§ 20301. General responsibilities

§ 20301. General responsibilities

(a) Programs.— The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration carries out a balanced set of programs that shall include, at a minimum, programs in—

(1) human space flight, in accordance with section 20302 of this title;

(2) aeronautics research and development; and

(3) scientific research, which shall include, at a minimum—

(A) robotic missions to study the Moon and other planets and their moons, and to deepen understanding of astronomy, astrophysics, and other areas of science that can be productively studied from space;

(B) Earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth connection through the development and operation of research satellites and other means;

(C) support of university research in space science, Earth science, and microgravity science; and

(D) research on microgravity, including research that is not directly related to human exploration.

(b) Consultation and Coordination.— In carrying out the programs of the Administration, the Administrator shall—

(1) consult and coordinate to the extent appropriate with other relevant Federal agencies, including through the National Science and Technology Council;

(2) work closely with the private sector, including by—

(A) encouraging the work of entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop new means to launch satellites, crew, or cargo;

(B) contracting with the private sector for crew and cargo services, including to the International Space Station, to the extent practicable;

(C) using commercially available products (including software) and services to the extent practicable to support all Administration activities; and

(D) encouraging commercial use and development of space to the greatest extent practicable; and

(3) involve other nations to the extent appropriate.

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3355.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Improved Process for Yield Determination; Report; Definitions

Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVI, § 1601(b)–(d), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 583, provided that: “(b) Improved Process for Yield Determination.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall jointly establish a process through which scientifically-valid yield determinations can be assessed for space launch vehicles while in flight. “(c) Report.—Not later than 90 days after the completion of the LOX-Methane Assessment working group process, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes a description of the effects of the LOX-Methane Assessment on existing and future maximum credible event analyses and any resulting effects on commercial space launch, civil space activities, and national security. “(d) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the following:“(A) The congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives]. “(B) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. “(C) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives. “(D) The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. “(2) The term ‘LOX-Methane Assessment working group’ means the ongoing interagency working group studying the explosive characteristics of liquid oxygen and methane and comprised of representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “(3) The term ‘launch vehicle’ has the meaning given such term in section 50902(11) of title 51, United States Code.”

Space Launch System Configurations

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10812, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1735, provided that: “(a) Exploration Ground Systems Infrastructure.—The Administrator shall ensure that—“(1) the necessary elements of a ground system infrastructure are in place to enable the preparation and use of the Space Launch System, specifically the Block 1 (at least 70 mt), Block 1B (at least 105 mt), and Block 2 (at least 130 mt) variants of the Space Launch System; and “(2) not fewer than 2 bays of the vehicle assembly building of such ground system infrastructure are outfitted and dedicated to support Space Launch System stacking and preparations. “(b) Flight Rate and Safety.—After the first crewed lunar landing of the Administration’s Moon to Mars activities, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, seek to carry out a flight rate of 2 integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle missions annually until the lunar activities needed to enable a human mission to Mars are completed so as to maintain the critical human spaceflight production and operations skills necessary for the safety of human spaceflight activities in deep space. “(c) Mobile Launch Platform.—“(1) In general.—The Administrator is authorized to maintain 2 operational mobile launch platforms to enable the launch of multiple configurations of the Space Launch System. “(2) Second mobile launch platform.—“(A) In general.—In implementing paragraph (1), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to develop and complete a second mobile launch platform, to be in place by 2026, to support the first launch of the Block 1B variant of the Space Launch System. “(B) Requirement.—Such second mobile launch platform shall be sized and constructed to accommodate the Block 2 variant of the Space Launch System. “(d) Reports.—The Administrator shall submit to Congress—“(1) not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2022], a report on the steps the Administrator and industry partners are taking—“(A) to address the cost, schedule, and performance challenges in the development of the Mobile Launch–2 platform; and “(B) to ensure that such platform is ready for operational use on a schedule that aligns with the current plans for an Artemis IV launch, which is currently anticipated in 2027; and “(2) not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, a report that contains a list of the key milestones required for completing each of the Space Launch System variants, and an estimated date on which such milestones will be completed. “(e) Exploration Upper Stage.—“(1) In general.—To meet the capability requirements under section 302(c)(2) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)(2)), the Administrator shall continue development of the Exploration Upper Stage for the Space Launch System on a schedule consistent with the Artemis IV lunar mission. “(2) Briefing.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the development and scheduled availability of the Exploration Upper Stage for the Artemis IV lunar mission. “(f) Main Propulsion Test Article.—To meet the requirements under section 302(c)(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)(3)), the Administrator may initiate development of a main propulsion test article for the integrated Exploration Upper Stage element of the Space Launch System, consistent with cost and schedule constraints, particularly for long-lead propulsion hardware needed for flight.”

[For definitions of terms used in section 10812 of Pub. L. 116–167, set out above, see section 10802 of Pub. L. 117–167, set out as a Definitions note under section 10101 of this title.]

Rocket Engine Test Infrastructure

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10813, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1736, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, continue to carry out a program to modernize rocket propulsion test infrastructure at NASA facilities—“(1) to increase capabilities; “(2) to enhance safety; “(3) to support propulsion development and testing; and “(4) to foster the improvement of Government and commercial space transportation and exploration. “(b) Projects.—Projects funded under the program described in subsection (a) may include—“(1) infrastructure and other facilities and systems relating to rocket propulsion test stands and rocket propulsion testing; “(2) enhancements to test facility capacity and flexibility; and “(3) such other projects as the Administrator considers appropriate to meet the goals described in that subsection. “(c) Requirements.—In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall—“(1) to the extent practicable and appropriate, prioritize investments in projects that enhance test and flight certification capabilities, including for large thrust-level atmospheric and altitude engines and engine systems, and multi-engine integrated test capabilities; “(2) continue to make underutilized test facilities available for commercial use on a reimbursable basis; and “(3) ensure that no project carried out under this program adversely impacts, delays, or defers testing or other activities associated with facilities used for Government programs, including—“(A) the Space Launch System and the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System; “(B) in-space propulsion to support exploration missions; or “(C) nuclear propulsion testing. “(d) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall preclude a NASA program, including the Space Launch System and the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System, from using the modernized test infrastructure developed under this section. “(e) Working Capital Fund Study.—“(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this division [Aug. 9, 2022], the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the use of the authority under section 30102 of title 51, United States Code, to promote increased use of NASA rocket propulsion test infrastructure for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities by other Federal agencies, firms, associations, corporations, and educational institutions. “(2) Matters to be included.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:“(A) An assessment of prior use, if any, of the authority under section 30102 of title 51, United States Code, to improve testing infrastructure. “(B) An analysis of any barrier to implementation of such authority for the purpose of promoting increased use of NASA rocket propulsion test infrastructure.”

[For definitions of terms used in section 10813 of Pub. L. 116–167, set out above, see section 10802 of Pub. L. 117–167, set out as a Definitions note under section 10101 of this title.]

Search for Life

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10822, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1740, provided that: “(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—“(1) the report entitled ‘An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe’ published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines key scientific questions and methods on the search for the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe; and “(2) the interaction of lifeforms with their environment, a central focus of astrobiology research, is a topic of broad significance to life sciences research in space and on Earth. “(b) Program Continuation.—“(1) In general.—The Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall continue to implement a collaborative, multidisciplinary science and technology development program to search for evidence of the existence or historical existence of life beyond Earth in support of—“(A) the scientific priorities of the most recent decadal surveys on planetary science and astrobiology and astronomy and astrophysics of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and “(B) the objective described in section 20102(d)(10) of title 51, United States Code. “(2) Element.—The program under paragraph (1) shall include activities relating to astronomy, biology, geology, and planetary science. “(3) Coordination with life sciences program.—In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall coordinate efforts with the life sciences program of the [National Aeronautics and Space] Administration. “(4) Instrumentation and sensor technology.—In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator may invest in the development of new instrumentation and sensor technology. “(5) Technosignatures.—In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator may support, as appropriate, merit-reviewed, competitively selected research on technosignatures.”

Space Nuclear Capabilities

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10841, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1751, provided that: “(a) Nuclear Propulsion.—“(1) Use in robotic and human exploration activities.—The Administrator, in collaboration with other relevant Federal agencies and with industry, shall take all necessary steps to carry out research and development, ground-based testing and in-space testing, and other associated activities to enable the use of space nuclear propulsion in Administration robotic and human exploration activities, including in cargo missions to Mars in the late 2020’s and crewed missions to Mars in the 2030’s. “(2) Space nuclear propulsion program.—“(A) In general.—The Administrator shall establish a space nuclear propulsion program to carry out the activities described in paragraph (1). “(B) Elements.—The program established under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:“(i) Research and development in both nuclear electric and nuclear thermal propulsion technology maturation efforts, to the extent practicable, and the development of consistent figures of merit across both nuclear electric and nuclear thermal systems, as recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the report entitled ‘Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration’, so as to inform a down-selection of a nuclear electric or nuclear thermal propulsion system by 2026, or as early as practicable. “(ii) Ground-based testing, to the extent practicable, including not less than 1 ground-based test of a full-scale, integrated nuclear propulsion system before any in-space test or demonstration of such system. “(iii) In-space demonstration of a nuclear propulsion system in the late 2020’s, which may be carried out as a cargo mission to Mars. “(3) Plan.—“(A) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2022], the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to achieve an in-space flight test of a nuclear propulsion system that could support the first crewed mission to Mars in the 2030’s. “(B) Elements.—The plan required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following:“(i) A timeline to mature enabling technologies and an outline of major milestones for integration of such technologies into the larger nuclear propulsion system. “(ii) A cost estimate for maturing such technologies. “(iii) A description of facility requirements for the program under paragraph (2) associated with such technologies. “(iv) A description of the manner in which the Administrator will use the efforts described in paragraph (2)(B) to determine whether the in-space flight test should demonstrate a nuclear electric propulsion system or a nuclear thermal propulsion system. “(C) An identification of any policy or regulatory challenges or barriers to conducting such in-space test or any precursor ground-based testing, and a description of options for addressing such challenges or barriers. “(b) Nuclear Surface Power Program.—“(1) Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish a program for research, testing, and development of a space nuclear surface power reactor design. “(2) Plan.—“(A) In general.—The Administrator shall—“(i) develop a plan and timeline for the program established under paragraph (1), taking into consideration mission needs; and “(ii) include in such plan opportunities for participation by United States commercial entities. “(B) Submission.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan developed under subparagraph (A). “(c) Assessment of In-space Propulsion Testing Facilities.—“(1) In general.—The Administrator shall carry out a needs assessment for facilities and technical capabilities required to support ground-based testing of a full-scale, full-power integrated nuclear propulsion system. “(2) Element.—The assessment required by paragraph (1) shall consider the potential development of facilities that will support long-term research and development of space nuclear propulsion systems. “(3) Report.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the assessment carried out under paragraph (1).”

[For definitions of terms used in section 10841 of Pub. L. 116–167, set out above, see section 10802 of Pub. L. 117–167, set out as a Definitions note under section 10101 of this title.]

Prioritization of Low-Enriched Uranium Technology