[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H873-H892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 810) to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 810
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.
[[Page H874]]
(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
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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
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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 7 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
[[Page H877]]
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 one 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 4 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:
[[Page H878]]
``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
[[Page H879]]
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 65,000,000 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.
[[Page H880]]
(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--
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(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
[[Page H882]]
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
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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
five 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;
[[Page H884]]
(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 one 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--
[[Page H885]]
(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.
[[Page H886]]
(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
[[Page H887]]
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 one 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 three-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 three-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 one 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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms.
Edwards) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is truly a bipartisan bill. The House should be
proud of the work the committee has done and continues to do to be
inclusive of Members on both sides of the aisle.
In a time of partisanship on Capitol Hill, both Republicans and
Democrats came together last year to craft legislation that moves
beyond congressional districts and parochial interests.
This bill provides clear and consistent guidance to NASA. The
authorization levels are responsible and consistent with the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. It also
continues looking to NASA to provide a strategic roadmap that will
guide exploration development in the future.
Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna Edwards and I worked long
days to put this legislation together last year. While Ms. Edwards and
I don't always agree, we are united in our unwavering support for NASA
and space exploration during this crucial time in our Nation's history.
We are committed to once more launching American astronauts on American
rockets from American soil.
I know many of our colleagues agree that American leadership in space
is
[[Page H888]]
both a matter of national pride, but also of national security; yet
over the last decade, the human exploration program at NASA has been
plagued with instability from constantly changing requirements,
budgets, and missions.
We cannot continue changing our program of record every time there is
a new President. We must be consistent in our commitment to human
exploration.
As identified by numerous reports and committees, NASA needs Congress
to provide consistency of purpose. That commitment is reflected in
today's bipartisan bill, and I am confident it will continue into the
future.
The bill before us today requires the agency to develop a human
exploration roadmap and provides a framework to build an executable
plan for future exploration efforts. NASA must use this plan as an
opportunity to utilize assets from all the mission directorates to find
the most efficient and effective ways to build technologies and
capabilities within constrained budgets.
Both the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle are reaffirmed in
this bill, consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, which
laid out very clear guidelines and direction for the development of
these systems.
This bill authorizes ample funding for the Commercial Crew Program to
ensure safe and ontime development of domestic access to the
international space station. There are also oversight provisions to
ensure transparency during the development of these systems.
This agreement represents an understanding that both our Commercial
Crew partners and those developing SLS and Orion have a crucial role to
play in ending our reliance on Russian rockets.
NASA must develop a concrete plan for the future of human exploration
if we have any hope of ensuring America's leadership in space. This
bill tasks the scientists and engineers at NASA, rather than the
administration, to develop such a plan.
As a study last year from the National Academy of Sciences pointed
out, ``a return to extended surface operations on the Moon would make
significant contributions to a strategy ultimately aimed at landing
people on Mars.''
I hope that the roadmap NASA produces in response to this bill will
also incorporate the valued guidance from the National Academies, as
well as the NASA Advisory Council, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel,
and the many other groups that advise NASA.
Our bill is not perfect, but it represents a serious bipartisan
commitment to space exploration at a critical time in our Nation's
space exploration history. As a good steward of taxpayer dollars, I
will continue to raise questions and concerns over NASA's budgets.
For instance, since 2007, NASA's earth science budget grew almost 75
percent while NASA's exploration budget remained stagnant. Even with
these historic increases, I am worried that the additional
responsibilities being thrust on NASA by NOAA and USGS will consume
NASA's already challenged budget even more.
The administration continues to advocate for an ever-changing and
poorly justified asteroid mission which was universally criticized by
all of NASA's advisory groups. One study from the National Academies
even called a portion of the mission a ``dead-end technology.''
In these budget-constrained times, NASA must be frugal with its
precious exploration resources and focus on core developments, such as
the SLS and Orion, which will provide the foundation for any potential
deep space missions in the future.
I also have interest in strengthening provisions dealing with
cumbersome termination liability requirements, and I hope those can be
addressed as we work with the Senate.
American leadership in space depends on our ability to put people and
sound policy ahead of politics. This is what we have tried to do with
this House bill. This bill has been tested, debated, and passed
multiple times over the last year.
It has passed the subcommittee, full committee, and the House once
already, and I urge our friends in the Senate to move forward with us
by adopting our commonsense compromise and passing the House bill. Our
Nation's space program needs this legislation.
Space exploration has always had its challenges, but the United
States has always risen to the occasion. This country was built by
people who dream big and do the hard things.
I believe the decisions we make today will determine whether the U.S.
maintains its leadership in space tomorrow. In the future, as in the
past, I hope we will be able to focus mission priorities and goals to
ensure our best chances of success.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Mississippi because
it has been truly a pleasure to try to work on something where we are
not working for perfection, but we are looking to find agreement and to
do the best thing possible that supports the goals of NASA and all of
the space industry, but also so that we get something done in this
Congress.
I could not have found a more cooperative and helpful working
relationship than that that I have with Mr. Palazzo.
I also want to thank the chairman of the full committee, Lamar Smith,
and our ranking member, Eddie Bernice Johnson--both of Texas--for
supporting a process that leads us to the point we are today.
This bipartisan bill that we are considering, the NASA Authorization
Act of 2015, is largely identical to a bill that passed the House last
year, H.R. 4412, and it passed with overwhelming support by a vote of
401-2. Unfortunately, time ran out during the last Congress before the
Senate was able to take final action to reauthorize NASA, and so here
we are.
H.R. 810 authorizes appropriations for 1 year, consistent with the
funding levels enacted for fiscal year 2015. Other than relevant date
changes, the bill remains unchanged from last year's bipartisan, House-
passed H.R. 4412 and retains the important and timely policy direction
that NASA needs now to ensure stability and to sustain maximum progress
on its programs.
Mr. Speaker, building on the foundation set in H.R. 810, I and my
colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee will be able
to begin work on a multiyear NASA authorization once H.R. 810 is
enacted into law, so we have set the process in place.
Why is this bipartisan bill important, and why am I urging my
colleagues in the House to vote ``yes'' on this bill should it come to
a vote?
Mr. Speaker, the developments in our Nation's civil space program
never cease to amaze us and never cease to inspire countless
individuals not only in the United States, but across the globe. NASA,
as a multimission agency, makes these awe-inspiring contributions not
only in human exploration, but across the disciplines of space and
earth science, in the development of innovative technologies, in human
spaceflight operations and biomedical research, and in aeronautics. It
is this multipronged approach that we support today.
In the sciences, NASA is making good progress on developing the James
Webb Space Telescope, the next major observatory to follow the Hubble
Space Telescope.
{time} 1645
NASA researchers are using data collected from space to identify new
planets orbiting stars other than our Sun, to increase our scientific
understanding of Mars and other planets in the solar system, to uncover
critical information about our home planet, Earth, and its climate, and
to study the Sun and space weather. These programs will lead to new
discoveries and deepen our scientific knowledge. In fact, much of
NASA's work also benefits our society in terms of new technologies and
applied research that can improve the quality of life of all of our
citizens.
NASA is taking critical steps now in building the systems that will
eventually take humans, as my colleague has said, into deep space. NASA
is also overseeing recently awarded contracts to commercial companies
that will develop, test, and seek certification for the U.S. commercial
space vehicles
[[Page H889]]
that will take NASA astronauts safely to and from the international
space station, thereby relieving our sole reliance on Russian partners
for access to low-Earth orbit.
We remain committed to a Commercial Crew Program that makes the most
efficient use of taxpayer dollars; and as NASA and commercial partners
embark on these projects, this bill that we are taking up today puts
the highest priority for NASA's Commercial Crew Program on ensuring the
safety of our astronauts.
NASA is continuing to lead the highly successful international space
station partnership, expand the use of the ISS for commercial,
scientific, and exploration-oriented research, and gather critical
biomedical information. The ISS is the only orbiting laboratory on
which we can prepare for further human exploration and operations in
outer space.
The upcoming study of astronaut Scott Kelly, who will soon begin a
year's stint on the ISS, and his twin brother, Mark, a former astronaut
who will serve as a control subject, is an important undertaking in
that regard. We need to examine measures to monitor Scott's health and
the health of the NASA family of astronauts both in space and on the
ground to gain a long-term perspective on the effects of spaceflight.
Mr. Speaker, if NASA is to be as productive as it can be, it will
require constancy of purpose and policy direction. In order for our
Nation's space and aeronautics program to succeed, this bipartisan bill
provides that constancy. H.R. 810 sets the long-term course of sending
humans to the surface of Mars and directs NASA to provide a human
exploration roadmap, outlining the capabilities and milestones needed
to achieve that goal. Recognizing two of the primary systems needed to
accomplish the goal--the Space Launch System, SLS, and Orion crew
capsule--this bill directs the expeditious development, test, and
achievement of SLS and Orion as the highest priority of NASA's human
exploration program.
Further, H.R. 810 also ensures that NASA maintains a strong
aeronautics research portfolio, ranging from fundamental research
through integrated systems, and it reaffirms the importance of NASA's
education activities. NASA's successful STEM education program brings
the expertise of its researchers and engineers to bear on STEM
activities. That is science, technology, engineering, and math. This
bill encourages the administration to continue in that vein.
In addition, the bill includes provisions to advance our scientific
and technical knowledge of orbital debris--or space junk--and near-
Earth asteroids so that we in Congress can better understand the
options for mitigating the risks that they pose.
In closing, NASA is a crown jewel of our Federal Government. Its
workers are an important component in our workforce, and the workers
through the industry are important to us as well. NASA's space and
aeronautics programs help maintain our competitiveness. They serve as a
catalyst for innovation and economic growth, and they inspire the next
generation to dream big and garner the skills to turn those dreams into
action.
NASA and our space program have a long history of bipartisan support.
That continues today. NASA needs our constancy of purpose and policy
direction now, and this 1-year bill puts us on track to do just that.
We will build on that baseline as we work toward a multiyear
authorization over the coming year. I look forward to doing that with
my colleagues on the committee, and particularly with my colleague from
Mississippi.
At this point, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the full Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Space for yielding me time. I also want to thank him
and Donna Edwards, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Mo Brooks for sponsoring
this bipartisan legislation.
NASA has accomplished some of the most inspiring and technologically
advanced space initiatives in the history of humankind. This bill, H.R.
810, the NASA Authorization Act of 2015, helps ensure that the United
States will continue its proud tradition of being a world leader in
space exploration.
For more than 50 years, the U.S. has led the world in space
exploration. The U.S. was the first nation to put a human on the Moon,
and NASA's Voyager 1, an American space mission, was the first human-
made object to enter interstellar space.
Our astronauts are national heroes. Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Neil
Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Sally Ride are household names. Today's
astronauts motivate students to study science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics and to reach for the stars.
Space exploration is an investment in our Nation's future, sometimes
our long-term future. This bill expresses bipartisan confidence in
America's space initiatives.
The bill is nearly identical to the one that passed the House last
year by a vote of 401-2. It is consistent with current funding levels
found in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for
2015. It contains provisions for the development of American rockets
that will take cargo and people to low-Earth orbit and beyond. It
supports the James Webb Space Telescope, which will identify and
characterize new planets in our galaxy and help researchers look back
in time to see how the universe began.
It directs NASA to continue to focus resources on the detection of
near-Earth asteroids that may threaten the Earth and its inhabitants.
It instructs NASA to design and send a robotic mission to Jupiter's
moon Europa to see if any form of life exists in the waters under its
icy surface. It directs NASA to work with the National Academies to put
together a strategy for finding more exoplanets.
The bill also requires NASA to develop a human exploration roadmap,
similar to the recommendation made in last year's National Academy of
Sciences report. This roadmap will provide a long-term plan for future
human space exploration.
Finally, this bill is an example of how well Congress can work
together to accomplish an objective that benefits the entire Nation. I
again want to thank Mr. Palazzo, chairman of the Subcommittee on Space,
and Ms. Edwards, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Space, for
finding common ground on this bill. I also want to thank the ranking
member of the full committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas and
Representative Mo Brooks from Alabama, for supporting this bill as
well.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to help ensure that the
United States maintains its leadership in space.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member
of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
H.R. 810, the NASA Authorization Act of 2015. NASA is a critical engine
of discovery, science, innovation, and inspiration.
During the last Congress, our committee leadership and Members from
both sides came together to work through a compromise NASA
authorization act. It was for a 1-year bill, but it provided important
policy direction to the agency at a time when we in Congress wanted
NASA to build on its progress and keep its focus on the priorities
established through successive authorization acts. That bipartisan bill
passed the House last year by an overwhelming 401-2 margin.
The bill, H.R. 810, which is also a 1-year reauthorization, takes
that same policy language and updates the authorization of
appropriations to be consistent with the funding levels enacted in
fiscal year 2015. The bill also provides necessary date changes where
relevant.
While this is not a perfect bill, especially in terms of its short
duration and lack of meaningful outyear funding guidance, it includes
many important policy provisions that will help guide the future of
NASA at a critical time for our space program.
H.R. 810 emphasizes NASA's role as a multimission agency with
programs in aeronautics, science, exploration, and human spaceflight.
It also establishes a
[[Page H890]]
clear long-term goal of sending humans to the surface of Mars and
directs NASA to prepare a human exploration roadmap of what is needed
to get there.
The bill also provides policy direction on a host of other priority
activities, including space and earth science, aeronautics, space
technology, and education, as well as good government directives on
curbing cost growth and strengthening program management, among others.
Consistent with the recommendations of the Columbia Accident
Investigation Board, H.R. 810 directs that safety be the highest
priority in the commercial human spaceflight program to transport our
astronauts to the international space station.
NASA is doing all that it can to make effective progress on its
programs thanks to its passionate and dedicated civil servant workforce
and extended contractor and academic communities. We want to sustain
NASA's progress on critical programs, including the Space Launch System
and Orion, by providing consistency and constancy of purpose and
direction. This bill enables such stability while providing our
committee the time needed to develop a comprehensive multiyear
reauthorization of NASA once H.R. 810 is enacted into law.
I want to recognize the efforts of the committee leadership,
including our chairman, Lamar Smith, and most especially our
subcommittee chairman, Steve Palazzo, and the ranking member,
Congresswoman Donna Edwards, for their dedication and willingness to
work together with me to achieve this bipartisan bill, H.R. 810, the
NASA Authorization Act of 2015.
We need a strong NASA with an inspiring agenda for our children and
grandchildren, and we need to fund it at a level commensurate with the
tasks we have given them to achieve. I urge my colleagues to vote
``yes'' on H.R. 810, the NASA Authorization Act of 2015.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hultgren).
Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the distinguished
chairman, Chairman Smith, chairman of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology; the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo); and also
the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) for their leadership on
this important issue and for getting this bill to the floor.
Human space exploration and discovery sciences are so ingrained in
the American way of life that they have become emblematic of America's
role as an exceptional nation. It is in our DNA as Americans to push
the boundaries and frontiers of knowledge.
When we continue to develop the technologies and expertise to do
this, there is no way to measure the potential benefit in spinoffs that
we will reap. That is why I rise today to support H.R. 810. This
legislation would authorize programs within the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, keeping in place our commitment for space
exploration, prioritizing work on the Space Launch System, Orion, and a
commercial crew system so we can carry our own astronauts to and from
the space station.
This legislation makes it clear that Mars is the focal point and our
next step. If the administration prioritizes their activities properly,
it is realistic to have a manned Mars fly-by mission in 2021. This
legislation will require further examination of this mission, which I
think would finally help spur NASA into the next era. Perhaps more
importantly, this is the kind of mission that would get children to
start dreaming about being an astronaut again.
For the last few years, NASA and our space workforce have been unsure
of the next mission and are struggling to stay afloat. Without a bold,
long-term commitment to NASA's core mission, our workforce has been
scrambling to find short-term goals to keep programs alive.
We need to be doing more than this if we want our Nation to realize
the full capabilities we have in space. This legislation is a step in
the right direction, and that is why I urge my colleagues to support
it.
Thank you again to the sponsors.
{time} 1700
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests for time, I will
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 810,
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2015.
I would like to compliment Chairman Palazzo and Ranking Member
Edwards for a job well done. It has been tough. There have been
disagreements. Matters have been handled fairly. And now we are getting
behind the product of all of that labor.
There was a great deal of work and negotiation on these provisions
over the past year, and the outcome of that work is this legislation,
which embodies the bipartisan leadership both here at the subcommittee
level and at the committee level and the bipartisan support in this
House for our Nation's civil space programs.
I would like to note that significant differences of opinion remain
on many of the provisions in this bill, but I won't go into any of them
now. I think I might have worried some of my colleagues on that. But
despite those differences, we all share a set of common goals for NASA.
The foremost of our mutual objectives is that America must return to
international preeminence in human spaceflight. This is true for both
access to low-Earth orbit, for which we are trusting our commercial
partners, and for far-reaching exploration missions to the Moon and
beyond.
Our discussions and, yes, our disagreements will continue, but we
will continue to work together to achieve America's shared goals.
H.R. 810 brings us closer to launching Americans into space on
American rockets from American soil. It brings us closer to the next
steps in exploration of our outer planets. It brings us closer to
technological developments that can turn a seemingly impossible goal
into an achievable one. It brings us closer to finding asteroids that
may pose a threat to Earth or may provide vast resources that could
help humanity in space. It brings us one step closer to moving beyond
exploration and into pioneering, leading to settlements in space. It
brings us closer to the stars. For these reasons, I ask my colleagues
to join me in support of this important legislation.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, so I will reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Babin).
Mr. BABIN. I thank the gentleman from Mississippi and the gentlewoman
from Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 810, the NASA
Authorization Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation is an important
step forward in our efforts to build a stronger and more focused NASA.
Let's face it: NASA is the only Federal agency that has human
spaceflight as its mission. However, in recent years, NASA has branched
into areas that divert attention and funding from its critical mission.
This bill before us begins to bring human spaceflight back into focus
as NASA's key mission. It provides strong funding for vehicle
development that will enable NASA to reach the Moon and beyond, putting
us on a clear path towards deeper exploration into our solar system.
Having met with top officials at the Johnson Space Center in my
district just this past week, I can attest that they are very excited
about this new focus. I am aware of NASA's challenges, and I am excited
about the opportunities ahead and some of the successes that we have
had over the past few months.
Our bill supports NASA's Orion spacecraft, it expands America's
access to the international space station, and it funds a robust
Commercial Crew Program to launch American astronauts on American
rockets.
I urge my colleagues to join in support of this bipartisan bill.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman from Mississippi is
prepared to close, I am prepared to close.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
am prepared to close.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDWARDS. I yield myself the balance of my time.
[[Page H891]]
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank all of my colleagues on
the committee for the hard work that has been put into this bipartisan
authorization. It is not perfect by any means. There are plenty of
things that, between now and the time that we see this go to the
President's desk for his signature, we will continue to have input on.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the committee and our
colleagues in the Senate to make sure that we get to the end point.
As I have said and as Ranking Member Johnson has said as well, we
look forward to working on a bipartisan, multiyear authorization.
Having put this one to bed, we actually now have demonstrated to
ourselves and to the American public that we have the ability to get
this done.
In closing, I want to thank the committee staff--Allen Li, Pam
Whitney, and Dick Obermann--for all of their work and my personal
staff, Anne Nelson, as well as the staff on the other side because it
really did take an awful lot of staff work and Member work to see this
to the finish line. I look forward to continuing to work with my
colleagues.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
As I close, I would like to acknowledge all the hard work and
bipartisan efforts of Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, full
committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Space Subcommittee
Ranking Member Donna Edwards.
Like Ms. Edwards, I also want to acknowledge the work of my personal
staff, Patrick Large; Ms. Edwards' personal staff, Anne Nelson; the
majority staff, Tom Hammond, Jared Stout, Allison Rose-Sonnesyn, and
Christian Rice; and the minority staff, Pam Whitney and Allen Li.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 810, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, February 10, 2015.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Committee, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Smith: I write concerning H.R. 810, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization
Act of 2015. This legislation includes matters that fall
within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 810, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo
action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our
mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill
does not prejudice the Committee with respect to the
appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional
claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or
similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members
of the Committee to any conference committee named to
consider such provisions.
Please place a copy of this letter and your response
acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the
Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on
the House floor.
Sincerely,
Bill Shuster,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, February 10, 2015.
Hon. Bill Shuster,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's
jurisdictional interest in H.R. 810, the ``National
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of
2015.''
I agree that the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure has valid jurisdictional interests in matters
pertaining to the Federal Aviation Administration and the
National Transportation Safety Board, and that your
Committee's jurisdiction will not be adversely affected by
your decision to forego consideration of H.R. 810. As you
have requested, I will support your request for an
appropriate appointment of outside conferees from your
Committee in the event of a House-Senate conference on this
or similar legislation, if in your jurisdiction, should such
a conference be convened.
Finally, I will include a copy of your letter and this
response in the Congressional Record during the floor
consideration of this bill. Thank you again for your
cooperation.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith,
Chairman.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland
Security Committee and a former member of the Science Committee I am in
strong support of, H.R. 810, The NASA Authorization Act of 2015.''
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie
Bernice Johnson for their work to bring the NASA Authorization Act of
2015 before the House for consideration.
There is historic congressional support for NASA in Congress, and I
am at the forefront of that support.
I served on the House Science Committee for 12 years; and I am in
strong support of the NASA Authorization Act of 2015, as the best way
forward to strengthen NASA into the future and to avoid dismantling the
manned space program.
This legislation will protect American and Texan jobs, saving more
than while, driving innovation, and ensure our Nation's youth are
encouraged to pursue careers in science, exploration, engineering,
technology, and math.
The United States space program has existed for over half a century
and my commitment to providing NASA with the resources to carry the
agency forward with its ambitious agenda of research, exploration, and
discovery is unwavering.
It is our job as members of Congress to make sure that NASA continues
to push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the
forefront of innovation and exploration.
This bill authorizes programs and projects at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for Fiscal Year 2015
(FY15).
This authorization bill's funding is consistent with the funding
$18,010,200,000 In appropriations for NASA in the Consolidated and
Further Appropriations Act, 2015 bill passed at the end of the 113th
Congress.
NASA continues to be the world's premier space organization.
This bill seeks to maintain sustainability of purpose and budget for
NASA programs, continuing the congressional commitment provided in
previous reauthorizations in 2005, 2008, and 2010 to space exploration,
both human and robotic.
This legislation makes clear that a human mission to Mars is the goal
for NASA's human spaceflight program and requires the development of a
roadmap to achieve that goal, as well as biennial updates.
In the near-term, the primary tasks for NASA human spaceflight
include:
Realizing the research potential of the International Space Station
(ISS) with an Office of Science & Technology Policy-led strategic plan
for all science agencies to conduct research on the Station.
Continued commitment to develop the Space Launch System and Orion
Crew Vehicle to serve as a backup system to support the ISS if
necessary.
NASA will be able to engage in the educational and outreach
activities necessary to support science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics curriculum and inspire the next generation of explorers.
The authorization will assist in building at least one Commercial
Crew system (with NASA funds) to carry American astronauts on American
rockets safely, reliably, and affordably to and from the International
Space Station so that we are no longer reliant on Russia for crew
access.
The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a steady cadence of
science missions, including a Europa mission with a goal of launching
by 2021.
The bill directs NASA and the NASA to provide Congress with a report
assessing the long-term goals of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, which
includes the Mars 2020 rover.
To reflect the increase in the number of newly discovered planets
outside our solar system, the legislation also directs NASA and the NAS
to provide an exoplanet exploration strategy.
This bill stresses the importance of completing and expanding the
Congressionally mandated near-Earth object survey to detect, track,
catalogue, and characterize near-Earth objects 140 meters in diameter
or larger.
This authorization addresses an issue of great importance to a
sustained and healthy space program.
The bill provides NASA with the agility to develop a plan to better
position the agency to have the facilities and infrastructure necessary
to meet future requirements including those set forth in the human
exploration roadmap.
[[Page H892]]
It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future
of NASA is one of continued progress and that space exploration remains
a part of our national destiny.
NASA inspires our children to look to the stars and dream of what
they too may achieve one day.
Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific
knowledge, as we carry out research projects not possible within the
constraints of planet Earth.
I look forward to the reintroduction of the REAL Space Act this
Congress and ask that my colleagues support this important measure.
In recent years, we have seen other nations joining in the space race
with varying levels of success.
We applaud these efforts, which include:
The European Space Agency's success in landing a vehicle on a comet
that was speeding through deep space; and
China's landing its first rover ``Jade Rabbit'' on the surface of the
moon.
Exploration of space remains critical to United States leadership and
economic trendsetting position in the global economy.
The future is space, and I support NASA's continued progress to
ensure the United States retains its leadership in this vital area of
human exploration.
I ask that my colleagues join me in voting for H.R. 810.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the NASA
Authorization bill before the House.
This legislation is important because it reaffirms Congress'
commitment to space exploration and the important role NASA plays in
the areas of science, aeronautics, exploration, and human spaceflight.
Over the next few months, NASA spacecraft will visit Pluto and the
dwarf planet Ceres for the first time. We will further develop our
nation's commercial launch capability even as NASA continues work on
the Orion space capsule and a new heavy-lift rocket. NASA will also
build on its efforts in the important areas of space science and
education. The bill before the House supports all of these endeavors.
I want to mention one NASA program in particular, the Student
Spaceflight Experiments Program. This program gives students across the
country the chance to design microgravity experiments to fly in Earth
orbit. Indeed, one of these experiments is scheduled to come home from
the International Space Station today. The experiment was designed by a
team of four students from Wilkinson Middle School in Madison Heights,
Michigan. The experiment involves the effects of microgravity on water
purification. In Michigan, we tend to take the availability of fresh
water for granted since we are surrounded by the Great Lakes, but water
is a rare and precious commodity in space, and hopefully this
experiment will help future astronauts to re-use water.
I want to commend the students who have worked so hard on this
microgravity experiment: Regina Alsabagh, Farah Sabah, Maryam Kafra and
Israa Alfadhli. Their achievement is all the more remarkable since
their experiment originally was supposed to be carried into orbit last
October, but that rocket exploded shortly after liftoff, destroying the
students' experiment. Fortunately, NASA was able to find space on a
rocket to the space station that launched in January, and the Wilkinson
students managed to build a second version of their experiment in time
for that flight.
I congratulate the Wilkinson students for their hard work,
perseverance, and determination to overcome obstacles. It's important
that Congress continue to support NASA and efforts like the Student
Spaceflight Experiments Program. I urge all my colleagues to join me in
voting for the NASA Authorization bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 810.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________