Artemis program

(a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Exploration of outer space, including exploration of the lunar surface and cislunar space, provides benefits and economic opportunity, including by inspiring future generations and expanding the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce needed to sustain United States leadership in science, space, and technology. (2) The lunar south pole is home to shadowed craters that may contain water ice and other volatiles. Understanding the nature of lunar polar volatiles, such as water ice, would advance science related to the origin and evolution of volatiles in the inner solar system and could facilitate the long-term future of space exploration. Water ice lunar resources have the potential to become an enabling component of future space exploration missions throughout the solar system, including crewed missions to Mars. (3) Other countries have demonstrated technological advances and successful robotic missions for lunar exploration and have announced credible plans for long-term human exploration of the Moon that include the intent to establish lunar bases. (4) United States leadership of and measurable progress on the exploration of deep space is essential for guiding development of norms related to operations on and around the Moon and for other space destinations. (5) It is in the national interest of the United States to hold a leadership role in discussions of future norms governing activities in space, including those on the lunar surface and in cislunar space. (b) Requirements In carrying out activities to enable Artemis missions under the Moon to Mars Program set forth in section 10811 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note), the Administrator shall— (1) use relevant elements set forth in section 10811(b)(2)(B) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note); (2) continue to ensure that the elements under paragraph (1) enable the human exploration of Mars, consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C)(i) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note); (3) engage with international partners, as appropriate, in a manner that is consistent with section 10811(b)(2)(C) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–167; 51 U.S.C. 20302 note), and that increases redundancy, efficiency, and cost savings; and (4) leverage capabilities provided by United States commercial providers, as appropriate and practicable. (c) United States commercial provider capabilities in support of lunar exploration efforts The Administrator may enter into agreements with United States commercial providers or engage in public-private partnerships to procure capabilities and services to support the human exploration of the Moon or cislunar space.