42 U.S.C. § 18323 — Multi-purpose crew vehicle

Page 9150 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 18323 ment of a Space Launch System meeting the minimum capabilities requirements specified in subsection (c). (2) Modification of current contracts In order to limit NASA’s termination liabil- ity costs and support critical capabilities, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, extend or modify existing vehicle development and associated contracts necessary to meet the requirements in paragraph (1), including contracts for ground testing of solid rocket motors, if necessary, to ensure their avail- ability for development of the Space Launch System. (c) Minimum capability requirements (1) IN GENERAL.—The Space Launch System developed pursuant to subsection (b) shall be designed to have, at a minimum, the fol- lowing: (A) The initial capability of the core ele- ments, without an upper stage, of lifting payloads weighing between 70 tons and 100 tons into low-Earth orbit in preparation for transit for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. (B) The capability to carry an integrated upper Earth departure stage bringing the total lift capability of the Space Launch System to 130 tons or more. (C) The capability to lift the multipurpose crew vehicle. (D) The capability to serve as a backup system for supplying and supporting ISS cargo requirements or crew delivery require- ments not otherwise met by available com- mercial or partner-supplied vehicles. (2) FLEXIBILITY.—The Space Launch System shall be designed from inception as a fully-in- tegrated vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 130 tons or more into low-Earth orbit in preparation for transit for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The Space Launch System shall, to the extent practicable, incor- porate capabilities for evolutionary growth to carry heavier payloads. Developmental work and testing of the core elements and the upper stage should proceed in parallel subject to ap- propriations. Priority should be placed on the core elements with the goal for operational ca- pability for the core elements not later than December 31, 2016. (3) TRANSITION NEEDS.—The Administrator shall ensure critical skills and capabilities are retained, modified, and developed, as appro- priate, in areas related to solid and liquid en- gines, large diameter fuel tanks, rocket pro- pulsion, and other ground test capabilities for an effective transition to the follow-on Space Launch System. (4) The capacity for efficient and timely evo- lution, including the incorporation of new technologies, competition of sub-elements, and commercial operations. (Pub. L. 111–267, title III, § 302, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2814.) § 18323. Multi-purpose crew vehicle (a) Initiation of development (1) In general The Administrator shall continue the devel- opment of a multi-purpose crew vehicle to be available as soon as practicable, and no later than for use with the Space Launch System. The vehicle shall continue to advance develop- ment of the human safety features, designs, and systems in the Orion project. (2) Goal for operational capability It shall be the goal to achieve full oper- ational capability for the transportation vehi- cle developed pursuant to this subsection by not later than December 31, 2016. For purposes of meeting such goal, the Administrator may undertake a test of the transportation vehicle at the ISS before that date. (b) Minimum capability requirements The multi-purpose crew vehicle developed pur- suant to subsection (a) shall be designed to have, at a minimum, the following: (1) The capability to serve as the primary crew vehicle for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. (2) The capability to conduct regular in- space operations, such as rendezvous, docking, and extra-vehicular activities, in conjunction with payloads delivered by the Space Launch System developed pursuant to section 18322 of this title, or other vehicles, in preparation for missions beyond low-Earth orbit or servicing of assets described in section 18383 of this title, or other assets in cis-lunar space. (3) The capability to provide an alternative means of delivery of crew and cargo to the ISS, in the event other vehicles, whether com- mercial vehicles or partner-supplied vehicles, are unable to perform that function. (4) The capacity for efficient and timely evo- lution, including the incorporation of new technologies, competition of sub-elements, and commercial operations. (Pub. L. 111–267, title III, § 303, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2815.) § 18324. Utilization of existing workforce and as- sets in development of Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle (a) In general In developing the Space Launch System pursu- ant to section 18322 of this title and the multi- purpose crew vehicle pursuant to section 18323 of this title, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable utilize— (1) existing contracts, investments, work- force, industrial base, and capabilities from the Space Shuttle and Orion and Ares 1 projects, including— (A) space-suit development activities for application to, and coordinated development of, a multi-purpose crew vehicle suit and as- sociated life-support requirements with po- tential development of standard NASA-cer- tified suit and life support systems for use in alternative commercially-developed crew transportation systems; and (B) Space Shuttle-derived components and Ares 1 components that use existing United States propulsion systems, including liquid fuel engines, external tank or tank-related capability, and solid rocket motor engines; and