Maximizing United States presence in low-Earth orbit

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) it is in the national and economic security, foreign policy, and scientific interests of the United States to maintain a continuous presence in low-Earth orbit; (2) low-Earth orbit include a mix of crewed and uncrewed capabilities; (3) low-Earth orbit should be used to advance human space exploration, scientific discoveries, and United States economic competitiveness and commercial participation; and (4) until the date on which a commercial low-Earth orbit destination capability achieves an initial operating capability, it is in the national and economic security, foreign policy, and scientific interests of the United States to maintain and support the International Space Station in the same effective manner that has made the International Space Station successful for many years. (b) Continuous human presence requirement The Administrator shall maintain the capability for a continuous human presence to advance human space exploration, scientific discoveries, international cooperation and United States economic competitiveness and commercial participation in low-Earth orbit through and beyond the useful life of the International Space Station. (c) Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program (1) In general The Administrator may establish, within the Space Operations Mission Directorate, a Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program for the purpose of procuring, from 1 or more United States commercial providers, services to support activities described in subsection (b) in low-Earth orbit, as appropriate and practicable. (2) Consolidation In establishing a program under paragraph (1), the Administrator may, as appropriate and practicable, consolidate programs of other National Aeronautics and Space Administration centers that support such activities. (d) Proper support (1) In general To adequately maintain the effective use of the International Space Station, the Administrator shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, seek to maintain the same average number and frequency of commercial crew and cargo flights, tempo of operations and crew size, and research throughput until such time as 1 or more commercial space stations is capable of providing services to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2) Managed transition (A) In general When 1 or more commercial space stations is capable of providing services to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Administrator shall begin the process of an orderly, managed transition of operations from the International Space Station to commercial providers in such a way as to maintain a continuous human presence. (B) Mixed portfolio In transitioning operations under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall seek to maintain the same average number and frequency of commercial crew and cargo flights to, and tempo of operations and crew size and research throughput in, low-Earth orbit, managed across a portfolio that includes the International Space Station and 1 or more commercial space stations. (3) De-orbit vehicle (A) In general The Administrator shall develop a de-orbit vehicle for the eventual decommissioning of the International Space Station. (B) Annual report Not less frequently than annually until the date on which the ISS is decommissioned, the Administrator shall include, in the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report that— (i) contains a description of the annual and lifecycle costs for activities related to the de-orbit of the International Space Station; and (ii) describes the manner in which such costs are shared among ISS partners. (e) Waiver (1) In general The Administrator may waive the application of subsections (b) and (d) if the Administrator determines that technical issues exist that prohibit the continued safe and effective operation of the International Space Station, including issues with crew and cargo flights. (2) Notification The Administrator shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives of the exercise of a waiver authority under paragraph (1).