(1)

NASA continues to make progress in developing and testing the Space Launch System, Orion, and associated ground systems, including through the successful completion of the Artemis I mission in November 2022 and through continued preparations for the Artemis II crewed flight demonstration mission.

(2)

The number of spacefaring countries is increasing, and foreign countries have expanded activities for space exploration efforts, including efforts to explore and utilize the Moon through human and robotic missions.

(3)

A strong and ambitious space exploration program conducted with international and commercial partners is important to maintaining United States leadership in space and enhancing United States international competitiveness.

(4)

Clear mission objectives that tie to concrete, long-term programmatic goals provide a measure to ensure accountability, enhance public support for exploration missions, and provide a clear signal of commitment to both international and domestic partners.

(1)

As part of the human exploration activities of the Administration, including progress on Artemis missions and activities, the Administrator shall continue development of space exploration elements pursuant to section 10811 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302).

(2)

The Administrator shall leverage the private sector for logistical services to the extent practical, consistent with the Moon to Mars architecture requirements and in accordance with section 50131 of title 51, United States Code.

(3)

Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress to maintain continuity of purpose as described in section 201 of the 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act (Public Law 115–10; 131 Stat. 21).

(1)

Exploration of outer space, including exploration of the lunar surface and cislunar space, provides benefits and economic opportunity, including by inspiring future generations and expanding the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce needed to sustain United States leadership in science, space, and technology.

(2)

The lunar south pole is home to shadowed craters that may contain water ice and other volatiles. Understanding the nature of lunar polar volatiles, such as water ice, would advance science related to the origin and evolution of volatiles in the inner solar system and could facilitate the long-term future of space exploration. Water ice lunar resources have the potential to become an enabling component of future space exploration missions throughout the solar system, including crewed missions to Mars.

(3)

Other countries have demonstrated technological advances and successful robotic missions for lunar exploration and have announced credible plans for long-term human exploration of the Moon that include the intent to establish lunar bases.

(4)

United States leadership of and measurable progress on the exploration of deep space is essential for guiding development of norms related to operations on and around the Moon and for other space destinations.

(5)

It is in the national interest of the United States to hold a leadership role in discussions of future norms governing activities in space, including those on the lunar surface and in cislunar space.

(1)

use relevant elements set forth in section 10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167);

(2)

continue to ensure that the elements under paragraph (1) enable the human exploration of Mars, consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167);

(3)

engage with international partners, as appropriate, in a manner that is consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167), and that increases redundancy, efficiency, and cost savings; and

(4)

leverage capabilities provided by United States commercial providers, as appropriate and practicable.

(1) Development and cadence objectives

Congress reaffirms—

(2) Other uses

The Administrator shall assess the demand for the Space Launch System by entities other than NASA and shall break out such demand according to the relevant Federal agency or nongovernment sector. This assessment may—

(1)

NASA’s progress towards achieving the flight rate referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) and the expected launch of the integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle missions after which such cadence shall be achieved.

(2)

The results of the assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a)(2).

(1) In general

The Administrator shall carry out the following:

(2) Implementation

In carrying out paragraph (1)(A)—

(1)

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report—

(2)

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report that sets forth, for any agreement with a United States commercial provider for human lunar landing capabilities, the following:

(3)

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, in consultation with any United States commercial provider that is party to an agreement with NASA for human lunar landing capabilities under this section, a report on any steps the Administrator and such providers are taking to carry out the following:

(4)

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on any alternative approaches, and implementation plans for any Artemis mission, including an estimate of needed budgetary resources, for a human lunar landing capability that meets NASA human-rating and certification requirements in the event challenges referred to in paragraph (3)(A) cannot be overcome or the timeline specified in paragraph (3)(B) cannot be met.

(1)

Space suits and associated extravehicular activity (EVA) technologies are critical exploration technologies that are necessary for crewed missions to low-Earth orbit and future human deep space exploration efforts, including to the lunar vicinity and surface of the Moon.

(2)

The NASA civil service workforce at the Johnson Space Center provides unique capabilities to design, integrate, and validate Space Suits and associated EVA technologies.

(3)

Maintaining a strong NASA core competency in the design, development, manufacture, and operation of space suits and related technologies allows NASA to be an informed purchaser of competitively awarded commercial space suits and subcomponents.

(4)

According to a 2018 NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, current EVAs space suits, the Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), were developed in the late 1970s, are reaching the end of their useful life, have experienced multiple maintenance issues that threaten astronaut lives, and no longer accommodate the varying sizes of a diverse astronaut corps.

(5)

The same NASA OIG report found that manufacturers of several critical suit components, including the very fibers of the suits, have now gone out of business, which further reinforces the importance of NASA’s role in maintaining a space suit core competency and limiting the risk posed by outsourcing key national capabilities.

(6)

The private sector currently is developing space suit capabilities.

(7)

Testing space suits and related technologies on the ISS could reduce risk and improve safety of such suits and technologies.

(1)

In carrying out subsection (b), NASA shall maintain the internal expertise necessary to develop space suits for both extravehicular activity and surface operations, including through partnerships with the private sector.

(2)

The Johnson Space Center shall continue to manage NASA’s spacesuit and extravehicular activity programs.

(1)

describing NASA’s plans for—

(2)

including—

(1)

No later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with an independent science and technical engineering organization to review the technical status and performance of the Administration’s existing extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), to analyze the data associated with all mishaps, anomalies, and off-nominal events related to the EMUs used by government astronauts on the ISS over the last 10 years, and to make recommendations to the Administrator, based on the results of such assessment.

(2)

The Administrator shall ensure that the entity carrying out the assessment in paragraph (1) consults with relevant industry contractors regarding the Administration’s EMUs and EMU capabilities, and coordinates with the NASA Astronaut Office in carrying out such assessment.

(3)

The Administrator shall transmit the results of the assessment in paragraph (1) to the appropriate committees of Congress as soon as practicable and no later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(1)

The five, ten, and twenty-year United States objectives for low-Earth orbit activities.

(2)

The type and extent of capabilities using low-Earth orbit platforms the Federal Government requires to support such United States objectives.

(3)

A description of the Federal Government’s current and planned future compliance with the following:

(4)

The preparedness of the United States to continue to satisfy the statutory direction referred to in paragraph (3) under the planned approach to deorbit the ISS by not later than the end of calendar year 2031.

(a) Strategy

Not later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the National Space Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy, or other appropriate interagency coordinating body, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy for a robust and resilient architecture to advance NASA and other relevant Federal Government research, development, and operational requirements in low-Earth orbit. Such architecture should—

(b) Requirements

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and make available to relevant United States commercial industry entities, an accounting of the research, development, and operational requirements for NASA activities in low-Earth orbit, including any requirements that could affect the design, development, instrumentation, or long-term operations of future United States commercial low-Earth orbit platforms and supporting capabilities. In preparing such accounting, the Administrator may consider the requirements of other relevant Federal agencies.

(1)

The NASA science and exploration programs that may be adversely affected by the lack of a United States presence in low-Earth orbit.

(2)

The effects that such a gap would have on the following:

(3)

Potential options and associated costs for preventing such a gap, including the following:

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(b) Full utilization

(a) In general

Subject to appropriations for such purpose, the Administrator shall maintain a flight cadence necessary to support the health and safety of the ISS crew and the full and productive utilization of the ISS through its operational lifetime, consistent with the certification date of the ISS. In maintaining such flight cadence, the Administrator shall seek to carry out not less than the average annual cadence for the immediately preceding three fiscal years of crew and cargo flights on United States vehicles certified under NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Program as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Waiver

The Administrator may waive the requirement under subsection (a) upon submission of a written determination to Congress that—

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(b) Nongovernmental human missions on the ISS

The Administrator may enter into one or more agreements to enable one or more United States commercial providers to conduct nongovernmental human missions on the ISS pursuant to NASA policies and procedures, and Federal Government laws and regulations.

(c) Report

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing information relating to the following:

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(b) Acquisition of ISS deorbit capabilities

(c) Costs

(a) In general

The Administrator is authorized to enter into agreements with one or more United States commercial providers to enable the development and certification of, and procure capabilities related to, a United States private, low-Earth orbit platform or platforms, and to use such platform or platforms and related capabilities to—

(b) Anchor tenancy

Not later than November 15, 2026, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress the following:

(c) Use of United States launch and reentry services

As a term of an agreement entered into under to subsection (a), the Administrator shall include a requirement for the use of United States commercially-provided launch and reentry services to support all Administration activities under the agreement, in accordance with section 50131 of title 51, United States Code, as applicable.

(d) Safety

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate Committees of Congress a determination on the applicability of Administration human rating processes, certification, and requirements for platforms used for services under this section and the circumstances and arrangements under which such processes, certification, and requirements would apply.

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that NASA’s research and development activities related to understanding and mitigating the hazards posed by orbital debris are critical to ensuring the continued safe operation of NASA missions, including the safety of humans living and working in space, and such activities further enable scientific and technological advances that can be leveraged by the broader space operations community to foster a sustainable space environment.

(b) Research and development

The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research and development to advance scientific understanding and technological capabilities related to orbital debris characterization and mitigation.

(c) Considerations

In conducting the research and development described in subsection (b), the Administrator may consider activities that—

(a) Findings

Congress finds the following:

(b) Authorization

The Administrator is authorized to ensure the availability of a robust and resilient lunar communications and navigation architecture that will support NASA’s human and robotic lunar exploration activities and requirements.

(c) Study and plan

To inform the development in subsection (a), the Administrator shall develop a study and prepare a plan to—

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(b) Development of celestial time standardization

The Administrator of NASA, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall carry out the following:

(c) Report

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b)(2), including relevant plans, timelines, and resources required for the implementation of a coordinated lunar time pursuant to such strategy.

(1)

An identification of facilities and technical capabilities needed to support lunar surface power production.

(2)

A description and assessment of the types and technical readiness of technologies that could be used to provide the United States with access to lunar surface power, and an estimated timeline of availability of such technologies.

(3)

A demand forecast for lunar surface power capabilities, including the following:

(4)

An identification of lessons learned from Federal Government experience with power purchase agreements, including a description of any relevant Federal Government use of power purchase agreements, and a description of how such lessons learned could inform or be applied to future United States lunar power purchase agreements.

(5)

Potential policy and legal issues associated with lunar power purchase agreements between providers and the United States Government, international partners, and other private sector entities.

(1)

The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium.

(2)

The Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and other Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(3)

International partners.

(4)

Relevant private sector entities.

(A)

has advanced technologies, such as distributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, or autonomous technologies;

(B)

has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 1,320 pounds; and

(C)

is not urban air mobility.

(A)

has advanced technologies, such as distributed propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing, powered lift, nontraditional power systems, or autonomous technologies; and

(B)

has a maximum takeoff weight of greater than 1,320 pounds.

(1)

a quantitative assessment of each experimental aircraft demonstration project’s ability to meet cost, schedule and performance goals, as defined at the time of project confirmation;

(2)

the extent to which each project’s objectives or performance goals were changed or descoped, and the rationale for such change or descoping;

(3)

the extent to which the system, capability, or technology that was the subject of each project was matured as a result of its demonstration on an experimental aircraft demonstrator; and

(4)

the extent to which each project has contributed, or is likely to contribute in the future, to advancing the capabilities of and innovation in the United States aircraft and aviation industries.

(1)

basic and applied hypersonics research—

(2)

investments in hypersonics research are critical to sustaining United States global leadership in space and aeronautics; and

(3)

NASA efforts to study hypersonics research should complement research supported by the Department of Defense and, when appropriate, be conducted in partnership with universities and industry.

(1)

system level design, analysis, and validation of hypersonics aircraft technologies;

(2)

propulsion capabilities and technologies;

(3)

vehicle technologies, including vehicle flow physics and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic heating;

(4)

advanced materials, including materials capable of withstanding high temperatures and demonstrating durable materials, and efforts to create models and simulate use of such materials; and

(5)

other areas of hypersonics research as determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(1)

transmit the updated research roadmap under subsection (c) to the appropriate committees of Congress; and

(2)

provide a briefing on the research conducted under subsection (b), including how such research aligns with the updated research roadmap under subsection (c).

(1)

Advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management efforts to assist in the management, deconfliction, and coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response efforts.

(2)

Information sharing and real-time data exchange for wildfire response teams.

(3)

Development of an interoperable platform to provide situational awareness of aerial assets during wildfire response.

(4)

Establishment of a multi-agency concept of operations, which may involve Federal, State, and local government agencies, to enable coordination of aerial activities for wildfire response.

(1)

may coordinate and collaborate with other Federal, State, and local government agencies, regional organizations, and commercial partners and academic institutions involved in wildfire management; and

(2)

shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies to avoid duplication of activities.

(1) In general

Except as provided in this subsection, the Administrator may not procure an unmanned aircraft system to conduct activities described in this section if such unmanned aircraft system is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.

(2) Exemption

The Administrator may waive the prohibition under paragraph (1) on a case-by-case basis if the Administrator—

(1)

A description of any research and development activities.

(2)

A description of the Administrator’s activities pursuant to subsection (c).

(3)

An identification of any topics related to improvement of aerial responses to wildfires that could benefit from further research.

(4)

A description of any continuing efforts under this section.

(5)

Any other information determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(1)

NASA programs benefit from and rely upon high-performance chase aircraft for providing research and mission support; and

(2)

NASA currently faces maintenance challenges related to its aging high-performance aircraft fleet, which is resulting in increased program costs.

(1)

Collaboration with the Department of Defense on efforts for research and flight asset sharing to support NASA’s research mission support and pilot training requirements.

(2)

Efforts to seek aircraft parts and engines to keep NASA’s current fleet of chase aircraft operational, including potential use of 3D additive manufactured parts.

(3)

Strategies for acquiring or using through loan, sharing, or other agreements, as appropriate, Department of Defense aircraft to support NASA’s research and mission support activities, as required.

(1)

engaging the science and engineering communities, along with industry, through the development of a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine decadal survey in aeronautics research and development can provide a science and engineering community consensus on key research and development priorities in national civil aeronautics programs;

(2)

a decadal survey—

(3)

a decadal survey for civil aeronautics research and development can serve as a guiding framework for NASA’s and other relevant Federal agencies’ strategic planning and resource allocation in the field of civil aeronautics research and development for the coming decade.

(1)

in title 51, United States Code, sections addressing NASA’s decadal surveys for aeronautics research include sections 20305 and 40703; and

(2)

the most recent National Academies’ Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics was published in 2006.

(1)

Enabling innovation.

(2)

Ensuring a world-class workforce for aeronautics research and development and related United States commercial industries and activities.

(3)

The dissemination and transition of such research and development to the United States commercial aviation and aircraft industries.

(1)

The Administrator shall ensure coordination between the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and other Mission Directorates, as appropriate, to identify technologies eligible for testing opportunities under the Program.

(2)

The Administrator shall consult and seek to collaborate with, as appropriate, with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on activities related to the Program, including development, testing, and evaluation of high-speed aircraft and related technologies.

(1)

not later than 80 days after the date of the enactment of this section, a report that—

(2)

not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, a report describing progress in carrying out the program, including the number and type of testing opportunities executed in the previous fiscal year and planned for the upcoming fiscal year.

(1) Entity of concern

The term entity of concern has the meaning given such term in section 10114 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117–167; 42 U.S.C. 18912).

(2) Foreign business entity

The term foreign business entity means an entity that is majority-owned or majority-controlled (as such term is defined in section 800.208 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, or a successor regulation), or minority owned greater than 25 percent by—

(3) Foreign country of concern

The term foreign country of concern has the meaning given such term in section 9901 of title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651).

(4) High-speed aircraft

The term high-speed aircraft means an aircraft operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1, including supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.

(5) Hypersonic

The term hypersonic means flights operating at speeds that exceed Mach 5.

(6) Supersonic

The term supersonic means flights operating at speeds in excess of Mach 1 but less than Mach 5.

(1)

a balanced and adequately funded set of activities consisting of research and analysis grant programs, technology development, suborbital research activities, and small, medium, and large space missions, contributes to a robust and productive science program and serves as a catalyst for innovation and discovery; and

(2)

the Administrator should set science priorities by following the recommendations and guidance provided by the scientific community through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.

(1)

NASA science missions address compelling scientific questions prioritized by the National Academies decadal surveys, and often such missions exceed expectations in terms of performance, longevity, and scientific impact;

(2)

the Administrator should continue to pursue an ambitious science program while also seeking to avoid excessive cost growth that has the potential to affect the balance across the Science portfolio and within the Science Divisions;

(3)

audits by the NASA Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have reported that early cost estimates for missions in the preliminary phases of conception and development are immature and unreliable, and the cost of a mission typically is not well-understood until the project is further along in the development process;

(4)

cost growth of a mission beyond its early cost estimates is a challenge for budget planning and has the potential to affect other missions in the Science Mission Directorate portfolio, including through delays to future mission solicitations; and

(5)

relying on early cost estimates made prior to preliminary design review for science missions which then experience such cost growth may disincentivize program and cost discipline moving forward.

(1)

assess current cost cap values and determine whether existing cost-cap amounts are appropriate for different classes of missions;

(2)

consider the effectiveness of cost caps in maintaining a varied and balanced portfolio of mission types within the Science Mission Directorate;

(3)

describe the information NASA requires as part of a proposal submission related to project cost estimates and proposal compliance with cost caps, and assess whether such required information provides sufficient insight or confidence in the estimates;

(4)

consider NASA processes for assessing proposed cost estimates and the accuracy of such assessments for past competitively-selected, principal investigator-led science missions; and

(5)

for the period starting on January 1, 2000, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act—

(A)

could be provided by private sector data-buys or service procurements; and

(B)

could—

(1)

by striking The Director of OSTP and inserting the following:

(a) In general

The Director of OSTP; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(b) Considerations

In updating the civil Earth observation strategic implementation plan pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of OSTP shall consider commercial Earth observation data, as appropriate, that can be purchased or accessed by the Federal Government to meet Earth observation requirements.

(1)

Section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, states that the goal for the Earth Science program of NASA shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future.

(2)

Section 50115 of title 51, United States Code, states that the Administrator of NASA shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of NASA, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space-based and airborne commercial Earth remote sensing data, services, distribution, and applications from a commercial provider.

(3)

The Administrator of NASA established the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program in 2017 to identify, validate, and acquire from commercial sources data that support the Earth science research and application goals.

(4)

The Administrator of NASA has—

(1) In general

Chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

60307. Commercial satellite data acquisition program

(a) In general

The Administrator shall establish within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate a program to acquire and disseminate cost-effective and appropriate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers to augment or complement the suite of Earth observations acquired by the Administration, other United States Government agencies, and international partners.

(b) Data publication and transparency

The terms and conditions of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery acquisitions under the program described in subsection (a) shall not prevent—

(1)

the publication of commercial data or imagery for scientific purposes; or

(2)

the publication of information that is derived from, incorporates, or enhances the original commercial data or imagery of a vendor.

(c) Authorization

In carrying out the program under this section, the Administrator may—

(1)

procure the commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors to advance scientific research and applications in accordance with subsection (a); and

(2)

establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the widest-possible use of procured commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users, consistent with the goals of the program.

(d) United States vendors

Commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery referred to in subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be procured from United States vendors.

(e) Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following information regarding the agreements, vendors, license terms, and uses of commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery under this section:

(1)

(A)

In the case of the initial report, a list of all agreements that are providing commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA as of the date of the report.

(B)

For each subsequent report, a list of all agreements that have provided commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to NASA during the reporting period.

(2)

A description of the end-use license terms and conditions for each such vendor.

(3)

A description of how each such agreement advances scientific research and applications, including priorities recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decadal surveys.

(4)

Information specifying whether the Administrator has entered into an agreement with a commercial vendor or a Federal agency that permits the use of data and imagery by Federal Government employees, contractors, or non-Federal users.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of contents for chapter 603 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

(1)

NASA has decades of experience in space-based scientific Earth observations and measurements, including data, trends and modeling.

(2)

NASA Earth science data, which includes data on precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and vegetation health, has been used to inform the decisionmaking of agricultural producers.

(3)

NASA applies its scientific data and models to inform and support the agricultural community and engages in innovative collaborations such as the NASA Acres and NASA Harvest agricultural consortia.

(4)

NASA uses space-based Earth observations and science and applications to support farmers in efforts to conserve water and other resources, improve farm management and crop yield, and facilitate the stability of the national food supply.

(5)

NASA’s upcoming Earth System Observatory will benefit the agricultural community by improving observations critical for measuring and understanding cropland conditions, water availability, early onset crop disease, soil moisture, and other crop and rangeland management indicators.

(6)

Increased engagement between NASA and the agricultural community can support agricultural producers, bolster the national food supply, and improve agricultural research, science, and technology.

(1)

continuing to leverage NASA Earth science water data and information to enable efficient use of resources, inform irrigation decisions, and support local innovation and control of water management;

(2)

supporting agriculture decisionmaking by increasing the accessibility and useability of NASA Earth science data, information, and tools relevant to the impact of disease, weather, precipitation, and other environmental factors on agricultural production; or

(3)

making available, to the greatest extent practicable, NASA earth science measurements and data to advance precision agricultural capabilities relevant to the needs and requirements of agricultural producers.

(1)

planetary science missions advance the scientific understanding of the solar system and the place of humans in it while also advancing the design and operations of spacecraft and robotic engineering; and

(2)

Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship programs allow NASA to fund a range of missions that vary in size, cost, and complexity; maintaining balance across these mission classes allows for a broad scope of discoveries and scientific advances.

(1)

in accordance with the priorities established in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey, the Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions at the cadence recommended by the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey; and

(2)

consistent with the set of missions described in paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing budget projections.

(1)

in section 71103—

(2)

in chapter 711—

(1)

Administration encouragement and support for commercial services for lunar surface delivery capabilities and other related services serves the national interest; and

(2)

commercial providers benefit from an approach that places low-cost, noncritical instruments on initial deliveries using small- and medium-size landers before proceeding to larger landers for more complex payloads.

(1)

any payload, instrument or other item sponsored by the Mission Directorate for delivery through the program; and

(2)

the cost of the commercial lunar payload services obtained on behalf of the Mission Directorate.

(1)

conduct updated market research on the commercial lunar economy and identify any changes since the last market analysis;

(2)

assess NASA’s needs from and role in and contribution to the commercial lunar delivery market;

(3)

based on such needs identified in paragraph (2), assess the effectiveness of the task order approach in advancing commercial development of lunar delivery services, including an assessment of the appropriate number of providers necessary to support NASA commercial lunar delivery needs, and identify any challenges and recommendations for improvement; and

(4)

strengthen procedures related to the selection, manifesting, interfaces, and requirements of payloads and other relevant factors that could contribute to minimizing future NASA-directed changes to projects following commercial lunar payload service contract awards.

(1)

existing NASA lunar and Martian orbital missions are operating well beyond their planned mission lifespans;

(2)

NASA relies on this aging infrastructure for observations, communications relay, and other operations to support critical NASA missions; and

(3)

the United States plans to increase its activities on and around both the Moon and Mars in coming years.

(1)

Sustain United States leadership in the scientific exploration of Mars;

(2)

maintain NASA capabilities to land and operate robotic spacecraft on the surface of Mars;

(3)

preserve the relevant unique and long-term institutional expertise; and

(4)

maintain a balanced and robust planetary science division portfolio without requiring significant increases to the NASA budget.

(1)

assessing the appropriate scope for any future mission;

(2)

determining the range of capabilities and technology readiness of such capabilities needed for a mission; and

(3)

informing the development and maturation of science and technologies needed for such mission.

(1)

NASA heliophysics research advances the scientific understanding of the Sun, its impact on the Earth and near-Earth environment, and the Sun’s interactions with other bodies in the solar system, the interplanetary medium, and the interstellar medium;

(2)

fundamental science supported by the Heliophysics division is critical to improving space weather observations and forecasting capabilities, which contribute to—

(3)

the Heliophysics Division should continue to maximize the scientific return on investment of its portfolio through maintaining a balanced portfolio that includes research and analysis, including multidisciplinary research initiatives, technology development, space-based missions and suborbital flight projects that include both directed and strategic missions and principal investigator-led, competitively solicited missions, informed by the science priorities and guidance of the most recent decadal survey in solar and space physics.

(1)

maintain a regular Explorer Announcement of Opportunity cadence and alternate between small and mid-sized missions; and

(2)

enable a regular selection of Missions of Opportunity.

(1)

an assessment of commercial capabilities and commercial data that meets or exceeds the science and technical standards and requirements of the Administration, which may include—

(2)

recommendations and opportunities for the Federal Government to facilitate the use of commercially available options for space weather data relevant to advancing the Administration’s space weather research and development activities consistent with the most recent National Academies decadal survey, without reducing quality of data; and

(3)

options, where appropriate, for potential partnerships or use of NASA prize authority and competitions, as appropriate and practicable, to obtain access to such data identified in paragraph (1) that—

(1)

Enhanced predictive modeling and early warning systems for wildland fire detection and prevention.

(2)

Developing remote sensing technologies and data analysis tools to monitor fire-prone areas.

(3)

Transitioning wildland fire management technologies to operational users, including agencies, private sector entities, and academic institutions.

(4)

Conducting studies on the long-term impact of temperature change, weather variability, environmental stressors, and atmospheric, hydrologic, ecological, and other changes to Earth systems on wildland fire behavior, frequency, and intensity.

(5)

Supporting post-fire recovery and ecosystem restoration through advanced technologies and data.

(6)

Providing necessary technical assistance to operational users to receive, process, and make use of wildland fire science, data, and technology resources.

(7)

Any additional objectives as determined necessary by the Administrator to satisfy the purpose described in subsection (b).

(1)

Relevant Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(2)

State, local, and Tribal governments and organizations.

(3)

Private sector entities.

(4)

Academic institutions, including colleges, universities, and wildland fire research institutions.

(1)

An assessment of interagency coordination efforts.

(2)

FireSense’s impact on wildland fire management efforts.

(3)

A list of emerging wildland fire management technologies and opportunities that may be considered for further research, development, demonstration, and deployment.

(4)

An assessment of existing challenges to effective coordination with operational users, including State, local, and Tribal governments.

(1)

Wildland fires pose a significant threat to public safety, property, and natural resources.

(2)

The National Wildland Fire Management and Mitigation Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission) has provided critical recommendations for enhancing wildland fire science, data, and technology resources.

(3)

The Administration, through the Science Mission Directorate, has the capability to support and enhance wildland fire management through its advanced research and technological expertise.

(1)

Enhancing the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to wildland fires, including satellite and remote sensing data.

(2)

Supporting research and development projects aimed at improving wildland fire prediction, prevention, response, and recovery.

(3)

Developing and deploying technologies that can assist in monitoring, detecting, and mitigating wildland fires.

(4)

Conducting studies on the long-term impact of temperature change, weather variability, environmental stressors, and atmospheric, hydrologic, ecological, and other changes to Earth systems on wildland fire behavior, frequency, and intensity.

(1)

Facilitating the sharing of wildland fire-related data and research findings with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

(2)

Participating in joint initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing wildland fire management capabilities.

(1)

A summary of research and development projects initiated or supported.

(2)

An assessment of the impact of such activities on wildland fire management and mitigation efforts.

(3)

Any challenges or obstacles encountered in implementing such recommendations.

(1)

in section 40303, by striking subsections (d) and (e);

(2)

in section 40304—

(1)

evaluate its management, accomplishments, approach to funding allocation as described in section 40303(e) of title 51, United States Code, and responsiveness to the purposes and goals defined in chapter 403 of title 51, United States Code;

(2)

consider the benefits partnerships with local education agencies, including those in underserved and rural areas, may provide; and

(3)

propose any statutory updates that may be needed to implement recommendations of the review.

(1)

expose students to careers that require career and technical education;

(2)

encourage students to pursue careers that require career and technical education; and

(3)

provide students hands-on learning opportunities to view the manufacturing, assembly, and testing of NASA-funded space and aeronautical systems, as the Administrator considers appropriate and with consideration of relevant factors such as workplace safety, mission needs, and the protection of sensitive and proprietary technologies.

(1) Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

(2) Skilled technical workforce

The term skilled technical workforce has the meaning given the term in section 4(b)(3) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act (42 U.S.C. 1862p note; Public Law 115–402).

(A)

by striking Before any funds may be obligated for implementation and inserting After the Administrator completes the preliminary design review;

(B)

by striking analysis and inserting estimate; and

(C)

by inserting after the first sentence, No funds may be obligated for implementation of the project before the Administrator reports the results of the life-cycle cost estimate to Congress..

(1)

by striking In the performance of its functions and inserting the following:

(1) Cooperation

In the performance of its functions; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2) Funds

Funds available to any department or agency of the Federal Government for scientific or engineering research or education, or the provision of facilities therefor, shall, subject to the approval of the head of such department or agency or as delegated pursuant to such department’s or agency’s regulation, be available for transfer, in whole or in part, to the Administration for such use as is consistent with the purposes for which such funds were appropriated. Funds so transferred shall be merged with the appropriation to which transferred, except that such transferred funds shall be limited to the awarding of grants or cooperative agreements for scientific or engineering research or education.

(1) In general

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall include in the annual budget justification materials of the Administration, as submitted to Congress with the President’s budget request under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, information describing the activities conducted under subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51, United States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), during the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(2) Contents

The information referred to in paragraph (1) shall contain a description of each transfer of funds under the authority provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 20113 of title 51, United States Code (as added and amended, respectively, by this section), during the immediately preceding fiscal year, including the following:

(1)

A summary of the value of the authority provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 209113 of title 51, United States Code (as added and amended, respectively, by this section), including the extent to which such authority has benefited the Administration and its ability to meet its needs, achieve its mission, or more effectively conduct interagency collaborations.

(2)

An identification of any barriers or challenges to implementing such authority, or otherwise to managing funding required to conduct joint programs and award jointly funded grants and cooperative agreements by the administration with other Federal departments and agencies to advance the missions of each such department and agency.

(1)

Identifying, developing, and distributing space resources, including by encouraging the development of foundational science, industrial capability, and technology.

(2)

Reducing the technological and business risks associated with identifying, developing, and distributing space resources.

(3)

Research to maximize the responsible use of space resources.

(4)

Developing options for using space resources to carry out the following.

(1)

Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.

(2)

Whether partnering with institutions of higher education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing information available to the institute with respect to advancing the objectives described in such subsection.

(1) Department

The term Department means the Department of Commerce.

(2) Extractive industry

The term extractive industry means companies and individuals involved in the processes of extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.

(3) Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

(4) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.

(5) Space resource

(A)

An increased rate of launch and reentry operations.

(B)

An increased number of leases with commercial launch and reentry service providers for use of NASA property.

(A)

to fulfill a contractual obligation with NASA; or

(B)

for non-NASA purposes using NASA-leased property.

(1)

Intellectual property considerations in Space Act agreements.

(2)

Feedback shared by industry groups regarding intellectual property considerations in Space Act agreements.

(3)

Differences between NASA policies regarding intellectual property in Space Act agreements and policies utilized in similar situations by other Federal agencies.

(1)

For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), or the National Space Council (NSC) to develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with the People’s Republic of China or any company owned by the People’s Republic of China, or incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, unless such activities are specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

To effectuate the hosting of official visitors from the People’s Republic of China at facilities belonging to or utilized by NASA.

(1)

pose no risk of resulting in the transfer of technology, data, or other information with national security or economic security implications to the People’s Republic of China or a company owned by the People’s Republic of China or incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China; and

(2)

will not involve knowing interactions with officials who have been determined by the United States to have direct involvement with violations of human rights.