Collapse to view only § 18386. Collaboration with ESMD and SOMD on robotic missions

§ 18381. Technology development

The Administrator shall ensure that the Science Mission Directorate maintains a long term technology development program for space and Earth science. This effort should be coordinated with an overall Agency technology investment approach, as authorized in section 905 of this Act.

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 801, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2832.)
§ 18382. Suborbital research activities
(a) In general
(b) Management
(c) Establishment of Suborbital Research Program
(d) Report
(e) Authorization
(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 802, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2832.)
§ 18383. In-space servicing

The Administrator shall continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that provisions are made for in-space or human servicing and repair of all future observatory-class scientific spacecraft intended to be deployed in Earth-orbit or at a Lagrangian point to the extent practicable and appropriate. The Administrator should ensure that agency investments and future capabilities for space technology, robotics, and human space flight take the ability to service and repair these spacecraft into account, where appropriate, and incorporate such capabilities into design and operational plans.

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 804, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2833.)
§ 18384. Decadal results

NASA shall take into account the current decadal surveys from the National Academies’ Space Studies Board when submitting the President’s budget request to the Congress.

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 805, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2833.)
§ 18385. On-going restoration of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material production
(a) Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has led the world in the scientific exploration of space for nearly 50 years.
(2) Missions such as Viking, Voyager, Cassini, and New Horizons have greatly expanded knowledge of our solar system and planetary characteristics and evolution.
(3) Radioisotope power systems are the only available power sources for deep space missions making it possible to travel to such distant destinations as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and beyond and maintain operational control and systems viability for extended mission durations.
(4) Current radioisotope power systems supplies and production will not fully support NASA missions planned even in the next decade and, without a new domestic production capability, the United States will no longer have the means to explore the majority of the solar system by the end of this decade.
(5) Continuing to rely on Russia or other foreign sources for radioisotope power system fuel production is not a secure option.
(6) Reestablishing domestic production will require a long lead-time. Thus, meeting future space exploration mission needs requires that a restart project begin at the earliest opportunity.
(b) In general
(c) Report
(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 806, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2833.)
§ 18386. Collaboration with ESMD and SOMD on robotic missions

The Administrator shall ensure that the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and the Space Operations Mission Directorate coordinate with the Science Mission Directorate on an overall approach and plan for interagency and international collaboration on robotic missions that are NASA or internationally developed, including lunar, Lagrangian, near-Earth orbit, and Mars spacecraft, such as the International Lunar Network. Within 90 days after October 11, 2010, the Administrator shall provide a plan to the appropriate committees of Congress for implementation of the collaborative approach required by this section. The Administrator may not cancel or initiate any Exploration Systems Mission Directorate or Science Mission Directorate robotic project before the plan is submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 807, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2834.)
§ 18387. Near-Earth object survey and policy with respect to threats posed
(a) Policy reaffirmation
(b) Implementation
(Pub. L. 111–267, title VIII, § 808, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2834.)
§ 18388. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–181, § 2(c)(2), Oct. 21, 2020, 134 Stat. 892