Space Research Innovation Act (H.R. 52; 117th Congress)

117th CONGRESS 1st Session

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.

Mr. Biggs introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

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 2304(c)(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 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; and


 * (3) a nonprofit or not-for-profit research institution.