation
safety-related research programs.
Sec. 305. Interagency research initiative on
the impact of aviation on the climate.
Sec. 306. Research program on design for
certification.
Sec. 307. Aviation weather
research.
Sec. 308. Joint Aeronautics Research and
Development Advisory Committee.
Sec. 309. Funding for research and development
activities in support of other mission directorates.
Sec. 310. University-based centers for research
on aviation training.
Title IV—International Exploration
Initiative
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. Stepping stone approach to
exploration.
Sec. 403. Lunar outpost.
Sec. 404. Exploration technology
development.
Sec. 405. Exploration risk mitigation
plan.
Sec. 406. Exploration crew rescue.
Sec. 407. Participatory
exploration.
Sec. 408. Science and
exploration.
Title V—Space Science
Sec. 501. Technology
development.
Sec. 502. Provision for future servicing of
observatory-class scientific spacecraft.
Sec. 503. Mars exploration.
Sec. 504. Importance of a balanced science
program.
Sec. 505. Restoration of radioisotope
thermoelectric generator material production.
Sec. 506. Assessment of impediments to
interagency cooperation on space and Earth science missions.
Sec. 507. Assessment of cost
growth.
Sec. 508. Outer planets
exploration.
Title VI—Space Operations
Subtitle A—International Space
Station
Sec. 601. Utilization.
Sec. 602. Research management plan.
Sec. 603. Contingency plan for cargo
resupply.
Subtitle B—Space Shuttle
Sec. 611. Flight manifest.
Sec. 612. Disposition of shuttle-related
assets.
Sec. 613. Space Shuttle transition liaison
office.
Subtitle C—Launch Services
Sec. 621. Launch services strategy.
Title VII—Education
Sec. 701. Response to review.
Sec. 702. External review of Explorer Schools
program.
Title VIII—Near-Earth Objects
Sec. 801. In general.
Sec. 802. Findings.
Sec. 803. Requests for information.
Sec. 804. Establishment of
policy.
Sec. 805. Planetary radar
capability.
Sec. 806. Arecibo Observatory.
Title IX—Commercial Initiatives
Sec. 901. Sense of
Congress.
Sec. 902. Commercial crew
initiative.
Title X—Revitalization of NASA Institutional
Capabilities
Sec. 1001. Review of information security
controls.
Sec. 1002. Maintenance and upgrade of Center
facilities.
Sec. 1003. Assessment of NASA laboratory
capabilities.
Title XI—Other Provisions
Sec. 1101. Space weather.
Sec. 1102. Space traffic
management.
Sec. 1103. Study of export control policies
related to civil and commercial space activities.
Sec. 1104. Astronaut health care.
Sec. 1105. National Academies decadal
surveys.
Sec. 1106. Innovation prizes.
Sec. 1107. Commercial space launch range
study.
Sec. 1108. NASA outreach and technology
assistance program.
2.The Congress finds, on this, the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the following:
(1)NASA is and should remain
a multimission agency with a balanced and robust set of core missions in
science, aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration.
(2)Investment in NASA’s
programs will promote innovation through research and development, and will
improve the competitiveness of the United States.
(3)Investment in NASA’s
programs, like investments in other Federal science and technology activities,
is an investment in our future.
(4)Properly structured,
NASA’s activities can contribute to an improved quality of life, economic
vitality, United States leadership in peaceful cooperation with other nations
on challenging undertakings in science and technology, national security, and
the advancement of knowledge.
(5)NASA should assume a
leadership role in a cooperative international Earth observations and research
effort to address key research issues associated with climate change and its
impacts on the Earth system.
(6)NASA should undertake a
program of aeronautical research, development, and where appropriate
demonstration activities with the overarching goals of—
(A)ensuring that the
Nation’s future air transportation system can handle up to 3 times the current
travel demand and incorporate new vehicle types with no degradation in safety
or adverse environmental impact on local communities;
(B)protecting the
environment;
(C)promoting the security of
the Nation; and
(D)retaining the leadership
of the United States in global aviation.
(7)Human and robotic
exploration of the solar system will be a significant long term undertaking of
humanity in the 21st century and beyond, and it is in the national interest
that the United States should assume a leadership role in a cooperative
international exploration initiative.
(8)Developing United States
human space flight capabilities to allow independent American access to the
International Space Station, and to explore beyond low Earth orbit, is a
strategically important national imperative, and all prudent steps should thus
be taken to bring the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch
Vehicle to full operational capability as soon as practicable.
(9)NASA’s scientific
research activities have contributed much to the advancement of knowledge,
provided societal benefits, and helped train the next generation of scientists
and engineers, and those activities should continue to be an important
priority.
(10)NASA should make a
sustained commitment to a robust long-term technology development activity.
Such investments represent the critically important seed corn on
which NASA’s ability to carry out challenging and productive missions in the
future will depend.
(11)NASA, through its
pursuit of challenging and relevant activities, can provide an important
stimulus to the next generation to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
(12)Commercial activities
have substantially contributed to the strength of both the United States space
program and the national economy, and the development of a healthy and robust
United States commercial space sector should continue to be encouraged.
(13)It is in the national
interest for the United States to have an export control policy that protects
the national security while also enabling the United States aerospace industry
to compete effectively in the global market place and the United States to
undertake cooperative programs in science and human space flight in an
effective and efficient manner.
3.In this Act:
(1)The term Administrator means
the Administrator of NASA.
(2)The term NASA means the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(3)The
term NOAA means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(4)The term OSTP means the Office
of Science and Technology Policy.
<enum>I</enum><header>Authorization of
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009</header>
<section id="HB2ADFE06D5084F5FA4A908E609D11137"><enum>101.</enum><header>Fiscal year
2009</header>
<subsection id="H4FCFB476847E4009A8EEDD267B43BE7D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Baseline
authorization</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for
fiscal year 2009 $19,210,000,000, as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H2F7C6FB133F848C00024DA8020079E26"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For Science, $4,932,200,000, of
which—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1BE36EEAC3A6428BA46758B9AF686779"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$1,518,000,000 shall be for Earth Science,
including $29,200,000 for suborbital activities and $2,500,000 for carrying out
section 313 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/155">Public Law 109–155</external-xref>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9FDCC903F5994788A85711BFD0776BE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$1,483,000,000 shall be for Planetary
Science, including $486,500,000 for the Mars Exploration program, $2,000,000 to
continue planetary radar operations at the Arecibo Observatory in support of
the Near-Earth Object program, and $5,000,000 for radioisotope material
production, to remain available until expended;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H508C52590522478E00000000C7BDE8C3"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$1,290,400,000 shall be for Astrophysics,
including $27,300,000 for suborbital activities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4ECDFA758A6A4AA79B8FD75164002F5E"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$640,800,000 shall be for Heliophysics,
including $50,000,000 for suborbital activities; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H220ABAFBE27247F286EDF14EEC7F7CDB"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$75,000,000 shall be for Cross-Science
Mission Directorate Technology Development, to be taken on a proportional basis
from the funding subtotals under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HDE40E8AF2479416D82CC47E5225607E9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For Aeronautics, $853,400,000, of which
$406,900,000 shall be for system-level research, development, and demonstration
activities related to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H37CE2D81A0EF4612B1A3EB6DA2F5CFC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>aviation safety;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H510163196279493795EC5FA8A161504B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>environmental impact
mitigation, including noise, energy efficiency, and emissions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1E10194ED08B48E0A1B5EA847416A056"><enum>(C)</enum><text>support of the Next
Generation Air Transportation System initiative; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H559AF9D139884530933D5261A36EE311"><enum>(D)</enum><text>investigation of new
vehicle concepts and flight regimes.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H86E8108473CE4BB9BB5E9052A9413F72"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For Exploration, $3,886,000,000, of which
$100,000,000 shall be for the activities under sections 902(b) and 902(d); and
$737,800,000 shall be for Advanced Capabilities, including $106,300,000 for the
Lunar Precursor Robotic Program, $276,500,000 for International Space
Station-related research and development activities, and $355,000,000 for
research and development activities not related to the International Space
Station.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H24589E0F1DB24E1A863CF9DB6DE5699E"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For Education, $128,300,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H23CA9A4DBF5A4E460089E4CBE5B3E7C"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For Space Operations, $6,074,700,000, of
which—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF442FA28FBCC4286A4A9845BDF00121B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$150,000,000 shall be for
an additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
to the International Space Station;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2DBF8BA395874851A86648FA741FB63D"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$100,000,000 shall be to augment funding
for International Space Station Cargo Services to enhance research utilization
of the International Space Station, to remain available until expended;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD25B1558F569497185936C853CD8B16"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$50,000,000 shall be to
augment funding for Space Operations Mission Directorate reserves and Shuttle
Transition and Retirement activities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8CDCEBB725C147939400D540C7794627"><enum>(6)</enum><text>For Cross-Agency Support
Programs, $3,299,900,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE3980B14AD0F4652AE805D1CF029518C"><enum>(7)</enum><text>For Inspector General,
$35,500,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8912AD9680734889914DB0E36E224C4"><enum>(b)</enum><header> Additional
authorization To address human space flight gap</header><text>In addition to
the sums authorized by subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated
for the purposes described in subsection (a)(3) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year
2009, to be used to accelerate the initial operational capability of the Orion
Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and associated
ground support systems, to remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Earth Science </header>
<section id="H6BE26DA568F2465CA62E57E936172C00"><enum>201.</enum><header>Goal</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The goal for NASA’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,
NASA’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, NASA shall assume a leadership role in developing and carrying out a
cooperative international Earth observations-based research and applications
program.</text>
</section><section id="H779CD8A732164632AEA9AF9804F4E8E6"><enum>202.</enum><header>Governance of United
States Earth observations activities</header>
<subsection id="HA89EC640C1694F65B2AD3DF59A1DCBF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Director of the OSTP shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academies for a study to determine the most appropriate governance structure
for United States Earth Observations programs in order to meet evolving United
States Earth information needs and facilitate United States participation in
global Earth Observations initiatives.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF9D06E8302F6414E87F572EC6B851E10"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Director shall transmit the study to
the Committee on Science 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, and shall provide OSTP’s
plan for implementing the study’s recommendations not later than 24 months
after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H639FC91A394B4F6AA0E41B5F49985F43"><enum>203.</enum><header>Decadal survey
missions</header>
<subsection id="HD04CE449686340F4832D8064C54CF4A7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The missions recommended in the National Academies’
decadal survey <quote>Earth Science and Applications from Space</quote> provide
the basis for a compelling and relevant program of research and applications,
and the Administrator should work to establish an international cooperative
effort to pursue those missions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB024A2FC5EE84880826BF2B4A6176180"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
Administrator shall prepare a plan for submission to Congress not later than
270 days after the date of enactment of this Act that shall describe how NASA
intends to implement the missions recommended as described in subsection (a),
whether by means of dedicated NASA missions, multi-agency missions,
international cooperative missions, data sharing, or commercial data buys, or
by means of long-term technology development to determine whether specific
missions would be executable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable
schedule.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD4E2DAB547E34D91911CA6355706B8E1"><enum>204.</enum><header>Transitioning
experimental research into operational services</header>
<subsection id="H7E3AF8BDFF754B2397962639FAAEEE9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Sense of
congress</header><text>It is the sense of the Congress that experimental NASA
sensors and missions that have the potential to benefit society if transitioned
into operational monitoring systems be transitioned into operational status
whenever possible.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HDF15D9F7CE41478DB53E149916544776"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interagency
process</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Director of OSTP,
in consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of NOAA, and other
relevant stakeholders, shall develop a process to transition, when appropriate,
NASA Earth science and space weather missions or sensors into operational
status. The process shall include coordination of annual agency budget requests
as required to execute the transitions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HBAB52B46C1594AB998BD9B02C6386627"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsible agency
official</header><text>The Administrator and the Administrator of NOAA shall
each designate an agency official who shall have the responsibility for and
authority to lead NASA’s and NOAA’s transition activities and interagency
coordination.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H8580EBF9A7AE443A9E29A4A38E22BC5C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>For
each mission or sensor that is determined to be appropriate for transition
under subsection (b), NASA and NOAA shall transmit to Congress a joint plan for
conducting the transition. The plan shall include the strategy, milestones, and
budget required to execute the transition. The transition plan shall be
transmitted to Congress not later than 60 days after the successful completion
of the mission or sensor critical design review.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HEC5C683FD5E34897B93F08D4B7488DC1"><enum>205.</enum><header>Landsat thermal
infrared data continuity</header>
<subsection id="H4D8154C2FDE24A34BA500601E500ACD7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>In
view of the importance of Landsat thermal infrared data for both scientific
research and water management applications, the Administrator shall prepare a
plan for ensuring the continuity of Landsat thermal infrared data or its
equivalent, including allocation of costs and responsibility for the collection
and distribution of the data, and a budget plan. As part of the plan, the
Administrator shall provide an option for developing a thermal infrared sensor
at minimum cost to be flown on the Landsat Data Continuity Mission with minimum
delay to the schedule of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6E556E0D48BB4FDC9C32EFD335F026E7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>The
plan shall be provided to Congress not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H22D823B1501849BFA648D0768CEB4DFD"><enum>206.</enum><header>Reauthorization of
Glory Mission</header>
<subsection id="H1AED54BDE48A4260B082B935AB30B5E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><text>Congress
reauthorizes NASA to continue with development of the Glory Mission, which will
examine how aerosols and solar energy affect the Earth’s climate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC16683F68138456EB564A6C8ADA948ED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Baseline
report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Pursuant to the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public
Law 109–155), not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall transmit a new baseline report consistent with section
103(b)(2) of such Act. The report shall include an analysis of the factors
contributing to cost growth and the steps taken to address them.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H06D34861AE0B4089A4AF8EE401B79840"><enum>207.</enum><header>Plan for disposition
of Deep Space Climate Observatory</header>
<subsection id="HA3F4ABC9B96744189DC0ED556829867B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>NASA
shall develop a plan for the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), including
such options as using the parts of the spacecraft in the development and
assembly of other science missions, transferring the spacecraft to another
agency, reconfiguring the spacecraft for another Earth science mission,
establishing a public-private partnership for the mission, and entering into an
international cooperative partnership to use the spacecraft for its primary or
other purposes. The plan shall include an estimate of budgetary resources and
schedules required to implement each of the options.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7999B87918424596B1ED0D9509D53D0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>NASA
shall consult, as necessary, with other Federal agencies, industry, academic
institutions, and international space agencies in developing the plan.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H433C8E0D1CBB4225A36F7D5E36F39CAB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall transmit the plan
required under subsection (a) to the Committee on Science 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.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Aeronautics</header>
<section id="H54979C52A6364D6AB98F2DD1588E527B"><enum>301.</enum><header>Environmentally
friendly aircraft research and development initiative</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall establish an
initiative involving NASA, universities, industry, and other research
organizations as appropriate, of research, development, and demonstration, in a
relevant environment, of technologies to enable the following commercial
aircraft performance characteristics:</text>
<paragraph id="HA8A59FD0D8F94888B71701620039121F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>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, without increasing energy
consumption or nitrogen oxide emissions compared to aircraft in commercial
service as of the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEC1BDDBD278C4F5197FE4CA26FB79B22"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Significant reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions compared to aircraft in commercial services as of the
date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H44D68D39213B49FAA72832FEC6E4B5A9"><enum>302.</enum><header>Research
alignment</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In addition to
pursuing the research and development initiative described in section 301, the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable within available
funding, align the fundamental aeronautics research program to address high
priority technology challenges of the National Academies’ Decadal Survey of
Civil Aeronautics, and shall work to increase the degree of involvement of
external organizations, and especially of universities, in the fundamental
aeronautics research program.</text>
</section><section id="HA6395D2BD466494400C6F6BD00918592"><enum>303.</enum><header>Research program to
determine perceived impact of sonic booms</header>
<subsection id="H7A1058D1996A474EB2365D49658B85E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The ability to fly commercial aircraft over land at
supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the environment or on local
communities would open new markets and enable new transportation capabilities.
In order to have the basis for establishing an appropriate sonic boom standard
for such flight operations, a research program is needed to assess the impact
in a relevant environment of commercial supersonic flight operations.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HEA2A74FCCCCA4B9BA468F72A12C2BE3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The
Administrator shall establish a cooperative research program with industry,
including the conduct of flight demonstrations in a relevant environment, to
collect data on the perceived impact of sonic booms that would enable the
promulgation of a standard that would have to be met for overland commercial
supersonic flight operations.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H0B4812AB5075441E818E77D87EF200B3"><enum>304.</enum><header>External review of
NASA’s aviation safety-related research programs</header>
<subsection id="H666E7B1AB1E74C09A1B003BEC959223F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research
Council for an independent review of NASA’s aviation safety-related research
programs. The review shall assess whether—</text>
<paragraph id="H55482CC38295450FA7EEBAB23D25663E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the programs have
well-defined, prioritized, and appropriate research objectives;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE12E26FE5370462EA9D9EA8D90377548"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the programs are properly
coordinated with the safety research programs of the Federal Aviation
Administration and other relevant Federal agencies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1C91E14AD60C4C2491AD6F5876E719DD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the programs have
allocated appropriate resources to each of the research objectives; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5DB3FC847FCE4555005D4BC41F6B4D91"><enum>(4)</enum><text>suitable mechanisms exist
for transitioning the research results from the programs into operational
technologies and procedures and certification activities in a timely
manner.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2BFCE38582F3464BB28CA569E1DC4998"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate a report on the results of the review.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H1AC41B45E85E48CF988747BB626EA4F1"><enum>305.</enum><header>Interagency research
initiative on the impact of aviation on the climate</header>
<subsection id="H536CD81FE1B9404600ABD0BC15164475"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator, in coordination with the United States
Climate Change Science Program and other appropriate agencies, shall establish
a research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and, if
warranted, to evaluate approaches to mitigate that impact.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA5593042AD624EF086B109F338AE5EED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Research
Plan</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the participating Federal entities shall jointly develop a plan for the
research initiative that contains objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and a
5-year budgetary profile.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HABBD0CD8FD9047B200A4760CF638B2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research
Council for conducting an independent review of the interagency research
program plan, and shall provide the results of that review to the Committee on
Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H96C5F1BAA2C544C8B2A4F58F7B3349C5"><enum>306.</enum><header>Research program on
design for certification</header>
<subsection id="HF9E41570B3F7406B9109CFC411C87952"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program</header><text>Not
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, NASA, in
consultation with other appropriate agencies, shall establish a research
program on methods to improve both confidence in and the timeliness of
certification of new technologies for their introduction into the national
airspace system.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H74247ABD8C4C473E888BE89F6CE58A0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Research
plan</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, as part of the activity described in subsection (a), NASA shall develop a
plan for the research program that contains objectives, proposed tasks,
milestones, and a 5-year budgetary profile.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD472BAD7B289431CBC4CF7AC27CD40C4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research
Council for conducting an independent review of the research program plan, and
shall provide the results of that review to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HFA3F76E231144A6585C79F6B679246C"><enum>307.</enum><header>Aviation weather
research</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator
shall establish a program of collaborative research with NOAA on convective
weather events, with the goal of significantly improving the reliability of
2-hour to 6-hour aviation weather forecasts.</text>
</section><section id="H73004EAE6DD24DADBFA37626DE9E7BE6"><enum>308.</enum><header>Joint Aeronautics
Research and Development Advisory Committee</header>
<subsection id="H320D30974AA84A129684869877000159"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>A
joint Aeronautics Research and Development Advisory Committee (in this section
referred to as the <term>Advisory Committee</term>) shall be
established.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF9C5CAD9B00A42D6ABCD5675005FC89E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
Advisory Committee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HB142AE9260B248160026FDDB39BBC9D5"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make recommendations regarding the
coordination of research and development activities of NASA and the Federal
Aviation Administration;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC8D8D3CB68EB4F7D9D1DA6008E356F1B"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make recommendations for and monitor
development and implementation of processes for transitioning research and
development from NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration to external
entities for further development as appropriate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5F82F76635344F2FABB0727E3BC0D7ED"><enum>(3)</enum><text>make recommendations
regarding the status of the activities of NASA and the Federal Aviation
Administration’s research and development programs as they relate to the
recommendations contained in the National Research Council’s 2006 report
entitled <quote>Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics</quote>, and the
recommendations contained in subsequent National Research Council reports of a
similar nature; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1F1D3E782F8E4D1E94FABA26EFC15DE8"><enum>(4)</enum><text>not later than March 15
of each year, transmit a report to the Administrator, the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration, the Committee on Science and Technology of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on the Advisory Committee’s findings and
recommendations under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H928CEDD4D4AA428795E355349BC0EBD4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Advisory Committee shall consist of 10 members, none of whom shall be a Federal
employee, including—</text>
<paragraph id="H70F5B52961544FB9001077347CEFEA84"><enum>(1)</enum><text>5 members selected by the
Administrator; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H687F8704E27B467AAFA2BCB34FCA71F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>5 members selected by the
Chair of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Research, Engineering, and
Development Advisory Committee (REDAC).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H068BAC28AB5744F6BC94754C3C87E148"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Selection
process</header><text>Initial selections under subsection (c) shall be made
within 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Vacancies shall be
filled in the same manner as provided in subsection (c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB0481532D0AD4F9A8C0069B500507314"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>The
Advisory Committee shall select a chairperson from among its members.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H378EE76FA923403FBACB8EB7F2BE681F"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The
Advisory Committee shall coordinate with the advisory bodies of other Federal
agencies, which may engage in related research activities.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H49EAAC03A8DF4EF89ECFA366335E6BF5"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The
members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation, but shall
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with sections <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5702">5702</external-xref> and <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5703">5703</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H628C7A18B8A043DDA4D31121781B3E18"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The
Advisory Committee shall convene, in person or by electronic means, at least 4
times per year.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H2479193353994436817EBC09C508A3EB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>A
majority of the members serving on the Advisory Committee shall constitute a
quorum for purposes of conducting the business of the Advisory
Committee.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H1D79C0E5421343E8BDF641D43C75D005"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Section
14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory
Committee.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H2BAAD784FEF146A2B200063569A7E4DB"><enum>309.</enum><header>Funding for research
and development activities in support of other mission
directorates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Research and
development activities performed by the Aeronautics Research Mission
Directorate with the primary objective of assisting in the development of a
flight project in another Mission Directorate shall be funded by the Mission
Directorate seeking assistance.</text>
</section><section id="HC0042747514C4C1DA3C53D5785E788FE"><enum>310.</enum><header>University-based
centers for research on aviation training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 427(a) of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/155">Public Law 109–155</external-xref>) is
amended by striking <quote>may</quote> and inserting
<quote>shall</quote>.</text>
</section><enum>IV</enum><header>International
Exploration Initiative</header>
<section id="H8B7BF43D174947DFB5B592698968C1E8"><enum>401.</enum><header>Sense of
Congress</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of
Congress that the President of the United States should invite America's
friends and allies to participate in a long-term international initiative under
the leadership of the United States to expand human and robotic presence into
the solar system, including the exploration and utilization of the Moon, near
Earth asteroids, Lagrangian points, and eventually Mars and its moons, among
other exploration and utilization goals.</text>
</section><section id="H7AB37EEBB0F44367BE725D840311A5BE"><enum>402.</enum><header>Stepping stone
approach to exploration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In
order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term exploration and
utilization activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all
necessary steps to ensure that activities in its lunar exploration program
shall be designed and implemented in a manner that gives strong consideration
to how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future
exploration and utilization activities beyond the Moon. The timetable of the
lunar phase of the long-term international exploration initiative shall be
determined by the availability of funding and agreement on an international
cooperative framework for the conduct of the international exploration
initiative. However, once an exploration-related project enters its development
phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to
complete that project without undue delays.</text>
</section><section id="H274E582CEB3B452397839856812B334E"><enum>403.</enum><header>Lunar outpost</header>
<subsection id="HEFB3A819B4394C190017C7AFBB71B6EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>As
NASA works toward the establishment of a lunar outpost, NASA shall make no
plans that would require a lunar outpost to be occupied to maintain its
viability. Any such outpost shall be operable as a human-tended facility
capable of remote or autonomous operation for extended periods.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HE02A479DC9084C42A526C205C4C1B042"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Designation</header><text>The
United States portion of the first human-tended outpost established on the
surface of the Moon shall be designated the <quote>Neil A. Armstrong Lunar
Outpost</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3E68E4100AB04C4A85C81374A961857D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Congressional
intent</header><text>It is the intent of Congress that NASA shall make use of
commercial services to the maximum extent practicable in support of its lunar
outpost activities.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H5745B64A97CC4DEB82BA70636046A21C"><enum>404.</enum><header>Exploration technology
development</header>
<subsection id="HB69E4222002F42F5BD76F293102894D0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A robust program of long-term exploration-related
technology research and development will be essential for the success and
sustainability of any enduring initiative of human and robotic exploration of
the solar system.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HAFE72D8A976843EE83E38CC3A6D2D700"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The
Administrator shall establish and maintain a program of long-term
exploration-related technology research and development that is not tied to
specific flight projects and that has a funding goal of at least 10 percent of
the total budget of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H37BFB45AB6294D578037680016620053"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Goals</header><text>The
long-term technology program shall have the goal of having at least 50 percent
of the funding allocated to external grants and contracts with universities,
research institutions, and industry.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H1E85EDA748A94024955FE0989932CEBC"><enum>405.</enum><header>Exploration risk
mitigation plan</header>
<subsection id="H181CE2BBD64F45728B6189603EF81CF7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
Administrator shall prepare a plan that identifies and prioritizes the human
and technical risks that will need to be addressed in carrying out human
exploration beyond low Earth orbit and the research and development activities
required to address those risks. The plan shall address the role of the
International Space Station in exploration risk mitigation and include a
detailed description of the specific steps being taken to utilize the
International Space Station for that purpose.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6AFEC6E8683F4C2AAC49F665C092488"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate the plan described in subsection (a) not later
than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H2F61C4712B204B31BA40D5BC195E6239"><enum>406.</enum><header>Exploration crew
rescue</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In order to maximize
the ability to rescue astronauts whose space vehicles have become disabled, the
Administrator shall enter into discussions with the appropriate representatives
of spacefaring nations who have or plan to have crew transportation systems
capable of orbital flight or flight beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of
agreeing on a common docking system standard.</text>
</section><section id="HF2B85C488FE64712903E2E2871B44500"><enum>407.</enum><header>Participatory
exploration</header>
<subsection id="HB2D1666AD36046388028572345E58600"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator
shall develop a technology plan to enable dissemination of information to the
public to allow the public to experience missions to the Moon, Mars, or other
bodies within our solar system by leveraging advanced exploration technologies.
The plan shall identify opportunities to leverage technologies in NASA’s
Constellation systems that deliver a rich, multi-media experience to the
public, and that facilitate participation by the public, the private sector,
nongovernmental organizations, and international partners. Technologies for
collecting high-definition video, 3-dimensional images, and scientific data,
along with the means to rapidly deliver this content through extended high
bandwidth communications networks shall be considered as part of this plan. It
shall include a review of high bandwidth radio and laser communications,
high-definition video, stereo imagery, 3-dimensional scene cameras, and
Internet routers in space, from orbit, and on the lunar surface. The plan shall
also consider secondary cargo capability for technology validation and science
mission opportunities. In addition, the plan shall identify opportunities to
develop and demonstrate these technologies on the International Space Station
and robotic missions to the Moon, Mars, and other solar system bodies.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6B7723B71E324E2C00917106D8003BEF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall submit the plan to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HC50EF1C129FD42C0ACE586B3004EA52"><enum>408.</enum><header>Science and
exploration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of
Congress that NASA’s scientific and human exploration activities are
synergistic, i.e. science enables exploration and human exploration enables
science. The Congress encourages the Administrator to coordinate, where
practical, NASA’s science and exploration activities with the goal of
maximizing the success of human exploration initiatives and furthering our
understanding of the Universe that we explore.</text>
</section><enum>V</enum><header>Space Science </header>
<section id="HE3C0BC1953CD455C8D4D71301EED53F"><enum>501.</enum><header>Technology
development</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator
shall establish a cross-Directorate long-term technology development program
for space and Earth science within the Science Mission Directorate for the
development of new technology. The program shall be independent of the flight
projects under development. NASA shall have a goal of funding the
cross-Directorate technology development program at a level of 5 percent of the
total Science Mission Directorate annual budget. The program shall be
structured to include competitively awarded grants and contracts.</text>
</section><section id="H4E6DD0BA353745A283EF8B2936ED1090"><enum>502.</enum><header>Provision for future
servicing of observatory-class scientific spacecraft</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall take all necessary
steps to ensure that provision is made in the design and construction of all
future observatory-class scientific spacecraft intended to be deployed in Earth
orbit or at a Lagrangian point in space for robotic or human servicing and
repair.</text>
</section><section id="H4055CB5B2F734862BDB63452DBD77829"><enum>503.</enum><header>Mars
exploration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress reaffirms
its support for a systematic, integrated program of exploration of the Martian
surface to examine the planet whose surface is most like Earth’s, to search for
evidence of past or present life, and to examine Mars for future habitability
and as a long-term goal for future human exploration. To the extent affordable
and practical, the program should pursue the goal of launches at every Mars
launch opportunity, leading to an eventual robotic sample return.</text>
</section><section id="HE20D440F30B14168B9E3EF4DB45CCC00"><enum>504.</enum><header>Importance of a
balanced science program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">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-sized, and large space science missions, and
suborbital research activities, contributes to a robust and productive science
program and serves as a catalyst for innovation. It is further the sense of
Congress that suborbital flight activities, including the use of sounding
rockets, aircraft, and high-altitude balloons, offer valuable opportunities to
advance science, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and
provide opportunities for participants in the programs to acquire skills in
systems engineering and systems integration that are critical to maintaining
the Nation’s leadership in space programs. The Congress believes that it is in
the national interest to expand the size of NASA’s suborbital research
program.</text>
</section><section id="H789A38D8E0004EDCB1218900CBD6B21B"><enum>505.</enum><header>Restoration of
radioisotope thermoelectric generator material production</header>
<subsection id="HB6B1A5A7BB1D4B75982C63561B45245B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for restarting and sustaining the
domestic production of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material for deep
space and other space science missions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3C77C166E55349CA9694B464F3F87C6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
plan developed under subsection (a) shall be transmitted to Congress not later
than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H253CEA438C804AE7B823A82943269900"><enum>506.</enum><header>Assessment of
impediments to interagency cooperation on space and Earth science
missions</header>
<subsection id="H3735972950714388B1D1C37DA04320B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to
assess impediments to the successful conduct of interagency cooperation on
space and Earth science missions, to provide lessons learned and best
practices, and to recommend steps to help facilitate successful interagency
collaborations on space and Earth science missions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF5D7F0BE518D4F68B303BAB4D46620A8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
report of the assessment carried out under subsection (a) shall be transmitted
to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later
than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HFC775B0C42E0473496065C4C76B56500"><enum>507.</enum><header>Assessment of cost
growth</header>
<subsection id="H8DC6278F9E4A4EBDA3DB57F96EAC1AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement for an independent external
assessment to identify the primary causes of cost growth in the large,
medium-sized, and small space and Earth science spacecraft mission classes, and
make recommendations as to what changes, if any, should be made to contain
costs and ensure frequent mission opportunities in NASA’s science spacecraft
mission programs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H91A2D7ED4D8D47A3B3D5B9BB0617521C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
report of the assessment conducted under subsection (a) shall be submitted to
Congress not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1A0D66ACEDB54A4BADD342AE98ECD02F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>508.</enum><header>Outer planets
exploration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of
Congress that the outer solar system planets and their satellites can offer
important knowledge about the formation and evolution of the solar system, the
nature and diversity of these solar system bodies, and the potential for
conditions conducive to life beyond Earth. NASA should move forward with plans
for an Outer Planets flagship mission to the Europa-Jupiter system or the
Titan-Saturn system as soon as practicable within a balanced Planetary Science
program.</text>
</section><enum>VI</enum><header>Space
Operations</header>
<subtitle id="HA5D08685C16E4BC0A958C4164DDCE828"><enum>A</enum><header>International Space
Station</header>
<section id="H7C4898196EFF4FE781405CB46B0B45C"><enum>601.</enum><header>Utilization</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall take all necessary
steps to ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and
productive facility capable of potential United States utilization through at
least 2020 and shall take no steps that would preclude its continued operation
and utilization by the United States after 2016.</text>
</section><section id="H61076234BEF448D7A80965E75630606C"><enum>602.</enum><header>Research management
plan</header>
<subsection id="H6FA978A596B14535A29086071C4FB092"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Research management
plan</header><text>The Administrator shall develop a research management plan
for the International Space Station. The plan shall include a process for
selecting and prioritizing research activities (including fundamental, applied,
commercial, and other research) for flight on the International Space Station.
This plan shall be used to prioritize resources such as crew time, racks and
equipment, and United States access to international research facilities and
equipment. The plan shall also identify the organization to be responsible for
managing United States research on the International Space Station, including a
description of the relationship of the management institution with NASA (e.g.,
internal NASA office, contract, cooperative agreement, or grant), the estimated
length of time for the arrangement, and the budget required to support the
management institution. The plan shall be developed in consultation with other
Federal agencies, academia, industry, and other relevant stakeholders. The plan
shall be transmitted to Congress not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H5FDDD1DBDBF24EE197FE40316555BB1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Access to national
laboratory</header><text>The Administrator shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H786E45CBA5824448A0D4132EA5F49C3F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establish a process by
which to support International Space Station National Laboratory users in
identifying their requirements for transportation of research supplies to and
from the International Space Station, and for communicating those requirements
to NASA and International Space Station transportation services providers;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H556015CF6CF04160B5D0D115F0D50045"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop an estimate of
the transportation requirements needed to support users of the International
Space Station National Laboratory and develop a plan for satisfying those
requirements by dedicating a portion of volume on NASA supply missions to the
International Space Station and missions returning from the International Space
Station to Earth.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HAEE14753099C4959AE7482F83CD56C6C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Assessment</header><text>The
Administrator shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HE4322C7B95044E0182F3ED2D69A8E554"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify existing
research equipment and racks and support equipment that are manifested for
flight;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H53888455A90948BBB8692F30B0B3F24"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide a detailed
description of the status of research equipment and facilities that were
completed or in development prior to being cancelled, and provide the budget
and milestones for completing and preparing the equipment for flight on the
International Space Station; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC667620B86AF457CBC409807BFCC52E8"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide the results of the assessment to
the Committee on Science 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.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5528D50BFDC44CB3B0E100D1043D5ECD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Advisory
committee</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall establish an advisory panel under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act to monitor the activities and management of the
International Space Station National Laboratory.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H9786AEC5411548A088DBCC171BF5C500"><enum>603.</enum><header>Contingency plan for
cargo resupply</header>
<subsection id="HD5B49DFB67CB475E00C7D0D5509D55E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The International Space Station represents a significant
investment of national resources, and it is a facility that embodies a
cooperative international approach to the exploration and utilization of space.
As such, it is important that its continued viability and productivity be
ensured, to the maximum extent possible, after the Space Shuttle is
retired.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H441D8CCDF24B47EF9094AA9CCDAF6B06"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contingency
plan</header><text>The Administrator shall develop a contingency plan and
arrangements, including use of International Space Station international
partner cargo resupply capabilities, to ensure the continued viability and
productivity of the International Space Station in the event that United States
commercial cargo resupply services are not available during any extended period
after the date that the Space Shuttle is retired. The plan shall be delivered
to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later
than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="HC231294D2E6644D79EB7CAB8CDD7F200"><enum>B</enum><header>Space Shuttle</header>
<section id="H72E3DC1EBB474409B19B76F0D8C0843D"><enum>611.</enum><header>Flight
manifest</header>
<subsection id="H36FDA2817D6740A9B73451DF336B33F6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Baseline
manifest</header><text>In addition to the Space Shuttle flights listed as part
of the baseline flight manifest as of January 1, 2008, the Utilization flights
ULF–4 and ULF–5 shall be considered part of the Space Shuttle baseline flight
manifest and shall be flown prior to the retirement of the Space
Shuttle.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9A455548EF8B4FB4BA3DC4CA5FA2273D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional flight To
deliver the alpha magnetic spectrometer to the international space
station</header><text>In addition to the flying of the baseline manifest as
described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps
to fly one additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer to the International Space Station prior to the retirement of the
Space Shuttle.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0AAC962586194258B151D0E61E8FC466"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Space shuttle
retirement date</header><text>The Space Shuttle shall be retired following the
completion of the baseline flight manifest and the flight of the additional
flight specified in subsection (b), events that are anticipated to occur in
2010.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H9C8E2AB08B0B4E60006B73B661D65898"><enum>612.</enum><header>Disposition of
shuttle-related assets</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall provide a plan to Congress for the disposition of the remaining Space
Shuttle orbiters and other Space Shuttle program-related hardware and
facilities after the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet. The plan shall
include a process by which educational institutions and science museums and
other appropriate organizations may acquire, through loan or disposal by the
Federal Government, Space Shuttle program-related hardware. The Administrator
shall not dispose of any Space Shuttle-related hardware prior to the completion
of the plan.</text>
</section><section id="HBE4E4291EC8B4F068D1833D4DAC200ED"><enum>613.</enum><header>Space Shuttle
transition liaison office</header>
<subsection id="HC8CBE81F1A274E85BFAD124082B8B13C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The
Administrator shall establish an office within NASA’s Office of Human Capital
Management that shall assist local communities affected by the termination of
the Space Shuttle program. The office shall offer technical assistance and
serve as a clearinghouse to assist communities in identifying services
available from other Federal agencies.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HB865B54A1CD74D4EA7B15850557B0368"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text>The
Office established under subsection (a) shall cease operations 24 months after
the last Space Shuttle flight.</text>
</subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="HD5A4B194E03C4BB9BFFFD958D61D229"><enum>C</enum><header>Launch Services</header>
<section id="H9E8FB74CC97D4DA68D9EFED0A742D1F2"><enum>621.</enum><header>Launch services
strategy</header>
<subsection id="H70665F63BE5D4D6F9FA5199BF5E63B1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In preparation for the award of contracts to follow up on
the current NASA Launch Services (NLS) contracts, the Administrator shall
develop a strategy for providing domestic commercial launch services in support
of NASA’s small and medium-sized Science, Space Operations, and Exploration
missions, consistent with current law and policy.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H879B0486EFE046C4A6581727D2FBD6E0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the strategy developed
under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act. The report shall provide, at a minimum—</text>
<paragraph id="H0483EEDF37994D31B42EC467837BDDB8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the results of the
Request for Information on small to medium-sized launch services released on
April 22, 2008;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8F8A9A8257DF40D9A2ECC15879577DF1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an analysis of possible
alternatives to maintain small and medium-sized lift capabilities after June
30, 2010, including the use of the Department of Defense’s Evolved Expendable
Launch Vehicle (EELV);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5DBBFD2953714D28B07DD7813FAC9400"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the recommended
alternatives, and associated 5-year budget plans starting in October 2010 that
would enable their implementation; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H541F0ADB49E24FBE8C2349A549A700B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a contingency plan in the
event the recommended alternatives described in paragraph (3) are not available
when needed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><enum>VII</enum><header>Education</header>
<section id="H46B27C252D1E42D3B55D8516023883E9"><enum>701.</enum><header>Response to
review</header>
<subsection id="H99276D690DD3434FB984DA13B1D71778"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
Administrator shall prepare a plan identifying actions taken or planned in
response to the recommendations of the National Academies report, <quote>NASA’s
Elementary and Secondary Education Program: Review and Critique</quote>. For
those actions that have not been implemented, the plan shall include a schedule
and budget required to support the actions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0931F420A90B4B18BE0303E67900D1F3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
plan prepared under subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Committee on
Science 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.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H36DBB46A13A247E99F98F67CE2BCA9F0"><enum>702.</enum><header>External review of
Explorer Schools program</header>
<subsection id="H1567903A5D804934B058EE5F004F3D87"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Administrator shall make arrangements for an independent external review of the
Explorer Schools program to evaluate its goals, status, plans, and
accomplishments.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H89722E4A17D046F88CE8CFAC7E0045BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
report of the independent external review shall be transmitted to the Committee
on Science 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.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>VIII</enum><header>Near-Earth
Objects</header>
<section id="H68EC7E5C37654B93B7F009D6176157DF"><enum>801.</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Congress reaffirms
the policy direction established in the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/155">Public Law 109–155</external-xref>) for NASA to
detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of
near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter. NASA’s
Near-Earth Object program activities will also provide benefits to NASA’s
scientific and exploration activities.</text>
</section><section id="H06E032FD7AFE404BA800A9FBAA87A749"><enum>802.</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress makes the following
findings:</text>
<paragraph id="H14B2792169844E1FA675A0D52BC381FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Near-Earth objects pose a
serious and credible threat to humankind, as many scientists believe that a
major asteroid or comet was responsible for the mass extinction of the majority
of the Earth's species, including the dinosaurs, nearly 65,000,000 years
ago.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF6E66E3250724DC5AFCB54B21063CF00"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Several such near-Earth
objects have only been discovered within days of the objects’ closest approach
to Earth and recent discoveries of such large objects indicate that many large
near-Earth objects remain undiscovered.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF8FF2E6D06EF485DADB225BDA7D8EEB0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Asteroid and comet
collisions rank as one of the most costly natural disasters that can
occur.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H963488313DF04A369560BCDBBB620020"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The time needed to
eliminate or mitigate the threat of a collision of a potentially hazardous
near-Earth object with Earth is measured in decades.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7C7A87B6319B4AAEB3F5166BA2A4BB5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Unlike earthquakes and
hurricanes, asteroids and comets can provide adequate collision information,
enabling the United States to include both asteroid-collision and
comet-collision disaster recovery and disaster avoidance in its public-safety
structure.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFF818E1B9A1D42D69EC2C7F72DA687F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Basic information is
needed for technical and policy decisionmaking for the United States to create
a comprehensive program in order to be ready to eliminate and mitigate the
serious and credible threats to humankind posed by potentially hazardous
near-Earth asteroids and comets.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H57B98D2BA71A4C26A4BE2B3485BECBF3"><enum>(7)</enum><text>As a first step to
eliminate and to mitigate the risk of such collisions, situation and decision
analysis processes, as well as procedures and system resources, must be in
place well before a collision threat becomes known.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HE767E25D0DA840378B2EC595FDA2374D"><enum>803.</enum><header>Requests for
information</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator
shall issue requests for information on—</text>
<paragraph id="H04D6759ABF4F436EAA2EA790FD51BAAA"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a low-cost space mission with the purpose
of rendezvousing with, attaching a tracking device, and characterizing the
Apophis asteroid, which scientists estimate will in 2029 pass at a distance
from Earth that is closer than geostationary satellites; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H33E2CADF5FB94FFF91FA776D00015C2D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a medium-sized space
mission with the purpose of detecting near-Earth objects equal to or greater
than 140 meters in diameter.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H131E779BCB3C44B4A34C478169B1484"><enum>804.</enum><header>Establishment of
policy</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of OSTP shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H54AE5511BAF54A8C873B0075A5BEB502"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop a policy for
notifying Federal agencies and relevant emergency response institutions of an
impending near-Earth object threat, if near term public safety is at stake;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H21F25DE8CB514FEF871EAF6F5339796"><enum>(2)</enum><text>recommend a Federal
agency or agencies to be responsible for protecting the Nation from a
near-Earth object that is anticipated to collide with Earth and implementing a
deflection campaign, in consultation with international bodies, should one be
required.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H92E4E4B675864253AC46B16FE48EE510"><enum>805.</enum><header>Planetary radar
capability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator
shall maintain a planetary radar that is, at minimum, comparable to the
capability provided through the NASA Deep Space Network Goldstone
facility.</text>
</section><section id="H0EDD93A20EDA42738B5C2EEAEC17CE7C"><enum>806.</enum><header>Arecibo
Observatory</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress
reiterates its support for the use of the Arecibo Observatory for NASA-funded
near-Earth object-related activities. The Administrator shall ensure the
availability of the Arecibo Observatory’s planetary radar to support these
activities until the National Academies’ review of NASA’s approach for the
survey and deflection of near-Earth objects, including a determination of the
role of Arecibo, that was directed to be undertaken by the Fiscal Year 2008
Omnibus Appropriations Act, is completed.</text>
</section><enum>IX</enum><header>Commercial
Initiatives</header>
<section id="H92D18F943EC8480DA2344DE45582859"><enum>901.</enum><header>Sense of
Congress</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">It is the sense of
Congress that a healthy and robust commercial sector can make significant
contributions to the successful conduct of NASA’s space exploration program.
While some activities are inherently governmental in nature, there are many
other activities, such as routine supply of water, fuel, and other consumables
to low Earth orbit or to destinations beyond low Earth orbit, and provision of
power or communications services to lunar outposts, that potentially could be
carried out effectively and efficiently by the commercial sector at some point
in the future. Congress encourages NASA to look for such service opportunities
and, to the maximum extent practicable, make use of the commercial sector to
provide those services.</text>
</section><section id="HB1C0CB2F8F1F492183A00D671CF58A0"><enum>902.</enum><header>Commercial crew
initiative</header>
<subsection id="H5CB5FFEC25CF479B97E24D04C6B70A5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In order to stimulate
commercial use of space, help maximize the utility and productivity of the
International Space Station, and enable a commercial means of providing crew
transfer and crew rescue services for the International Space Station, NASA
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H41E324CC020A4CBB9CCACB3891D90562"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make use of United States commercially
provided International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue services to
the maximum extent practicable, if those commercial services have demonstrated
the capability to meet NASA-specified ascent, entry, and International Space
Station proximity operations safety requirements;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H28DE3EE82FC0447E929283ABA4DEB316"><enum>(2)</enum><text>limit, to the maximum
extent practicable, the use of the Crew Exploration Vehicle to missions
carrying astronauts beyond low Earth orbit once commercial crew transfer and
crew rescue services that meet safety requirements become operational;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFF9C1C06005C4440B52FA83BE27111E4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>facilitate, to the
maximum extent practicable, the transfer of NASA-developed technologies to
potential United States commercial crew transfer and rescue service providers,
consistent with United States law; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFD8A137523AB421D8F004B8300DE44F5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>issue a notice of intent,
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to enter into
a funded, competitively awarded Space Act Agreement with two or more commercial
entities for a Phase 1 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) crewed
vehicle demonstration program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5DD26E0FED3B49F283504506E44D8302"><enum>(b)</enum><header>COTS Crewed Vehicle
Demonstration Program authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are
authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the program described in subsection
(a)(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until
expended.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H5B13951CD41C4C8B99F7C31E62C2D6C1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Congressional
intent</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It is the intent of
Congress that funding for the program described in subsection (a)(4) shall not
come at the expense of full funding of the amounts authorized under section
101(a)(3), and for future fiscal years, for Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle
development, Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle development, or International Space
Station cargo delivery.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF91EEF2BB92B4907B1C4D2F67FF506FB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional technologies
authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be
appropriated to NASA for the provision of International Space
Station-compatible docking adaptors and other relevant technologies to be made
available to the commercial crew providers selected to service the
International Space Station $50,000,000, to remain available until
expended.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H23211602C22C4EFEB2D38600F490B5F9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Crew transfer and crew
rescue services contract</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a
commercial provider demonstrates the capability to provide International Space
Station crew transfer and crew rescue services and to satisfy NASA ascent,
entry, and International Space Station proximity operations safety
requirements, NASA shall enter into an International Space Station crew
transfer and crew rescue services contract with that commercial provider for a
portion of NASA’s anticipated International Space Station crew transfer and
crew rescue requirements from the time the commercial provider commences
operations under contract with NASA through calendar year 2016, with an option
to extend the period of performance through calendar year 2020.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>X</enum><header>Revitalization of NASA
Institutional Capabilities</header>
<section id="H88B936342C14466D9542D1D683397D2E"><enum>1001.</enum><header>Review of information
security controls</header>
<subsection id="H3D2B4194E25348EB94DFC01C6C6395DC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report on
controls</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review of information security
controls that protect NASA’s information technology resources and information
from inadvertent or deliberate misuse, fraudulent use, disclosure,
modification, or destruction. The review shall focus on networks servicing
NASA’s mission directorates. In assessing these controls, the review shall
evaluate—</text>
<paragraph id="H3E3A013505954DFA99D918CA3AA0092"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the network’s ability to
limit, detect, and monitor access to resources and information, thereby
safeguarding and protecting them from unauthorized access;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2E8D8873FE58413D97005EDDFB9BFDB2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the physical access to
network resources; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4763CD6C877C4B6CABEB90CC7048AAC6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the extent to which
sensitive research and mission data is encrypted.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCECD6AEB49F347909B75E53FE113B371"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Restricted report on
intrusions</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and in conjunction with the report described in subsection (a), the
Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a restricted report detailing results of
vulnerability assessments conducted by the Government Accountability Office on
NASA’s network resources. Intrusion attempts during such vulnerability
assessments shall be divulged to NASA senior management prior to their
application. The report shall put vulnerability assessment results in the
context of unauthorized accesses or attempts during the prior two years and the
corrective actions, recent or ongoing, that NASA has implemented in conjunction
with other Federal authorities to prevent such intrusions.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HF078A412D30448FAADAFC1F30917A31B"><enum>1002.</enum><header>Maintenance and
upgrade of Center facilities</header>
<subsection id="H11D2B48B4FA647588700C364FE13BE52"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In order to sustain healthy Centers that are capable of
carrying out NASA’s missions, the Administrator shall ensure that adequate
maintenance and upgrading of those Center facilities is performed on a regular
basis.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6079265F3FCC4B27B625D580915C489B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Administrator shall determine and prioritize the maintenance and upgrade
backlog at each of NASA’s Centers and associated facilities, and shall develop
a strategy and budget plan to reduce that maintenance and upgrade backlog by 50
percent over the next five years.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HAFE206A69CD847FCA51909496323D151"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Administrator shall deliver a report to Congress on the results of the
activities undertaken in subsection (b) concurrently with the delivery of the
fiscal year 2011 budget request.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H96A09E3C90EC46BCB0A0BA05EE696C1E"><enum>1003.</enum><header>Assessment of NASA
laboratory capabilities</header>
<subsection id="H71EBC71DADEE479EB5B936360074E862"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>NASA’s laboratories are a critical component of NASA’s
research capabilities, and the Administrator shall ensure that those
laboratories remain productive.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7EB36D35112D4F9CBB66AEADF9A43FD0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall enter into an
arrangement for an independent external review of NASA’s laboratories,
including laboratory equipment, facilities, and support services, to determine
whether they are equipped and maintained at a level adequate to support NASA’s
research activities. The assessment shall also include an assessment of the
relative quality of NASA’s in-house laboratory equipment and facilities
compared to comparable laboratories elsewhere. The results of the review shall
be provided to the Committee on Science 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.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>XI</enum><header>Other
Provisions</header>
<section id="H4B3F752ADD7C4759AF144C00F6B30058"><enum>1101.</enum><header>Space
weather</header>
<subsection id="HE38B297E5A834B0DA2B100402C5724CB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plan for replacement of
advanced composition explorer at <enum-in-header>L–1</enum-in-header>
Lagrangian point</header>
<paragraph id="H0538EC53000F48F8812EE2DF00EFB8CE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for sustaining space-based measurements
of solar wind from the L–1 Lagrangian point in space and for the dissemination
of the data for operational purposes. OSTP shall consult with NASA, NOAA, and
other Federal agencies, and with industry, in developing the plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0DBD316669804276ABF84B00B8D517A9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Director shall transmit the plan to Congress not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H790D3CD844464D4BB8BE8E3344F9FBED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Research program on
space weather and aviation</header>
<paragraph id="HE944DCBCD6284329B89CB88F76F7A216"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The
Administrator shall, in coordination with the National Science Foundation,
NOAA, and other relevant agencies, initiate a research program to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA3D4A054749E4CF997B0B9E4B7CB9954"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct or supervise
research projects on impacts of space weather to aviation, including impacts on
communication, navigation, avionic systems, and airline passengers and
personnel; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCEF68B5FE4BC4095A36F2203D6984023"><enum>(B)</enum><text>facilitate the transfer
of technology from space weather research programs to Federal agencies with
operational responsibilities and to the private sector.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEC956E4A86DB496D86BA21DD33D5E4A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of Grants or
Cooperative Agreements</header><text>The Administrator may use grants or
cooperative agreements in carrying out this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1CBF622BF9FA40CEB173A7B85FA2563"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Assessment of the
impact of space weather on aviation</header>
<paragraph id="H66F61CE4F4F64DAE940059573E3794BB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research
Council for a study of the impacts of space weather on the current and future
United States aviation industry, and in particular to examine the risks for
Over-The-Pole (OTP) and Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) operations. The study
shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H60E7662791FC4F50B18FEB9CE008266"><enum>(A)</enum><text>examine space weather
impacts on at least communications, navigation, avionics, and human health in
flight;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H58C032945AFB4B9FA6C0D53E60995088"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assess the benefits of
space weather information and services to reduce aviation costs and maintain
safety;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDF3F95974BAE4CB4B8F8549968D18778"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide recommendations
on how NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation can most effectively
carry out research and monitoring activities related to space weather and
aviation; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF04C726ED27543F6BEAF43429CCFF01"><enum>(D)</enum><text>provide recommendations
on how to integrate space weather information into the Next Generation Air
Transportation System.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H87574B87C02B46FB94171BEA5219321"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>A
report containing the results of the study shall be provided to the Committee
on Science 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.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H956C22B1371743B299C097CA50885927"><enum>1102.</enum><header>Space traffic
management</header>
<subsection id="HB6FD3CCE1BE14423991792F41475ED93"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>As more nations acquire the capabilities for launching
payloads into outer space, there is an increasing need for a framework under
which information intended to promote safe access into outer space, operations
in outer space, and return from outer space to Earth free from physical or
radio-frequency interference can be shared among those nations.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H831262A70DAB4D7A91FBA5C9BA305C8F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Discussions</header><text>The
Administrator, in consultation with other appropriate agencies of the Federal
Government, shall initiate discussions with the appropriate representatives of
other spacefaring nations with the goal of determining an appropriate framework
under which information intended to promote safe access into outer space,
operations in outer space, and return from outer space to Earth free from
physical or radio-frequency interference can be shared among those
nations.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H25CBE8248E7B4F9C912219EE83E7A67B"><enum>1103.</enum><header>Study of export
control policies related to civil and commercial space activities</header>
<subsection id="H87B2D8823EC24920AACC5B53F0CB3989"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Director of OSTP shall carry out a study of the impact of current export
control policies and implementation directives on the United States aerospace
industry and its competitiveness in global markets, and on the ability of
United States Government agencies to carry out cooperative activities in
science and technology and human space flight, including the impact on research
carried out under the sponsorship of those agencies.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H159D010BCD18477B80E2ED0620C44300"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
carrying out the study, the Director shall seek input from industry, academia,
representatives of the science community, all affected United States Government
agencies, and any other appropriate organizations and individuals.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HECE3C0BF8BD94A198EB0EA86AAD62387"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Director shall provide a report detailing the findings and recommendations of
the study to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H92B625C4A81E42C6BE90CBE36B58EAB2"><enum>1104.</enum><header>Astronaut health
care</header>
<subsection id="H2A5D5DE70333432CAA614F83E0989B17"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Survey</header><text>The
Administrator shall administer an anonymous survey of astronauts and flight
surgeons to evaluate communication, relationships, and the effectiveness of
policies. The survey questions and the analysis of results shall be evaluated
by experts independent of NASA. The survey shall be administered on at least a
biennial basis.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4840F12C92604413A47373BE6183515C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Administrator shall transmit a report of the results of the survey to Congress
not later than 90 days following completion of the survey.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HED25336722224DF2A659004152538062"><enum>1105.</enum><header>National Academies
decadal surveys</header>
<subsection id="HEAD1F8BA50374FE296EE6660A7CAB5BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator shall enter into agreements on a
periodic basis with the National Academies for independent assessments, also
known as decadal surveys, to take stock of the status and opportunities for
Earth and space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and to
recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas over the next
decade.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0D9DB678B1BB46B38FED883EC3A2AD88"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Independent cost
estimates</header><text>The agreements described in subsection(a) shall include
independent estimates of the life cycle costs and technical readiness of
missions assessed in the decadal surveys whenever possible.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H8A57A8E476674BD887F58804B300B2A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reexamination</header><text>The
Administrator shall request that each National Academies decadal survey
committee identify any conditions or events, such as significant cost growth or
scientific or technological advances, that would warrant NASA asking the
National Academies to reexamine the priorities that the decadal survey had
established.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HFDCA51C49FED429A94B4FB895F1E9F45"><enum>1106.</enum><header>Innovation
prizes</header>
<subsection id="H340A526CEE6943BC8E1D87EB83E5E220"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Prizes can play a useful role in encouraging innovation
in the development of technologies and products that can assist NASA in its
aeronautics and space activities, and the use of such prizes by NASA should be
encouraged.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HC142635A6CE846C4B8245EBCD67DFA70"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 314 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Act of 1958 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H8A629379231749A298CB8CDB943F32E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by amending subsection
(b) to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="HSY00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5102887A765A4D928FB6E1063DE8547D" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H6C19D15FE1BF4B2D997900B4669691A6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Topics</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In selecting topics for prize competitions,
the Administrator shall consult widely both within and outside the Federal
Government, and may empanel advisory committees. The Administrator shall give
consideration to prize goals such as the demonstration of the ability to
provide energy to the lunar surface from space-based solar power systems,
demonstration of innovative near-Earth object survey and deflection strategies,
and innovative approaches to improving the safety and efficiency of aviation
systems.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H9479B6DD66AA4A8F92A9A8244D7679E4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (i)(4) by
striking <quote>$10,000,000</quote> and inserting
<quote>$50,000,000</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF62E6D521DC34BA3A44E8C7B26FE58FE" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1107.</enum><header>Commercial space
launch range study</header>
<subsection id="HD1D81D04D3544D0EB0F2A2238919FEDA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study by interagency
committee</header><text>The Director of OSTP shall work with other appropriate
Federal agencies to establish an interagency committee to conduct a study
to—</text>
<paragraph id="H81266F9113574059A7B9F3AA186C31CE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify the issues and
challenges associated with establishing a space launch range and facilities
that are fully dedicated to commercial space missions in close proximity to
Federal launch ranges or other Federal facilities; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H243591453D6A4408ACFD81A305B93FB3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop a coordinating
mechanism such that States seeking to establish such commercial space launch
ranges will be able to effectively and efficiently interface with the Federal
Government concerning issues related to the establishment of such commercial
launch ranges in close proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal
facilities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H777DCCCECA3E49EC9743C37F04A7A835"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The
Director shall, not later than May 31, 2010, submit to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a).</text>
</subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB1BA68E8B2A14ED0B82540BAE566E1CF" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1108.</enum><header>NASA outreach and
technology assistance program</header>
<subsection id="H4E20512C6B654102A5ED8074470030C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>NASA
shall contract with an organization that has demonstrated the ability to
partner with NASA centers, aerospace contractors, and academic institutions to
carry out a program to transfer the knowledge and technology of the space and
aeronautics programs to small businesses in communities across the United
States. The program shall support the mission of NASA’s Innovative Partnerships
Program to provide technical assistance through joint partnerships with
industry, academia, government agencies, and national laboratories.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA4021817C06945BCB5EBB62FD8078F3D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Program
structure</header><text>In carrying out the program described in subsection
(a), the organization shall support the mission of NASA’s Innovative
Partnerships Program by undertaking the following activities:</text>
<paragraph id="HD2E0A84975B74403987CC0049BF479"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Facilitating technology
transfer to the private sector to produce viable commercial products.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4BEE6C6586BE4760A6A53F6638C50900"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Creating a network of
academic institutions, aerospace contractors, and NASA centers that will commit
to donating technical assistance to small businesses.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9A31561E686A46E5844114EEEA632038"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Creating a network of
economic development organizations to increase the awareness and enhance the
effectiveness of the program nationwide.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD7DE570B29A04B2FBE33B2118520AFB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the efforts and
accomplishments of the program established under subsection (a) in support of
NASA’s Innovative Partnerships Program. As part of the report, the
Administrator shall provide—</text>
<paragraph id="H6FF3C9C06081467CBC8880DCA2CFE00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>data on the number of
small businesses receiving assistance, jobs created and retained, and volunteer
hours donated by NASA, contractors, and academic institutions
nationwide;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7BA52CD2C468486C95E7C199EDD221C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an estimate of the total
dollar value of the economic impact made by small businesses that received
technical assistance through the program; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H55513CA8CE0749819BF9BC8BB7961372"><enum>(3)</enum><text>an accounting of the use
of funds appropriated for the program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE31849C7E1D44831B0C4CC22EAB5FE0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA
for the program established under subsection (a), $4,000,000 for fiscal year
2009 from the funding available for the Innovative Partnerships Program, to
remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section>
June 9, 2008
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of
the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be
printed