House BillHR 108Research administration and fundingPublic-private cooperation
Space Research Innovation Act
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION JAN 3
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to accelerate America's progress in space exploration, particularly in areas beyond Earth's immediate orbit. By establishing a dedicated university-affiliated center, the bill seeks to tap into a wider pool of academic and private sector talent, potentially leading to faster innovation and more cost-effective solutions for complex space missions.
If this bill becomes law, it could bolster the U.S.'s leadership in space and foster new scientific discoveries. If it doesn't pass, NASA would continue to rely on its existing research structures, potentially missing out on the unique benefits that a dedicated, externally focused research center might offer in terms of diverse perspectives and cutting-edge approaches to deep space challenges.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires NASA to establish a university-affiliated research center.
This mandates the creation of a new entity specifically dedicated to NASA's deep space objectives, rather than leaving it optional.
PROVISION 02
The center will focus on cis-lunar, deep-space missions, and interplanetary research.
This provision directs the center's efforts towards ambitious, long-term space exploration goals beyond Earth's orbit.
PROVISION 03
NASA Administrator must develop policies for selecting participants and awarding contracts, including both competitive and direct awards.
This ensures a structured and transparent process for how the center operates and collaborates with external organizations.
PROVISION 04
The center must be accountable for technical quality and expert in forming academic and private sector partnerships.
This ensures the center delivers high-quality work and effectively leverages expertise from various sectors.
PROVISION 05
Eligible participants include universities, federally funded research and development centers, and non-profit research institutions.
This broadens the pool of potential partners, encouraging diverse expertise and collaboration.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to accelerate America's progress in space exploration, particularly in areas beyond Earth's immediate orbit. By establishing a dedicated university-affiliated center, the bill seeks to tap into a wider pool of academic and private sector talent, potentially leading to faster innovation and more cost-effective solutions for complex space missions.
If this bill becomes law, it could bolster the U.S.'s leadership in space and foster new scientific discoveries. If it doesn't pass, NASA would continue to rely on its existing research structures, potentially missing out on the unique benefits that a dedicated, externally focused research center might offer in terms of diverse perspectives and cutting-edge approaches to deep space challenges.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires NASA to establish a university-affiliated research center.
This mandates the creation of a new entity specifically dedicated to NASA's deep space objectives, rather than leaving it optional.
high
The center will focus on cis-lunar, deep-space missions, and interplanetary research.
This provision directs the center's efforts towards ambitious, long-term space exploration goals beyond Earth's orbit.
med
NASA Administrator must develop policies for selecting participants and awarding contracts, including both competitive and direct awards.
This ensures a structured and transparent process for how the center operates and collaborates with external organizations.
med
The center must be accountable for technical quality and expert in forming academic and private sector partnerships.
This ensures the center delivers high-quality work and effectively leverages expertise from various sectors.
low
Eligible participants include universities, federally funded research and development centers, and non-profit research institutions.
This broadens the pool of potential partners, encouraging diverse expertise and collaboration.
GLOSSARY
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Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The head official who leads and manages the U.S. government agency responsible for space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.
University-affiliated research center (UARC)
A research center that is associated with a university, often established to provide specific expertise and support to government agencies like NASA, combining academic knowledge with applied research.
Deep space
Regions of space far beyond Earth's orbit, typically referring to areas beyond the Earth-Moon system and interplanetary space.
Interplanetary research
Scientific study and exploration focused on the planets within our solar system, their moons, and other celestial bodies.
Cis-lunar missions
Space missions that take place in the region between Earth and the Moon, including orbits around the Moon and operations near it.
Cooperative agreements
Legal instruments used by government agencies to provide financial assistance to recipients (like universities) for projects that align with a public purpose, where there's significant government involvement.
Sole source awards
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
JAN 3, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 3, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 3, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Contracts awarded to a specific entity without competition, typically when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement or under other specific circumstances.
Federally funded research and development center (FFRDC)
A special type of research organization sponsored and funded by the U.S. government to meet specific long-term research and development needs that cannot be met as effectively by in-house government resources or standard contracts.
