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Title II — Human Space Flight

H.R. 4412 · 113th Congress · Jun 10, 2014 · Lineage

II Human Space Flight

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:

“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 2014;

“(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 2014); or

“(B) other acquisition instruments;

“(8) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an addendum from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory Council, and an addendum from the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, each with a statement of review of the Human Exploration Roadmap that shall include—

“(A) subjects of agreement;

“(B) areas of concern; and

“(C) recommendations; and

“(9) include in the Human Exploration Roadmap an examination of the benefits of utilizing current Administration launch facilities for trans-lunar missions.

“(d) Updates—The Administrator shall update such Human Exploration Roadmap as needed but no less frequently than every 2 years and include it in the budget for that fiscal year transmitted to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, and describe—

“(1) the achievements and goals reached in the process of developing such capabilities and technologies during the 2-year period prior to the submission of the update to Congress; and

“(2) the expected goals and achievements in the following 2-year period.

“(e) Definitions—In this section, the terms “Orion crew capsule” and “Space Launch System” have the meanings given such terms in section 20302.”

(b)
Report—
(1)
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a copy of the Human Exploration Roadmap developed under section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2)
Updates— The Administrator shall transmit a copy of each updated Human Exploration Roadmap to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 7 days after such Human Exploration Roadmap is updated.

Sec. 203 Space Launch System

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

Sec. 204 Orion crew capsule

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

Sec. 205 Space radiation

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

Sec. 206 Planetary protection for human exploration missions

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

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 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—
(1)
ensure that, in its evaluation and selection of contracts for the development of commercial crew transportation capabilities, safety is the highest priority; and
(2)
seek to ensure that minimization of the probability of loss of crew shall be an important selection criterion of the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Contract.
(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.