§ 16611. Responsibilities, policies, and plans

(a) General responsibilities

(1) Programs

The Administrator shall ensure that NASA carries out a balanced set of programs that shall include, at a minimum, programs in—

(A) human space flight, in accordance with subsection (b);

(B) aeronautics research and development; and

(i) 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;

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

(iii) support of university research in space science, earth science, and microgravity science; and

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

(2) Consultation and coordination

In carrying out the programs of NASA, the Administrator shall—

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) Vision for space exploration

(1) In general

The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program, to promote exploration, science, commerce, and United States preeminence in space, and as a stepping-stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. The Administrator is further authorized to develop and conduct appropriate international collaborations in pursuit of these goals.

(2) Milestones

The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs to strive to achieve the following milestones (in conformity with section 16763 of this title)—

(A) Returning Americans to the Moon no later than 2020.

(B) Launching the Crew Exploration Vehicle as close to 2010 as possible.

(C) Increasing knowledge of the impacts of long duration stays in space on the human body using the most appropriate facilities available, including the ISS.

(D) Enabling humans to land on and return from Mars and other destinations on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible.

(1) In general

The President of the United States, through an official the President shall designate, and in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop a national policy to guide the aeronautics research and development programs of the United States through 2020. The policy shall include national goals for aeronautics research and development and shall describe the role and responsibilities of each Federal agency that will carry out the policy. The development of the policy shall utilize external studies that have been conducted on the state of United States aeronautics and aviation research and development and have suggested policies to ensure continued competitiveness.

(2) Content

(A) At a minimum, the national aeronautics research and development policy shall describe for NASA—

(i) the priority areas of research for aeronautics through fiscal year 2011;

(ii) the basis on which and the process by which priorities for ensuing fiscal years will be selected;

(iii) the facilities and personnel needed to carry out the aeronautics program through fiscal year 2011; and

(iv) the budget assumptions on which the policy is based, which for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 shall be the authorized level for aeronautics provided in subchapter II of this chapter.

(B) The policy shall be based on the premises that—

(i) the Federal Government has an established interest in conducting research and development programs for improving the usefulness, performance, speed, safety, and efficiency of aeronautical vehicles, as described in section 2451 (d)(2) of this title; and

(ii) the Federal Government has an established interest in conducting research and development programs that help preserve the role of the United States as a global leader in aeronautical technologies and in their application, as described in section 2451 (d)(5) of this title.

(3) Considerations

In developing the national aeronautics research and development policy, the President shall consider the following issues, which shall be discussed in the transmittal under paragraph (5):

(A) The extent to which NASA should focus on long-term, high-risk research or more incremental research, and the expected impact of that decision on the United States economy, and the ability to achieve environmental and other public goals related to aeronautics.

(B) The extent to which NASA should address military and commercial needs.

(D) The extent to which NASA will conduct research in-house, fund university research, and collaborate on industry research, and the expected impact of that mix of funding on the supply of United States workers for the aeronautics industry.

(E) The extent to which the priority areas of research listed pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) should include the activities authorized by subchapter IV of this chapter, the discussion of which shall include a priority ranking of all of the activities authorized in subchapter IV and an explanation for that ranking.

(4) Consultation

In the development of the national aeronautics research and development policy, the President shall consult widely with academic and industry experts and with other Federal agencies. The Administrator may enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to help develop the policy.

(5) Schedule

(A) Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005, the President shall transmit the national aeronautics research and development policy to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(B) Not later than 60 days after the transmittal of the policy under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing how NASA will carry out the policy.

(C) At the time the President’s fiscal year 2007 budget is transmitted to the Congress, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the proposed NASA aeronautics budget describing—

(i) the rationale for the budget levels and activities in the proposed fiscal year 2007 NASA aeronautics budget;

(ii) the extent to which the program directions proposed for fiscal year 2007 are likely to be consistent with the national policy being prepared under this section; and

(iii) the extent to which the proposed programs for fiscal year 2007 are consistent with past reports and current studies of the National Academy of Sciences, and other relevant reports and studies.

(d) Science

(1) In general

The Administrator shall develop a plan to guide the science programs of NASA through 2016.

(2) Content

At a minimum, the plan developed under paragraph (1) shall be designed to ensure that NASA has a rich and vigorous set of science activities, and shall describe—

(A) the missions NASA will initiate, design, develop, launch, or operate in space science and earth science through fiscal year 2016, including launch dates;

(B) a priority ranking of all of the missions listed under subparagraph (A), and the rationale for the ranking; and

(C) the budget assumptions on which the policy is based, which for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 shall be consistent with the authorizations provided in subchapter II of this chapter.

(3) Considerations

In developing the science plan under this subsection, the Administrator shall consider the following issues, which shall be discussed in the transmittal under paragraph (6):

(A) What the most important scientific questions in space science and earth science are.

(B) How to best benefit from the relationship between NASA’s space and earth science activities and those of other Federal agencies.

(C) Whether the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, SIM-Planet Quest, and missions under the Future Explorers Programs can be expedited to meet previous schedules.

(D) Whether any NASA Earth observing missions that have been delayed or cancelled can be restored.

(E) How to ensure the long-term vitality of Earth observation programs at NASA, including their satellite, science, and data system components.

(F) Whether current and currently planned Earth observation missions should be supplemented or replaced with new satellite architectures and instruments that enable global coverage, and all-weather, day and night imaging of the Earth’s surface features.

(G) How to integrate NASA earth science missions with the Global Earth Observing System of Systems.

(4) Consultation

In developing the plan under this subsection, the Administrator shall draw on decadal surveys and other reports in planetary science, astronomy, solar and space physics, earth science, and any other relevant fields developed by the National Academy of Sciences. The Administrator shall also consult widely with academic and industry experts and with other Federal agencies.

(5) Hubble Space Telescope

The plan developed under this subsection shall address plans for a human mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope consistent with section 16652 of this title.

(6) Schedule

The Administrator shall transmit the plan developed under this subsection to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after December 30, 2005. The Administrator shall make available to those committees any study done by a nongovernmental entity that was used in the development of the plan.

(e) Facilities

(1) In general

The Administrator shall develop a plan for managing NASA’s facilities through fiscal year 2015. The plan shall be consistent with the policies and plans developed pursuant to this section.

(2) Content

At a minimum, the plan developed under paragraph (1) shall describe—

(A) any new facilities NASA intends to acquire, whether through construction, purchase, or lease, and the expected dates for doing so;

(B) any facilities NASA intends to significantly modify, refurbish, or upgrade, and the expected dates for doing so;

(D) any transactions NASA intends to conduct to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer the ownership of a facility, and the expected dates for doing so;

(E) how each of the actions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) will enhance the ability of NASA to carry out its programs;

(F) the expected costs or savings expected from each of the actions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D);

(G) the priority order of the actions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D);

(H) the budget assumptions of the plan, which for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 shall be consistent with the authorizations provided in subchapter II of this chapter, including the funding levels for maintenance and repairs; and

(I) how facilities were evaluated in developing the plan.

(3) Schedule

The Administrator shall transmit the plan developed under this subsection to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than the date on which the President submits the proposed budget for the Federal Government for fiscal year 2008 to the Congress.

(f) Workforce

(1) In general

The Administrator shall develop a human capital strategy to ensure that NASA has a workforce of the appropriate size and with the appropriate skills to carry out the programs of NASA, consistent with the policies and plans developed pursuant to this section. Under the strategy, NASA shall utilize current personnel, to the maximum extent feasible, in implementing the vision for space exploration and NASA’s other programs. The strategy shall cover the period through fiscal year 2011.

(2) Content

The strategy developed under paragraph (1) shall describe, at a minimum—

(A) any categories of employees NASA intends to reduce, the expected size and timing of those reductions, the methods NASA intends to use to make the reductions, and the reasons NASA no longer needs those employees;

(B) any categories of employees NASA intends to increase, the expected size and timing of those increases, the methods NASA intends to use to recruit the additional employees, and the reasons NASA needs those employees;

(D) the budget assumptions of the strategy, which for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 shall be consistent with the authorizations provided in subchapter II of this chapter, and any expected additional costs or savings from the strategy by fiscal year.

(3) Schedule

The Administrator shall transmit the strategy developed under this subsection to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 60 days after the date on which the President submits the proposed budget for the Federal Government for fiscal year 2007 to the Congress. At least 60 days before transmitting the strategy, NASA shall provide a draft of the strategy to its Federal employee unions for a 30-day consultation period after which NASA shall respond in writing to any written concerns provided by the unions.

(4) Limitation

NASA may not implement any Reduction in Force or other involuntary separations (except for cause) prior to March 16, 2007.

(g) Center management

(1) In general

The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine whether any of NASA’s centers should be operated by or with the private sector by converting a center to a Federally Funded Research and Development Center or through any other mechanism.

(2) Content

The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum—

(A) make a recommendation for the operation of each center and provide reasons for that recommendation; and

(B) describe the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of operation considered in the study.

(3) Considerations

In conducting the study, the Administrator shall take into consideration the experiences of other relevant Federal agencies in operating laboratories and centers, and any reports that have reviewed the mode of operation of those laboratories and centers, as well as any reports that have reviewed NASA’s centers.

(4) Schedule

The Administrator shall transmit the study conducted under this subsection to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than May 31, 2006.

(h) Budgets

(1) Categories

The proposed budget for NASA submitted by the President for each fiscal year shall be accompanied by documents showing—

(A) by program—

(i) the budget for space operations, including the ISS and the Space Shuttle;

(ii) the budget for exploration systems;

(iii) the budget for aeronautics;

(iv) the budget for space science;

(v) the budget for earth science;

(vi) the budget for microgravity science;

(vii) the budget for education;

(viii) the budget for safety oversight; and

(ix) the budget for public relations;

(B) the budget for technology transfer programs;

(D) the budget for the Independent Technical Authority, both total and by center;

(E) the total budget for the prize program under section 2459f–1 ^[1] of this title, and the administrative budget for that program; and

(F) the comparable figures for at least the 2 previous fiscal years for each item in the proposed budget.

(2) Sense of Congress regarding evaluation criteria for budget requests

It is the sense of the Congress that each budget of the United States submitted to the Congress after December 30, 2005, should be evaluated for compliance with the findings and priorities established by this chapter and the amendments made by this chapter.

(i) Additional budget information

NASA shall make available, upon request from the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate—

(1) information on corporate and center general and administrative costs and service pool costs, including—

(A) the total amount of funds being allocated for those purposes for any fiscal year for which the President has submitted an annual budget request to Congress;

(B) the amount of funds being allocated for those purposes for each center, for headquarters, and for each directorate; and

(2) the figures on the amount of unobligated funds and unexpended funds, by appropriations account—

(A) that remained at the end of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the budget is being presented that were carried over into the fiscal year in which the budget is being presented;

(B) that are estimated will remain at the end of the fiscal year in which the budget is being presented that are proposed to be carried over into the fiscal year for which the budget is being presented; and

(j) NASA aeronautics test facilities and simulators

(1) Review

The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall commission an independent review of the Nation’s long-term strategic needs for aeronautics test facilities and shall submit the review to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. The review shall include an evaluation of the facility needs described pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A)(iii). The review shall take into consideration the results of the study conducted pursuant to the instructions on page 582 of the conference report (H. Rept. 108–767) to accompany the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (P.L. 108–375).

(2) Limitation

The Administrator shall not close or mothball any aeronautics test facilities identified in the 2003 independent assessment by the RAND Corporation titled “Wind Tunnel and Propulsion Test Facilities: An Assessment of NASA’s Capabilities to Serve National Needs” as being part of the minimum set of those facilities necessary to retain and manage to serve national needs, or any aeronautics simulators, that were in use as of January 1, 2004, with the exception of the already closed 16-foot transonic tunnel, until—

(A) the review conducted under paragraph (1) has been transmitted to the Congress; and

(B) 60 days after the Administrator has transmitted to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written certification that the proposed closure will not have an adverse impact on NASA’s ability to execute the national policy developed under subsection (c) and to achieve the goals described in that policy.

Subparagraph (B) shall cease to be effective five years after the date the study required by this section has been transmitted to the Congress.

[1] See References in Text note below.

U.S. Code

§ 16611. Responsibilities, policies, and plans