US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title V — Advancing Space Science

115th Congress · Approved Mar 21, 2017 · 131 Stat. 18 · Lineage

TITLE V Advancing Space Science

SEC. 501. Maintaining a Balanced Space Science Portfolio.

(a)
Sense of Congress on Science Portfolio.— Congress reaffirms the sense of Congress that—
(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 guidance provided by the scientific community through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s decadal surveys.
(b)
Policy.— It is the policy of the United States to ensure, to the extent practicable, a steady cadence of large, medium, and small science missions.

SEC. 502. Planetary Science.

(a)
Findings.— Congress finds that—
(1)
Administration support for planetary science is critical to enabling greater understanding of the solar system and the origin of the Earth;
(2)
the United States leads the world in planetary science and can augment its success in that area with appropriate international, academic, and industry partnerships;
(3)
a mix of small, medium, and large planetary science missions is required to sustain a steady cadence of planetary exploration; and
(4)
robotic planetary exploration is a key component of preparing for future human exploration.
(b)
Mission Priorities.—
(1)
In general.— 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.
(2)
Mission priority adjustments.— 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.

SEC. 503. James Webb Space Telescope.

It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the James Webb Space Telescope will—
(A)
significantly advance our understanding of star and planet formation, and improve our knowledge of the early universe; and
(B)
support United States leadership in astrophysics;
(2)
consistent with annual Government Accountability Office reviews of the James Webb Space Telescope program, the Administrator should continue robust surveillance of the performance of the James Webb Space Telescope project and continue to improve the reliability of cost estimates and contractor performance data and other major space flight projects in order to enhance NASA’s ability to successfully deliver the James Webb Space Telescope on-time and within budget;
(3)
the on-time and on-budget delivery of the James Webb Space Telescope is a high congressional priority; and
(4)
the Administrator should ensure that integrated testing is appropriately timed and sufficiently comprehensive to enable potential issues to be identified and addressed early enough to be handled within the James Webb Space Telescope’s development schedule and prior to its launch.

SEC. 504. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (referred to in this section as “WFIRST”) mission has the potential to enable scientific discoveries that will transform our understanding of the universe; and
(2)
the Administrator, to the extent practicable, should make progress on the technologies and capabilities needed to position the Administration to meet the objectives, as outlined in the 2010 National Academies’ Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, in a way that maximizes the scientific productivity of meeting those objectives for the resources invested.
(b)
Continuity of Development.— The Administrator shall ensure that the concept definition and pre-formulation activities of the WFIRST mission continue while the James Webb Space Telescope is being completed.

SEC. 505. Mars 2020 Rover.

It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the Mars 2020 mission, to develop a Mars rover and to enable the return of samples to Earth, should remain a priority for NASA; and
(2)
the Mars 2020 mission—
(A)
should significantly increase our understanding of Mars;
(B)
should help determine whether life previously existed on that planet; and
(C)
should provide opportunities to gather knowledge and demonstrate technologies that address the challenges of future human expeditions to Mars.

SEC. 506. Europa.

(a)
Findings.— Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
Studies of Europa, Jupiter’s moon, indicate that Europa may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key ingredients known to support life.
(2)
In 2012, using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA scientists observed water vapor around the south polar region of Europa, which provides potential evidence of water plumes in that region.
(3)
For decades, the Europa mission has consistently ranked as a high priority mission for the scientific community.
(4)
The Europa mission was ranked as the top priority mission in the previous Planetary Science Decadal Survey and ranked as the second-highest priority in the current Planetary Science Decadal Survey.
(b)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the Europa mission could provide another avenue in which to capitalize on our Nation’s current investment in the Space Launch System that would significantly reduce the transit time for such a deep space mission; and
(2)
a scientific, robotic exploration mission to Europa, as prioritized in both Planetary Science Decadal Surveys, should be supported.

SEC. 507. Congressional Declaration of Policy and Purpose.

Section 20102(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(10) The search for life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe.”

SEC. 508. Extrasolar Planet Exploration Strategy.

(a)
Strategy.—
(1)
In general.— The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for the study and exploration of extrasolar planets, including the use of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the James Webb Space Telescope, a potential Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope mission, or any other telescope, spacecraft, or instrument, as appropriate.
(2)
Requirements.— The strategy shall—
(A)
outline key scientific questions;
(B)
identify the most promising research in the field;
(C)
indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet research and exploration goals;
(D)
identify opportunities for coordination with international partners, commercial partners, and not-for-profit partners; and
(E)
make recommendations regarding the activities under subparagraphs (A) through (D), as appropriate.
(b)
Use of Strategy.— The Administrator shall use the strategy—
(1)
to inform roadmaps, strategic plans, and other activities of the Administration as they relate to extrasolar planet research and exploration; and
(2)
to provide a foundation for future activities and initiatives related to extrasolar planet research and exploration.
(c)
Report to Congress.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator and to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the strategy developed under subsection (a).

SEC. 509. Astrobiology Strategy.

(a)
Strategy.—
(1)
In general.— The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies to develop a science strategy for astrobiology that would outline key scientific questions, identify the most promising research in the field, and indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the search for life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the Universe.
(2)
Recommendations.— The strategy shall include recommendations for coordination with international partners.
(b)
Use of Strategy.— The Administrator shall use the strategy developed under subsection (a) in planning and funding research and other activities and initiatives in the field of astrobiology.
(c)
Report to Congress.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall submit to the Administrator and to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the strategy developed under subsection (a).

SEC. 510. Astrobiology Public-Private Partnerships.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing how the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to study life’s origin, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe.

SEC. 511. Near-Earth Objects.

Section 321 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. 71101) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e) Program Report.—The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and 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, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017, an initial report that provides—

“(1) recommendations for carrying out the Survey program and an associated proposed budget;

“(2) an analysis of possible options that the Administration could employ to divert an object on a likely collision course with Earth; and

“(3) a description of the status of efforts to coordinate and cooperate with other countries to discover hazardous asteroids and comets, plan a mitigation strategy, and implement that strategy in the event of the discovery of an object on a likely collision course with Earth.

“(f) Annual Reports.—After the initial report under subsection (e), the Administrator shall annually transmit 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—

“(1) a summary of all activities carried out under subsection (d) since the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017, including the progress toward achieving 90 percent completion of the survey described in subsection (d); and

“(2) a summary of expenditures for all activities carried out under subsection (d) since the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017.

“(g) Assessment.—The Administrator, in collaboration with other relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out a technical and scientific assessment of the capabilities and resources—

“(1) to accelerate the survey described in subsection (d); and

“(2) to expand the Administration’s Near-Earth Object Program to include the detection, tracking, cataloguing, and characterization of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects less than 140 meters in diameter.

“(h) Transmittal.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017, the Administrator shall transmit the results of the assessment under subsection (g) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.”

SEC. 512. Near-Earth Objects Public-Private Partnerships.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the Administration should seek to leverage the capabilities of the private sector and philanthropic organizations to the maximum extent practicable in carrying out the Near-Earth Object Survey Program in order to meet the goal of that program under section 321(d)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (51 U.S.C. note prec. 71101(d)(1)).
(b)
Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing how the Administration can expand collaborative partnerships to detect, track, catalogue, and categorize near-Earth objects.

SEC. 513. Assessment of Science Mission Extensions.

Section 30504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

Ҥ 30504. Assessment of science mission extensions

“(a) Assessments.—

“(1) In general.—The Administrator shall carry out triennial reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess the cost and benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection for those missions that exceed their planned missions’ lifetime.

“(2) Considerations.—In conducting an assessment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider whether and how extending missions impacts the start of future missions.

“(b) Consultation and Consideration of Potential Benefits of Instruments on Missions.—When deciding whether to extend a mission that has an operational component, the Administrator shall—

“(1) consult with any affected Federal agency; and

“(2) take into account the potential benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond their planned mission lifetime.

“(c) Reports.—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, at the same time as the submission to Congress of the Administration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year, a report detailing any assessment under subsection (a) that was carried out during the previous year.”

SEC. 514. Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.

The Administrator may not terminate science operations of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy before December 31, 2017.

SEC. 515. Radioisotope Power Systems.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
exploration of the outer reaches of the solar system is enabled by radioisotope power systems;
(2)
establishing continuity in the production of the material needed for radioisotope power systems is essential to maintaining the availability of such systems for future deep space exploration missions; and
(3)
Federal agencies supporting the Administration through the production of such material should do so in a cost effective manner so as not to impose excessive reimbursement requirements on the Administration.
(b)
Analysis of Requirements and Risks.— The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, shall conduct an analysis of—
(1)
the requirements of the Administration for radioisotope power system material that is needed to carry out planned, high priority robotic missions in the solar system and other surface exploration activities beyond low-Earth orbit; and
(2)
the risks to missions of the Administration in meeting those requirements, or any additional requirements, due to a lack of adequate radioisotope power system material.
(c)
Contents of Analysis.— The analysis conducted under subsection (b) shall—
(1)
detail the Administration’s current projected mission requirements and associated timeframes for radioisotope power system material;
(2)
explain the assumptions used to determine the Administration’s requirements for the material, including—
(A)
the planned use of advanced thermal conversion technology such as advanced thermocouples and Stirling generators and converters; and
(B)
the risks and implications of, and contingencies for, any delays or unanticipated technical challenges affecting or related to the Administration’s mission plans for the anticipated use of advanced thermal conversion technology;
(3)
assess the risk to the Administration’s programs of any potential delays in achieving the schedule and milestones for planned domestic production of radioisotope power system material;
(4)
outline a process for meeting any additional Administration requirements for the material;
(5)
estimate the incremental costs required to increase the amount of material produced each year, if such an increase is needed to support additional Administration requirements for the material;
(6)
detail how the Administration and other Federal agencies will manage, operate, and fund production facilities and the design and development of all radioisotope power systems used by the Administration and other Federal agencies as necessary;
(7)
specify the steps the Administration will take, in consultation with the Department of Energy, to preserve the infrastructure and workforce necessary for production of radioisotope power systems and ensure that its reimbursements to the Department of Energy associated with such preservation are equitable and justified; and
(8)
detail how the Administration has implemented or rejected the recommendations from the National Research Council’s 2009 report titled “Radioisotope Power Systems: An Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration.”
(d)
Report to Congress.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the results of the analysis to the appropriate committees of Congress.

SEC. 516. Assessment of Mars Architecture.

(a)
Assessment.— The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess—
(1)
the Administration’s Mars exploration architecture and its responsiveness to the strategies, priorities, and guidelines put forward by the National Academies’ planetary science decadal surveys and other relevant National Academies Mars-related reports;
(2)
the long-term goals of the Administration’s Mars Exploration Program and such program’s ability to optimize the science return, given the current fiscal posture of the program;
(3)
the Mars exploration architecture’s relationship to Mars-related activities to be undertaken by foreign agencies and organizations; and
(4)
the extent to which the Mars exploration architecture represents a reasonably balanced mission portfolio.
(b)
Report to Congress.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the results of the assessment to the appropriate committees of Congress.

SEC. 517. Collaboration.

The Administration shall continue to develop first-of-a-kind instruments that, once proved, can be transitioned to other agencies for operations. Whenever responsibilities for the development of sensors or for measurements are transferred to the Administration from another agency, the Administration shall seek, to the extent possible, to be reimbursed for the assumption of such responsibilities.