§18404 National Space Technology Policy

Summary

Requires the President or a designee to work with federal agencies to make a national space technology policy that will guide U.S. space technology work through 2020. The policy must set national goals, explain each agency’s role, and use outside studies about U.S. technology and competitiveness. For NASA, it must name priority research areas, explain how yearly priorities will be chosen, list needed facilities and staff, and state the budget assumptions. For fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 those budget assumptions must use the authorized level for NASA’s technology program in this chapter. The policy must be based on the idea that the federal government should support R&D to keep the United States a leader in space technology. The report must discuss long-term high-risk versus incremental research and economic effects, military and commercial needs, coordination with other agencies, and the mix of in-house, university, and industry research and its effect on the workforce. The President or designee must consult widely with academics, industry, and other agencies, and the NASA Administrator may work with the National Academy of Sciences. The President must send the policy report to the proper Congressional committees within 1 year after October 11, 2010. Within 60 days after that, the NASA Administrator must send a report explaining how NASA will carry out the policy to the same committees.