HR 108 · 119th CongressIn Committee

Space Research Innovation Act

Latest updateJan 3, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Technology, Communications

Sponsor

Andy Biggs

Introduced

January 3, 2025

Latest action

January 3, 2025

Legislative Progress

How far this bill has traveled through Congress

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Plain-Language Summary

AI Generated

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) currently conducts deep-space and interplanetary research through various existing centers and partnerships, but lacks a dedicated university-affiliated research center specifically designed to coordinate analyses and engineering support for missions beyond Earth orbit. Universities, federally funded research centers, and nonprofit research institutions already participate in NASA research efforts, but no unified structure exists to systematically convene academic and private-sector partners for cis-lunar and deep-space work. This fragmentation can slow innovation and limit the efficiency of public-private collaboration on advanced space missions.

The Space Research Innovation Act directs the NASA Administrator to establish a university-affiliated research center focused on deep-space and interplanetary research. The center must fund analyses and engineering support for cis-lunar and deep-space missions, and must demonstrate accountability for technical quality while building expertise in convening academic and private-sector groups to facilitate research partnerships. NASA must develop and implement policies governing participant selection, cooperative agreements, contract awards, and required technical capabilities. Eligible participants include institutions of higher education, operators of federally funded research and development centers, and nonprofit research institutions.

The center will operate under NASA's existing authority under federal law, meaning no new appropriations are explicitly mandated by the bill itself—funding would come through NASA's regular budget process. Implementation begins once the Administrator establishes the center's governance structure and selection criteria. The center will function as a hub coordinating existing academic and private resources rather than replacing current NASA facilities. This structure is expected to accelerate technology development for lunar and Mars missions by reducing coordination barriers and creating a single point of contact for universities and companies seeking to contribute to deep-space research.

Key Provisions

1Directs the NASA Administrator to establish a university-affiliated research center dedicated to deep-space and interplanetary research, including cis-lunar missions and related engineering support.
2Requires the research center to maintain accountability for technical quality of work and develop expertise in convening academic and private-sector partnerships to facilitate collaborative research.
3Mandates that the NASA Administrator develop policies and procedures governing participant selection, cooperative agreements, contract awards, and technical capability requirements for the center.
4Establishes eligibility for participation by institutions of higher education, operators of federally funded research and development centers, and nonprofit research institutions.

★ Why this matters

The bill creates a centralized coordination point for deep-space research that currently operates through fragmented channels. Universities and private companies will have a clearer pathway to contribute to NASA's cis-lunar and interplanetary missions. Research timelines may accelerate by reducing bureaucratic handoffs between institutions. The center will strengthen public-private partnerships, potentially lowering costs for advanced space technology development and expanding the pool of organizations capable of supporting NASA's exploration goals.

● Who this affects

Universities with aerospace engineering and space science programs will gain direct access to NASA funding and mission planning. Private aerospace companies and research contractors will have new opportunities to partner on deep-space projects. Nonprofit research institutions focused on space science will benefit from clearer participation pathways. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will gain a dedicated mechanism for coordinating external research. Indirectly, this affects communities hosting universities and research centers that may see increased economic activity and job creation in aerospace-related fields.

Bill Text

View on Congress.gov

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<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 108

   To allow the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
   Administration to establish a research center for deep space and 
            interplanetary research, and for other purposes.

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2025

Mr. Biggs of Arizona introduced the following bill; which was referred 
           to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

                                 A BILL

 
   To allow the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
   Administration to establish a research center for deep space and 
            interplanetary research, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Space Research Innovation Act''.

SEC. 2. RESEARCH CENTER FOR DEEP-SPACE AND INTERPLANETARY RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, using the authority under section 3204(a)(3)(B) 
of title 10, United States Code, shall--
            (1) establish a university-affiliated research center to 
        facilitate capabilities in support of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration;
            (2) use such a university-affiliated research center to 
        fund analyses and engineering support related to cis-lunar and 
        deep-space missions and interplanetary research; and
            (3) ensure such a university-affiliated research center--
                    (A) is held accountable for the technical quality 
                of the work product developed under this section; and
                    (B) has established expertise in convening academic 
                and private sector groups to facilitate research and 
                private-public partnerships.
    (b) Policies and Procedures.--The Administrator shall develop and 
implement policies and procedures to govern, with respect to the 
establishment of the university-affiliated research center under 
subsection (a)--
            (1) the selection of participants;
            (2) the award of cooperative agreements or other contracts;
            (3) the appropriate use of competitive awards and sole 
        source awards; and
            (4) the technical capabilities required.
    (c) Eligibility.--The following entities shall be eligible to 
participate in a university-affiliated research center established 
under subsection (a):
            (1) An institution of higher education (as such term is 
        defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002)).
            (2) An operator of a federally funded research and 
        development center.
            (3) A nonprofit or not-for-profit research institution.
                                 <a…

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D-North Carolina · District 12

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Space Research Innovation Act

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Space Research Innovation Act

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