NASA Authorization Act of 2004

108th CONGRESS
2d Session

S. 2541

To reauthorize and restructure the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 17, 2004

Mr. MCCAIN (for himself, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mrs. HUTCHISON, and Mr. ALLEN,) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To reauthorize and restructure the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `NASA Authorization Act of 2004'.

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

Sec. 3. Findings.

TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Exploration capabilities.

Sec. 102. Exploration, science, and aeronautics.

Sec. 103. Inspector General.

Sec. 104. Independent technical engineering authority authorizations.

Sec. 105. Total authorizations.

TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE RETURN TO FLIGHT

Sec. 201. Lessons-learned program.

Sec. 202. Independent technical engineering authority.

Sec. 203. Safety and integration.

Sec. 204. Recertification of space shuttle.

Sec. 205. Return to flight certification.

Sec. 206. Launch plans for ISS.

TITLE III--NASA's NEW VISION

Sec. 301. Exploration of the solar system.

Sec. 302. Human missions to the Moon and Mars.

Sec. 303. Systems requirements document.

Sec. 304. Life cycle cost estimate.

Sec. 305. Commercialization plan with Office of Space Commercialization.

Sec. 306. Industrial assessment.

Sec. 307. Reports on costs of major systems.

Sec. 308. International cooperation.

Sec. 309. Technology Transfer and Licensing Office.

Sec. 310. Robotic lunar missions.

Sec. 311. Legal aspects of lunar exploration.

Sec. 312. NASA engineering school.

TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 401. Integrated financial management program.

Sec. 402. Future launch plan.

Sec. 403. Commercial goods and services.

Sec. 404. Industry Advisory Board.

Sec. 405. Requirement for independent cost analysis.

Sec. 406. Electronic access to business opportunities.

Sec. 407. Retrocession of jurisdiction.

Sec. 408. Centennial challenge program.

Sec. 409. Cultural assessment.

Sec. 410. Sense of the Congress regarding competitive contracting.

Sec. 411. Employees stationed in foreign countries.

Sec. 412. Hubble Telescope.

Sec. 413. Confirmation requirement.

Sec. 414. National Aeronautics and Space Foundation Study.

Sec. 415. Near-earth object survey.

TITLE V--AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 501. Findings.

Sec. 502. Environmental aircraft research and development initiative.

Sec. 503. Civil supersonic transport research and development initiative.

Sec. 504. NASA aeronautics scholarships.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(2) NASA- The term `NASA' means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) NASA has a proud heritage of promoting the development of space through the pursuit of ambitious goals requiring the design and development of new, complex technologies.

(2) The President's new vision for space will require new, affordable, and safe access to space. Such access will have significant implications for national security, civil sector, and commercial uses of space.

(3) Basic and applied research in space science, earth science, and aeronautics remain a significant part of the Nation's goals for the use and development of space.

(4) America's history is built on a desire to open new frontiers and to seek new discoveries.

(5) Exploration, like investments in other Federal science and technology activities, is an investment in our future.

(6) Our Nation's investment in space has and will continue to yield returns many fold, through a tremendously promising program of discovery and exploration that historically has provided benefits that improve the quality of life on Earth, as well as inspiring Americans and people throughout the world.

(7) Over the next few years after the date of enactment of this Act, NASA will face great cultural and organizational change as it learns from the Columbia tragedy and implements the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, the President's Commission on Moon, Mars, and Beyond, and ongoing reviews by the National Academy of Sciences, Congress expects that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will create and support a robust, independent safety and technical engineering authorities called for by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board while striving to ensure safety and the protection of human life in all aspects of design, development,

test, launch, and operations. While human space exploration will always be risky, the management and organization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration itself cannot be the root cause of space accidents in the future.

TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES.

Subject to the limitation in section 105, the following amounts are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the following programs and fiscal years:

(1) Fiscal year 2005:

(A) International Space Station, $1,863,000,000.

(B) Space shuttle, $4,319,000,000.

(D) Transportation systems, $689,000,000.

(E) Human and robotic technology, $1,079,000,000, of which $20,000,000 shall be for the Centennial Challenges Program established under section 318 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by section 408 of this Act.

(2) Fiscal year 2006:

(A) International Space Station, $1,764,000,000.

(B) Space shuttle, $4,326,000,000.

(D) Transportation systems, $1,261,000,000.

(E) Human and robotic technology, $1,302,500,000, of which $25,000,000 shall be for the Centennial Challenges Program established under section 318 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by section 408 of this Act.

(3) Fiscal year 2007:

(A) International Space Station, $1,780,000,000.

(B) Space shuttle, $4,314,000,000.

(D) Transportation systems, $1,624,000,000.

(E) Human and robotic technology, $1,301,000,000, of which $25,000,000 shall be for the Centennial Challenges Program established under section 318 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by section 408 of this Act.

(4) Fiscal year 2008:

(A) International Space Station, $1,779,000,000.

(B) Space shuttle, $4,027,000,000.

(D) Transportation systems, $1,423,000,000.

(E) Human and robotic technology, $1,369,600,000, of which $10,000,000 shall be for the Centennial Challenges Program established under section 318 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 as added by section 408 of this Act.

(5) Fiscal year 2009:

(A) International Space Station, $2,115,000,000.

(B) Space shuttle, $3,030,000,000.

(D) Transportation systems, $1,863,000,000.

(E) Human and robotic technology, $1,433,000,000.

SEC. 102. EXPLORATION, SCIENCE, AND AERONAUTICS.

Subject to the limitation in section 105, the following amounts are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the following programs and fiscal years:

(1) Fiscal year 2005:

(A) Space science, $4,138,000,000, of which $20,000,000 shall be for activities under section 416 of this Act.

(B) Earth science, $1,485,000,000, of which $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.

(D) Aeronautics Technology, $919,000,000.

(E) Education, $169,000,000, of which $500,000 shall be for scholarships under section 504.

(2) Fiscal year 2006:

(A) Space science, $4,404,000,000, of which $20,000,000 shall be for activities under section 415(b) of this Act.

(B) Earth science, $1,390,000,000, of which $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.

(D) Aeronautics Technology, $957,000,000.

(E) Education, $169,000,000, of which $750,000 shall be for scholarships under section 504.

(3) Fiscal year 2007:

(A) Space science, $4,906,000,000.

(B) Earth science, $1,368,000,000 of which $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.

(D) Aeronautics, $938,000,000.

(E) Education, $171,000,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be for scholarships under section 504.

(4) Fiscal year 2008:

(A) Space science, $5,520,000,000.

(B) Earth science, $1,343,000,000 of which $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.

(D) Aeronautics Technology, $926,000,000.

(E) Education, $170,000,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be for scholarships under section 504.

(5) Fiscal year 2009:

(A) Space science, $5,561,000,000.

(B) Earth science, $1,474,000,000 of which $5,000,000 shall be for abrupt climate change research.

(D) Aeronautics Technology, $942,000,000.

(E) Education, $170,000,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be for scholarships under section 504.

SEC. 103. INSPECTOR GENERAL.

Subject to the limitation in section 105, there are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the Office of Inspector General--

(1) for fiscal year 2005, $28,000,000,

(2) for fiscal year 2006, $29,000,000,

(3) for fiscal year 2007, $30,000,000,

(4) for fiscal year 2008, $31,000,000, and

(5) for fiscal year 2009, $32,000,000.

SEC. 104. INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AUTHORITY AUTHORIZATIONS.

Subject to the limitation in section 105, there are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the technical engineering authority established under section 202 of this Act--

(1) for fiscal year 2005, $15,000,000;

(2) for fiscal year 2006, $15,500,000;

(3) for fiscal year 2007, $16,000,000;

(4) for fiscal year 2008, $16,400,000; and

(5) for fiscal year 2009, $17,000,000.

SEC. 105. TOTAL AUTHORIZATIONS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the total amount authorized to be appropriated to NASA under this Act, shall not exceed--

(1) for fiscal year 2005, $16,245,000,000;

(2) for fiscal year 2006, $17,125,000,000;

(3) for fiscal year 2007, $17,727,584,000;

(4) for fiscal year 2008, $17,581,562,000; and

(5) for fiscal year 2009, $17,676,948,000.

TITLE II--SPACE SHUTTLE RETURN TO FLIGHT

SEC. 201. LESSONS-LEARNED PROGRAM.

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish an agency-wide lessons-learned and best practices program to ensure that lessons learned and best practices at NASA are available to all employees. The Administrator shall determine the process and frequency by which the information is provided to NASA's employees. The program--

(1) may include experiences realized outside of NASA;

(2) shall include criteria by which entries in the program are determined; and

(3) shall use a standardized, user-friendly format for data reports.

SEC. 202. INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AUTHORITY.

(a) IN GENERAL- Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish within NASA a Technical Engineering Authority that--

(1) has its own budgetary line within NASA's budget;

(2) does not have any programmatic connection to, or responsibility for cost and schedule;

(3) will serve as a resource for the entire agency;

(4) is responsible for all technical standards and all waivers to them for the Space Shuttle program and any other program designated by the Administrator; and

(5) will develop and build a disciplined systemic approach for identifying, analyzing, and controlling hazards throughout the life cycle of the Space Shuttle system or any other program designated by the Administrator.

(b) FUNCTIONS- The Authority established under subsection (a) shall--

(1) develop and maintain technical standards for all Space Shuttle Program projects and elements;

(2) be the sole waiver-granting authority for all technical standards;

(3) conduct trend and risk analysis at the subsystem, system, and enterprise level;

(4) own the failure mode, effects analysis and hazard reporting systems;

(5) conduct integrated hazard analysis;

(6) decide what is and is not an anomalous event;

(7) independently verify launch readiness;

(8) approve the provisions of the recertification program called for in section 205 of this Act; and

(9) approve all mission simulated activities, including testing of abort scenarios, `GO' and `NO-GO' decisions, and other `red-teaming' activities.

(c) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science, a plan for defining, establishing, transitioning, and implementing the Authority.

(d) ANNUAL REPORT- The Administrator shall include a report on the activities of the Authority as part of NASA's annual budget request.

SEC. 203. SAFETY AND INTEGRATION.

(a) SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE- The Administrator shall provide the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance--

(1) direct line authority over the entire Space Shuttle safety organization; and

(2) independent funding.

(b) SPACE SHUTTLE INTEGRATION- The Administrator shall reorganize the Space Shuttle Integration Office to ensure that it is capable of integrating all elements of the Space Shuttle program, including the orbiters.

(c) SUBMISSION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS TO CONGRESS- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a plan for defining, establishing, transitioning, and implementing--

(1) the direct line authority over the entire Space Shuttle safety organization and the independent funding for the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance required by subsection (a); and

(2) the reorganization of the Space Shuttle Integration Office required by subsection (b).

SEC. 204. RECERTIFICATION OF SPACE SHUTTLE.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator, after approval by the Technical Engineering Authority established in section 202 of this Act, shall recertify the Space Shuttle orbiters for operation prior to any operations beyond 2010. The recertification shall be conducted on the material, component, subsystem, and system levels and shall be included as part of the Shuttle Service Life Extension program.

(b) PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED- If the Administrator determines that it is necessary to operate the Space Shuttle orbiters after 2010, the Administrator shall submit plans, including costs and scheduling, before 2009 for recertifying the Space Shuttle orbiters consistent with the requirements of subsection (a), before commencing any such recertification to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science. The plan shall be approved by the Technical Engineering Authority as established under section 202 of this Act.

(c) UPGRADE OF DRAWING SYSTEM- The Administrator shall establish a long-term program to upgrade the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station engineering drawing systems. The upgrade shall include--

(1) review of drawings for accuracy;

(2) conversion of all drawing to a computer-aided drafting system; and

(3) incorporation of drawing changes.

SEC. 205. RETURN TO FLIGHT CERTIFICATION.

The Administrator may not return the Space Shuttle program to launching orbiters until all safety recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report which were identified as `Return To Flight' tasks have been completely satisfied. The Administrator shall certify to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science that those recommendations have been satisfied before the first such return to launch.

SEC. 206. LAUNCH PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science plans for launching assembly elements, crew, and supplies to the International Space Station from the year 2010 through the year 2014.

TITLE III--NASA'S NEW VISION

SEC. 301. EXPLORATION INITIATIVE.

The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1985 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`TITLE V--SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION

`SEC. 501. SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION INITIATIVE.

`(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall establish a program--

`(1) to implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic exploration of the solar system and beyond;

`(2) to extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations;

`(3) to develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and

`(4) to promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further United States scientific, security, and economic interests.

`(b) ACTION REQUIRED- To accomplish the goals of the program, the Administrator shall--

`(1) return the Space Shuttle to flight consistent with safety concerns and the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, with the chief purpose to help finish assembly of the International Space Station;

`(2) retire the Space Shuttle as soon as assembly of International Space Station is completed;

`(3) begin developing a new crewed exploration vehicle to explore beyond Earth orbit to be ready for

testing by the end of the decade, and to conduct its first human mission no later than 2014; and

`(4) take the steps necessary to return humans to Earth's moon as early as 2015 and no later than 2020, and use the Moon as a stepping-stone for missions to Mars and other destinations in space.'.

SEC. 302. HUMAN MISSIONS TO THE MOON AND MARS.

(a) Report on Activities and Funding Budgeted for Fiscal Year 2005- Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science that identifies all activities and funding, using full cost accounting, in the fiscal year 2005 budget request that support human missions to the Moon and Mars.

(b) INCLUSION IN BUDGET REQUEST- The Administrator shall include in NASA's annual budget request all activities and funding, using full cost accounting, that support human missions to the Moon and Mars.

SEC. 303. SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT.

(a) IN GENERAL- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a system requirements document to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science that includes--

(1) the baseline technical requirements for NASA to conduct a human mission to the Moon by 2014 and the eventual human mission to the planet Mars; and

(2) a description of the process for making revisions to the document.

(b) Report To Be Combined With Section 304 Report- The Administrator shall combine the report required under subsection (a) with the life cycle cost estimate required by section 304 and submit them as a single document.

SEC. 304. LIFE CYCLE COST ESTIMATE.

(a) SUBMISSION OF ESTIMATE TO CONGRESS- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a life cycle cost estimate for a manned mission to the Moon to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science. The Administrator shall ensure that the life cycle cost estimate has been approved by the Chief Engineer and reviewed by an independent organization prior to submission. The cost estimate shall also include whether or not the planned budgetary profile for these missions as submitted in NASA's fiscal year 2005 budget request is sufficient to meet the targeted dates of the missions.

(b) GAO REVIEW- Within 90 days after the Administration submits the life cycle cost estimate to the Committees under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall conduct a review of the estimate and transmit a report containing the results of that review to those Committees.

(c) REVISED ESTIMATES- After the first life cycle cost estimate under subsection (a) has been submitted to the Committees, the Administrator shall prepare and submit, in accordance with the requirements of subsection (a) but without regard to the last sentence thereof, a revised life cycle cost estimate for the mission for each fiscal year to the Committees on or before the date on which the President submits the Budget of the United States to the Congress.

SEC. 305. COMMERCIALIZATION PLAN WITH OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator and the Director of the Office of Space Commercialization of the Department of Commerce shall develop a commercialization plan to support the human missions to the Moon and Mars. The plan shall identify opportunities for the private sector to participate in the future missions, including opportunities for partnership between NASA and the private sector in the development of technologies and services.

(b) REPORT- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Director jointly shall submit a copy of the plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science.

(c) Report To Be Combined With Section 306 Report- The Administrator shall combine the plan required under subsection (b) with the report required by section 306 and submit them as a single document.

SEC. 306. INDUSTRIAL ASSESSMENT.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator and the Director of the Office of Space Commercialization of the Department of Commerce shall develop an assessment of the capability of the private sector, including small businesses, to support the manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The assessment shall include the ability of private industry to support--

(1) the definition of basic program requirements;

(2) an assessment of current technologies and shortfalls; and

(3) the production and manufacturing capabilities necessary to implement the manned missions to the Moon and Mars.

(b) REPORT- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Director jointly shall submit a copy of the assessment to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science.

SEC. 307. REPORTS ON COSTS OF MAJOR SYSTEMS.

(a) QUARTERLY LIFE CYCLE COST REPORTS-

(1) IN GENERAL- The program manager for each major system, as determined by the Administrator, of the solar system exploration initiative under section 501 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as added by section 301 of this Act, shall submit to the Administrator, within 7 days after the end of each quarter of the fiscal year, a written report on the major system for which such manager has responsibility. The Administrator shall submit a listing of all major systems to the Senate Committee on Commmerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. The program manager shall include in each such report the total life cycle cost for

such major system as of the last day of such quarter and the history of the total life cycle cost of each major system from the date on which funds were first authorized to be appropriated for such system.

(2) COST OVERRUN REPORTS- If at any time during a fiscal year the program manager of a major system referred to in paragraph (1) has reasonable cause to believe that the total life cycle cost has exceeded the applicable percentage increase specified in subsection (b), the manager shall immediately submit to the Administrator a report containing the information, as of the date of such report, required by paragraph (1).

(3) SCHEDULE OR SYSTEM CHANGES- The program manager shall also include in each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) any change from schedule milestones or system performances requirements with respect to such system that are known, expected, or anticipated by such manager.

(b) Stop-Loss Provisions for 15 Percent Cost Overruns-

(1) SYSTEMS- If the Administrator determines, on the basis of any report submitted to him pursuant to subsection (a), that the total life cycle cost (including any increase for expected inflation) for any major system has increased by more than 15 percent over the total life cycle cost for such system, then (except as provided in paragraph (2)) no additional funds may be obligated in connection with such system after the end of the 30-day period beginning on the day on which the Administrator makes such determination. The Administrator shall notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science promptly in writing of such increase upon making such a determination with respect to any such major system and shall include in such notice the date on which such determination was made.

(2) EXCEPTION- The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) on the obligation of funds shall not apply in the case of any major system to which such prohibition would otherwise apply if the Administrator submits to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science, before the end of the 30-day period referred to in paragraph (1), a written report which includes--

(A) a statement of the reasons for such increase in total life cycle cost or procurement cost;

(B) the identities of the program officers responsible for program management and cost control of the major system;

(D) any changes made in the performance or schedule milestones of such system and the degree to which such changes have contributed to the increase in total life cycle cost or procurement cost;

(E) the identities of the principal contractors for the major system; and

(F) an index of all testimony and documents formally provided to the Congress on the estimated cost of such system.

(1) IN GENERAL- If the Administrator--

(A) determines, on the basis of a report submitted to him pursuant to subsection (a)--

(i) that the total life cycle cost (including an increase for expected inflation) for a major system has increased by more than 25 percent over the total life cycle cost, or

(ii) that the current procurement cost of such system has increased by more than 25 percent over the initial procurement cost, in the case of any such system for which procurement funds are authorized to be appropriated by this Act, and

(B) has submitted a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science with respect to such system pursuant to subsection (b)(3),

then (except as provided in paragraph (2)) no additional funds may be obligated in connection with such system after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the day on which the Administrator makes such determination.

(2) EXCEPTION- The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) on the obligation of funds shall not apply in the case of a major system to which such prohibition would otherwise apply if the Administrator submits to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science, before the end of the 60-day period referred to in such paragraph, a written certification stating that--

(A) such system is essential to the future of the Exploration Initiative;

(B) there are no alternatives to such system which will provide equal or greater capability at less cost;

(D) the management structure for such major system is adequate to manage and control total program acquisition cost or procurement cost.

SEC. 308. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, NASA shall provide a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science on opportunities for international cooperation from all space faring nations on a human mission to the Moon and Mars. The report shall present a variety of options for the United States to enter into partnership with other nations in pursuit of

the program established by section 301 of this Act. The report shall be developed in cooperation with the Department of State and other appropriate agencies.

SEC. 309. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND LICENSING OFFICE.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE- The Administrator shall establish a Technology Transfer and Licensing Office within the program established under section 301. The Office shall--

(1) facilitate the transfer of technologies into and out of the agency; and

(2) handle the licensing activities of the agency.

(b) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PLAN- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and implement a technology transfer plan for the program. The technology transfer plan shall include--

(1) a framework of oversight and administrative requirements for carrying out technology transfer activities;

(2) a description of how the program will identify, assess, license, and monitor research and development projects that the agency and its related facilities determine have a potential for public and commercial application; and

(3) procedures for the dissemination of information on Federally owned or originated products, processes, and services to interested parties.

(c) PLAN AND REPORT- The Administrator shall transmit a copy of the plan, together with recommendations (including legislative recommendations) if any, to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 310. ROBOTIC LUNAR MISSIONS.

Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science for the robotic lunar missions to the Earth's moon within 3 years. The plan should include the specific science and technical goals to be met, the role of scientific peer review panels in selecting missions, and the use of the private sector to accomplish the goals of the mission.

SEC. 311. LEGAL ASPECTS OF LUNAR EXPLORATION.

The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a legal review and interpretation of laws and treaties governing the exploration of space and the possible ownership of resources on the Moon and Mars. The review should determine if any changes or new agreements are needed to reflect the growing role of the private sector in space exploration. The review shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science within 90 days of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 312. NASA ENGINEERING SCHOOL.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Administrator shall establish a NASA Engineering School. The school shall be available to all employees of NASA and its contractors to facilitate increased knowledge of engineering and scientific principles to further the missions of NASA.

(b) PURPOSE- The purpose of the school is to provide a unique training program to bridge the gap between the broad-based training provided by universities, and the specific training needed to understand the different technologies which form the basis for work at NASA.

(c) SUBMISSION OF PLAN- Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a plan for establishing the school.

TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 401. INTEGRATED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Financial officer shall provide a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science on NASA's ability to improve its financial management. The report shall include--

(1) a statement of the status of the implementation of the integrated financial management program; and

(2) a description of plans and architecture for the full implementation of the management system.

SEC. 402. FUTURE LAUNCH PLAN.

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a plan for future launches of space vehicles that includes an estimate of costs, schedules, and factors relevant to other United States space sectors. The plan should address assessments of reusable components and approaches that can lead to significant cost reductions in United States access to space.

SEC. 403. COMMERCIAL GOODS AND SERVICES.

It is the sense of the Congress that NASA should purchase commercially available space goods and services to the fullest extent feasible in support of the human missions to the Moon and Mars and shall not conduct activities with commercial applications that preclude or deter commercial space activities except for reasons of national security or public safety. For purposes of this section--

(1) a space good or service shall be considered to be commercially available if it is offered by a commercial provider, or if it could be supplied by a commercial provider in response to a Government procurement request; and

(2) a purchase shall be considered to be feasible if it meets mission requirements in a cost-effective manner while offering the same or a higher level of safety.

SEC. 404. INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD.

The Administrator shall establish an Industry Advisory Board to review and discuss opportunities for the private sector to invest in and take advantage of activities at NASA. The Board shall meet at least twice a year with the Administrator or his designee.

SEC. 405. REQUIREMENT FOR INDEPENDENT COST ANALYSIS.

Section 301 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 2459g) is amended--

(1) by striking the first sentence of subsection (a) and inserting `For each project that is projected to cost more than $250,000,000 in total project costs, the Chief Financial Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall conduct and consider an independent life-cycle cost analysis and report the results of that analysis to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science as soon as practicable after the contract, or contracts, for the project have been awarded.'; and

(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

`(b) TOTAL PROJECT COSTS- In this section, the term `total project costs' includes--

`(1) all activity in the life cycle of a program or project after preliminary design, independent assessment of the preliminary design, and approval to proceed into implementation; and

`(2) design, development, testing, certification, launch, operations, and disposal.'.

SEC. 406. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451, et seq.), is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 316. ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

`(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator may implement a pilot program providing for reduction in the waiting period between publication of notice of a proposed contract action and release of the solicitation for procurements conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

`(b) APPLICABILITY- The program implemented under subsection (a) shall apply to non-commercial acquisitions--

`(1) with a total value in excess of $100,000 but not more than $5,000,000 including options;

`(2) that do not involve bundling of contract requirements as defined in section 3(o) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(o)); and

`(3) for which a notice is required by subsection 8(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) and subsection 18(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)).

`(c) NOTICE-

`(1) Notice of acquisitions subject to the program authorized by this section shall be made accessible through the single Government-wide point of entry designated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, consistent with paragraph 30(c)(4) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 426(c)(4)).

`(2) Providing access to notice in accordance with paragraph (1) satisfies the publication requirements of subsection 8(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)) and subsection 18(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)).

`(d) SOLICITATION- Solicitations subject to the program authorized by this section shall be made accessible through the single Government-wide point of entry, consistent with requirements set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, except for adjustments to the wait periods as provided in subsection (e).

`(e) WAIT PERIODS-

`(1) Whenever a notice required by section 8(e)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 637(e)(1)(A)) and section 18(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)) is made accessible in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, the wait period set forth in section 8(e)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)(3)(A)) and section 18(a)(3)(A) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(A)), shall be reduced by 5 days. If the solicitation applying to that notice is accessible electronically in accordance with subsection (d) simultaneously with issuance of the notice, the wait period set forth in section 8(e)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)(3)(A)) and section 18(a)(3)(A) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(A)) shall not apply and the period specified in section 8(e)(3)(B) of the Small Business Act and section 18(a)(3)(B) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(B)) for submission of bids or proposals shall begin to run from the date the solicitation is electronically accessible.

`(2) When a notice and solicitation are made accessible simultaneously and the wait period is waived pursuant to paragraph (1), the deadline for the submission of bids or proposals shall be not less than 5 days greater than the minimum deadline set forth in section 8(e)(3)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(e)(3)(B)) and section 18(a)(3)(B) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(3)(B)).

`(f) .AEMD23AFIMPLEMENTATION-

`(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed as modifying regulatory requirements set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, except with respect to--

`(A) the applicable wait period between publication of notice of a proposed contract action and release of the solicitation; and

`(B) the deadline for submission of bids or proposals for procurements conducted in accordance with the terms of this pilot program.

`(2) This section shall not apply to the extent the President determines it is inconsistent with any international agreement to which the United States is a party.

`(g) STUDY- Within 18 months after the effective date of the program, NASA shall evaluate the impact of the pilot program and submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report that--

`(1) sets forth in detail the results of the test, including the impact on competition and small business participation; and

`(2) at the discretion of the President, addresses whether the pilot program should be made permanent, continued as a test program, or allowed to expire.

`(h) EFFECTIVE DATE-

`(1) The authority set forth in this section shall take effect on the date specified in the final regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph 3. The date so specified shall be no less than 30 days after the date on which the final regulation is published.

`(2) NASA shall publish proposed revisions to the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement as may be necessary to implement this section in the Federal Register not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2004. The proposed regulations shall be made available for public comment for a period of not less than 60 days.

`(3) Final regulations shall be published in the Federal Register not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2004.

`(i) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY- The authority to conduct this pilot program under subsection (a) and to award contracts under such program shall expire 2 years after the effective date established in the final regulations published in the Federal Register.'.

SEC. 407. RETROCESSION OF JURISDICTION.

Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 406, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 317. RETROCESSION OF JURISDICTION.

`Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may, whenever the Administrator considers it desirable, relinquish to a State all or part of the jurisdiction of the United States over lands or interests under the Administrator's control in that State. Relinquishment of jurisdiction under this section may be accomplished--

`(1) by filing with the Governor of the State concerned a notice of relinquishment to take effect upon acceptance thereof; or

`(2) as the laws of the State may otherwise provide.'.

SEC. 408. CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE PROGRAM.

Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 407, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 318. AUTHORITY FOR COMPETITIVE PRIZE AWARD PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED SPACE AND AERONAUTICAL TECHNOLOGIES.

`(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED- The Administrator may carry out a program, known as the Centennial Challenge Program, to award prizes to stimulate innovation in basic and applied research, technology development, and prototype demonstration that have the potential for application to the performance of the space and aeronautical activities of the Administration.

`(b) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS-

`(1) COMPETITIVE PROCESS- Recipients of prizes under the program under this section shall be selected through one or more competitions conducted by the Administrator.

`(2) ADVERTISEMENT OF COMPETITIONS- The Administrator shall widely advertise any competitions conducted under the program.

`(c) REGISTRATION; ASSUMPTION OF RISK-

`(1) REGISTRATION- Each potential recipient of a prize in a competition under the program under this section shall register for the competition.

`(2) ASSUMPTION OF RISK- In registering for a competition under paragraph (1), a potential recipient of a prize shall assume any and all risks, and waive claims against the United States Government and its related entities (including contractors and subcontractors at any tier, suppliers, users, customers, cooperating parties, grantees, investigators, and detailees), for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in the competition, whether such injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise, except in the case of willful misconduct.

`(d) BUDGETING AND AWARDING OF FUNDS-

`(1) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Any funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available until expended, but for not more than 4 fiscal years.

`(2) DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS- When a prize is offered, the total amount of funding made available for that prize shall be deposited in the Centennial Challenge Trust Fund. If funding expires before a prize is awarded, the Administrator shall deposit additional funds in the account to ensure the availability of funding for all prizes. If a prize competition expires before its goals are met, the Administrator may redesignate those funds for a new challenge, but any redesignated funds will be considered as newly deposited for the purposes of paragraph (3). All cash awards made under this section shall be paid from that account.

`(3) OVERALL LIMIT- The Administrator may not deposit more than $25,000,000 annually in the Centennial Challenge Trust Fund.

`(4) MAXIMUM PRIZE- No competition under the program may result in the award of more than $1,000,000 in cash prizes without the approval of the Administrator.

`(e) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITY- The Administrator may exercise the authority in this section in conjunction with or in addition to any other authority of the Administrator to acquire, support, or stimulate basic and applied research, technology development, or prototype demonstration projects.'.

SEC. 409. CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall conduct a NASA-wide assessment to identify and define areas of

cultural and organizational changes and develop a NASA-wide plan--

(1) to create a culture that promotes effective communication and encourages expression of dissenting views, including--

(A) improving the efficiency of information and knowledge structures; and

(B) developing procedures to enhance sharing of knowledge and data and decision-making;

(2) to increase NASA's focus on the human elements management and organizational development, including--

(A) establishing clear lines of authority, accountability, and responsibility of individual employees, work groups, and leadership; and

(B) promoting an understanding of program interdependencies and implications of management decisions across programs;

(3) to develop and implement consistent procedures for leadership, management, and employee training and skill development, including hiring, promotion, and succession planning; and

(4) to create a robust system that institutionalizes checks and balances to ensure the maintenance of NASA's technical and safety standards.

(b) REPORT AND PLAN- Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report on the assessment conducted under subsection (a), including areas identified for cultural and organizational changes and strategies and timelines for implementing the requirements of subsection (a).

SEC. 410. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING.

(a) FINDING- The Congress finds that competition in contracting improves the efficiency and economy of the Government because it generally results in better products and services at lower prices.

(b) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS- It is the sense of the Congress that NASA should--

(1) strengthen its procurement process by increasing its emphasis on competitive contracting;

(2) take action to ensure that a structured and systemic due diligence process exists when making strategic decisions to limit competition for contract actions that are of a substantial dollar value or have significant programmatic impacts to the Agency; and

(3) take measures to enhance the robustness of its procurement advocacy programs (i.e., Ombudsman Program and Competition Advocacy Program), which are intended to promote full and open competition and improve the efficiency, economy, and integrity of the acquisition process.

SEC. 411. EMPLOYEES STATIONED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), as amended by section 408, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 319. AUTHORITY TO PAY ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES STATIONED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

`(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator, in the Administrator's discretion, may provide to civilian and military personnel, if the duty station of such personnel is outside the United States, allowances and benefits comparable to those provided by the Secretary of State to officers and employees of the Foreign Service under chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.).

`(b) REGULATIONS- The Administrator shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to implement this section. Such regulations shall take effect with respect to members of a uniformed service only to the extent that the head of the executive department of which that uniformed service is a part has concurred in the application of the regulations to members of that uniform service. The regulations shall ensure that no person receives allowances or benefits under both this section and any other provision of law for the same purpose.

`(c) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITY- The authority granted to the Administrator by this section is in addition to authority granted to the Administrator by any other provision of law, and nothing in this section shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority of the Administrator under any other provision of law.

`(d) FUNDING- Funds appropriated to the Administration shall be available for obligation and expenditure to carry out this section.

`(e) DEFINITIONS- In this section:

`(1) UNITED STATES- The term `United States' means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.

`(2) CIVILIAN PERSONNEL- The term `civilian personnel' means civilian officers and employees of the United States Government employed by, or assigned or detailed to, the Administration.

`(3) MILITARY PERSONNEL- The term `military personnel' means members of the uniformed services assigned or detailed to the Administration.

`(4) UNIFORMED SERVICES- The term `uniformed services' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.

`(f) TAXATION- Section 912(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply with respect to amounts received by civilian personnel or military personnel as allowances or otherwise under this section in the same manner as it applies with respect to amounts received by civilian officers or employees as allowances or otherwise under chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.'.

SEC. 412. HUBBLE TELESCOPE.

Within 60 days after the National Academy of Sciences issues its study on the future of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Administrator, shall submit a plan to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science on the future of the Hubble space telescope. The plan shall include options for the future servicing of the facility along with the associated costs.

SEC. 413. CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENT.

Section 202 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2472) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(d) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- There shall be in the Administration an Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall perform such duties as the Administrator may prescribe.'.

SEC. 414. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE FOUNDATION STUDY.

Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report on the advisability of establishing a charitable and nonprofit corporation--

(1) to encourage private gifts of real and personal property or any income therefrom or other interest therein for the benefit of, or in connection with, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, its activities, or its services; and

(2) to further the public's knowledge of and inspiration by the Earth, the Earth's atmosphere, space, and celestial bodies in space, for current and future generations of Americans.

SEC. 415. NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEY.

(a) CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE- Section 102 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

`(g) The Congress declares that the general welfare and security of the United States require that the unique competence of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in science and engineering systems be directed to detecting, tracking, cataloging, and characterizing near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to provide warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of those asteroids and comets striking the Earth.'.

(b) PROGRAM- The Administrator shall plan, develop, and implement a near-Earth object survey program to detect, track, catalog, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth asteroids and comets that are 100 meters or more in diameter in order to assess the threat of such objects striking the Earth.

(c) ANNUAL REPORT- The Administrator shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report, no later than the first February 28th occurring after the date of enactment of this Act and on each of the 5 succeeding anniversaries of such transmittal, a report containing--

(1) a summary of all activities of the Administration under subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year;

(2) a summary of all amounts obligated or expended by the Administration during such fiscal year for such activities; and

(3) a detailed plan and budget request for each of the 5 fiscal years following the date on which the report is transmitted.

TITLE V--AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 501. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) It is in the national interest to maintain leadership in aeronautics and aviation. The United States is in danger of losing its leadership in these areas to international competitors.

(2) Past Federal investments in aeronautics research and development have benefited the economy and national security of the United States and the quality of life of its citizens.

(3) Future growth in aviation increasingly will be constrained by concerns related to aircraft noise, emissions, fuel consumption, and air transportation system congestion. International competitors have recognized the importance of solving these problems and have established aggressive agendas for addressing each of these concerns.

(4) An aggressive initiative by the Federal Government to develop technologies that would significantly reduce aircraft noise, harmful emissions, and fuel consumption would benefit the United States by--

(A) improving the competitiveness of the United States aviation industry;

(B) improving the quality of life for our citizens by drastically reducing the level of noise due to aircraft operations;

(D) reducing the rate at which greenhouse gases and other harmful gases and particulates are added to the atmosphere by aircraft.

(5) Long-term progress in aeronautics and aviation will require continued Federal investment in fundamental aeronautical research.

(6) It is important for NASA to continue at a healthy level its cooperative research efforts with the Department of Defense regarding military aviation technologies.

(7) The report entitled `The NASA Aeronautics Blueprint--Toward a Bold New Era of Aviation' provides an excellent statement of the problems facing aviation today, and presents an exciting vision of what can be achieved by investments in aeronautics research and technology. It does not, however, provide a program plan to actually achieve the vision, nor does it address the huge mismatch between current NASA aeronautics funding and what is required to realize the vision.

SEC. 502. ENVIRONMENTAL AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

(a) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for the development

and demonstration, in a relevant environment, technologies that result in the following commercial aircraft performance characteristics:

(1) NOISE- Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from which such commercial aircraft would normally operate.

(2) FUEL EFFICIENCY- A 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, compared to aircraft in commercial service as of the date of enactment of this Act, in each of the following:

(A) Specific fuel consumption.

(B) Lift to drag ratio.

(3) EMISSIONS- Nitrogen oxides at less than 5 grams per kilogram of fuel burned.

(b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS- The plan described in subsection (a) shall include each of the following:

(1) Technological roadmaps for achieving each of the performance characteristics specified in subsection (a).

(2) An estimate of the 10-year funding profile required to achieve the objective specified in subsection (a).

(3) A plan for carrying out a formal quantification of the estimated costs and benefits of each technological option selected for development beyond the initial concept definition phase.

(4) A plan for transferring the technologies to industry, including the identification of requirements for prototype demonstrations, as appropriate.

SEC. 503. CIVIL SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

(a) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a feasibility study addressing the need for, and economic viability of, the development and demonstration, in a relevant environment, technologies to enable overland flight of supersonic civil transport aircraft with at least the following performance characteristics:

(1) Mach number of at least 1.6.

(2) Range of at least 4,000 nautical miles.

(3) Payload of at least 150 passengers.

(4) Lift to drag ratio of at least 9.0.

(5) Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and landing that meet community noise standards in place at airports from which such commercial supersonic aircraft would normally operate at the time the aircraft would enter commercial service.

(6) Shaped signature sonic boom overpressure of less than 1.0 pounds per square foot.

(7) Nitrogen oxide emissions of less than 15 grams per kilogram of fuel burned.

(8) Water vapor emissions for stratospheric flight of no greater than 1,400 grams per kilogram of fuel burned.

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS- The study described in subsection (a) shall include--

(1) the feasibility of researching, developing and producing a civil transport with the performance characteristics specified in subsection (a);

(2) an estimate of the 10-year funding profile required to achieve the objective specified in subsection (a);

(3) the feasibility of transferring the technologies to industry, including the identification of requirements for prototype demonstrations, as appropriate;

(4) the feasibility of research to quantify, within 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the limits on sonic boom parameters, such as overpressure and rise time, that would be acceptable to the general public; and

(5) the feasibility of adjusting the noise reduction research and development activities as needed to accommodate changes in community noise standards that may occur over the lifetime of the initiative.

SEC. 504. NASA AERONAUTICS SCHOLARSHIPS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall establish a program of scholarships for full-time graduate students who are United States citizens and are enrolled in, or have been accepted by and have indicated their intention to enroll in, accredited Masters degree programs in aeronautical engineering at institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). Each such scholarship shall cover the costs of room, board, tuition, and fees, and may be provided for a maximum of 2 years.

(b) IMPLEMENTATION- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish regulations governing the scholarship program.

(c) COOPERATIVE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES- Students who have been awarded a scholarship under this section shall have the opportunity for paid employment at one of the NASA Centers engaged in aeronautics research and development during the summer prior to the first year of the student's masters degree program, and between the first and second year, if applicable.

END