Legislation that “moves a few steps toward President Obama’s proposal for the U.S. manned space program was approved Thursday by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee,” Congressional Quarterly reports.
“We reached a sensible center . . . what I like to call the third way for NASA,” said Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV , D-W.Va., the panel’s chairman.
The bill would direct NASA to retain its shuttle-related workforce through fiscal 2011. But it also would authorize the agency to foster development of commercial crew services, in keeping with Obama’s desire to shift the U.S. human spaceflight program toward commercial carriers. The draft also would direct NASA to contract with the National Academies in fiscal 2012 to perform a study of the U.S. human spaceflight program.
The Obama administration is expected to support the bill. On Wednesday an administration official said the measure “appears to contain the critical elements necessary for achieving the president’s vision for NASA.”
The draft Senate measure would direct NASA to begin work on a new heavy-lift rocket in fiscal 2011, sooner than Obama had proposed. Overall, the measure would help Obama achieve his larger goal of shifting the emphasis to commercial carriers.
The draft measure, approved by voice vote, “would authorize $58.41 billion for NASA between fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2013.”
Some key areas of the NASA Authorization Act, per a press release:
International Space Station (ISS)
The bill would extend full utilization of the ISS through at least 2020 and ensure safe and effective operation, maintenance and maximum utilization of ISS through a comprehensive report to Congress of essential systems, components, elements, etc., on board or planned for delivery and installation, including replacement parts needed through 2020.
Space Shuttle Retirement and Transition
The bill would authorize and direct NASA to fly the space shuttle Launch on Need (LON) flight pending results of a required assessment of safe means of return for astronauts if the shuttle is damaged or unable to return. The bill also would preserve space shuttle capabilities through 2011 to complete the current manifest. It would also prohibit termination of any contracts that would inhibit launching of the space shuttle.
Commercial Crew and Cargo Transportation Capabilities
The bill would direct NASA to continue the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Program (COTS) in support of providing cargo services to the ISS and would establish a requirement for the definition of milestones and minimum performance objectives to be achieved before procurement authority is granted for crew development capability.
Expansion of Human Space Flight Beyond the International Space Station and Low-Earth Orbit
The bill would direct NASA to initiate development of a government-owned, NASA-designed and operated “ Space Launch System” (SLS) – a heavy lift launch capability – as soon as practicable and would establish the end of 2016 as the goal for full operational capability while allowing for modification and/or extension of existing contracts. The bill would require NASA to develop a multi-purpose crew transportation vehicle based on Orion for use with the Space Launch System.
Rescoping and Revitalizing Institutional Capabilities
The bill would require a study to identify an approach for the most efficient use and maintenance of NASA facilities and infrastructure, paying specific attention to eliminating unneeded duplication or infrastructure. It would also prohibit NASA from making any movement or termination of contractors or civil servants or any reorganization or Reduction in Force for reasons other than cause, until Congress receives the required reports and legislative authority to make such changes.
Update (8/6): This bill, S. 3729, was unanimously passed by the full Senate.
(credit image – daylife/reuters)
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