CHAPTER 203 - RESPONSIBILITIES AND VISION
Title 51 > CHAPTER 203
Sections (10)
§ 20301 General responsibilities
(a) Programs.— The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration carries out a balanced set of programs that shall include, at a minimum, programs in— human space flight, in accordance with section 20302 of this title ; aeronautics research and development; and scientific research, which shall include, at a minimum— robotic missions to study the Moon and other planets and their moons, and to deepen understanding of astronomy, astrophysics, and other areas of science that can be productively studied from space; Earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth connection through the development and operation of research satellites and other means; support of university research in space science, Earth science, and microgravity science; and research on microgravity, including research that is not directly related to human exploration.
(b) Consultation and Coordination.— In carrying out the programs of the Administration, the Administrator shall— consult and coordinate to the extent appropriate with other relevant Federal agencies, including through the National Science and Technology Council; work closely with the private sector, including by— encouraging the work of entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop new means to launch satellites, crew, or cargo; contracting with the private sector for crew and cargo services, including to the International Space Station, to the extent practicable; using commercially available products (including software) and services to the extent practicable to support all Administration activities; and encouraging commercial use and development of space to the greatest extent practicable; and involve other nations to the extent appropriate.
“SEC. 701 SPACE TECHNOLOGY INFUSION.
(“(a) Sense of Congress on Space Technology.— It is the sense of Congress that space technology is critical— to developing technologies and capabilities that will make the Administration [National Aeronautics and Space Administration]’s core missions more affordable and more reliable; to enabling a new class of Administration missions beyond low-Earth orbit; and to improving technological capabilities and promote innovation for the Administration and the Nation.
(“(b) Sense of Congress on Propulsion Technology.— It is the sense of Congress that advancing propulsion technology would improve the efficiency of trips to Mars and could shorten travel time to Mars, reduce astronaut health risks, and reduce radiation exposure, consumables, and mass of materials required for the journey.
(“(c) Policy.— It is the policy of the United States that the Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall develop technologies to support the Administration’s core missions, as described in section 2(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18301(3) ), and support sustained investments in early stage innovation, fundamental research, and technologies to expand the boundaries of the national aerospace enterprise.
(“(d) Propulsion Technologies.— A goal of propulsion technologies developed under subsection (c) shall be to significantly reduce human travel time to Mars.
“SEC. 702 SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(“(a) Space Technology Program Authorized.— The Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall conduct a space technology program (referred to in this section as the ‘Program’) to research and develop advanced space technologies that could deliver innovative solutions across the Administration [National Aeronautics and Space Administration]’s space exploration and science missions.
(“(b) Considerations.— In conducting the Program, the Administrator shall consider— the recommendations of the National Academies’ review of the Administration’s Space Technology roadmaps and priorities; and the applicable enabling aspects of the stepping stone approach to exploration under section 70504 of title 51 , United States Code.
(“(c) Requirements.— In conducting the Program, the Administrator shall— to the extent practicable, use a competitive process to select research and development projects; to the extent practicable and appropriate, use small satellites and the Administration’s suborbital and ground-based platforms to demonstrate space technology concepts and developments; and as appropriate, partner with other Federal agencies, universities, private industry, and foreign countries.
(“(d) 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 Program.
(“(e) Nonduplication Certification.— The Administrator shall submit a budget for each fiscal year, as transmitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31 , United States Code, that avoids duplication of projects, programs, or missions conducted by [the] Program with other projects, programs, or missions conducted by another office or directorate of the Administration.
(“(f) 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; ensure that the results [of] the projects, programs, and activities under subparagraph (A) are shared and leveraged within the Administration; and ensure that the organizational responsibility for research and development activities in support of human space exploration not initiated as of the date of enactment of this Act [ Mar. 21, 2017 ] is established on the basis of a sound rationale. It is the sense of Congress that projects, programs, and missions 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.
(“(g) Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress 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; and including— identification of how the Administration will address any gaps between the agency’s investments and the recommended technology areas, including a projection of funding requirements; and identification of the rationale described in subsection (f)(1)(C).
(“(h) 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.”
§ 20302 Vision for space exploration
(a) In General.— The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence in cis-lunar space or on the Moon, including a robust precursor program, to promote exploration, science, commerce, and United States preeminence in space, and as a stepping-stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. The Administrator is further authorized to develop and conduct appropriate international collaborations in pursuit of these goals.
(b) Future Exploration of Mars.— The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch System and Orion, to enable humans to explore Mars and other destinations by defining a series of sustainable steps and conducting mission planning, research, and technology development on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible, consistent with section 70504.
(c) Definitions.— In this section: The term “Orion” means the multipurpose crew vehicle described under section 303 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18323 ). The term “Space Launch System” means has the meaning 1 given the term in section 3 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18302 ).
“SEC. 431 FINDINGS ON HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION.
“Congress makes the following findings: In accordance with section 204 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 124 Stat. 2813 ), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, through its Committee on Human Spaceflight, conducted a review of the goals, core capabilities, and direction of human space flight, and published the findings and recommendations in a 2014 report entitled, ‘Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration’. The Committee on Human Spaceflight included leaders from the aerospace, scientific, security, and policy communities. With input from the public, the Committee on Human Spaceflight concluded that many practical and aspirational rationales for human space flight together constitute a compelling case for continued national investment and pursuit of human space exploration toward the horizon goal of Mars. According to the Committee on Human Spaceflight, the rationales include economic benefits, national security, national prestige, inspiring students and other citizens, scientific discovery, human survival, and a sense of shared destiny. The Committee on Human Spaceflight affirmed that Mars is the appropriate long-term goal for the human space flight program. The Committee on Human Spaceflight recommended that NASA define a series of sustainable steps and conduct mission planning and technology development as needed to achieve the long-term goal of placing humans on the surface of Mars. Expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars requires early planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives. In addition to the 2014 report described in paragraph (1), there are several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including NASA’s ‘The Global Exploration Roadmap’ of 2013, ‘NASA’s Journey to Mars–Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration’ of 2015, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s ‘Minimal Architecture for Human Journeys to Mars’ of 2015, and Explore Mars’ ‘The Humans to Mars Report 2016’.
“SEC. 432 HUMAN EXPLORATION ROADMAP.
(“(a) Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that— expanding human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and advancing toward human missions to Mars in the 2030s requires early strategic planning and timely decisions to be made in the near-term on the necessary courses of action for commitments to achieve short-term and long-term goals and objectives; for strong and sustained United States leadership, a need exists to advance a human exploration roadmap, addressing exploration objectives in collaboration with international, academic, and industry partners; an approach that incrementally advances toward a long-term goal is one in which nearer-term developments and implementation would influence future development and implementation; and a human exploration roadmap should begin with low-Earth orbit, then address in greater detail progress beyond low-Earth orbit to cis-lunar space, and then address future missions aimed at human arrival and activities near and then on the surface of Mars.
(“(b) Human Exploration Roadmap.— The Administrator shall develop a human exploration roadmap, including a critical decision plan, to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit to the surface of Mars and beyond, considering potential interim destinations such as cis-lunar space and the moons of Mars. The human exploration roadmap shall include— an integrated set of exploration, science, and other goals and objectives of a United States human space exploration program to achieve the long-term goal of human missions near or on the surface of Mars in the 2030s; opportunities for international, academic, and industry partnerships for exploration-related systems, services, research, and technology if those opportunities provide cost-savings, accelerate program schedules, or otherwise benefit the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A); sets and sequences of precursor missions in cis-lunar space and other missions or activities necessary— to demonstrate the proficiency of the capabilities and technologies identified under subparagraph (D); and to meet the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A), including anticipated timelines and missions for the Space Launch System and Orion; an identification of the specific capabilities and technologies, including the Space Launch System, Orion, a deep space habitat, and other capabilities, that facilitate the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A); a description of how cis-lunar elements, objectives, and activities advance the human exploration of Mars; an assessment of potential human health and other risks, including radiation exposure; mitigation plans, whenever possible, to address the risks identified in subparagraph (F); a description of those technologies already under development across the Federal Government or by other entities that facilitate the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A); a specific process for the evolution of the capabilities of the fully integrated Orion with the Space Launch System and a description of how these systems facilitate the goals and objectives developed under subparagraph (A) and demonstrate the capabilities and technologies described in subparagraph (D); a description of the capabilities and technologies that need to be demonstrated or research data that could be gained through the utilization of the ISS and the status of the development of such capabilities and technologies; a framework for international cooperation in the development of all capabilities and technologies identified under this section, including an assessment of the risks posed by relying on international partners for capabilities and technologies on the critical path of development; a process for partnering with nongovernmental entities using Space Act Agreements or other acquisition instruments for future human space exploration; and include [sic] 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 ISS activities, planned international collaborative activities, potential commercial contributions, and other activities relevant to the achievement of the goal established in this section. In developing the human exploration roadmap, the Administrator shall consider— using key exploration capabilities, namely the Space Launch System and Orion; using existing commercially available technologies and capabilities or those technologies and capabilities being developed by industry for commercial purposes; establishing an organizational approach to ensure collaboration and coordination among NASA’s Mission Directorates under section 821 [set out as a note under section 20111 of this title ], when appropriate, including to collect and return to Earth a sample from the Martian surface; building upon the initial uncrewed mission, Artemis I, and first crewed mission, Artemis II, of the Space Launch System and Orion to establish a sustainable cadence of missions extending human exploration missions into cis-lunar space, including anticipated timelines and milestones; developing the robotic and precursor missions and activities that will demonstrate, test, and develop key technologies and capabilities essential for achieving human missions to Mars, including long-duration human operations beyond low-Earth orbit, space suits, solar electric propulsion, deep space habitats, environmental control life support systems, Mars lander and ascent vehicle, entry, descent, landing, ascent, Mars surface systems, and in-situ resource utilization; demonstrating and testing 1 or more habitat modules in cis-lunar space to prepare for Mars missions; using public-private, firm fixed-price partnerships, where practicable; collaborating with international, academic, and industry partners, when appropriate; any risks to human health and sensitive onboard technologies, including radiation exposure; any risks identified through research outcomes under the NASA Human Research Program’s Behavioral Health Element; and the recommendations and ideas of several independently developed reports or concepts that describe potential Mars architectures or concepts and identify Mars as the long-term goal for human space exploration, including the reports described under section 431. As part of the human exploration roadmap, the Administrator shall include a critical decision plan— identifying and defining key decisions guiding human space exploration priorities and plans that need to be made before June 30, 2020 , including decisions that may guide human space exploration capability development, precursor missions, long-term missions, and activities; defining decisions needed to maximize efficiencies and resources for reaching the near, intermediate, and long-term goals and objectives of human space exploration; and identifying and defining timelines and milestones for a sustainable cadence of missions beginning with Artemis III for the Space Launch System and Orion to extend human exploration from cis-lunar space to the surface of Mars. The Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress— an initial human exploration roadmap, including a critical decision plan, before December 1, 2017 ; and an updated human exploration roadmap periodically as the Administrator considers necessary but not less than biennially. Each human exploration roadmap under this paragraph shall include a description of— the achievements and goals accomplished in the process of developing such capabilities and technologies during the 2-year period prior to the submission of the human exploration roadmap; and the expected goals and achievements in the following 2-year period. Each human exploration roadmap under this section shall be included in the budget for that fiscal year transmitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31 , United States Code.”
§ 20303 Contribution to innovation
(a) Participation in Interagency Activities.— The Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the Administration’s mission, including authorized activities.
(b) Historic Foundation.— In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall build on the historic role of the Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of physical science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(c) Balanced Science Program and Robust Authorization Levels.— The balanced science program authorized by section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16611(d) ) 1 shall be an element of the contribution by the Administration to the interagency programs.
(d) Annual Report.— The Administrator shall submit to Congress and the President an annual report describing the activities conducted pursuant to this section, including a description of the goals and the objective metrics upon which funding decisions were made. Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, with regard to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs, at a minimum, the following: A description of each program. The amount spent on each program. The number of students or teachers served by each program.
§ 20304 Basic research enhancement
(a) Definition of Basic Research.— In this section, the term “basic research” has the meaning given the term in Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–11.
(b) Coordination.— The Administrator, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate basic research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
§ 20305 National Academies decadal surveys
(a) In General.— The Administrator shall enter into agreements on a periodic basis with the National Academies for independent assessments, also known as decadal surveys, to take stock of the status and opportunities for Earth and space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and to recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas over the next decade.
(b) Independent Cost Estimates.— The agreements described in subsection (a) shall include independent estimates of the life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed in the decadal surveys whenever possible.
(c) Reexamination.— The Administrator shall request that each National Academies decadal survey committee identify any conditions or events, such as significant cost growth or scientific or technological advances, that would warrant the Administration asking the National Academies to reexamine the priorities that the decadal survey had established.
§ 20306 Special appropriations for Mars missions, Artemis missions, and Moon to Mars program
(a) In General.— In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administration for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 700,000,000, to be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026, for the procurement, using a competitively bid, firm fixed-price contract with a United States commercial provider (as defined in section 50101(7)), of a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter— that— is capable of providing robust, continuous communications for— a Mars sample return mission, as described in section 432(3)(C) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 ( 51 U.S.C. 20302 note; Public Law 115–10 ); and future Mars surface, orbital, and human exploration missions; supports autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities; and is selected from among the commercial proposals that— received funding from the Administration in fiscal year 2024 or 2025 for commercial design studies for Mars Sample Return; and proposed a separate, independently launched Mars telecommunication orbiter supporting an end-to-end Mars sample return mission; and which shall be delivered to the Administration not later than December 31, 2028 . 750,000,000 shall be obligated for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. 1,025,000,000 shall be obligated for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. 20,000,000 shall be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026. 250,000,000 shall be obligated for such expenses for each of fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. 120,000,000 shall be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026 for construction, revitalization, recapitalization, or other infrastructure projects and improvements at the center described in Executive Order 12641 (53 Fed. Reg. 18816; relating to designating certain facilities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the State of Mississippi as the John C. Stennis Space Center); 300,000,000 shall be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026 for construction, revitalization, recapitalization, or other infrastructure projects and improvements at the center described in the Joint Resolution entitled “Joint Resolution to designate the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, as the ‘Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center’ in honor of the late President”, approved February 17, 1973 ( Public Law 93–8 ; 87 Stat. 7 ); 30,000,000 shall be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026 for construction, revitalization, recapitalization, or other infrastructure projects and improvements at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana; and 5,000,000 shall be obligated for the transportation of the space vehicle described in that subsection, with the remainder transferred not later than the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section to the entity designated under that subsection, for the purpose of construction of a facility to house the space vehicle referred to in that subsection. $325,000,000 to fulfill contract number 80JSC024CA002 issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on June 26, 2024 .
(b) Space Vehicle Transfer.— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall identify a space vehicle described in paragraph (2) to be— transferred to a field center of the Administration that is involved in the administration of the Commercial Crew Program (as described in section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 ( 51 U.S.C. 50111 note; Public Law 115–10 )); and placed on public exhibition at an entity within the Metropolitan Statistical Area where such center is located. A space vehicle described in this paragraph is a vessel that— has flown into space; has carried astronauts; and is selected with the concurrence of an entity designated by the Administrator. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the space vehicle identified under paragraph (1) shall be transferred to an entity designated by the Administrator.
(c) Obligation of Funds.— Funds appropriated under subsection (a) shall be obligated as follows: Not less than 50 percent of the total funds in subsection (a) shall be obligated not later than September 30, 2028 . 100 percent of funds shall be obligated not later than September 30, 2029 . All associated outlays shall occur not later than September 30, 2034 .