[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6910 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6910

 To specify goals and objectives of the United States with respect to 
               human spaceflight, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 26, 2018

  Mr. Babin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To specify goals and objectives of the United States with respect to 
               human spaceflight, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Leading Human Spaceflight Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Apollo 11 landing on July 20, 1969, marked the 
        first steps of a human being on the surface of another world, 
        representing a giant leap for all humanity and a significant 
        demonstration of the spaceflight capabilities of the United 
        States.
            (2) Section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(a)) establishes for 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration the long-term 
        goals of expanding human presence in space and establishing a 
        thriving space economy in low-Earth orbit and beyond.
            (3) The National Security Strategy of the United States of 
        America issued in December 2017 designates the human 
        exploration of the solar system as a strategic priority for the 
        United States.
            (4) Establishing and ensuring the sustainability of human 
        space exploration of the solar system, as called for in Space 
        Policy Directive-1 issued in December 2017 and the National 
        Space Exploration Campaign issued in September 2018, will 
        require carrying out human exploration and related 
        extravehicular activities on the surface of other celestial 
        bodies in a safe and cost-effective manner.
            (5) The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center has decades of 
        experience working with international partners, other 
        government agencies, and partners in industry and academia to 
        study, develop, and carry out the human spaceflight priorities 
        of the United States.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is critical to the 
        achievement of the civil space mission of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration in the areas of program 
        management and integration of large complex human spaceflight 
        programs, including overall systems engineering and 
        integration, human health and safety in space, and crewed 
        spacecraft development and operations, especially those 
        outlined in the National Space Exploration Campaign;
            (2) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's unique flagship 
        facilities, capabilities and experience in human spaceflight 
        operations and program management, including astronaut 
        training, program integration and mission control, have been 
        vital to human spaceflight achievements of the United States 
        since the 1960s and will continue to serve a vital role in 
        maintaining a permanent human presence in low-Earth orbit, as 
        well as successfully carrying out the National Space 
        Exploration Campaign;
            (3) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center should continue its 
        leadership in human spaceflight and exploration through its 
        role as the home of the United States astronaut corps, mission 
        operations, the International Space Station Program, the Orion 
        Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Program, astromaterials research and 
        exploration science, and contributions to projects which extend 
        human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, such as the 
        Gateway and other capabilities envisioned by the National Space 
        Exploration Campaign;
            (4) human space exploration programs of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration, including, but not 
        limited to those described in the National Space Exploration 
        Campaign, should rely on the experienced workforce and core 
        capabilities of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, to serve as 
        a lead center for program management, systems engineering, 
        program integration, and operations, to the extent practicable;
            (5) conducting human space exploration and maintaining a 
        human presence at any destination or outpost in low-Earth orbit 
        and beyond, as called for in the National Space Exploration 
        Campaign, expands the sphere of influence of the United States;
            (6) successfully conducting the National Space Exploration 
        Campaign depends on a broad base of technical and operational 
        expertise and core capabilities provided by the NASA centers 
        and industry partners;
            (7) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's role as a leading 
        source of such expertise and capabilities makes it an important 
        driver of economic activity in the United States;
            (8) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center has a tremendous 
        opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting broader 
        economic engagement with the commercial, academic, and 
        industrial entities in the United States and globally; and
            (9) the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center shall have a primary 
        role in the development, integration and operations of space 
        and supporting systems critical to the National Space 
        Exploration Campaign, including major systems elements and key 
        infrastructure operated in the vicinity of--
                    (A) low-Earth orbit;
                    (B) the Moon;
                    (C) Mars or its moons; or
                    (D) any other destinations pursuant to the 
                objectives specified in section 202(1) of the National 
                Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
                of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18312(a)).

SEC. 4. POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States to continue a human presence 
capability in low-Earth orbit and that such capability--
            (1) maintains the United States global leadership and 
        relationships with partners and allies;
            (2) contributes to the general welfare of the United 
        States; and
            (3) shall be affordable as to not preclude a robust 
        portfolio of other human space exploration activities.

SEC. 5. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

    (a) Authorized Operations.--The International Space Station, as 
long as it is safe and functional, shall operate through at least 
September 30, 2030, or until a demonstrated and sustainable lower cost 
alternative low-Earth orbit platform can achieve the mission objectives 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including but not 
limited to:
            (1) Conducting scientific, exploration and human research 
        programs to extend our human presence beyond low-Earth orbit.
            (2) Benefiting life on Earth.
            (3) Increasing U.S. economic competitiveness and commercial 
        participation.
    (b) Authorized ISS Activities.--The International Space Station 
shall continue scientific and research programs and serve as a testbed 
to enable and advance technology development and space operations 
capabilities for deep space exploration and to foster and encourage 
commercial activities in low-Earth orbit.
    (c) Commercial Capabilities.--In order to facilitate the growth of 
commercial participants and activities, the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration shall work with the private sector to develop 
commercial capabilities in low-Earth orbit that can achieve the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's objectives. By December 
31, 2024, NASA or a partner organization should attempt to achieve the 
following:
            (1) A product produced or manufactured aboard the ISS or in 
        low-Earth orbit by a private entity has been successfully 
        marketed and sold.
            (2) Any U.S. non-governmental user of the ISS has paid some 
        or all of the costs of payload integration or transportation to 
        the ISS.
            (3) A non-NASA, U.S. government customer flies a scientific 
        or research payload on board the ISS.
            (4) The United States flight of a crew member aboard the 
        ISS on a commercial basis wherein their time is available for 
        purchase by ISS users.
            (5) A non-U.S. entity, not currently covered by the ISS 
        Intergovernmental Agreement, notwithstanding other provisions 
        of law, purchase or acquire a presence on or services from the 
        ISS.
    (d) ISS Transition Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall deliver 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 
strategy that--
            (1) provides clear guidance on how the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration will ensure a stepwise transition to 
        an eventual successor platform consistent with the ISS 
        Transition Principles specified in the International Space 
        Station Transition Report issued pursuant to the section 
        50111(c)(2) of title 51, United States Code, on March 30, 2018;
            (2) includes capability driven milestones and timelines 
        leading to such a transition;
            (3) takes into account the importance of maintaining 
        workforce expertise, core capabilities and continuity at 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration centers, 
        including those primarily focused on human spaceflight;
            (4) considers how any such transition affects current 
        partnerships;
            (5) presents opportunities for future engagement with--
                    (A) current international partners;
                    (B) countries with growing spaceflight 
                capabilities, where not precluded by other provisions 
                of law;
                    (C) private sector; and
                    (D) other United States Government users; and
            (6) promotes the continued economic development of low-
        Earth orbit.
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