124 STAT. 3431 PUBLIC LAW 111–314—DEC. 18, 2010 (2) have significant temperature extremes and range; and (3) have access to energy and natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic, or other potential resources). (c) INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL POPULATIONS AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS.—In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall involve local populations, academia, and industrial partners as much as possible to ensure that ground-based benefits and applica- tions are encouraged and developed. § 70504. Stepping stone approach to exploration In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term explo- ration and utilization activities of the United States, the Adminis- trator shall take all necessary steps, including engaging inter- national partners, to ensure that activities in its lunar exploration program shall be designed and implemented in a manner that gives strong consideration to how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activi- ties beyond the Moon. The timetable of the lunar phase of the long-term international exploration initiative shall be determined by the availability of funding. However, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to complete that project without undue delays. § 70505. Lunar outpost (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—As the Administration works toward the establishment of a lunar outpost, the Administration shall make no plans that would require a lunar outpost to be occupied to maintain its viability. Any such outpost shall be operable as a human-tended facility capable of remote or autonomous operation for extended periods. (b) DESIGNATION.—The United States portion of the first human- tended outpost established on the surface of the Moon shall be designated the ‘‘Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost’’. § 70506. Exploration technology research The Administrator shall carry out a program of long-term explo- ration-related technology research and development, including such things as in-space propulsion, power systems, life support, and advanced avionics, that is not tied to specific flight projects. The program shall have the funding goal of ensuring that the technology research and development can be completed in a timely manner in order to support the safe, successful, and sustainable exploration of the solar system. In addition, in order to ensure that the broadest range of innovative concepts and technologies are captured, the long-term technology program shall have the goal of having a signifi- cant portion of its funding available for external grants and con- tracts with universities, research institutions, and industry. § 70507. Technology development The Administrator shall establish an intra-Directorate long-term technology development program for space and Earth science within the Science Mission Directorate for the development of new tech- nology. The program shall be independent of the flight projects under development. The Administration shall have a goal of funding the intra-Directorate technology development program at a level of 5 percent of the total Science Mission Directorate annual budget.
