Planetary science portfolio

(a) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) planetary science missions advance the scientific understanding of the solar system and the place of humans in it while also advancing the design and operations of spacecraft and robotic engineering; and (2) Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship programs allow NASA to fund a range of missions that vary in size, cost, and complexity; maintaining balance across these mission classes allows for a broad scope of discoveries and scientific advances. (b) Mission priorities reaffirmation Congress reaffirms the direction in section 502(b)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note) that— (1) in accordance with the priorities established in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey, the Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the completion of a balanced set of Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions at the cadence recommended by the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey; and (2) consistent with the set of missions described in paragraph (1), and while maintaining the continuity of scientific data and steady development of capabilities and technologies, the Administrator may seek, if necessary, adjustments to mission priorities, schedule, and scope in light of changing budget projections.