Sec. 306. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators
396 words·~2 min read·
/bill/113/hr/2616/ih/section-306·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that conducting deep space exploration requires radioisotope thermoelectric generators, and establishing continuity in the production of the material needed to power these generators is paramount to the success of these future deep space missions. It is further the sense of Congress that Federal agencies supporting NASA in the production of such material should do so in a cost effective manner so as not to impose excessive reimbursement requirements on NASA.
The Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall conduct an analysis of NASA requirements for radioisotope power system material. The analysis shall— detail NASA’s current projected mission requirements, and associated timeframes, for radioisotope power system material; identify the assumptions used to determine NASA’s requirements for the material, including— the planned use of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator technology; the status of and timeline for completing development and demonstration of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator technology, including the development of flight readiness requirements; and the risks, implications, and contingencies for NASA mission plans of any delays or unanticipated technical challenges related to the anticipated use of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator technology; assess the risk to NASA programs of any potential delays in achieving the schedule and milestones for planned domestic production of radioisotope power system material; describe the process for meeting any additional NASA requirements for the material; provide an estimate of the incremental costs required to increase the amount of material produced each year, if such an increase is needed to support additional NASA requirements for the material; provide details on— what costs NASA will incur that are associated with the radioisotope power systems used by NASA and other Government entities; and how NASA will ensure that its reimbursements to DOE are equitable and justified; identify what steps, if any, NASA will take with DOE to preserve the infrastructure and workforce necessary for production of radioisotope power systems; and identify the extent to which NASA’s strategy is responsive to the recommendations and findings from the National Research Council’s 2009 report titled Radioisotope Power Systems:
An Imperative for Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Space Exploration . Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit the results of the analysis to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.