12 2 STA T .478 1 PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 422 —O CT. 1 5, 2008 Sec.1 11 0 . Se ns e ofC on gr ess reg a r di ng th eneedforaro bu st w or k force. Sec. 1111. M ethane in v entor y . Sec. 111 2 . Ex ce p tion to a l ternative fuel procure m ent re q uirement. Sec. 111 3 . Sense of Congress on the importance of the NA SA O ffice of P rogram Analysis and Evaluation. Sec. 111 4 . Sense of Congress on elevating the importance of space and aeronautics within the Executive Office of the President. Sec. 111 5 . Study on leasing practices of field centers. Sec. 111 6 . Cooperative unmanned aerial vehicle activities. Sec. 111 7 . D evelopment of enhanced - use lease policy. Sec. 111 8 . Sense of Congress with respect to the Michoud Assembly F acility and NASA ’ s other centers and facilities. Sec. 111 9 . R eport on U .S. industrial base for launch vehicle engines. Sec. 1120. Sense of Congress on precursor I nternational Space Station research. Sec. 1121. L imitation on funding for conferences. Sec. 1122. Report on NASA efficiency and performance. SEC.2 . FIND IN G S. TheCongr e s s fi n d s , on t his, the 50 th a nni v ersar y of the esta bl ish m ent of the N ational A erona u ti c s and Sp ace Administra - tion, the follo w ing
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NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a balanced and robust set of core missions in science, aeronautics, and human space flight and e x ploration . ( 2 ) I nvestment in NASA ’ s programs will promote innovation through research and development, and will improve the competitiveness of the U nited States. ( 3 ) Investment in NASA’s programs, li k e investments in other F ederal science and technology activities, is an investment in our future. ( 4 ) P roperly structured, NASA’s activities can contribute to an improved q uality of life, economic vitality, United States leadership in peaceful cooperation with other nations on chal- lenging undertakings in science and technology, national secu- rity, and the advancement of knowledge. (5) NASA should assume a leadership role in a cooperative international E arth observations and research effort to address key research issues associated with climate change and its impacts on the Earth system. ( 6 ) NASA should undertake a program of aeronautical research, development, and where appropriate demonstration activities with the overarching goals of — (A) ensuring that the Nation’s future air transportation system can handle up to 3 times the current travel demand and incorporate new vehicle types with no degradation in safety or adverse environmental impact on local commu- nities
( B ) protecting the environment; (C) promoting the security of the Nation; and ( D ) retaining the leadership of the United States in global aviation. ( 7 ) H uman and robotic exploration of the solar system will be a significant long-term undertaking of humanity in the 21st century and beyond, and it is in the national interest that the United States should assume a leadership role in a cooperative international exploration initiative. ( 8 ) Developing United States human space flight capabili- ties to allow independent American access to the International Space Station, and to explore beyond low Earth orbit, is a strategically important national imperative, and all prudent steps should thus be taken to bring the O rion Crew Exploration 42USC17 7 0 1 .
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