Sec. 204. Life science and physical science research
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It is the sense of Congress that— the 2011 decadal survey on biological and physical sciences in space identifies— many areas in which fundamental scientific research is needed to efficiently advance the range of human activities in space, from the first stages of exploration to eventual economic development; and many areas of basic and applied scientific research that could use the microgravity, radiation, and other aspects of the spaceflight environment to answer fundamental scientific questions; and given the central role of life science and physical science research in developing the future of space exploration, NASA should continue to invest strategically in such research to maintain United States leadership in space exploration; and such research remains important to the objectives of NASA with respect to long-duration deep space human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
In support of the goals described in section 20302 of title 51, United States Code, the Administrator shall continue to implement a collaborative, multidisciplinary life science and physical science fundamental research program— to build a scientific foundation for the exploration and development of space; to investigate the mechanisms of changes to biological systems and physical systems, and the environments of those systems in space, including the effects of long-duration exposure to deep space-related environmental factors on those systems; to understand the effects of combined deep space radiation and altered gravity levels on biological systems so as to inform the development and testing of potential countermeasures; to understand physical phenomena in reduced gravity that affect design and performance of enabling technologies necessary for the space exploration program; to provide scientific opportunities to educate, train, and develop the next generation of researchers and engineers; and to provide state-of-the-art data repositories and curation of large multi-data sets to enable comparative research analyses.
The program under paragraph
(1)shall— include fundamental research relating to life science, space bioscience, and physical science; and maximize intra-agency and interagency partnerships to advance space exploration, scientific knowledge, and benefits to Earth. In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator may use ground-based, air-based, and space-based facilities in low-Earth orbit and beyond low-Earth orbit.