Sec. 206. Stepping stone approach to exploration
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Section 70504 of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: The Administrator may conduct missions to intermediate destinations in sustainable steps in accordance with section 20302(b) of this title, and on a timetable determined by the availability of funding, in order to achieve the objective of human exploration of Mars specified in section 202(b)(5) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18312(b)(5) ), if the Administrator— determines that each such mission demonstrates or advances a technology or operational concept that will enable human missions to Mars; and incorporates each such mission into the human exploration roadmap under section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–10 ; 131 Stat. 18).
In conducting a mission under subsection (a), the Administrator— shall utilize a mix of launches of the Space Launch System and space transportation services from United States commercial providers, as appropriate for the mission; beginning after the first successful crewed launch of Orion on the Space Launch System, shall plan for not less than 1 Space Launch System launch annually; and may establish an outpost in orbit around the Moon that— demonstrates technologies, systems, and operational concepts directly applicable to the space vehicle that will be used to transport humans to Mars; has the capability for periodic human habitation; and can function as a point of departure, return, or staging for NASA, commercial, or international partner missions to the lunar surface or other destinations.
In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utilization activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and industry partners, to ensure that activities in the Administration's human space exploration program balance how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars.
Within budgetary considerations, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to complete that project without undue delays. In order to achieve the goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of Mars, the President may invite the United States partners in the ISS program and other nations, as appropriate, to participate in an international initiative under the leadership of the United States. .
Section 10101 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The term cis-lunar space means the region of space beyond low-Earth orbit out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon. . Section 3 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18302 ) is amended by striking paragraphs
(2)and
(3)and inserting the following: The term appropriate committees of Congress means— the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate ; and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives . The term cis-lunar space means the region of space beyond low-Earth orbit out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon. .
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Sec. 206
Stepping stone approach to exploration
Stat.131 Stat. 18
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