“ It is the sense of Congress that advancing propulsion technology would improve the efficiency of trips to Mars and could shorten travel time to Mars, reduce astronaut health risks, and reduce radiation exposure, consumables, and mass of materials required for the journey. ”

“ Congress finds that reliance on foreign carriers for United States crew transfer is unacceptable, and the Nation’s human space flight program must acquire the capability to launch United States government astronauts on vehicles using United States rockets from United States soil as soon as is safe, reliable, and affordable to do so. ”

“ United States competitiveness in the 21st century requires engaging the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as “STEM”) talent in all States; (2) the Administration is uniquely positioned to educate and inspire students and the broader public on STEM subjects and careers; (3) the Administration's Education and Communication Offices, Mission Directorates, and Centers have been effective in delivering educational content because of the strong engagement of Administration scientists and engineers in the Administration's education and outreach activities ”

“ It is the policy of the United States that the Administration maintain reliable and efficient facilities and infrastructure and that decisions on whether to dispose of, maintain, or modernize existing facilities or infrastructure be made in the context of meeting future Administration needs. ”

“ The Administrator shall include in the Administration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year the rationale for assigning organizational responsibility for, in the year prior to the budget fiscal year, each initiated project, program, and mission focused on research and development of advanced technologies for human space exploration. ”

“ NASA should be a multi-mission space agency, and should have a balanced and robust set of core missions in space science, space technology, aeronautics, human space flight and exploration, and education. Sec. 202. FINDINGS Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Returns on the Nation's investments in science, technology, and exploration accrue over decades-long timeframes, and a disruption of such investments could prevent returns from being fully realized. ”

“ In April 2015, the NASA Advisory Council— (A) issued a finding that— (i) high-performance solar electric propulsion will likely be an important part of an architecture to send humans to Mars; and (ii) maneuvering a large test mass is not necessary to provide a valid in-space test of a new solar electric propulsion stage; (B) determined that a solar electric propulsion mission will contribute more directly to the goal of sending humans to Mars if the mission is focused entirely on development and validation of the solar electric propulsion stage ”

“ Congress finds that the security of NASA information and information systems is vital to the success of the mission of the agency. (b) Information Security Plan.—
(1) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement the information security plan developed under paragraph (2) and take such further actions as the Administrator considers necessary to improve the information security system in accordance with this section. ”

“ Congress makes the following findings: (1) Studies of Europa, Jupiter's moon, indicate that Europa may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key ingredients known to support life. (2) In 2012, using the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA scientists observed water vapor around the south polar region of Europa, which provides potential evidence of water plumes in that region. (3) For decades, the Europa mission has consistently ranked as a high priority mission for the scientific community. ”

“ The Administrator shall— (1) identify orbital assets in both the Science Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate that could benefit from satellite servicing-related technologies; and (2) work across all NASA mission directorates to evaluate opportunities for the private sector to perform such services or advance technical capabilities by leveraging the technologies and techniques developed by NASA programs and other industry programs. ”

“ SECONDARY PAYMENT.— "Payment or reimbursement for the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment described in subsection (a) shall be secondary to any obligation of the United States Government or any third party under any other provision of law or contractual agreement to pay for or provide such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. ”

“ COMMERCIAL PROVIDER.— The term ‘commercial provider’ means any person providing human space flight transportation services, primary control of which is held by persons other than the Federal Government, a State or local government, or a foreign government. ”

“ The Administrator shall, in a manner that reflects the unique nature of NASA's mission and expertise— (1) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer, Mission Directorates, and Centers have appropriate roles in the management, governance, and oversight processes related to information technology operations and investments and information security programs for the protection of NASA systems; (2) ensure the NASA Chief Information Officer has the appropriate resources and insight to oversee NASA information technology and information security operations and investments ”

“ COVERED CONTRACTOR.— The term “covered contractor” means a contractor that supplies an electronic part, or a product that contains an electronic part, to NASA. (2) ELECTRONIC PART.— The term “electronic part” means a discrete electronic component, including a microcircuit, transistor, capacitor, resistor, or diode, that is intended for use in a safety or mission critical application. ”

“ REQUIREMENTS.— The strategy shall— (A) outline key scientific questions; (B) identify the most promising research in the field; (C) indicate the extent to which the mission priorities in existing decadal surveys address the key extrasolar planet research and exploration goals; (D) identify opportunities for coordination with international partners, commercial partners, and not-for-profit partners; and (E) make recommendations regarding the activities under subparagraphs (A) through (D) , as appropriate. ”

“ Exposure to high levels of radiation and microgravity can result in acute and long-term health consequences that can increase the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration and have potential effects on the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune function, and vision. ”

“ The Administrator shall provide to its acquisition programs and projects, in a manner consistent with the Administration’s Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements— (1) guidance on when to use an Independent Cost Estimate and Independent Cost Assessment ”