[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 810 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 810


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 11, 2015

    Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


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

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

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

Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2015.
                      TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

                        Subtitle A--Exploration

Sec. 201. Space exploration policy.
Sec. 202. Stepping stone approach to exploration.
Sec. 203. Space Launch System.
Sec. 204. Orion crew capsule.
Sec. 205. Space radiation.
Sec. 206. Planetary protection for human exploration missions.
                      Subtitle B--Space Operations

Sec. 211. International Space Station.
Sec. 212. Barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the ISS's National 
                            Laboratory by commercial companies.
Sec. 213. Utilization of International Space Station for science 
                            missions.
Sec. 214. International Space Station cargo resupply services lessons 
                            learned.
Sec. 215. Commercial crew program.
Sec. 216. Space communications.
                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

                          Subtitle A--General

Sec. 301. Science portfolio.
Sec. 302. Radioisotope power systems.
Sec. 303. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose.
Sec. 304. University class science missions.
Sec. 305. Assessment of science mission extensions.
                        Subtitle B--Astrophysics

Sec. 311. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 312. Extrasolar planet exploration strategy.
Sec. 313. James Webb Space Telescope.
Sec. 314. National Reconnaissance Office telescope donation.
Sec. 315. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope.
Sec. 316. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.
                     Subtitle C--Planetary Science

Sec. 321. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 322. Near-Earth objects.
Sec. 323. Near-Earth objects public-private partnerships.
Sec. 324. Research on near-Earth object tsunami effects.
Sec. 325. Astrobiology strategy.
Sec. 326. Astrobiology public-private partnerships.
Sec. 327. Assessment of Mars architecture.
                        Subtitle D--Heliophysics

Sec. 331. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 332. Review of space weather.
                       Subtitle E--Earth Science

Sec. 341. Goal.
Sec. 342. Decadal cadence.
Sec. 343. Venture class missions.
Sec. 344. Assessment.
                         TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS

Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. Aeronautics research goals.
Sec. 403. Unmanned aerial systems research and development.
Sec. 404. Research program on composite materials used in aeronautics.
Sec. 405. Hypersonic research.
Sec. 406. Supersonic research.
Sec. 407. Research on NextGen airspace management concepts and tools.
Sec. 408. Rotorcraft research.
Sec. 409. Transformative aeronautics research.
Sec. 410. Study of United States leadership in aeronautics research.
                       TITLE V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 501. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 502. Space Technology Program.
Sec. 503. Utilization of the International Space Station for technology 
                            demonstrations.
                          TITLE VI--EDUCATION

Sec. 601. Education.
Sec. 602. Independent review of the National Space Grant College and 
                            Fellowship Program.
Sec. 603. Sense of Congress.
                      TITLE VII--POLICY PROVISIONS

Sec. 701. Asteroid Retrieval Mission.
Sec. 702. Termination liability sense of Congress.
Sec. 703. Baseline and cost controls.
Sec. 704. Project and program reserves.
Sec. 705. Independent reviews.
Sec. 706. Commercial technology transfer program.
Sec. 707. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory 
                            Council.
Sec. 708. Cost estimation.
Sec. 709. Avoiding organizational conflicts of interest in major 
                            Administration acquisition programs.
Sec. 710. Facilities and infrastructure.
Sec. 711. Detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts.
Sec. 712. Space Act Agreements.
Sec. 713. Human spaceflight accident investigations.
Sec. 714. Fullest commercial use of space.
Sec. 715. Orbital debris.
Sec. 716. Review of orbital debris removal concepts.
Sec. 717. Use of operational commercial suborbital vehicles for 
                            research, development, and education.
Sec. 718. Fundamental space life and physical sciences research.
Sec. 719. Restoring commitment to engineering research.
Sec. 720. Liquid rocket engine development program.
Sec. 721. Remote satellite servicing demonstrations.
Sec. 722. Information technology governance.
Sec. 723. Strengthening Administration security.
Sec. 724. Prohibition on use of funds for contractors that have 
                            committed fraud or other crimes.
Sec. 725. Protection of Apollo landing sites.
Sec. 726. Astronaut occupational healthcare.
Sec. 727. Sense of Congress on access to observational data sets.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Administration.
            (3) Orion crew capsule.--The term ``Orion crew capsule'' 
        means the multipurpose crew vehicle described in section 303 of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
        Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
            (4) Space act agreement.--The term ``Space Act Agreement'' 
        means an agreement created under the authority to enter into 
        ``other transactions'' under section 20113(e) of title 51, 
        United States Code.
            (5) Space launch system.--The term ``Space Launch System'' 
        means the follow-on Government-owned civil launch system 
        developed, managed, and operated by the Administration to serve 
        as a key component to expand human presence beyond low-Earth 
        orbit, as described in section 302 of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
        18322).

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2015.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration for 
fiscal year 2015 $18,010,200,000 as follows:
            (1) For Space Exploration, $4,356,700,000, of which--
                    (A) $1,700,000,000 shall be for the Space Launch 
                System;
                    (B) $351,300,000 shall be for Exploration Ground 
                Systems;
                    (C) $1,194,000,000 shall be for the Orion crew 
                capsule;
                    (D) $306,400,000 shall be for Exploration Research 
                and Development; and
                    (E) $805,000,000 shall be for Commercial Crew 
                Development activities.
            (2) For Space Operations, $3,827,800,000.
            (3) For Science, $5,244,700,000, of which--
                    (A) $1,772,500,000 shall be for Earth Science;
                    (B) $1,437,800,000 shall be for Planetary Science, 
                with up to $30,000,000 for the Astrobiology Institute;
                    (C) $684,800,000 shall be for Astrophysics;
                    (D) $645,400,000 shall be for the James Webb Space 
                Telescope;
                    (E) $662,200,000 shall be for Heliophysics; and
                    (F) $42,000,000 shall be for Education.
            (4) For Aeronautics, $651,000,000.
            (5) For Space Technology, $596,000,000.
            (6) For Education, $119,000,000.
            (7) For Safety, Security, and Mission Services, 
        $2,758,900,000.
            (8) For Construction and Environmental Compliance and 
        Restoration, $419,100,000.
            (9) For Inspector General, $37,000,000.

                      TITLE II--HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

                        Subtitle A--Exploration

SEC. 201. SPACE EXPLORATION POLICY.

    (a) Policy.--Human exploration deeper into the Solar System shall 
be a core mission of the Administration. It is the policy of the United 
States that the goal of the Administration's exploration program shall 
be to successfully conduct a crewed mission to the surface of Mars to 
begin human exploration of that planet. The use of the surface of the 
Moon, cis-lunar space, near-Earth asteroids, Lagrangian points, and 
Martian moons may be pursued provided they are properly incorporated 
into the Human Exploration Roadmap described in section 70504 of title 
51, United States Code.
    (b) Vision for Space Exploration.--Section 20302 of title 51, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Orion crew capsule.--The term `Orion crew capsule' 
        means the multipurpose crew vehicle described in section 303 of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
        Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
            ``(2) Space launch system.--The term `Space Launch System' 
        means the follow-on Government-owned civil launch system 
        developed, managed, and operated by the Administration to serve 
        as a key component to expand human presence beyond low-Earth 
        orbit, as described in section 302 of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
        18322).''.
    (c) Key Objectives.--Section 202(b) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) to accelerate the development of capabilities to 
        enable a human exploration mission to the surface of Mars and 
        beyond through the prioritization of those technologies and 
        capabilities best suited for such a mission in accordance with 
        the Human Exploration Roadmap under section 70504 of title 51, 
        United States Code.''.
    (d) Use of Non-United States Human Space Flight Transportation 
Capabilities.--Section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18311(a)) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Use of Non-United States Human Space Flight Transportation 
Capabilities.--
            ``(1) In general.--NASA may not obtain non-United States 
        human space flight capabilities unless no domestic commercial 
        or public-private partnership provider that the Administrator 
        has determined to meet safety and affordability requirements 
        established by NASA for the transport of its astronauts is 
        available to provide such capabilities.
            ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `domestic commercial provider' means a person providing 
        space transportation services or other space-related 
        activities, the majority control of which is held by persons 
        other than a Federal, State, local, or foreign government, 
        foreign company, or foreign national.''.
    (e) Repeal of Space Shuttle Capability Assurance.--Section 203 of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2010 (42 U.S.C. 18313) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b);
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and 
        inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively.

SEC. 202. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration
    ``(a) In General.--In order to maximize the cost effectiveness of 
the long-term space exploration and utilization activities of the 
United States, the Administrator shall direct the Human Exploration and 
Operations Mission Directorate, or its successor division, to develop a 
Human Exploration Roadmap to define the specific capabilities and 
technologies necessary to extend human presence to the surface of Mars 
and the sets and sequences of missions required to demonstrate such 
capabilities and technologies.
    ``(b) International Participation.--The President should invite the 
United States partners in the International Space Station program and 
other nations, as appropriate, to participate in an international 
initiative under the leadership of the United States to achieve the 
goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of 
Mars.
    ``(c) Roadmap Requirements.--In developing the Human Exploration 
Roadmap, the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) include the specific set of capabilities and 
        technologies that contribute to extending human presence to the 
        surface of Mars and the sets and sequences of missions 
        necessary to demonstrate the proficiency of these capabilities 
        and technologies with an emphasis on using or not using the 
        International Space Station, lunar landings, cis-lunar space, 
        trans-lunar space, Lagrangian points, and the natural 
        satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, as testbeds, as 
        necessary, and shall include the most appropriate process for 
        developing such capabilities and technologies;
            ``(2) include information on the phasing of planned 
        intermediate destinations, Mars mission risk areas and 
        potential risk mitigation approaches, technology requirements 
        and phasing of required technology development activities, the 
        management strategy to be followed, related International Space 
        Station activities, and planned international collaborative 
        activities, potential commercial contributions, and other 
        activities relevant to the achievement of the goal established 
        in section 201(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration Authorization Act of 2015;
            ``(3) describe those technologies already under development 
        across the Federal Government or by nongovernment entities 
        which meet or exceed the needs described in paragraph (1);
            ``(4) provide a specific process for the evolution of the 
        capabilities of the fully integrated Orion crew capsule with 
        the Space Launch System and how these systems demonstrate the 
        capabilities and technologies described in paragraph (1);
            ``(5) provide a description of the capabilities and 
        technologies that need to be demonstrated or research data that 
        could be gained through the utilization of the International 
        Space Station and the status of the development of such 
        capabilities and technologies;
            ``(6) describe a framework for international cooperation in 
        the development of all technologies and capabilities required 
        in this section, as well as an assessment of the risks posed by 
        relying on international partners for capabilities and 
        technologies on the critical path of development;
            ``(7) describe a process for utilizing nongovernmental 
        entities for future human exploration beyond lunar landings and 
        cis-lunar space and specify what, if any, synergy could be 
        gained from--
                    ``(A) partnerships using Space Act Agreements (as 
                defined in section 2 of the National Aeronautics and 
                Space Administration Authorization Act of 2015); or
                    ``(B) other acquisition instruments;
            ``(8) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an addendum 
        from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory 
        Council, and an addendum from the Aerospace Safety Advisory 
        Panel, each with a statement of review of the Human Exploration 
        Roadmap that shall include--
                    ``(A) subjects of agreement;
                    ``(B) areas of concern; and
                    ``(C) recommendations; and
            ``(9) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an 
        examination of the benefits of utilizing current Administration 
        launch facilities for trans-lunar missions.
    ``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update such Human 
Exploration Roadmap as needed but no less frequently than every 2 years 
and include it in the budget for that fiscal year transmitted to 
Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, and describe--
            ``(1) the achievements and goals reached in the process of 
        developing such capabilities and technologies during the 2-year 
        period prior to the submission of the update to Congress; and
            ``(2) the expected goals and achievements in the following 
        2-year period.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `Orion crew capsule' 
and `Space Launch System' have the meanings given such terms in section 
20302.''.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a copy 
        of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed under section 70504 
        of title 51, United States Code, to the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
            (2) Updates.--The Administrator shall transmit a copy of 
        each updated Human Exploration Roadmap to the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate not later than 7 days after such Human Exploration 
        Roadmap is updated.

SEC. 203. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the Space Launch System is the most practical approach 
        to reaching the Moon, Mars, and beyond, and Congress reaffirms 
        the policy and minimum capability requirements for the Space 
        Launch System contained in section 302 of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
        (42 U.S.C. 18322);
            (2) the primary goal for the design of the fully integrated 
        Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go 
        beyond low-Earth orbit, is to safely carry a total payload to 
        enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond 
        over the course of the next century as required in section 
        302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)); and
            (3) in order to promote safety and reduce programmatic 
        risk, the Administrator shall budget for and undertake a robust 
        ground test and uncrewed and crewed flight test and 
        demonstration program for the Space Launch System and the Orion 
        crew capsule and shall budget for an operational flight rate 
        sufficient to maintain safety and operational readiness.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
President's annual budget requests for the Space Launch System and 
Orion crew capsule development, test, and operational phases should 
strive to accurately reflect the resource requirements of each of those 
phases, consistent with the policy established in section 201(a) of 
this Act.
    (c) In General.--Given the critical importance of a heavy-lift 
launch vehicle and crewed spacecraft to enable the achievement of the 
goal established in section 201(a) of this Act, as well as the 
accomplishment of intermediate exploration milestones and the provision 
of a backup capability to transfer crew and cargo to the International 
Space Station, the Administrator shall make the expeditious 
development, test, and achievement of operational readiness of the 
Space Launch System and the Orion crew capsule the highest priority of 
the exploration program.
    (d) Government Accountability Office Review.--Not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the Administration's 
acquisition of ground systems in support of the Space Launch System. 
The report shall assess the extent to which ground systems acquired in 
support of the Space Launch System are focused on the direct support of 
the Space Launch System and shall identify any ground support projects 
or activities that the Administration is undertaking that do not solely 
or primarily support the Space Launch System.
    (e) Utilization Report.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, 
shall prepare a report that addresses the effort and budget required to 
enable and utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch System 
configuration described in section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18322(c)). This report shall also include consideration of the 
technical requirements of the scientific and national security 
communities related to such Space Launch System and shall directly 
assess the utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using such 
Space Launch System for national security and space science missions. 
The Administrator shall transmit such report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Naming Competition.--Beginning not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act and concluding not later than 1 year 
after such date of enactment, the Administrator shall conduct a well-
publicized competition among students in elementary and secondary 
schools to name the elements of the Administration's exploration 
program, including--
            (1) a name for the deep space human exploration program as 
        a whole, which includes the Space Launch System, the Orion crew 
        capsule, and future missions; and
            (2) a name for the Space Launch System.
    (g) Advanced Booster Competition.--
            (1) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Associate Administrator of the 
        Administration shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate a report that--
                    (A) describes the estimated total development cost 
                of an advanced booster for the Space Launch System;
                    (B) details any reductions or increases to the 
                development cost of the Space Launch System which may 
                result from conducting a competition for an advanced 
                booster; and
                    (C) outlines any potential schedule delay to the 
                Space Launch System 2017 Exploration Mission-1 launch 
                as a result of increased costs associated with 
                conducting a competition for an advanced booster.
            (2) Competition.--If the Associate Administrator reports 
        reductions pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), and no adverse 
        schedule impact pursuant to paragraph (1)(C), then the 
        Administration shall conduct a full and open competition for an 
        advanced booster for the Space Launch System to meet the 
        requirements described in section 302(c) of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
        (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)), to begin as soon as practicable after the 
        development of the upper stage has been initiated.

SEC. 204. ORION CREW CAPSULE.

    (a) In General.--The Orion crew capsule shall meet the practical 
needs and the minimum capability requirements described in section 303 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate--
            (1) detailing those components and systems of the Orion 
        crew capsule that ensure it is in compliance with section 
        303(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b));
            (2) detailing the expected date that the Orion crew capsule 
        will be available to transport crew and cargo to the 
        International Space Station; and
            (3) certifying that the requirements of section 303(b)(3) 
        of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) will be met by the 
        Administration.

SEC. 205. SPACE RADIATION.

    (a) Strategy and Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop a space 
        radiation mitigation and management strategy and implementation 
        plan to enable the achievement of the goal established in 
        section 201 that includes key research and monitoring 
        requirements, milestones, a timetable, and an estimate of 
        facility and budgetary requirements.
            (2) Coordination.--The strategy shall include a mechanism 
        for coordinating Administration research, technology, 
        facilities, engineering, operations, and other functions 
        required to support the strategy and plan.
            (3) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the 
        strategy and plan to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
        Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (b) Space Radiation Research Facilities.--The Administrator, in 
consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, 
shall assess the national capabilities for carrying out critical 
ground-based research on space radiation biology and shall identify any 
issues that could affect the ability to carry out that research.

SEC. 206. PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION MISSIONS.

    (a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies for a study to explore the planetary protection 
ramifications of potential future missions by astronauts such as to the 
lunar polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the 
surface of Mars.
    (b) Scope.--The study shall--
            (1) collate and summarize what has been done to date with 
        respect to planetary protection measures to be applied to 
        potential human missions such as to the lunar polar regions, 
        near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the surface of 
        Mars;
            (2) identify and document planetary protection concerns 
        associated with potential human missions such as to the lunar 
        polar regions, near-Earth asteroids, the moons of Mars, and the 
        surface of Mars;
            (3) develop a methodology, if possible, for defining and 
        classifying the degree of concern associated with each likely 
        destination;
            (4) assess likely methodologies for addressing planetary 
        protection concerns; and
            (5) identify areas for future research to reduce current 
        uncertainties.
    (c) Completion Date.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the results of 
the study to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

                      Subtitle B--Space Operations

SEC. 211. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The International Space Station is an ideal testbed for 
        future exploration systems development, including long-duration 
        space travel.
            (2) The use of the private market to provide cargo and crew 
        transportation services is currently the most expeditious 
        process to restore domestic access to the International Space 
        Station and low-Earth orbit.
            (3) Government access to low-Earth orbit is paramount to 
        the continued success of the International Space Station and 
        National Laboratory.
    (b) In General.--The following is the policy of the United States:
            (1) The United States International Space Station program 
        shall have two primary objectives: supporting achievement of 
        the goal established in section 201 of this Act and pursuing a 
        research program that advances knowledge and provides benefits 
        to the Nation. It shall continue to be the policy of the United 
        States to, in consultation with its international partners in 
        the International Space Station program, support full and 
        complete utilization of the International Space Station.
            (2) The International Space Station shall be utilized to 
        the maximum extent practicable for the development of 
        capabilities and technologies needed for the future of human 
        exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and shall be considered in 
        the development of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed 
        under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code.
            (3) The Administrator shall, in consultation with the 
        International Space Station partners--
                    (A) take all necessary measures to support the 
                operation and full utilization of the International 
                Space Station; and
                    (B) seek to minimize, to the extent practicable, 
                the operating costs of the International Space Station.
            (4) Reliance on foreign carriers for crew transfer is 
        unacceptable, and the Nation's human space flight program must 
        acquire the capability to launch United States astronauts on 
        United States rockets from United States soil as soon as is 
        safe and practically possible, whether on Government-owned and 
        operated space transportation systems or privately owned 
        systems that have been certified for flight by the appropriate 
        Federal agencies.
    (c) Reaffirmation of Policy.--Congress reaffirms--
            (1) its commitment to the development of a commercially 
        developed launch and delivery system to the International Space 
        Station for crew missions as expressed in the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 
        (Public Law 109-155), the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-422), 
        and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-267);
            (2) that the Administration shall make use of United States 
        commercially provided International Space Station crew transfer 
        and crew rescue services to the maximum extent practicable;
            (3) that the Orion crew capsule shall provide an 
        alternative means of delivery of crew and cargo to the 
        International Space Station, in the event other vehicles, 
        whether commercial vehicles or partner-supplied vehicles, are 
        unable to perform that function; and
            (4) the policy stated in section 501(b) of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
        (42 U.S.C. 18351(b)) that the Administration shall pursue 
        international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to 
        maximize International Space Station logistics supply, 
        maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to 
        International Space Station systems sustainability, and offset 
        and minimize United States operations costs relating to the 
        International Space Station.
    (d) Assured Access to Low-Earth Orbit.--Section 70501(a) of title 
51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Policy Statement.--It is the policy of the United States to 
maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and 
operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an essential instrument 
of national security and the capability to ensure continued United 
States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization 
of space.''.
    (e) Repeals.--
            (1) Use of space shuttle or alternatives.--Chapter 701 of 
        title 51, United States Code, and the item relating to such 
        chapter in the table of chapters for such title, are repealed.
            (2) Shuttle pricing policy for commercial and foreign 
        users.--Chapter 703 of title 51, United States Code, and the 
        item relating to such chapter in the table of chapters for such 
        title, are repealed.
            (3) Shuttle privatization.--Section 50133 of title 51, 
        United States Code, and the item relating to such section in 
        the table of sections for chapter 501 of such title, are 
        repealed.
    (f) Extension Criteria Report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the feasibility of extending 
the operation of the International Space Station that includes--
            (1) criteria for defining the International Space Station 
        as a research success;
            (2) any necessary contributions to enabling execution of 
        the Human Exploration Roadmap developed under section 70504 of 
        title 51, United States Code;
            (3) cost estimates for operating the International Space 
        Station to achieve the criteria required under paragraph (1);
            (4) cost estimates for extending operations to 2024 and 
        2030;
            (5) an assessment of how the defined criteria under 
        paragraph (1) respond to the National Academies Decadal Survey 
        on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space; and
            (6) an identification of the actions and cost estimate 
        needed to deorbit the International Space Station once a 
        decision is made to deorbit the laboratory.
    (g) Strategic Plan for International Space Station Research.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
        Technology Policy, in consultation with the Administrator, 
        academia, other Federal agencies, the International Space 
        Station National Laboratory Advisory Committee, and other 
        potential stakeholders, shall develop and transmit to the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a strategic plan for conducting 
        competitive, peer-reviewed research in physical and life 
        sciences and related technologies on the International Space 
        Station through at least 2020.
            (2) Plan requirements.--The strategic plan shall--
                    (A) be consistent with the priorities and 
                recommendations established by the National Academies 
                in its Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical 
                Sciences in Space;
                    (B) provide a research timeline and identify 
                resource requirements for its implementation, including 
                the facilities and instrumentation necessary for the 
                conduct of such research; and
                    (C) identify--
                            (i) criteria for the proposed research, 
                        including--
                                    (I) a justification for the 
                                research to be carried out in the space 
                                microgravity environment;
                                    (II) the use of model systems;
                                    (III) the testing of flight 
                                hardware to understand and ensure its 
                                functioning in the microgravity 
                                environment;
                                    (IV) the use of controls to help 
                                distinguish among the direct and 
                                indirect effects of microgravity, among 
                                other effects of the flight or space 
                                environment;
                                    (V) approaches for facilitating 
                                data collection, analysis, and 
                                interpretation;
                                    (VI) procedures to ensure 
                                repetition of experiments, as needed;
                                    (VII) support for timely 
                                presentation of the peer-reviewed 
                                results of the research;
                                    (VIII) defined metrics for the 
                                success of each study; and
                                    (IX) how these activities enable 
                                the Human Exploration Roadmap described 
                                in section 70504 of title 51, United 
                                States Code;
                            (ii) instrumentation required to support 
                        the measurements and analysis of the research 
                        to be carried out under the strategic plan;
                            (iii) the capabilities needed to support 
                        direct, real-time communications between 
                        astronauts working on research experiments 
                        onboard the International Space Station and the 
                        principal investigator on the ground;
                            (iv) a process for involving the external 
                        user community in research planning, including 
                        planning for relevant flight hardware and 
                        instrumentation, and for utilization of the 
                        International Space Station, free flyers, or 
                        other research platforms;
                            (v) the acquisition strategy the 
                        Administration plans to use to acquire any new 
                        support capabilities which are not operational 
                        on the International Space Station as of the 
                        date of enactment of this Act, and the criteria 
                        the Administration will apply if less than full 
                        and open competition is selected; and
                            (vi) defined metrics for success of the 
                        research plan.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
                of the United States shall transmit to the Committee on 
                Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
                progress of the organization chosen for the management 
                of the International Space Station National Laboratory 
                as directed in section 504 of the National Aeronautics 
                and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 
                U.S.C. 18354).
                    (B) Specific requirements.--The report shall assess 
                the management, organization, and performance of such 
                organization and shall include a review of the status 
                of each of the seven required activities listed in 
                section 504(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18354(c)).

SEC. 212. BARRIERS IMPEDING ENHANCED UTILIZATION OF THE ISS'S NATIONAL 
              LABORATORY BY COMMERCIAL COMPANIES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) enhanced utilization of the International Space 
        Station's National Laboratory requires a full understanding of 
        the barriers impeding such utilization and actions needed to be 
        taken to remove or mitigate them to the maximum extent 
        practicable; and
            (2) doing so will allow the Administration to encourage 
        commercial companies to invest in microgravity research using 
        National Laboratory research facilities.
    (b) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies for an assessment to--
            (1) identify barriers impeding enhanced utilization of the 
        International Space Station's National Laboratory;
            (2) recommend ways to encourage commercial companies to 
        make greater use of the International Space Station's National 
        Laboratory, including corporate investment in microgravity 
        research; and
            (3) identify any legislative changes that may be required.
    (c) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the 
results of the assessment described in subsection (b).

SEC. 213. UTILIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR SCIENCE 
              MISSIONS.

    The Administrator shall utilize the International Space Station for 
Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit wherever it is 
practical and cost effective to do so.

SEC. 214. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CARGO RESUPPLY SERVICES LESSONS 
              LEARNED.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that--
            (1) identifies the lessons learned to date from the 
        Commercial Resupply Services contract;
            (2) indicates whether changes are needed to the manner in 
        which the Administration procures and manages similar services 
        upon the expiration of the existing Commercial Resupply 
        Services contract; and
            (3) identifies any lessons learned from the Commercial 
        Resupply Services contract that should be applied to the 
        procurement and management of commercially provided crew 
        transfer services to and from the International Space Station.

SEC. 215. COMMERCIAL CREW PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that once 
developed and certified to meet the Administration's safety and 
reliability requirements, United States commercially provided crew 
transportation systems offer the potential of serving as the primary 
means of transporting American astronauts and international partner 
astronauts to and from the International Space Station and serving as 
International Space Station emergency crew rescue vehicles. At the same 
time, the budgetary assumptions used by the Administration in its 
planning for the Commercial Crew Program have consistently assumed 
significantly higher funding levels than have been authorized and 
appropriated by Congress. It is the sense of Congress that credibility 
in the Administration's budgetary estimates for the Commercial Crew 
Program can be enhanced by an independently developed cost estimate. 
Such credibility in budgetary estimates is an important factor in 
understanding program risk.
    (b) Objective.--The objective of the Administration's Commercial 
Crew Program shall be to assist the development of at least one crew 
transportation system to carry Administration astronauts safely, 
reliably, and affordably to and from the International Space Station 
and to serve as an emergency crew rescue vehicle as soon as practicable 
within the funding levels authorized. The Administration shall not use 
any considerations beyond this objective in the overall acquisition 
strategy.
    (c) Safety.--Consistent with the findings and recommendations of 
the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, the Administration shall 
ensure that safety and the minimization of the probability of loss of 
crew are the highest priorities of the commercial crew transportation 
program.
    (d) Cost Minimization.--The Administrator shall strive through the 
competitive selection process to minimize the life cycle cost to the 
Administration through the planned period of commercially provided crew 
transportation services.
    (e) Transparency.--Transparency is the cornerstone of ensuring a 
safe and reliable commercial crew transportation service to the 
International Space Station. The Administrator shall, to the greatest 
extent practicable, ensure that every commercial crew transportation 
services provider has provided evidence-based support for their costs 
and schedule.
    (f) Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate.--
            (1) Requirement.--Not later than 30 days after the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulation-based contract for the Commercial Crew 
        Transportation Capability Contract is awarded, the 
        Administrator shall arrange for the initiation of an 
        Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate for--
                    (A) all activities associated with the development, 
                test, demonstration, and certification of commercial 
                crew transportation systems;
                    (B) transportation and rescue services required by 
                the Administration for International Space Station 
                operations through calendar year 2020 or later if 
                Administration requirements so dictate; and
                    (C) the estimated date of operational readiness for 
                the program each assumption listed in paragraph (2) of 
                this subsection.
            (2) Assumptions.--The Independent Cost and Schedule 
        Estimate shall provide an estimate for each of the following 
        scenarios:
                    (A) An appropriation of $600,000,000 over the next 
                3 fiscal years.
                    (B) An appropriation of $700,000,000 over the next 
                3 fiscal years.
                    (C) An appropriation of $800,000,000 over the next 
                3 fiscal years.
                    (D) The funding level assumptions over the next 3 
                fiscal years that are included as part of commercial 
                crew transportation capability contract awards.
            (3) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after initiation 
        of the Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall transmit the results of the 
        Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate to the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate.
    (g) Implementation Strategies.--
            (1) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of 
        the Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate under subsection 
        (f), the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate a report containing four distinct implementation 
        strategies based on such Independent Cost and Schedule Estimate 
        for the final stages of the commercial crew program.
            (2) Requirements.--These options shall include--
                    (A) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of 
                $600,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years;
                    (B) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of 
                $700,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years;
                    (C) a strategy that assumes an appropriation of 
                $800,000,000 over the next 3 fiscal years; and
                    (D) a strategy that has yet to be considered 
                previously in any budget submission but that the 
                Administration believes could ensure the flight 
                readiness date of 2017 for at least one provider.
            (3) Inclusions.--Each strategy shall include the 
        contracting instruments the Administration will employ to 
        acquire the services in each phase of development or 
        acquisition and the number of commercial providers the 
        Administration will include in the program.

SEC. 216. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan, in consultation 
with relevant Federal agencies, for updating the Administration's space 
communications and navigation architecture for low-Earth orbital and 
deep space operations so that it is capable of meeting the 
Administration's communications needs over the next 20 years. The plan 
shall include lifecycle cost estimates, milestones, estimated 
performance capabilities, and 5-year funding profiles. The plan shall 
also include an estimate of the amounts of any reimbursements the 
Administration is likely to receive from other Federal agencies during 
the expected life of the upgrades described in the plan. At a minimum, 
the plan shall include a description of the following:
            (1) Steps to sustain the existing space communications and 
        navigation network and infrastructure and priorities for how 
        resources will be applied and cost estimates for the 
        maintenance of existing space communications network 
        capabilities.
            (2) Upgrades needed to support space communications and 
        navigation network and infrastructure requirements, including 
        cost estimates and schedules and an assessment of the impact on 
        missions if resources are not secured at the level needed.
            (3) Projected space communications and navigation network 
        requirements for the next 20 years, including those in support 
        of human space exploration missions.
            (4) Projected Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System 
        requirements for the next 20 years, including those in support 
        of other relevant Federal agencies, and cost and schedule 
        estimates to maintain and upgrade the Tracking and Data Relay 
        Satellite System to meet projected requirements.
            (5) Steps the Administration is taking to meet future space 
        communications requirements after all Tracking and Data Relay 
        Satellite System third-generation communications satellites are 
        operational.
            (6) Steps the Administration is taking to mitigate threats 
        to electromagnetic spectrum use.
    (b) Schedule.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan developed 
under this section to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

                           TITLE III--SCIENCE

                          Subtitle A--General

SEC. 301. SCIENCE PORTFOLIO.

    (a) Balanced and Adequately Funded Activities.--Section 803 of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 
(124 Stat. 2832) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 803. OVERALL SCIENCE PORTFOLIO--SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

    ``Congress reaffirms its sense, expressed in the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010, that a 
balanced and adequately funded set of activities, consisting of 
research and analysis grants programs, technology development, small, 
medium, and large space missions, and suborbital research activities, 
contributes to a robust and productive science program and serves as a 
catalyst for innovation and discovery.''.
    (b) Decadal Surveys.--In proposing the funding of programs and 
activities for the Administration for each fiscal year, the 
Administrator shall, to the greatest extent practicable, follow 
guidance provided in the current decadal surveys from the National 
Academies' Space Studies Board.

SEC. 302. RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that conducting 
deep space exploration requires radioisotope power systems, and 
establishing continuity in the production of the material needed to 
power these systems is paramount to the success of these future deep 
space missions. It is further the sense of Congress that Federal 
agencies supporting the Administration through the production of such 
material should do so in a cost effective manner so as not to impose 
excessive reimbursement requirements on the Administration.
    (b) Analysis of Requirements and Risks.--The Director of the Office 
of Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator, in consultation 
with other Federal agencies, shall conduct an analysis of--
            (1) the requirements of the Administration for radioisotope 
        power system material that is needed to carry out planned, high 
        priority robotic missions in the solar system and other surface 
        exploration activities beyond low-Earth orbit; and
            (2) the risks to missions of the Administration in meeting 
        those requirements, or any additional requirements, due to a 
        lack of adequate radioisotope power system material.
    (c) Contents of Analysis.--The analysis conducted under subsection 
(b) shall--
            (1) detail the Administration's current projected mission 
        requirements and associated timeframes for radioisotope power 
        system material;
            (2) explain the assumptions used to determine the 
        Administration's requirements for the material, including--
                    (A) the planned use of advanced thermal conversion 
                technology such as advanced thermocouples and Stirling 
                generators and converters; and
                    (B) the risks and implications of, and 
                contingencies for, any delays or unanticipated 
                technical challenges affecting or related to the 
                Administration's mission plans for the anticipated use 
                of advanced thermal conversion technology;
            (3) assess the risk to the Administration's programs of any 
        potential delays in achieving the schedule and milestones for 
        planned domestic production of radioisotope power system 
        material;
            (4) outline a process for meeting any additional 
        Administration requirements for the material;
            (5) estimate the incremental costs required to increase the 
        amount of material produced each year, if such an increase is 
        needed to support additional Administration requirements for 
        the material;
            (6) detail how the Administration and other Federal 
        agencies will manage, operate, and fund production facilities 
        and the design and development of all radioisotope power 
        systems used by the Administration and other Federal agencies 
        as necessary;
            (7) specify the steps the Administration will take, in 
        consultation with the Department of Energy, to preserve the 
        infrastructure and workforce necessary for production of 
        radioisotope power systems and ensure that its reimbursements 
        to the Department of Energy associated with such preservation 
        are equitable and justified; and
            (8) detail how the Administration has implemented or 
        rejected the recommendations from the National Research 
        Council's 2009 report titled ``Radioisotope Power Systems: An 
        Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space 
        Exploration''.
    (d) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the analysis to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 303. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE.

    Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) The direction of the unique competence of the 
        Administration to the search for life's origin, evolution, 
        distribution, and future in the Universe. In carrying out this 
        objective, the Administration may use any practicable ground-
        based, airborne, or space-based technical means and spectra of 
        electromagnetic radiation.''.

SEC. 304. UNIVERSITY CLASS SCIENCE MISSIONS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that principal 
investigator-led small orbital science missions, including CubeSat 
class, University Explorer (UNEX) class, Small Explorer (SMEX) class, 
and Venture class, offer valuable opportunities to advance science at 
low cost, train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and 
enable participants in the program to acquire skills in systems 
engineering and systems integration that are critical to maintaining 
the Nation's leadership in space and to enhancing the United States 
innovation and competitiveness abroad.
    (b) Review of Principal Investigator-Led Small Orbital Science 
Missions.--The Administrator shall conduct a review of the science 
missions described in subsection (a). The review shall include--
            (1) the status, capability, and availability of existing 
        small orbital science mission programs and the extent to which 
        each program enables the participation of university scientists 
        and students;
            (2) the opportunities such mission programs provide for 
        scientific research;
            (3) the opportunities such mission programs provide for 
        training and education, including scientific and engineering 
        workforce development, including for the Administration's 
        scientific and engineering workforce; and
            (4) the extent to which commercial applications such as 
        hosted payloads, free flyers, and data buys could provide 
        measurable benefits for such mission programs, while preserving 
        the principle of independent peer review as the basis for 
        mission selection.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
review required under subsection (b) and on recommendations to enhance 
principal investigator-led small orbital science missions conducted by 
the Administration in accordance with the results of the review 
required by subsection (b).

SEC. 305. ASSESSMENT OF SCIENCE MISSION EXTENSIONS.

    Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
``Sec. 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions
    ``(a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall carry out biennial 
reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess the cost and 
benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection 
for those missions that exceed their planned missions' lifetime. The 
assessment shall take into consideration how extending missions impacts 
the start of future missions.
    ``(b) Consultation and Consideration of Potential Benefits of 
Instruments on Missions.--When deciding whether to extend a mission 
that has an operational component, the Administrator shall consult with 
any affected Federal agency and shall take into account the potential 
benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond their planned 
mission lifetime.
    ``(c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, at 
the same time as the submission to Congress of the Administration's 
annual budget request for each fiscal year, a report detailing any 
assessment required by subsection (a) that was carried out during the 
previous year.''.

                        Subtitle B--Astrophysics

SEC. 311. DECADAL CADENCE.

    In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to 
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and 
small astrophysics missions.

SEC. 312. EXTRASOLAR PLANET EXPLORATION STRATEGY.

    (a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for the study 
and exploration of extrasolar planets, including the use of the 
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope, 
a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other 
telescope, spacecraft, or instrument as appropriate. Such strategy 
shall--
            (1) outline key scientific questions;
            (2) identify the most promising research in the field;
            (3) indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in 
        existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet 
        research goals;
            (4) identify opportunities for coordination with 
        international partners, commercial partners, and other not-for-
        profit partners; and
            (5) make recommendations on the above as appropriate.
    (b) Use of Strategy.--The Administrator shall use the strategy to--
            (1) inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities 
        of the Administration as they relate to extrasolar planet 
        research and exploration; and
            (2) provide a foundation for future activities and 
        initiatives.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report 
to the Administrator, and to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the 
strategy developed under subsection (a).

SEC. 313. JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the James Webb Space Telescope will revolutionize our 
        understanding of star and planet formation and how galaxies 
        evolved, and advance the search for the origins of the 
        universe;
            (2) the James Webb Space Telescope will enable American 
        scientists to maintain their leadership in astrophysics and 
        other disciplines;
            (3) the James Webb Space Telescope program is making steady 
        progress towards a launch in 2018;
            (4) the on-time and on-budget delivery of the James Webb 
        Space Telescope is a high congressional priority; and
            (5) maintaining this progress will require the 
        Administrator to ensure that integrated testing is 
        appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to enable 
        potential issues to be identified and addressed early enough to 
        be handled within the James Webb Space Telescope's development 
        schedule prior to launch.

SEC. 314. NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE TELESCOPE DONATION.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate outlining the 
cost of the Administration's potential plan for developing the Wide-
Field Infrared Survey Telescope as described in the 2010 National 
Academies' astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey, including an 
alternative plan for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 2.4, 
which includes the donated 2.4-meter aperture National Reconnaissance 
Office telescope. Due to the budget constraints on the Administration's 
science programs, this report shall include--
            (1) an assessment of cost efficient approaches to develop 
        the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope;
            (2) a comparison to the development of mission concepts 
        that exclude the utilization of the donated asset;
            (3) an assessment of how the Administration's existing 
        science missions will be affected by the utilization of the 
        donated asset described in this section; and
            (4) a description of the cost associated with storing and 
        maintaining the donated asset.

SEC. 315. WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY TELESCOPE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administrator, to the extent practicable, should make progress on the 
technologies and capabilities needed to position the Administration to 
meet the objectives of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope 
mission, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies' astronomy and 
astrophysics decadal survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific 
productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested. It 
is further the sense of Congress that the Wide-Field Infrared Survey 
Telescope mission has the potential to enable scientific discoveries 
that will transform our understanding of the universe.
    (b) Continuity of Development.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
the concept definition and pre-formulation activities of a Wide-Field 
Infrared Survey Telescope mission continue while the James Webb Space 
Telescope is being completed.

SEC. 316. STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY.

    The Administrator shall not use any funding appropriated to the 
Administration for fiscal year 2015 for the shutdown of the 
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or for the preparation 
therefor.

                     Subtitle C--Planetary Science

SEC. 321. DECADAL CADENCE.

    In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to 
ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that the Administration 
carries out a balanced set of planetary science programs in accordance 
with the priorities established in the most recent decadal survey for 
planetary science. Such programs shall include, at a minimum--
            (1) a Discovery-class mission at least once every 24 
        months;
            (2) a New Frontiers-class mission at least once every 60 
        months; and
            (3) at least one Flagship-class mission per decadal survey 
        period, including a Europa mission with a goal of launching by 
        2021.

SEC. 322. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) 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, 
        approximately 65 million years ago.
            (2) Similar objects have struck the Earth or passed through 
        the Earth's atmosphere several times in the Earth's history and 
        pose a similar threat in the future.
            (3) 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 to be discovered.
            (4) The efforts undertaken by the Administration for 
        detecting and characterizing the hazards of near-Earth objects 
        should continue to seek to fully determine the threat posed by 
        such objects to cause widespread destruction and loss of life.
    (b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``near-
Earth object'' means an asteroid or comet with a perihelion distance of 
less than 1.3 Astronomical Units from the Sun.
    (c) Near-Earth Object Survey.--The Administrator shall continue to 
detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics 
of near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 meters in diameter 
in order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects to the Earth, 
pursuant to the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act (42 
U.S.C. 16691). It shall be the goal of the Survey program to achieve 90 
percent completion of its near-Earth object catalogue (based on 
statistically predicted populations of near-Earth objects) by 2020.
    (d) Warning and Mitigation of Potential Hazards of Near-Earth 
Objects.--Congress reaffirms the policy set forth in section 20102(g) 
of title 51, United States Code (relating to detecting, tracking, 
cataloguing, and characterizing asteroids and comets).
    (e) Program Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy and the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, an 
initial report that provides--
            (1) recommendations for carrying out the Survey program and 
        an associated proposed budget;
            (2) analysis of possible options that the Administration 
        could employ to divert an object on a likely collision course 
        with Earth; and
            (3) a description of the status of efforts to coordinate 
        and cooperate with other countries to discover hazardous 
        asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and implement 
        that strategy in the event of the discovery of an object on a 
        likely collision course with Earth.
    (f) Annual Reports.--Subsequent to the initial report the 
Administrator shall annually transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
provides--
            (1) a summary of all activities carried out pursuant to 
        subsection (c) since the date of enactment of this Act, 
        including the progress toward achieving 90 percent completion 
        of the survey described in subsection (c); and
            (2) a summary of expenditures for all activities carried 
        out pursuant to subsection (c) since the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
    (g) Study.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other relevant 
Federal agencies, shall carry out a technical and scientific assessment 
of the capabilities and resources to--
            (1) accelerate the survey described in subsection (c); and
            (2) expand the Administration's Near-Earth Object Program 
        to include the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and 
        characterization of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects 
        less than 140 meters in diameter.
    (h) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the assessment carried out under subsection (g) to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 323. NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administration should seek to leverage the capabilities of the private 
sector and philanthropic organizations to the maximum extent 
practicable in carrying out the Near-Earth Object Survey program in 
order to meet the goal of the Survey program.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing how the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships 
to detect, track, catalogue, and categorize near-Earth objects.

SEC. 324. RESEARCH ON NEAR-EARTH OBJECT TSUNAMI EFFECTS.

    (a) Report on Potential Tsunami Effects From Near-Earth Object 
Impact.--The Administrator, in collaboration with the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant 
agencies, shall prepare a report identifying and describing existing 
research activities and further research objectives that would increase 
our understanding of the nature of the effects of potential tsunamis 
that could occur if a near-Earth object were to impact an ocean of 
Earth.
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the report 
required and prepared under subsection (a) to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 325. ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGY.

    (a) Strategy.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for 
astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the 
most promising research in the field, and indicate the extent to which 
the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search 
for life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe. 
The strategy shall include recommendations for coordination with 
international partners.
    (b) Use of Strategy.--The Administrator shall use the strategy 
developed under subsection (a) in planning and funding research and 
other activities and initiatives in the field of astrobiology.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report 
to the Administrator, and to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, containing the 
strategy developed under subsection (a).

SEC. 326. ASTROBIOLOGY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing 
how the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to study 
life's origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe.

SEC. 327. ASSESSMENT OF MARS ARCHITECTURE.

    (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academies to assess--
            (1) the Administration's revised post-2016 Mars exploration 
        architecture and its responsiveness to the strategies, 
        priorities, and guidelines put forward by the National 
        Academies' planetary science decadal surveys and other relevant 
        National Academies Mars-related reports;
            (2) the long-term goals of the Administration's Mars 
        Exploration Program and such program's ability to optimize the 
        science return, given the current fiscal posture of the 
        program;
            (3) the Mars architecture's relationship to Mars-related 
        activities to be undertaken by agencies and organizations 
        outside of the United States; and
            (4) the extent to which the Mars architecture represents a 
        reasonably balanced mission portfolio.
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of 
the assessment to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate.

                        Subtitle D--Heliophysics

SEC. 331. DECADAL CADENCE.

    In carrying out section 301(b), the Administrator shall seek to 
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and 
small heliophysics missions.

SEC. 332. REVIEW OF SPACE WEATHER.

    (a) Review.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, in consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Director of 
the National Science Foundation, and heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies, shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies 
to provide a comprehensive study that reviews current and planned 
ground-based and space-based space weather monitoring requirements and 
capabilities, identifies gaps, and identifies options for a robust and 
resilient capability. The study shall inform the process of identifying 
national needs for future space weather monitoring, forecasts, and 
mitigation. The National Academies shall give consideration to 
international and private sector efforts and collaboration that could 
potentially contribute to national space weather needs. The study shall 
also review the current state of research capabilities in observing, 
modeling, and prediction and provide recommendations to ensure future 
advancement of predictive capability.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 14 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall transmit a report 
containing the results of the study provided under subsection (a) to 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

                       Subtitle E--Earth Science

SEC. 341. GOAL.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Administration is being asked to undertake important Earth science 
activities in an environment of increasingly constrained fiscal 
resources, and that any transfer of additional responsibilities to the 
Administration, such as climate instrument development and measurements 
that are currently part of the portfolio of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, should be accompanied by the provision of 
additional resources to allow the Administration to carry out the 
increased responsibilities without adversely impacting its 
implementation of its existing Earth science programs and priorities.
    (b) General.--The Administrator shall continue to carry out a 
balanced Earth science program that includes Earth science research, 
Earth systematic missions, competitive Venture class missions, other 
missions and data analysis, mission operations, technology development, 
and applied sciences, consistent with the recommendations and 
priorities established in the National Academies' Earth Science Decadal 
Survey.
    (c) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall collaborate with other 
Federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, non-government entities, and international partners, as 
appropriate, in carrying out the Administration's Earth science 
program. The Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind 
instruments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies 
for operations.
    (d) Reimbursement.--Whenever responsibilities for the development 
of sensors or for measurements are transferred to the Administration 
from another agency, the Administration shall seek, to the extent 
possible, to be reimbursed for the assumption of such responsibilities.

SEC. 342. DECADAL CADENCE.

    In carrying out section 341(b), the Administrator shall seek to 
ensure to the extent practicable a steady cadence of large, medium, and 
small Earth science missions.

SEC. 343. VENTURE CLASS MISSIONS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administration's Venture class 
missions provide opportunities for innovation in the Earth science 
program, offer low-cost approaches for high-quality competitive science 
investigations, enable frequent flight opportunities to engage the 
Earth science and applications community, and serve as a training 
ground for students and young scientists. It is further the sense of 
Congress that the Administration should seek to increase the number of 
Venture class projects to the extent practicable as part of a balanced 
Earth science program.

SEC. 344. ASSESSMENT.

    The Administrator shall carry out a scientific assessment of the 
Administration's Earth science global datasets for the purpose of 
identifying those datasets that are useful for understanding regional 
changes and variability, and for informing applied science research. 
The Administrator shall complete and transmit the assessment to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

                         TITLE IV--AERONAUTICS

SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) a robust aeronautics research portfolio will help 
        maintain the United States status as a leader in aviation, 
        enhance the competitiveness of the United States in the world 
        economy and improve the quality of life of all citizens;
            (2) aeronautics research is essential to the 
        Administration's mission, continues to be an important core 
        element of the Administration's mission and should be 
        supported;
            (3) the Administrator should coordinate and consult with 
        relevant Federal agencies and the private sector to minimize 
        duplication and leverage resources; and
            (4) carrying aeronautics research to a level of maturity 
        that allows the Administration's research results to be 
        transitioned to the users, whether private or public sector, is 
        critical to their eventual adoption.

SEC. 402. AERONAUTICS RESEARCH GOALS.

    The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration maintains a 
strong aeronautics research portfolio ranging from fundamental research 
through integrated systems research with specific research goals, 
including the following:
            (1) Enhance airspace operations and safety.--The 
        Administration's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall 
        address research needs of the Next Generation Air 
        Transportation System and identify critical gaps in technology 
        which must be bridged to enable the implementation of the Next 
        Generation Air Transportation System so that safety and 
        productivity improvements can be achieved as soon as possible.
            (2) Improve air vehicle performance.--The Administration's 
        Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall conduct research 
        to improve aircraft performance and minimize environmental 
        impacts. The Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics 
        Research Mission Directorate shall consider and pursue concepts 
        to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel consumption while 
        maintaining high safety standards, and shall conduct research 
        related to the impact of alternative fuels on the safety, 
        reliability and maintainability of current and new air 
        vehicles.
            (3) Strengthen aviation safety.--The Administration's 
        Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall proactively 
        address safety challenges associated with current and new air 
        vehicles and with operations in the Nation's current and future 
        air transportation system.
            (4) Demonstrate concepts at the system level.--The 
        Administration's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall 
        mature the most promising technologies to the point at which 
        they can be demonstrated in a relevant environment and shall 
        integrate individual components and technologies as appropriate 
        to ensure that they perform in an integrated manner as well as 
        they do when operated individually.

SEC. 403. UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and other Federal 
agencies, shall carry out research and technological development to 
facilitate the safe integration of unmanned aerial systems into the 
National Airspace System, including--
            (1) positioning and navigation systems;
            (2) sense and avoid capabilities;
            (3) secure data and communication links;
            (4) flight recovery systems; and
            (5) human systems integration.
    (b) Roadmap.--The Administrator shall update a roadmap for unmanned 
aerial systems research and development and transmit this roadmap to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.
    (c) Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Activities.--Section 31504 
of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``Operational 
flight data derived from these cooperative agreements shall be made 
available, in appropriate and usable formats, to the Administration and 
the Federal Aviation Administration for the development of regulatory 
standards.'' after ``in remote areas.''.

SEC. 404. RESEARCH PROGRAM ON COMPOSITE MATERIALS USED IN AERONAUTICS.

    (a) Purpose of Research.--The Administrator shall continue the 
Administration's cooperative research program with industry to identify 
and demonstrate more effective and safe ways of developing, 
manufacturing, and maintaining composite materials for use in 
airframes, subsystems, and propulsion components.
    (b) Exposure of Research to Next Generation of Engineers and 
Technicians.--To the extent practicable, the Administration's 
cooperative research program with industry on composite materials shall 
provide timely access to that research to the next generation of 
engineers and technicians at universities, community colleges, and 
vocational schools, thereby helping to develop a workforce ready to 
take on the development, manufacture, and maintenance of components 
reliant on advanced composite materials.
    (c) Consultation.--The Administrator, in overseeing the 
Administration's work on composite materials, shall consult with 
relevant Federal agencies and partners in industry to accelerate safe 
development and certification processes for new composite materials and 
design methods while maintaining rigorous inspection of new composite 
materials.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
detailing the Administration's work on new composite materials and the 
coordination efforts among Federal agencies and industry partners.

SEC. 405. HYPERSONIC RESEARCH.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall 
develop and transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a research and development roadmap for 
hypersonic aircraft research with the objective of exploring hypersonic 
science and technology using air-breathing propulsion concepts, through 
a mix of theoretical work, basic and applied research, and development 
of flight research demonstration vehicles. The roadmap shall prescribe 
appropriate agency contributions, coordination efforts, and technology 
milestones.

SEC. 406. SUPERSONIC RESEARCH.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the ability to fly commercial aircraft over land at 
        supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the environment or 
        on local communities could open new global markets and enable 
        new transportation capabilities; and
            (2) continuing the Administration's research program is 
        necessary to assess the impact in a relevant environment of 
        commercial supersonic flight operations and provide the basis 
        for establishing appropriate sonic boom standards for such 
        flight operations.
    (b) Roadmap for Supersonic Research.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a roadmap that allows for flexible funding 
profiles for supersonic aeronautics research and development with the 
objective of developing and demonstrating, in a relevant environment, 
airframe and propulsion technologies to minimize the environmental 
impact, including noise, of supersonic overland flight in an efficient 
and economical manner. The roadmap shall include--
            (1) the baseline research as embodied by the 
        Administration's existing research on supersonic flight;
            (2) a list of specific technological, environmental, and 
        other challenges that must be overcome to minimize the 
        environmental impact, including noise, of supersonic overland 
        flight;
            (3) a research plan to address such challenges, as well as 
        a project timeline for accomplishing relevant research goals;
            (4) a plan for coordination with stakeholders, including 
        relevant government agencies and industry; and
            (5) a plan for how the Administration will ensure that 
        sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate with relevant 
        Federal agencies.

SEC. 407. RESEARCH ON NEXTGEN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND TOOLS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation with 
other Federal agencies, review at least annually the alignment and 
timing of the Administration's research and development activities in 
support of the NextGen airspace management modernization initiative, 
and shall make any necessary adjustments by reprioritizing or 
retargeting the Administration's research and development activities in 
support of the NextGen initiative.
    (b) Annual Reports.--The Administrator shall report to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate annually regarding the progress of the 
Administration's research and development activities in support of the 
NextGen airspace management modernization initiative, including details 
of technologies transferred to relevant Federal agencies for eventual 
operation implementation, consultation with other Federal agencies, and 
any adjustments made to research activities.

SEC. 408. ROTORCRAFT RESEARCH.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall 
prepare and transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a roadmap for research relating to 
rotorcraft and other runway-independent air vehicles, with the 
objective of developing and demonstrating improved safety, noise, and 
environmental impact in a relevant environment. The roadmap shall 
include specific goals for the research, a timeline for implementation, 
metrics for success, and guidelines for collaboration and coordination 
with industry and other Federal agencies.

SEC. 409. TRANSFORMATIVE AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator, in looking 
strategically into the future and ensuring that the Administration's 
Center personnel are at the leading edge of aeronautics research, 
should encourage investigations into the early-stage advancement of new 
processes, novel concepts, and innovative technologies that have the 
potential to meet national aeronautics needs. The Administrator shall 
continue to ensure that awards for the investigation of these concepts 
and technologies are open for competition among Administration civil 
servants at its Centers, separate from other awards open only to non-
Administration sources.

SEC. 410. STUDY OF UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP IN AERONAUTICS RESEARCH.

    (a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies for a study to benchmark the position of the 
United States in civil aeronautics research compared to the rest of the 
world. The study shall--
            (1) seek to define metrics by which relative leadership in 
        civil aeronautics research can be determined;
            (2) ascertain how the United States compares to other 
        countries in the field of civil aeronautics research and any 
        relevant trends; and
            (3) provide recommendations on what can be done to regain 
        or retain global leadership, including--
                    (A) identifying research areas where United States 
                expertise has been or is at risk of being overtaken;
                    (B) defining appropriate roles for the 
                Administration;
                    (C) identifying public-private partnerships that 
                could be formed; and
                    (D) estimating the impact on the Administration's 
                budget should such recommendations be implemented.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the results of the study 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.

                       TITLE V--SPACE TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that space technology is critical to--
            (1) enabling a new class of Administration missions beyond 
        low-Earth orbit;
            (2) developing technologies and capabilities that will make 
        the Administration's missions more affordable and more 
        reliable; and
            (3) improving technological capabilities and promoting 
        innovation for the Administration and the Nation.

SEC. 502. SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 70507 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70507. Space Technology Program authorized
    ``(a) Program Authorized.--The Administrator shall establish a 
Space Technology Program to pursue the research and development of 
advanced space technologies that have the potential of delivering 
innovative solutions and to support human exploration of the solar 
system or advanced space science. The program established by the 
Administrator shall take into consideration the recommendations of the 
National Academies' review of the Administration's Space Technology 
roadmaps and priorities, as well as applicable enabling aspects of the 
Human Exploration Roadmap specified in section 70504. In conducting the 
space technology program established under this section, the 
Administrator shall--
            ``(1) to the maximum extent practicable, use a competitive 
        process to select projects to be supported as part of the 
        program;
            ``(2) make use of small satellites and the Administration's 
        suborbital and ground-based platforms, to the extent 
        practicable and appropriate, to demonstrate space technology 
        concepts and developments; and
            ``(3) undertake partnerships with other Federal agencies, 
        universities, private industry, and other spacefaring nations, 
        as appropriate.
    ``(b) Small Business Programs.--The Administrator shall organize 
and manage the Administration's Small Business Innovation Research 
program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program within the Space 
Technology Program.
    ``(c) Nonduplication Certification.--The Administrator shall 
include in the budget for each fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress 
under section 1105(a) of title 31, a certification that no project, 
program, or mission undertaken by the Space Technology Program is 
duplicative of any other project, program, or mission conducted by 
another office or directorate of the Administration.''.
    (b) Collaboration, Coordination, and Alignment.--The Administrator 
shall ensure that the Administration's projects, programs, and 
activities in support of technology research and development of 
advanced space technologies are fully coordinated and aligned and that 
results from such work are shared and leveraged within the 
Administration. Projects, programs, and activities being conducted by 
the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in support of 
research and development of advanced space technologies and systems 
focusing on human space exploration should continue in that 
Directorate. The Administrator shall ensure that organizational 
responsibility for research and development activities in support of 
human space exploration not initiated as of the date of enactment of 
this Act is established on the basis of a sound rationale. The 
Administrator shall provide the rationale in the report specified in 
subsection (d).
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
comparing the Administration's space technology investments with the 
high-priority technology areas identified by the National Academies in 
the National Research Council's report on the Administration's Space 
Technology Roadmaps. The Administrator shall identify how the 
Administration will address any gaps between the agency's investments 
and the recommended technology areas, including a projection of funding 
requirements.
    (d) Annual Report.--The Administrator shall include in the 
Administration's annual budget request for each fiscal year the 
rationale for assigning organizational responsibility for, in the year 
prior to the budget fiscal year, each initiated project, program, and 
mission focused on research and development of advanced technologies 
for human space exploration.
    (e) Table of Sections Amendment.--The item relating to section 
70507 in the table of sections for chapter 705 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``70507. Space Technology Program authorized.''.

SEC. 503. UTILIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR TECHNOLOGY 
              DEMONSTRATIONS.

    The Administrator shall utilize the International Space Station and 
commercial services for space technology demonstration missions in low-
Earth orbit whenever it is practical and cost effective to do so.

                          TITLE VI--EDUCATION

SEC. 601. EDUCATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Administration's missions are an inspiration for 
        Americans and in particular for the next generation, and that 
        this inspiration has a powerful effect in stimulating interest 
        in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (in this 
        section referred to as ``STEM'') education and careers;
            (2) the Administration's Office of Education and mission 
        directorates have been effective in delivering Administration 
        educational content because of the strong engagement of 
        Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration's 
        education and outreach activities; and
            (3) the Administration should be a central partner in 
        contributing to the goals of the National Science and 
        Technology Council's Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, 
        and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-Year Strategic Plan.
    (b) In General.--The Administration shall continue its education 
and outreach efforts to--
            (1) increase student interest and participation in STEM 
        education;
            (2) improve public literacy in STEM;
            (3) employ proven strategies for improving student learning 
        and teaching;
            (4) provide curriculum support materials; and
            (5) create and support opportunities for professional 
        development for STEM teachers.
    (c) Organization.--In order to ensure the inspiration and 
engagement of children and the general public, the Administration shall 
continue its STEM education and outreach activities within the Science, 
Aeronautics Research, Space Operations, and Exploration Mission 
Directorates.
    (d) Continuation of Education and Outreach Activities and 
Programs.--The Administrator shall continue to carry out education and 
outreach programs and activities through the Office of Education and 
the Administration mission directorates and shall continue to engage, 
to the maximum extent practicable, Administration and Administration-
supported researchers and engineers in carrying out those programs and 
activities.
    (e) Continuation of Space Grant Program.--The Administrator shall 
continue to operate the National Space Grant College and Fellowship 
program through a national network consisting of a State-based 
consortium in each State that provides flexibility to the States, with 
the objective of providing hands-on research, training, and education 
programs, with measurable outcomes, to enhance America's STEM education 
and workforce.
    (f) Reaffirmation of Policy.--Congress reaffirms its commitment to 
informal science education at science centers and planetariums as set 
forth in section 616 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. 40907).

SEC. 602. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND 
              FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, which was 
established in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 2486 et seq.), has been an 
important program by which the Federal Government has partnered with 
State and local governments, universities, private industry, and other 
organizations to enhance the understanding and use of space and 
aeronautics activities and their benefits through education, fostering 
of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary space research and training, 
and supporting Federal funding for graduate fellowships in space-
related fields, among other purposes.
    (b) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academies for--
            (1) a review of the National Space Grant College and 
        Fellowship Program, including its structure and capabilities 
        for supporting science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics education and training consistent with the National 
        Science and Technology Council's Federal Science, Technology, 
        Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education 5-Year Strategic 
        Plan; and
            (2) recommendations on measures, if needed, to enhance the 
        Program's effectiveness and mechanisms by which any increases 
        in funding appropriated by Congress can be applied.
    (c) National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program 
Amendments.--
            (1) Purposes.--Section 40301 of title 51, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (5);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (6) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(7) support outreach to primary and secondary schools to 
        help support STEM engagement and learning at the K-12 level and 
        to encourage K-12 students to pursue postsecondary degrees in 
        fields related to space.''.
            (2) Regional consortium.--Section 40306 of title 51, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) 
                        as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                        following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Inclusion of 2-year institutions.--A space grant 
        regional consortium designated in paragraph (1)(B) may include 
        one or more 2-year institutions of higher education.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``paragraphs 
                (2)(C) and (3)(D)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (3)(C) 
                and (4)(D)''.

SEC. 603. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator should make the 
continuation of the Administration's Minority University Research and 
Education Program a priority in order to further STEM education for 
underrepresented students.

                      TITLE VII--POLICY PROVISIONS

SEC. 701. ASTEROID RETRIEVAL MISSION.

    (a) Asteroid Retrieval Report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on the proposed Asteroid 
Retrieval Mission. Such report shall include--
            (1) a detailed budget profile, including cost estimates for 
        the development of all necessary technologies and spacecraft 
        required for the mission;
            (2) a detailed technical plan that includes milestones and 
        a specific schedule;
            (3) a description of the technologies and capabilities 
        anticipated to be gained from the proposed mission that will 
        enable future human missions to Mars which could not be gained 
        by lunar missions;
            (4) a description of the technologies and capabilities 
        anticipated to be gained from the proposed mission that will 
        enable future planetary defense missions, against impact 
        threats from near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 
        meters in diameter, which could not be gained by robotic 
        missions; and
            (5) a complete assessment by the Small Bodies Assessment 
        Group and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        Advisory Council of how the proposed mission is in the 
        strategic interests of the United States in space exploration.
    (b) Mars Flyby Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, an independent, private systems engineering and 
technical assistance organization contracted by the Human Exploration 
Operations Mission Directorate shall transmit to the Administrator, the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report analyzing the proposal for a Mars 
Flyby human spaceflight mission to be launched in 2021. Such report 
shall include--
            (1) a technical development, test, fielding, and operations 
        plan using the Space Launch System and other systems to 
        successfully mount a Mars Flyby mission by 2021;
            (2) a description of the benefits in scientific knowledge 
        and technologies demonstrated by a Mars Flyby mission to be 
        launched in 2021 suitable for future Mars missions; and
            (3) an annual budget profile, including cost estimates, for 
        the development test, fielding, and operations plan to carry 
        out a Mars Flyby mission through 2021 and comparison of that 
        budget profile to the 5-year budget profile contained in the 
        President's Budget request for fiscal year 2016.
    (c) Assessment.--Not later than 60 days after transmittal of the 
report specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall transmit to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate an assessment by the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Advisory Council of whether the proposal for a 
Mars Flyby Mission to be launched in 2021 is in the strategic interests 
of the United States in space exploration.
    (d) Crewed Mission.--The report transmitted under subsection (b) 
may consider a crewed mission with the Space Launch System in cis-lunar 
space prior to the Mars Flyby mission in 2021.

SEC. 702. TERMINATION LIABILITY SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that:
            (1) The International Space Station, the Space Launch 
        System, and the Orion crew capsule will enable the Nation to 
        continue operations in low-Earth orbit and to send its 
        astronauts to deep space. The James Webb Space Telescope will 
        revolutionize our understanding of star and planet formation 
        and how galaxies evolved and advance the search for the origins 
        of our universe. As a result of their unique capabilities and 
        their critical contribution to the future of space exploration, 
        these systems have been designated by Congress and the 
        Administration as priority investments.
            (2) In addition, contractors are currently holding program 
        funding, estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of 
        dollars, to cover the potential termination liability should 
        the Government choose to terminate a program for convenience. 
        As a result, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are 
        unavailable for meaningful work on these programs.
            (3) According to the Government Accountability Office, the 
        Administration procures most of its goods and services through 
        contracts, and it terminates very few of them. In fiscal year 
        2010, the Administration terminated 28 of 16,343 active 
        contracts and orders--a termination rate of about 0.17 percent.
            (4) The Administration should vigorously pursue a policy on 
        termination liability that maximizes the utilization of its 
        appropriated funds to make maximum progress in meeting 
        established technical goals and schedule milestones on these 
        high-priority programs.

SEC. 703. BASELINE AND COST CONTROLS.

    Section 30104 of title 51, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``Procedural 
        Requirements 7120.5c, dated March 22, 2005'' and inserting 
        ``Procedural Requirements 7120.5E, dated August 14, 2012''; and
            (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``beginning 18 months 
        after the date the Administrator transmits a report under 
        subsection (e)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``beginning 18 months 
        after the Administrator makes such determination''.

SEC. 704. PROJECT AND PROGRAM RESERVES.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
judicious use of program and project reserves provides the 
Administration's project and program managers with the flexibility 
needed to manage projects and programs to ensure that the impacts of 
contingencies can be mitigated.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing--
            (1) the Administration's criteria for establishing the 
        amount of reserves held at the project and program levels;
            (2) how such criteria relate to the agency's policy of 
        budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level; and
            (3) the Administration's criteria for waiving the policy of 
        budgeting at a 70-percent confidence level and alternative 
        strategies and mechanisms aimed at controlling program and 
        project costs when a waiver is granted.

SEC. 705. INDEPENDENT REVIEWS.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
describing--
            (1) the Administration's procedures for conducting 
        independent reviews of projects and programs at lifecycle 
        milestones and how the Administration ensures the independence 
        of the individuals who conduct those reviews prior to their 
        assignment;
            (2) the internal and external entities independent of 
        project and program management that conduct reviews of projects 
        and programs at life cycle milestones; and
            (3) how the Administration ensures the independence of such 
        entities and their members.

SEC. 706. COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM.

    Section 50116(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ``, while protecting national security'' after ``research 
community''.

SEC. 707. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ADVISORY 
              COUNCIL.

    (a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academy of Public Administration to assess the 
effectiveness of the NASA Advisory Council and to make recommendations 
to Congress for any change to--
            (1) the functions of the Council;
            (2) the appointment of members to the Council;
            (3) qualifications for members of the Council;
            (4) duration of terms of office for members of the Council;
            (5) frequency of meetings of the Council;
            (6) the structure of leadership and Committees of the 
        Council; and
            (7) levels of professional staffing for the Council.
In carrying out the assessment, the Academy shall also assess the 
impacts of broadening the Council's role to advising Congress, and any 
other issues that the Academy determines could potentially impact the 
effectiveness of the Council. The Academy shall consider the past 
activities of the NASA Advisory Council, as well as the activities of 
other analogous Federal advisory bodies in conducting its assessment. 
The results of the assessment, including any recommendations, shall be 
transmitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate.
    (b) Consultation and Advice.--Section 20113(g) of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ``and Congress'' after ``advice to 
the Administration''.
    (c) Sunset.--Effective on September 30, 2015, section 20113(g) of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and Congress''.

SEC. 708. COST ESTIMATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that realistic 
cost estimating is critically important to the ultimate success of 
major space development projects. The Administration has devoted 
significant efforts over the past 5 years to improving its cost 
estimating capabilities, but it is important that the Administration 
continue its efforts to develop and implement guidance in establishing 
realistic cost estimates.
    (b) Guidance and Criteria.--The Administrator shall provide to 
programs and projects, and in a manner consistent with the 
Administration's Space Flight Program and Project Management 
Requirements--
            (1) guidance on when an Independent Cost Estimate and 
        Independent Cost Assessment should be used; and
            (2) the criteria to be used to make such a determination.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report--
            (1) describing efforts to enhance internal cost estimation 
        and assessment expertise;
            (2) describing the mechanisms the Administration is using 
        and will continue to use to ensure that adequate resources are 
        dedicated to cost estimation;
            (3) listing the steps the Administration is undertaking to 
        advance consistent implementation of the joint cost and 
        schedule process;
            (4) identifying criteria used by programs and projects in 
        determining when to conduct an Independent Cost Estimate and 
        Independent Cost Assessment; and
            (5) listing--
                    (A) the costs of each individual Independent Cost 
                Estimate or Independent Cost Assessment activity 
                conducted in fiscal year 2012, fiscal year 2013, and 
                fiscal year 2014;
                    (B) the purpose of the activity;
                    (C) identification of the primary Administration 
                unit or outside body that conducted the activity; and
                    (D) key findings and recommendations.
    (d) Updated Report.--Subsequent to submission of the report under 
subsection (c), for each subsequent year, the Administrator shall 
provide an update of listed elements in conjunction with subsequent 
congressional budget justifications.

SEC. 709. AVOIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN MAJOR 
              ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Revised Regulations Required.--Not later than 270 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the 
Administration Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to 
provide uniform guidance and recommend revised requirements for 
organizational conflicts of interest by contractors in major 
acquisition programs in order to address elements identified in 
subsection (b).
    (b) Elements.--The revised regulations required by subsection (a) 
shall, at a minimum--
            (1) address organizational conflicts of interest that could 
        potentially arise as a result of--
                    (A) lead system integrator contracts on major 
                acquisition programs and contracts that follow lead 
                system integrator contracts on such programs, 
                particularly contracts for production;
                    (B) the ownership of business units performing 
                systems engineering and technical assistance functions, 
                professional services, or management support services 
                in relation to major acquisition programs by 
                contractors who simultaneously own business units 
                competing to perform as either the prime contractor or 
                the supplier of a major subsystem or component for such 
                programs;
                    (C) the award of major subsystem contracts by a 
                prime contractor for a major acquisition program to 
                business units or other affiliates of the same parent 
                corporate entity, and particularly the award of 
                subcontracts for software integration or the 
                development of a proprietary software system 
                architecture; or
                    (D) the performance by, or assistance of, 
                contractors in technical evaluations on major 
                acquisition programs;
            (2) ensure that the Administration receives advice on 
        systems architecture and systems engineering matters with 
        respect to major acquisition programs from objective sources 
        independent of the prime contractor;
            (3) require that a contract for the performance of systems 
        engineering and technical assistance functions for a major 
        acquisition program contains a provision prohibiting the 
        contractor or any affiliate of the contractor from 
        participating as a prime contractor or a major subcontractor in 
        the development of a system under the program; and
            (4) establish such limited exceptions to the requirement in 
        paragraphs (2) and (3) as may be necessary to ensure that the 
        Administration has continued access to advice on systems 
        architecture and systems engineering matters from highly 
        qualified contractors with domain experience and expertise, 
        while ensuring that such advice comes from sources that are 
        objective and unbiased.

SEC. 710. FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Administration must reverse the deteriorating 
        condition of its facilities and infrastructure, as this 
        condition is hampering the effectiveness and efficiency of 
        research performed by both the Administration and industry 
        participants making use of Administration facilities, thus 
        reducing the competitiveness of the United States aerospace 
        industry;
            (2) the Administration has a role in providing laboratory 
        capabilities to industry participants that are economically 
        viable as commercial entities and thus are not available 
        elsewhere;
            (3) to ensure continued access to reliable and efficient 
        world-class facilities by researchers, the Administration 
        should seek to establish strategic partnerships with other 
        Federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry, as 
        appropriate; and
            (4) decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or 
        modernize existing facilities must be made in the context of 
        meeting future Administration and other Federal agencies' 
        laboratory needs, including those required to meet the 
        activities supporting the Human Exploration Roadmap required by 
        section 70504 of title 51, United States Code.
    (b) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States that the 
Administration maintain reliable and efficient facilities and that 
decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or modernize existing 
facilities be made in the context of meeting future Administration 
needs.
    (c) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan that has the goal 
of positioning the Administration to have the facilities, laboratories, 
tools, and approaches necessary to address future Administration 
requirements. Such plan shall identify--
            (1) future Administration research and development and 
        testing needs;
            (2) a strategy for identifying facilities that are 
        candidates for disposal, that is consistent with the national 
        strategic direction set forth in--
                    (A) the National Space Policy;
                    (B) the National Aeronautics Research, Development, 
                Test, and Evaluation Infrastructure Plan;
                    (C) National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                Authorization Acts; and
                    (D) the Human Exploration Roadmap specified in 
                section 70504 of title 51, United States Code;
            (3) a strategy for the maintenance, repair, upgrading, and 
        modernization of the Administration's laboratories, facilities, 
        and equipment;
            (4) criteria for prioritizing deferred maintenance tasks 
        and also for upgrading or modernizing laboratories, facilities, 
        and equipment and implementing processes, plans, and policies 
        for guiding the Administration's Centers on whether to 
        maintain, repair, upgrade, or modernize a facility and for 
        determining the type of instrument to be used;
            (5) an assessment of modifications needed to maximize usage 
        of facilities that offer unique and highly specialized benefits 
        to the aerospace industry and the American public; and
            (6) implementation steps, including a timeline, milestones, 
        and an estimate of resources required for carrying out the 
        plan.
    (d) Policy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall establish and make publically 
available a policy that guides the Administration's use of existing 
authorities to out-grant, lease, excess to the General Services 
Administration, sell, decommission, demolish, or otherwise transfer 
property, facilities, or infrastructure. This policy shall establish 
criteria for the use of authorities, best practices, standardized 
procedures, and guidelines for how to appropriately manage property, 
infrastructure, and facilities.
    (e) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan developed under 
subsection (c) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate.
    (f) Establishment of Capital Fund.--The Administrator shall 
establish a capital fund for the modernization of facilities and 
laboratories. The Administrator shall ensure to the maximum extent 
practicable that all financial savings achieved by closing outdated or 
surplus facilities at an Administration Center shall be made available 
to that Center for the purpose of modernizing the Center's facilities 
and laboratories and for upgrading the infrastructure at the Center.
    (g) Report on Capital Fund.--Expenditures and other activities of 
the fund established under subsection (f) shall require review and 
approval by the Administrator and the status, including the amounts 
held in the capital fund, shall be reported to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate in 
conjunction with the Administration's annual budget request 
justification for each fiscal year.

SEC. 711. DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE OF COUNTERFEIT ELECTRONIC PARTS.

    (a) Regulations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration Supplement to the 
        Federal Acquisition Regulation to address the detection and 
        avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts.
            (2) Contractor responsibilities.--The revised regulations 
        issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall provide that--
                    (A) Administration contractors who supply 
                electronic parts or products that include electronic 
                parts are responsible for detecting and avoiding the 
                use or inclusion of counterfeit electronic parts or 
                suspect counterfeit electronic parts in such products 
                and for any rework or corrective action that may be 
                required to remedy the use or inclusion of such parts; 
                and
                    (B) the cost of counterfeit electronic parts and 
                suspect counterfeit electronic parts and the cost of 
                rework or corrective action that may be required to 
                remedy the use or inclusion of such parts are not 
                allowable costs under Administration contracts, 
                unless--
                            (i) the covered contractor has an 
                        operational system to detect and avoid 
                        counterfeit parts and suspect counterfeit 
                        electronic parts that has been reviewed and 
                        approved by the Administration or the 
                        Department of Defense;
                            (ii) the covered contractor provides timely 
                        notice to the Administration pursuant to 
                        paragraph (4); or
                            (iii) the counterfeit electronic parts or 
                        suspect counterfeit electronic parts were 
                        provided to the contractor as Government 
                        property in accordance with part 45 of the 
                        Federal Acquisition Regulation.
            (3) Suppliers of electronic parts.--The revised regulations 
        issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) require that the Administration and 
                Administration contractors and subcontractors at all 
                tiers--
                            (i) obtain electronic parts that are in 
                        production or currently available in stock from 
                        the original manufacturers of the parts or 
                        their authorized dealers, or from suppliers who 
                        obtain such parts exclusively from the original 
                        manufacturers of the parts or their authorized 
                        dealers; and
                            (ii) obtain electronic parts that are not 
                        in production or currently available in stock 
                        from suppliers that meet qualification 
                        requirements established pursuant to 
                        subparagraph (C);
                    (B) establish documented requirements consistent 
                with published industry standards or Government 
                contract requirements for--
                            (i) notification of the Administration; and
                            (ii) inspection, testing, and 
                        authentication of electronic parts that the 
                        Administration or an Administration contractor 
                        or subcontractor obtains from any source other 
                        than a source described in subparagraph (A);
                    (C) establish qualification requirements, 
                consistent with the requirements of section 2319 of 
                title 10, United States Code, pursuant to which the 
                Administration may identify suppliers that have 
                appropriate policies and procedures in place to detect 
                and avoid counterfeit electronic parts and suspect 
                counterfeit electronic parts; and
                    (D) authorize Administration contractors and 
                subcontractors to identify and use additional suppliers 
                beyond those identified pursuant to subparagraph (C) 
                provided that--
                            (i) the standards and processes for 
                        identifying such suppliers comply with 
                        established industry standards;
                            (ii) the contractor or subcontractor 
                        assumes responsibility for the authenticity of 
                        parts provided by such suppliers as provided in 
                        paragraph (2); and
                            (iii) the selection of such suppliers is 
                        subject to review and audit by appropriate 
                        Administration officials.
            (4) Timely notification.--The revised regulations issued 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) shall require that any Administration 
        contractor or subcontractor who becomes aware, or has reason to 
        suspect, that any end item, component, part, or material 
        contained in supplies purchased by the Administration, or 
        purchased by a contractor or subcontractor for delivery to, or 
        on behalf of, the Administration, contains counterfeit 
        electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts, shall 
        provide notification to the applicable Administration 
        contracting officer within 30 calendar days.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the revised regulations 
specified in subsection (a) have been implemented, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report updating the Administration's 
actions to prevent counterfeit electronic parts from entering the 
supply chain as described in its October 2011 report pursuant to 
section 1206(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18444(d)).
    (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``electronic part'' 
means a discrete electronic component, including a microcircuit, 
transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode that is intended for use in a 
safety or mission critical application.

SEC. 712. SPACE ACT AGREEMENTS.

    (a) Cost Sharing.--To the extent that the Administrator determines 
practicable, the funds provided by the Government under a funded Space 
Act Agreement shall not exceed the total amount provided by other 
parties to the Space Act Agreement.
    (b) Need.--A funded Space Act Agreement may be used only when the 
use of a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is not 
feasible or appropriate, as determined by the Associate Administrator 
for Procurement.
    (c) Public Notice and Comment.--The Administrator shall make 
available for public notice and comment each proposed Space Act 
Agreement at least 30 days before entering into such agreement, with 
appropriate redactions for proprietary, sensitive, or classified 
information.
    (d) Transparency.--The Administrator shall publicly disclose on the 
Administration's website and make available in a searchable format each 
Space Act Agreement, with appropriate redactions for proprietary, 
sensitive, or classified information, not later than 60 days after such 
agreement is signed.
    (e) Annual Report.--
            (1) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the end of 
        each fiscal year, the Administrator shall submit to the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a report on the use of Space Act 
        Agreement authority by the Administration during the previous 
        fiscal year.
            (2) Contents.--The report shall include for each Space Act 
        Agreement in effect at the time of the report--
                    (A) an indication of whether the agreement is a 
                reimbursable, nonreimbursable, or funded Space Act 
                Agreement;
                    (B) a description of--
                            (i) the subject and terms;
                            (ii) the parties;
                            (iii) the responsible--
                                    (I) mission directorate;
                                    (II) center; or
                                    (III) headquarters element;
                            (iv) the value;
                            (v) the extent of the cost sharing among 
                        Federal Government and non-Federal sources;
                            (vi) the time period or schedule; and
                            (vii) all milestones; and
                    (C) an indication of whether the agreement was 
                renewed during the previous fiscal year.
            (3) Anticipated agreements.--The report shall also include 
        a list of all anticipated reimbursable, nonreimbursable, and 
        funded Space Act Agreements for the upcoming fiscal year.
            (4) Cumulative program benefits.--The report shall also 
        include, with respect to the Space Act Agreements covered by 
        the report, a summary of--
                    (A) the technology areas in which research projects 
                were conducted under such agreements;
                    (B) the extent to which the use of the Space Act 
                Agreements--
                            (i) has contributed to a broadening of the 
                        technology and industrial base available for 
                        meeting Administration needs; and
                            (ii) has fostered within the technology and 
                        industrial base new relationships and practices 
                        that support the United States; and
                    (C) the total amount of value received by the 
                Federal Government during the fiscal year pursuant to 
                such Space Act Agreements.

SEC. 713. HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS.

    Section 70702(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by 
striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) any other orbital or suborbital space vehicle 
        carrying humans--
                    ``(A) that is owned by the Federal Government; or
                    ``(B) that is being used pursuant to a contract or 
                Space Act Agreement, as defined in section 2 of the 
                National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                Authorization Act of 2015, with the Federal Government 
                for carrying a researcher or payload funded by the 
                Federal Government; or''.

SEC. 714. FULLEST COMMERCIAL USE OF SPACE.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
current and continuing efforts by the Administration to ``seek and 
encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use 
of space,'' as described in section 20102(c) of title 51, United States 
Code.
    (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) an assessment of the Administration's efforts to comply 
        with the policy;
            (2) an explanation of criteria used to define compliance;
            (3) a description of programs, policies, and activities the 
        Administration is using, and will continue to use, to ensure 
        compliance;
            (4) an explanation of how the Administration could expand 
        on the efforts to comply; and
            (5) a summary of all current and planned activities 
        pursuant to this policy.
    (c) Barriers to Fullest Commercial Use of Space.--Not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on current and continuing efforts 
by the Administration to reduce impediments, bureaucracy, redundancy, 
and burdens to ensure the fullest commercial use of space as required 
by section 20102(c) of title 51, United States Code.

SEC. 715. ORBITAL DEBRIS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that orbital debris poses serious 
risks to the operational space capabilities of the United States and 
that an international commitment and integrated strategic plan are 
needed to mitigate the growth of orbital debris wherever possible. 
Congress finds the delay in the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy's submission of a report on the status of international 
coordination and development of mitigation strategies to be 
inconsistent with such risks.
    (b) Reports.--
            (1) Coordination.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate with a report on the status of 
        efforts to coordinate with countries within the Inter-Agency 
        Space Debris Coordination Committee to mitigate the effects and 
        growth of orbital debris as required by section 1202(b)(1) of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization 
        Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(1)).
            (2) Mitigation strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy shall provide the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate with a report on the status of the orbital debris 
        mitigation strategy required under section 1202(b)(2) of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
        of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18441(b)(2)).

SEC. 716. REVIEW OF ORBITAL DEBRIS REMOVAL CONCEPTS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the amount 
of orbital debris in low-Earth orbit poses risks for human activities 
and robotic spacecraft and that this debris may increase due to 
collisions between existing debris objects. Understanding options to 
address and remove orbital debris is important for ensuring safe and 
effective spacecraft operations in low-Earth orbit.
    (b) Review.--The Administrator, in collaboration with other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall solicit and review concepts and 
technological options for removing orbital debris from low-Earth orbit. 
The solicitation and review shall also address the requirements for and 
feasibility of developing and implementing each of the options.
    (c) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide a report to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the solicitation and review required 
under subsection (b).

SEC. 717. USE OF OPERATIONAL COMMERCIAL SUBORBITAL VEHICLES FOR 
              RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION.

    (a) Policy.--The Administrator shall develop a policy on the use of 
operational commercial reusable suborbital flight vehicles for carrying 
out scientific and engineering investigations and educational 
activities.
    (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan on the 
Administration's use of operational commercial reusable suborbital 
flight vehicles for carrying out scientific and engineering 
investigations and educational activities. The plan shall--
            (1) describe the purposes for which the Administration 
        intends to use such vehicles;
            (2) describe the processes required to support such use, 
        including the criteria used to determine which scientific and 
        engineering investigations and educational activities are 
        selected for a suborbital flight;
            (3) describe Administration, space flight operator, and 
        supporting contractor responsibilities for developing standard 
        payload interfaces and conducting payload safety analyses, 
        payload integration and processing, payload operations, and 
        safety assurance for Administration-sponsored space flight 
        participants, among other functions required to fly 
        Administration-sponsored payloads and space flight participants 
        on operational commercial suborbital vehicles;
            (4) identify Administration-provided hardware, software, or 
        services that may be provided to commercial reusable suborbital 
        space flight operators on a cost-reimbursable basis, through 
        agreements or contracts entered into under section 20113(e) of 
        title 51, United States Code; and
            (5) describe the United States Government and space flight 
        operator responsibilities for liability and indemnification 
        with respect to commercial suborbital vehicle flights that 
        involve Administration-sponsored payloads or activities, 
        Administration-supported space flight participants, or other 
        Administration-related contributions.
    (c) Assessment of Capabilities and Risks.--The Administrator shall 
assess and characterize the potential capabilities and performance of 
commercial reusable suborbital vehicles for addressing scientific 
research, including research requiring access to low-gravity and 
microgravity environments, for carrying out technology demonstrations 
related to science, exploration, or space operations requirements, and 
for providing opportunities for educating and training space scientists 
and engineers, once those vehicles become operational. The assessment 
shall also characterize the risks of using potential commercial 
reusable suborbital flights to Administration-sponsored researchers and 
scientific investigations and flight hardware.
    (d) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan and assessment 
described in subsections (b) and (c) to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (e) Annual Progress Reports.--In conjunction with the 
Administration's annual budget request justification for each fiscal 
year, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
describing progress in carrying out the Commercial Reusable Suborbital 
Research Program, including the number and type of suborbital missions 
planned in each fiscal year.
    (f) Indemnification and Liability.--The Administrator shall not 
proceed with a request for proposals, award any contract, commit any 
United States Government funds, or enter into any other agreement for 
the provision of a commercial reusable suborbital vehicle launch 
service for an Administration-sponsored spaceflight participant until 
transmittal of the plan and assessment specified in subsections (b) and 
(c), the liability issues associated with the use of such systems by 
the United States Government have been addressed, and the liability and 
indemnification provisions that are planned to be included in such 
contracts or agreements have been provided to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 718. FUNDAMENTAL SPACE LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It the sense of Congress that fundamental, 
discovery-based space life and physical sciences research is critical 
for enabling space exploration, protecting humans in space, and 
providing societal benefits, and that the space environment facilitates 
the advancement of understanding of the life sciences and physical 
sciences. Space life and physical science research contributes to 
advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research, 
and provides careers and training opportunities in academia, Federal 
laboratories, and commercial industry. Congress encourages the 
Administrator to augment discovery-based fundamental research and to 
establish requirements reflecting the importance of such research in 
keeping with the priorities established in the National Academies' 
decadal survey entitled ``Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: 
Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era''.
    (b) Budget Request.--The Administrator shall include as part of the 
Administration's annual budget request for each fiscal year a budget 
line for fundamental space life and physical sciences research, devoted 
to competitive, peer-reviewed grants, that is separate from the 
International Space Station Operations account.
    (c) Strategic Plan.--
            (1) Development.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        academia, other Federal agencies, and other potential 
        stakeholders, shall develop a strategic plan for carrying out 
        competitive, peer-reviewed fundamental space life science and 
        physical sciences and related technology research, among other 
        activities, consistent with the priorities in the National 
        Academies' decadal survey described in subsection (a).
            (2) Transmittal.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the 
        strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) to the Committee 
        on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 719. RESTORING COMMITMENT TO ENGINEERING RESEARCH.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
engineering excellence has long been a hallmark of the Administration's 
ability to make significant advances in aeronautics and space 
exploration. However, as has been noted in recent National Academies 
reports, increasingly constrained funding and competing priorities have 
led to an erosion of the Administration's commitment to basic 
engineering research. This research provides the basis for the 
technology development that enables the Administration's many 
challenging missions to succeed. If current trends continue, the 
Administration's ability to attract and maintain the best and brightest 
engineering workforce at its Centers as well as its ability to remain 
on the cutting edge of aeronautical and space technology will continue 
to erode and will threaten the Administration's ability to be a world 
leader in aeronautics research and development and space exploration.
    (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a plan for restoring a 
meaningful basic engineering research program at the Administration's 
Centers, including, as appropriate, collaborations with industry, 
universities, and other relevant organizations. The plan shall identify 
the organizational approach to be followed, an initial set of basic 
research priorities, and a proposed budget.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the plan specified in 
subsection (b) to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 720. LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    The Administrator shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to 
ensure that any next generation liquid rocket engine made in the United 
States for national security space launch objectives can contribute, to 
the extent practicable, to the space programs and missions carried out 
by the Administration.

SEC. 721. REMOTE SATELLITE SERVICING DEMONSTRATIONS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Administration plays a key role in demonstrating 
        the feasibility of using robotic technologies for a spacecraft 
        that could autonomously access, inspect, repair, and refuel 
        satellites;
            (2) demonstrating this feasibility would both assist the 
        Administration in its future missions and provide other Federal 
        agencies and private sector entities with enhanced confidence 
        in the feasibility to robotically refuel, inspect, repair, and 
        maintain their satellites in both near and distant orbits; and
            (3) the capability to refuel, inspect, repair, and maintain 
        satellites robotically could add years of functional life to 
        satellites.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
describing the Administration's--
            (1) activities, tools, and techniques associated with the 
        ultimate goal of autonomously servicing satellites using 
        robotic spacecraft;
            (2) efforts to coordinate its technology development and 
        demonstrations with other Federal agencies and private sector 
        entities that conduct programs, projects, or activities on on-
        orbit satellite inspection and servicing capabilities;
            (3) efforts to leverage the work of these Federal agencies 
        and private sector entities into the Administration's plans;
            (4) accomplishments to date in demonstrating various 
        servicing technologies;
            (5) major technical and operational challenges encountered 
        and mitigation measures taken; and
            (6) demonstrations needed to increase confidence in the use 
        of the technologies for operational missions, and the timeframe 
        for these demonstrations.

SEC. 722. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
information security is central to the Administration's ability to 
protect information and information systems vital to its mission.
    (b) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the Administration's 
Information Technology Governance. The study shall include an 
assessment of--
            (1) the resources available for overseeing Administration-
        wide information technology operations, investments, and 
        security measures and the Chief Information Officer's 
        visibility into and access to those resources;
            (2) the effectiveness of the Administration's decentralized 
        information technology structure, decisionmaking processes and 
        authorities and its ability to enforce information security; 
        and
            (3) the impact of providing the Chief Information Officer 
        approval authority over information technology investments that 
        exceed a defined monetary threshold and any potential impacts 
        of the Chief Information Officer having such authority on the 
        Administration's missions, flights programs and projects, 
        research activities, and Center operations.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit a report detailing the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (b) to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

SEC. 723. STRENGTHENING ADMINISTRATION SECURITY.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Following the public disclosure of security and export 
        control violations at its research centers, the Administration 
        contracted with the National Academy of Public Administration 
        to conduct an independent assessment of how the Administration 
        carried out Foreign National Access Management practices and 
        other security matters.
            (2) The assessment by the National Academy of Public 
        Administration concluded that ``NASA networks are 
        compromised'', that the Administration lacked a standardized 
        and systematic approach to export compliance, and that 
        individuals within the Administration were not held accountable 
        when making serious, preventable errors in carrying out Foreign 
        National Access Management practices and other security 
        matters.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administration shall report to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on how it plans 
to address each of the recommendations made in the security assessment 
by the National Academy of Public Administration and the 
recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office and the 
Administration's Office of the Inspector General regarding security and 
safeguarding export control information.
    (c) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate its assessment of how the Administration 
has complied with the recommendations described in subsection (b).

SEC. 724. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE 
              COMMITTED FRAUD OR OTHER CRIMES.

    None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made 
available for fiscal year 2015 or any fiscal year thereafter for the 
Administration may be used to enter into a contract with any offeror or 
any of its principals if the offeror certifies, pursuant to the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation, that the offeror or any of its principals--
            (1) within a 3-year period preceding the offer has been 
        convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against it for--
                    (A) commission of fraud or a criminal offense in 
                connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or 
                performing a public (Federal, State, or local) contract 
                or subcontract;
                    (B) violation of Federal or State antitrust 
                statutes relating to the submission of offers; or
                    (C) commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, 
                bribery, falsification or destruction of records, 
                making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal 
                criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property;
            (2) are presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or 
        civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of 
        any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (1); or
            (3) within a 3-year period preceding the offer, has been 
        notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount that 
        exceeds $3,000 for which the liability remains unsatisfied.

SEC. 725. PROTECTION OF APOLLO LANDING SITES.

    (a) Assessment.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, in consultation with all relevant agencies of the 
Federal Government and other appropriate entities and individuals, 
shall carry out a review and assessment of the issues involved in 
protecting and preserving historically important Apollo Program lunar 
landing sites and Apollo program artifacts residing on the lunar 
surface, including those pertaining to Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. The 
review and assessment shall, at a minimum, include determination of 
what risks to the protection and preservation of those sites and 
artifacts exist or may exist in the future, what measures are required 
to ensure such protection and preservation, the extent to which 
additional domestic legislation or international treaties or agreements 
will be required, and specific recommendations for protecting and 
preserving those lunar landing sites and artifacts.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the results of 
the assessment required under subsection (a).

SEC. 726. ASTRONAUT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTHCARE.

    (a) In General.--The National Academies' Institute of Medicine 
report ``Health Standards for Long Duration and Exploration 
Spaceflight: Ethics Principles, Responsibilities, and Decision 
Framework'' found that the Administration has ethical responsibilities 
for and should adopt policies and processes related to health standards 
for long duration and exploration spaceflights that recognize those 
ethical responsibilities. In particular, the report recommended that 
the Administration ``provide preventative long-term health screening 
and surveillance of astronauts and lifetime health care to protect 
their health, support ongoing evaluation of health standards, improve 
mission safety, and reduce risks for current and future astronauts''.
    (b) Response.--The Administration shall prepare a response to the 
National Academies report recommendation described in subsection (a). 
The response shall include the estimated budgetary resources required 
for the implementation of those recommendations, and any options that 
might be considered as part of the response.
    (c) Transmittal.--The response required under subsection (b) shall 
be transmitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate not later than 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 727. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ACCESS TO OBSERVATIONAL DATA SETS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Administration should 
prioritize the development of tools and interfaces that make publicly 
available observational data sets more easy to access, analyze, 
manipulate, and understand for students, teachers, and the American 
public at large, with a particular focus on K-12 and undergraduate STEM 
education settings.

            Passed the House of Representatives February 10, 2015.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.