Hypersonic research

(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) basic and applied hypersonic 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 hypersonic research are critical to sustaining United States global leadership in space and aeronautics; and (3) NASA efforts to study hypersonic research— (A) should not duplicate, and may complement, research supported by the Department of Defense; and (B) should be conducted in partnership with universities and industry, as appropriate. (b) Hypersonic research The Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Secretary of Defense, as appropriate, and in consultation with industry and academia, shall continue to carry out basic and applied hypersonic research. (c) Hypersonic research roadmap (1) In general 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, the Secretary of Defense, industry, and academic institutions, shall update the hypersonic research roadmap required under section 603 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–10; 131 Stat. 55). (2) Considerations In updating the research roadmap, the Administrator may consider— (A) advancements in— (i) system level design, analysis, and validation of hypersonic aircraft technologies; (ii) propulsion capabilities and technologies; (iii) vehicle technologies, including vehicle flow physics and vehicle thermal management associated with aerodynamic heating; (iv) (I) advanced materials, including materials capable of withstanding high temperatures; (II) demonstrating durable materials; and (III) efforts to apply such materials; and (v) other areas of hypersonic research as determined appropriate by the Administrator; and (B) data trends regarding sonic boom overpressures associated with hypersonic aircraft. (d) Report and briefing Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— (1) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the updated research roadmap under subsection (c); and (2) provide the appropriate committees of Congress with a briefing on the research conducted under subsection (b), including with respect to the manner in which such research aligns with such updated research roadmap.