Bill Summary
The "Space Research Innovation Act" aims to enhance the United States' capabilities in deep space and interplanetary research by establishing a university-affiliated research center under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Key provisions of the legislation include:
1. **Establishment of a Research Center**: The Act mandates the creation of a research center that will support NASA's missions related to cis-lunar (the space between the Earth and the Moon) and deep space exploration.
2. **Funding and Accountability**: The center will provide funding for analyses and engineering support while ensuring accountability for the quality of its outputs. It will leverage expertise from academic and private sectors to foster research collaborations.
3. **Policy Development**: The NASA Administrator is tasked with developing policies to govern the selection of participants, awarding contracts, and defining the technical requirements for the center.
4. **Eligibility**: Various entities, including institutions of higher education, operators of federally funded research centers, and nonprofit research institutions, will be eligible to participate in the research center.
Overall, the legislation seeks to promote innovation and collaboration in space research, supporting the United States' leadership in space exploration.
Possible Impacts
The "Space Research Innovation Act" as outlined in the provided legislation could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Employment Opportunities**: The establishment of a university-affiliated research center for deep-space and interplanetary research could create numerous job opportunities in various fields such as engineering, science, and technology. This would not only benefit those directly employed at the research center but also stimulate job growth in related sectors, such as construction, administration, and support services.
2. **Educational Partnerships and Research Funding**: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions, and federally funded research centers would have opportunities to partner with NASA to conduct research. This could lead to increased funding for academic programs, the development of new courses focused on space sciences, and enhanced educational opportunities for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Students may gain access to cutting-edge research and internship opportunities, improving their career prospects.
3. **Advancements in Technology and Knowledge**: By facilitating research related to cis-lunar and deep-space missions, the legislation could lead to technological innovations that benefit society at large. Research outcomes might contribute to advancements in various fields, such as materials science, robotics, and telecommunications, leading to new technologies that could improve everyday life, enhance national security, and stimulate economic growth through the commercialization of new discoveries.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 108 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 108
To allow the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to establish a research center for deep space and
interplanetary research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Biggs of Arizona introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To allow the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to establish a research center for deep space and
interplanetary research, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Space Research Innovation Act''.
SEC. 2. RESEARCH CENTER FOR DEEP-SPACE AND INTERPLANETARY RESEARCH.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, using the authority under section 3204(a)(3)(B)
of title 10, United States Code, shall--
(1) establish a university-affiliated research center to
facilitate capabilities in support of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration;
(2) use such a university-affiliated research center to
fund analyses and engineering support related to cis-lunar and
deep-space missions and interplanetary research; and
(3) ensure such a university-affiliated research center--
(A) is held accountable for the technical quality
of the work product developed under this section; and
(B) has established expertise in convening academic
and private sector groups to facilitate research and
private-public partnerships.
(b) Policies and Procedures.--The Administrator shall develop and
implement policies and procedures to govern, with respect to the
establishment of the university-affiliated research center under
subsection (a)--
(1) the selection of participants;
(2) the award of cooperative agreements or other contracts;
(3) the appropriate use of competitive awards and sole
source awards; and
(4) the technical capabilities required.
(c) Eligibility.--The following entities shall be eligible to
participate in a university-affiliated research center established
under subsection (a):
(1) An institution of higher education (as such term is
defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002)).
(2) An operator of a federally funded research and
development center.
(3) A nonprofit or not-for-profit research institution.
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