Hypersonics research

(a) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) basic and applied hypersonics research— (A) is critical for enabling the development of advanced high-speed aeronautical and space systems; and (B) can improve understanding of technical challenges related to high-speed and reusable vehicle technologies, including those related to propulsion, noise, advanced materials, and entry, descent, and landing operations; (2) investments in hypersonics research are critical to sustaining United States global leadership in space and aeronautics; and (3) NASA efforts to study hypersonics research should complement research supported by the Department of Defense and, when appropriate, be conducted in partnership with universities and industry. (b) Hypersonics research The Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and in consultation with industry and academia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied hypersonics research. (c) Hypersonics research roadmap Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and with industry and academic institutions, shall update the hypersonics research roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note). In updating the research roadmap, the Administrator may consider advancements in— (1) system level design, analysis, and validation of hypersonics aircraft technologies; (2) propulsion capabilities and technologies; (3) vehicle technologies, including vehicle flow physics and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic heating; (4) advanced materials, including materials capable of withstanding high temperatures and demonstrating durable materials, and efforts to create models and simulate use of such materials; and (5) other areas of hypersonics research as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (d) Report and briefing Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) transmit the updated research roadmap under subsection (c) to the appropriate committees of Congress; and (2) provide a briefing on the research conducted under subsection (b), including how such research aligns with the updated research roadmap under subsection (c).