42 U.S.C. § 18322 — Space Launch System as follow-on launch vehicle to the Space Shuttle

(a) United States policy. It is U.S. policy for NASA^* to build a Space Launch System^* that replaces the Space Shuttle and can reach cis-lunar space^* and regions beyond low-Earth orbit, so the U.S. can take part in the growing effort to use that part of space.

(b) Initiation of development. NASA must start developing this rocket right away. First, the Administrator^* must begin development as soon as practical after October 11, 2010, meeting the minimum requirements in subsection (c). Second, to limit the cost of ending old contracts and to keep critical capabilities, the Administrator must, as much as practical, extend or change existing rocket-development contracts to meet those requirements — including contracts for ground-testing solid rocket motors, if needed to keep them available for the new rocket.

(c) Minimum capability requirements. The Space Launch System must meet minimum requirements. It must, at first, be able to lift payloads of 70 to 100 tons into low-Earth orbit, without an extra upper stage, to prepare for trips beyond low-Earth orbit. It must be able to carry an upper stage that raises its total lift capacity to 130 tons or more. It must be able to carry the multi-purpose crew vehicle. And it must be able to serve as a backup to deliver cargo or crew to the ISS^* if commercial or partner vehicles can't. The rocket must also be flexible: designed from the start to carry a full payload of 130 tons or more, and built, as much as practical, so it can grow to carry even heavier loads later. Work on the core rocket and the upper stage should happen at the same time, as funding allows, with the core getting priority so it's ready to operate by December 31, 2016. The Administrator must keep, adapt, and grow critical skills in areas like solid and liquid engines, large fuel tanks, rocket propulsion, and ground testing, so the switch to this new rocket goes smoothly. Finally, the rocket must be able to evolve efficiently over time, adding new technology, competing sub-parts, and using commercial operations.