§18353 Maintenance of the United States Segment and Assurance of Continued Operations of the International Space Station

Summary

NASA must keep the U.S. part of the International Space Station safe, running, and used as much as possible through at least September 30, 2030. As soon as possible after October 11, 2010, NASA must do a full review of the important modules, systems, structures, and permanent science gear on the station (including partner parts). The review must show which spare or replacement items are needed so the ISS can work and do science through September 30, 2020, and NASA must gather or create any data needed for that review. Within 90 days after October 11, 2010, NASA must send Congress a report that lists spares that are already made or ordered and those that are not, with their specs (size, weight, how to launch), function, location, importance, readiness, and costs and schedules for items not yet available. The report must also give a delivery schedule and say what launch vehicles are needed and how likely the schedule is to be met. The Comptroller General must deliver an evaluation to Congress within 90 days after NASA’s report, and NASA must let that office review and follow the assessment. Non-exploration research on the ISS must be planned and managed under existing NASA procedures, while exploration research must be run by the right NASA groups without interfering with other research. NASA must fly the Launch-On-Need Shuttle mission shown on the February 28, 2010 manifest in fiscal year 2011 (not before June 1, 2011 unless needed sooner), complete an independent safety review of crew return plans, keep Shuttle launch capability through fiscal year 2011, and not end contracts needed to adapt Shuttle-derived hardware for future crew or heavy-lift rockets.