H.R. 108: Space Research Innovation Act

This bill, known as the Space Research Innovation Act, aims to establish a university-affiliated research center that will focus on deep space and interplanetary research. The key points of the bill are as follows:

Establishment of a Research Center

The bill requires the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to:

• Create a university-affiliated research center that will support NASA's mission and capabilities.
• Use this center to fund analyses and engineering support for missions related to cis-lunar (the space between Earth and the Moon) and deep space, as well as interplanetary research.
• Ensure accountability for the technical quality of the work produced by the center.
• Facilitate collaboration among academic and private sector groups, promoting research and partnerships between public and private entities.

Policies and Procedures

The bill also mandates that the NASA Administrator develop a set of policies and procedures to govern various aspects of the research center, including:

• The selection of participants who will be involved in the research.
• The awarding of cooperative agreements and other contracts.
• The appropriate use of competitive awards versus sole source awards.
• The technical capabilities required for participation in the research activities.

Eligibility for Participation

Entities eligible to participate in the university-affiliated research center include:

• Institutions of higher education, defined per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Operators of federally funded research and development centers.
• Nonprofit or not-for-profit research institutions.

Summary

In summary, the Space Research Innovation Act aims to bolster NASA's capabilities in deep space and interplanetary research through the establishment of a dedicated research center affiliated with universities. This center would facilitate collaboration among various entities, ensuring high-quality research and innovation in space exploration.

Relevant Companies

• NOK - Nokia Corporation: Potentially impacted due to its involvement in telecommunications technology that could support deep space communication systems.
• BA - Boeing Company: As a major aerospace manufacturer, Boeing may be directly affected through contracts or collaborations related to NASA's deep space initiatives.
• RTX - Raytheon Technologies Corporation: Could be involved in developing defense and aerospace technologies for space missions.
• GSAT - Globalstar, Inc.: Likely to be impacted as it develops communication technologies that may play a role in space exploration.