42 U.S.C. § 18313 — Assurance of core capabilities

(a) Sense of Congress. Congress states its view on two points. First, the ISS, new technology, the current Space Shuttle program, and the follow-on transport systems this chapter authorizes together form the foundation for missions beyond low-Earth orbit, to places like the Moon and Lagrangian points. Second, these early missions and related capabilities should be used to gain operational experience, develop technology, and set up and reliably use infrastructure in space, including servicing current and future space assets. (b) Sense of Congress regarding human space flight capability assurance. Congress also says the Administrator should move forward on using the ISS, developing technology, and building follow-on transport systems — including the Space Launch System, the multi-purpose crew vehicle, and commercial crew and cargo transportation — under subchapters II and III of this chapter, in a way that ensures three things. These capabilities must stay connected and work together. NASA must balance developing, sustaining, and using each capability, since all are critical to the space program's success. And resources needed for the capabilities in one subchapter must not come from cutting resources meant for the capabilities in the other subchapter. (c) Limitation. Nothing in subsection (b) applies to or changes any capability that another subchapter of this chapter authorizes.