,i #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fiaj ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #bf1 #bjah ,mr4 ,babin introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,a ,,bill ,to specify goals and objectives of the ,united ,states with respect to human spaceflight1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,leading ,human ,spaceflight ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,the ,apollo #aa landing on ,july #bj1 #aifi1 marked the first steps of a human being on the surface of another world1 representing a giant leap for all humanity and a significant demonstration of the spaceflight capabilities of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,section #bjb7;a7 of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahcab7;a77 establishes for the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration the long-term goals of expanding human presence in space and establishing a thriving space economy in low-,earth orbit and beyond4 7#c7 ,the ,national ,security ,strategy of the ,united ,states of ,america issued in ,december #bjag designates the human exploration of the solar system as a strategic priority for the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,establishing and ensuring the sustainability of human space exploration of the solar system1 as called for in ,space ,policy ,directive-#a issued in ,december #bjag and the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign issued in ,september #bjah1 will require carrying out human exploration and related extravehicular activities on the surface of other celestial bodies in a safe and cost-effective manner4 7#e7 ,the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center has decades of experience working with international partners1 other government agencies1 and partners in industry and academia to study1 develop1 and carry out the human spaceflight priorities of the ,united ,states4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center is critical to the achievement of the civil space mission of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration in the areas of program management and integration of large complex human spaceflight programs1 including overall systems engineering and integration1 human health and safety in space1 and crewed spacecraft development and operations1 especially those outlined in the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign2 7#b7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center's unique flagship facilities1 capabilities and experience in human spaceflight operations and program management1 including astronaut training1 program integration and mission control1 have been vital to human spaceflight achievements of the ,united ,states since the #aifjs and will continue to serve a vital role in maintaining a permanent human presence in low-,earth orbit1 as well as successfully carrying out the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign2 7#c7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center should continue its leadership in human spaceflight and exploration through its role as the home of the ,united ,states astronaut corps1 mission operations1 the ,international ,space ,station ,program1 the ,orion ,multi-,purpose ,crew ,vehicle ,program1 astromaterials research and exploration science1 and contributions to projects which extend human space exploration beyond low-,earth orbit1 such as the ,gateway and other capabilities envisioned by the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign2 7#d7 human space exploration programs of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 including1 but not limited to those described in the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign1 should rely on the experienced workforce and core capabilities of the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center1 to serve as a lead center for program management1 systems engineering1 program integration1 and operations1 to the extent practicable2 7#e7 conducting human space exploration and maintaining a human presence at any destination or outpost in low-,earth orbit and beyond1 as called for in the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign1 expands the sphere of influence of the ,united ,states2 7#f7 successfully conducting the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign depends on a broad base of technical and operational expertise and core capabilities provided by the ,,nasa centers and industry partners2 7#g7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center's role as a leading source of such expertise and capabilities makes it an important driver of economic activity in the ,united ,states2 7#h7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center has a tremendous opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting broader economic engagement with the commercial1 academic1 and industrial entities in the ,united ,states and globally2 and 7#i7 the ,lyndon ,b4 ,johnson ,space ,center shall have a primary role in the development1 integration and operations of space and supporting systems critical to the ,national ,space ,exploration ,campaign1 including major systems elements and key infrastructure operated in the vicinity of-- 7,a7 low-,earth orbit2 7,b7 the ,moon2 7,c7 ,mars or its moons2 or 7,d7 any other destinations pursuant to the objectives specified in section #bjb7a7 of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration ,authorization ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahcab7;a774 #d4 ,policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to continue a human presence capability in low-,earth orbit and that such capability-- 7#a7 maintains the ,united ,states global leadership and relationships with partners and allies2 7#b7 contributes to the general welfare of the ,united ,states2 and 7#c7 shall be affordable as to not preclude a robust portfolio of other human space exploration activities4 #e4 ,international ,space ,station 7a7 ,authorized operations ,the ,international ,space ,station1 as long as it is safe and functional1 shall operate through at least ,september #cj1 #bjcj1 or until a demonstrated and sustainable lower cost alternative low-,earth orbit platform can achieve the mission objectives of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 including but not limited to3 7#a7 ,conducting scientific1 exploration and human research programs to extend our human presence beyond low-,earth orbit4 7#b7 ,benefiting life on ,earth4 7#c7 ,increasing ,u4,s4 economic competitiveness and commercial participation4 7b7 ,authorized ,,iss activities ,the ,international ,space ,station shall continue scientific and research programs and serve as a testbed to enable and advance technology development and space operations capabilities for deep space exploration and to foster and encourage commercial activities in low-,earth orbit4 7c7 ,commercial capabilities ,in order to facilitate the growth of commercial participants and activities1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration shall work with the private sector to develop commercial capabilities in low-,earth orbit that can achieve the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration's objectives4 ,by ,december #ca1 #bjbd1 ,,nasa or a partner organization should attempt to achieve the following3 7#a7 ,a product produced or manufactured aboard the ,,iss or in low-,earth orbit by a private entity has been successfully marketed and sold4 7#b7 ,any ,u4,s4 non-governmental user of the ,,iss has paid some or all of the costs of payload integration or transportation to the ,,iss4 7#c7 ,a non-,,nasa1 ,u4,s4 government customer flies a scientific or research payload on board the ,,iss4 7#d7 ,the ,united ,states flight of a crew member aboard the ,,iss on a commercial basis wherein their time is available for purchase by ,,iss users4 7#e7 ,a non-,u4,s4 entity1 not currently covered by the ,,iss ,intergovernmental ,agreement1 notwithstanding other provisions of law1 purchase or acquire a presence on or services from the ,,iss4 7d7 ,,iss transition strategy ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration shall deliver to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a strategy that-- 7#a7 provides clear guidance on how the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration will ensure a stepwise transition to an eventual successor platform consistent with the ,,iss ,transition ,principles specified in the ,international ,space ,station ,transition ,report issued pursuant to the section #ejaaa7;c77#b7 of title #ea1 ,united ,states ,code1 on ,march #cj1 #bjah2 7#b7 includes capability driven milestones and timelines leading to such a transition2 7#c7 takes into account the importance of maintaining workforce expertise1 core capabilities and continuity at ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration centers1 including those primarily focused on human spaceflight2 7#d7 considers how any such transition affects current partnerships2 7#e7 presents opportunities for future engagement with-- 7,a7 current international partners2 7,b7 countries with growing spaceflight capabilities1 where not precluded by other provisions of law2 7,c7 private sector2 and 7,d7 other ,united ,states ,government users2 and 7#f7 promotes the continued economic development of low-,earth orbit4