Sec. 421. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, AND EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS
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## SEC. 421 SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, AND EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS **[**[51 U.S.C. 20301 note](/us/usc/t51/s20301)**]** ###
(a)Findings Congress makes the following findings: ####
(1)NASA has made steady progress in developing and testing the Space Launch System and Orion exploration systems with the successful Exploration Flight Test of Orion in December of 2014, the final qualification test firing of the 5-segment Space Launch System boosters in June 2016, and a full thrust, full duration test firing of the RS-25 Space Launch System core stage engine in August 2016. ####
(2)Through the 21st Century Launch Complex program and Exploration Ground Systems programs, NASA has made significant progress in transforming exploration ground systems infrastructure to meet NASA’s mission requirements for the Space Launch System and Orion and to modernize NASA’s launch complexes to the benefit of the civil, defense, and commercial space sectors. ###
(b)Space launch system ####
(1)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that use of the Space Launch System and Orion, with contributions from partnerships with the private sector, academia, and the international community, is the most practical approach to reaching the Moon, Mars, and beyond. ####
(2)Reaffirmation Congress reaffirms the policy and minimum capability requirements for the Space Launch System under section 302 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322). ###
(c)Sense of Congress on Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems It is the sense of Congress that— ####
(1)as the United States works to send humans on a series of missions to Mars in the 2030s, the United States national space program should continue to make progress on its commitment by fully developing the Space Launch System, Orion, and related Exploration Ground Systems; ####
(2)using the Space Launch System and Orion for a wide range of contemplated missions will facilitate the national defense, science, and exploration objectives of the United States; ####
(3)the United States should have continuity of purpose for the Space Launch System and Orion in deep space exploration missions, using them beginning with the uncrewed mission, Artemis I1, planned for 2018, followed by the crewed mission, Artemis II1, in cis-lunar space planned for 2021, and for subsequent missions beginning with Artemis III1 extending into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; ####
(4)the President’s annual budget requests for the Space Launch System and Orion development, test, and operational phases should strive to accurately reflect the resource requirements of each of those phases; ####
(5)the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, will safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond; and ####
(6)the Administrator should budget for and undertake a robust ground test and uncrewed and crewed flight test and demonstration program for the Space Launch System and Orion in order to promote safety and reduce programmatic risk. 1Section 10817(a)(1) and
(2)of division B of Public Law 117-167 provides for amendments to section 421(c)(3) and (f)(3) of the “National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2017”. The reference to the amended Act should have been made to the “National Aeronautics and Space Administration [Transition] Authorization Act of 2017”; however, these amendments were carried out above to reflect the probable intent of Congress. ###
(d)In general The Administrator shall continue the development of the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond over the course of the next century as required in section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). ###
(e)Report ####
(1)In general Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report addressing the ability of Orion to meet the needs and the minimum capability requirements described in section 303(b)(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)). ####
(2)Contents The report shall detail— #####
(A)those components and systems of Orion that ensure it is in compliance with section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)); #####
(B)the expected date that Orion, integrated with a vehicle other than the Space Launch System, could be available to transport crew and cargo to the ISS; #####
(C)any impacts to the deep space exploration missions under subsection
(f)of this section due to enabling Orion to meet the minimum capability requirements described in section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) and conducting the mission described in subparagraph
(B)of this paragraph; and #####
(D)the overall cost and schedule impacts associated with enabling Orion to meet the minimum capability requirements described in section 303(b)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 18323(b)(3)) and conducting the mission described in subparagraph
(B)of this paragraph. ###
(f)Exploration Missions The Administrator shall continue development of— ####
(1)an uncrewed exploration mission to demonstrate the capability of both the Space Launch System and Orion as an integrated system by 2018; ####
(2)subject to applicable human rating processes and requirements, a crewed exploration mission to demonstrate the Space Launch System, including the Core Stage and Exploration Upper Stages, by 2021; ####
(3)subsequent missions beginning with Artemis III1 at operational flight rate sufficient to maintain safety and operational readiness using the Space Launch System and Orion to extend into cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars; and ####
(4)a deep space habitat as a key element in a deep space exploration architecture along with the Space Launch System and Orion. ###
(g)Other Uses The Administrator shall assess the utility of the Space Launch System for use by the science community and for other Federal Government launch needs, including consideration of overall cost and schedule savings from reduced transit times and increased science returns enabled by the unique capabilities of the Space Launch System. ###
(h)Utilization Report ####
(1)In general The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, shall prepare a report that addresses the effort and budget required to enable and utilize a cargo variant of the 130-ton Space Launch System configuration described in section 302(c) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18322(c)). ####
(2)Contents In preparing the report, the Administrator shall— #####
(A)consider the technical requirements of the scientific and national security communities related to a cargo variant of the Space Launch System; and #####
(B)directly assess the utility and estimated cost savings obtained by using a cargo variant of the Space Launch System for national security and space science missions. ####
(3)Submission to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the report to the appropriate committees of Congress. ## Subtitle C Journey to Mars
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Sec. 421
SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM, ORION, AND EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS
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