Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/2838

 124 STAT. 2812 PUBLIC LAW 111–267—OCT. 11, 2010 Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16761(a)), that the United States shall maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an essential instrument of national security and of the capacity to ensure continued United States participation and leadership in the exploration and utiliza- tion of space. SEC. 202. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. (a) LONG TERM GOAL.—The long term goal of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where prac- tical, in a manner involving international partners. (b) KEY OBJECTIVES.—The key objectives of the United States for human expansion into space shall be— (1) to sustain the capability for long-duration presence in low-Earth orbit, initially through continuation of the ISS and full utilization of the United States segment of the ISS as a National Laboratory, and through assisting and enabling an expanded commercial presence in, and access to, low-Earth orbit, as elements of a low-Earth orbit infrastructure; (2) to determine if humans can live in an extended manner in space with decreasing reliance on Earth, starting with utili- zation of low-Earth orbit infrastructure, to identify potential roles that space resources such as energy and materials may play, to meet national and global needs and challenges, such as potential cataclysmic threats, and to explore the viability of and lay the foundation for sustainable economic activities in space; (3) to maximize the role that human exploration of space can play in advancing overall knowledge of the universe, sup- porting United States national and economic security and the United States global competitive posture, and inspiring young people in their educational pursuits; and (4) to build upon the cooperative and mutually beneficial framework established by the ISS partnership agreements and experience in developing and undertaking programs and meeting objectives designed to realize the goal of human space flight set forth in subsection (a). SEC. 203. ASSURANCE OF CORE CAPABILITIES. (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the ISS, technology developments, the current Space Shuttle program, and follow-on transportation systems author- ized by this Act form the foundation of initial capabilities for missions beyond low-Earth orbit to a variety of lunar and Lagrangian orbital locations; and (2) these initial missions and related capabilities should be utilized to provide operational experience, technology development, and the placement and assured use of in-space infrastructure and in-space servicing of existing and future assets. (b) SPACE SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ASSURANCE.— (1) DEVELOPMENT OF FOLLOW-ON SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS.—The Administrator shall proceed with the develop- ment of follow-on space transportation systems in a manner that ensures that the national capability to restart and fly Space Shuttle missions can be initiated if required by the 42 USC 18313. 42 USC 18312.