Space Research Innovation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 108
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2025-02-11T20:47:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Space Research Innovation Act (H.R. 108) aims to authorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to create a specialized research center focused on deep space and interplanetary exploration. This center would partner with universities and other research entities to support NASA's missions, fostering innovation through academic and private sector collaboration.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Research Center: NASA must use its existing authority (under U.S. Code Title 10, Section 3204(a)(3)(B), which allows for certain research partnerships) to set up a "university-affiliated research center." This center will:
- Build capabilities to support NASA's overall work.
- Fund studies and engineering help for missions in cis-lunar space (the area between Earth and the Moon) and deeper into space, as well as interplanetary research.
- Ensure high-quality technical output and expertise in bringing together academic, private, and public groups for partnerships.
- Policies and Procedures: NASA is required to create rules covering:
- How participants are chosen.
- How cooperative agreements or contracts are awarded.
- When to use competitive bidding versus direct awards (sole source).
- The technical skills needed for the center.
- Eligibility for Participation: Eligible groups include:
- Colleges and universities (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965).
- Operators of federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs, which are independent organizations that conduct research for the government).
- Nonprofit research institutions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not overhaul existing laws but builds on NASA's current powers under Title 10 of the U.S. Code by mandating the creation of a specific type of research center. It introduces new requirements for accountability, partnership convening, and procedural guidelines, which were not explicitly detailed before for this purpose. No major repeals or amendments to other statutes are included.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: NASA will gain a structured way to advance deep space research, potentially speeding up mission development and reducing reliance on in-house resources. This could lead to better coordination with other federal research efforts.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits may include faster progress in space technology, such as improved satellite systems or exploration tools, which could enhance everyday technologies like GPS or weather forecasting. No direct effects on individual rights or taxes are specified.
- On International Relations: The bill focuses on domestic partnerships but could indirectly strengthen U.S. leadership in space, potentially influencing collaborations with international partners like those in the Artemis program (NASA's Moon-to-Mars initiative).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NASA: Primary beneficiary and implementer, responsible for setup and oversight.
- Educational and Research Institutions: Universities, FFRDCs, and nonprofits will have opportunities for funding, contracts, and collaborative research roles.
- Private Sector: Companies in aerospace and technology could participate through public-private partnerships, gaining access to NASA-funded projects.
- Broader Scientific Community: Researchers in space science may see expanded opportunities for interplanetary studies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on established federal contracting authority, ensuring compliance with competition rules (e.g., favoring competitive awards where possible). It promotes transparency through required policies but leaves room for NASA discretion in operations.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's power to regulate federal agencies and fund science under Article I. It supports the promotion of general welfare through space advancement.
- Political: Encourages innovation in a key U.S. priority area (space exploration), potentially bridging partisan divides on science funding. It emphasizes public-private ties, reflecting a trend toward commercialization of space activities, but could spark debates over resource allocation if budgets tighten.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Space Research Innovation Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (3 pages)