Sec. 301. Earth science
341 words·~2 min read·
/bill/113/s/1317/is/section-301A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds that— continuous, long-term Earth observation data supports the preparation for and management of natural and human-induced disasters, benefits resource management and agricultural forecasting, improves our understanding of climate, and encourages environmental and economic sustainability; due to the scope of activities required, Earth science research and Earth observation are multi-agency endeavors requiring significant cooperation and information sharing among government, international, and scientific community partners; in developing Earth observation technologies, conducting Earth science satellite missions, and providing research products to the scientific community, NASA plays a crucial role in advancing Earth science; and the loss of observational capabilities in Earth science, as predicted by the National Research Council’s midterm update to its Earth Science Decadal Survey, risks reversing gains in weather forecast accuracy, reducing disaster response capabilities, and creating an irreversible gap in Earth science data.
It is the sense of Congress that— given the importance of Earth science and Earth observation data, NASA Earth science efforts— should be conducted in coordination with other Federal agencies; and should be cognizant of international efforts and the needs of the scientific and businesses communities; and whenever feasible, NASA and other Federal agencies should consider the potential for reducing costs by purchasing commercially available Earth science data and services. The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in implementing its National Strategy for Earth Observation and in developing a National Plan for Civil Earth Observations, shall prioritize Federal Earth science and observation investments based on— its assessment of Earth science and observation data requirements; the capability requirements as identified by the National Academies decadal surveys; the projected costs of Earth science missions and data gathering activities; and the projected and available budgets.
The Administration, in prioritizing future Earth science and Earth observation missions and technology development under the National Plan for Civil Earth Observations and chapter 201 of title 51, United States Code, shall consider potential cost-reduction opportunities, including— if feasible, co-locating Earth science sensors on other satellites; and purchasing commercially available Earth science data and services, including launch access to orbital and sub-orbital space.