42 U.S.C. § 18404 — National space technology policy

(a) In general. The President, or someone the President picks, must develop a national policy, in consultation with the right federal agencies, to guide U.S. space technology development programs through 2020. The policy must set national goals for technology development and describe what role and responsibilities each federal agency will have in carrying it out. In writing the policy, the President or their designee must use outside studies already done on the state^* of U.S. technology development and any policies those studies suggested for staying competitive.

(b) Content. The policy must, at minimum, describe for NASA^*: which areas of research get priority for technology investment; how and on what basis future years' priorities will get picked; the facilities and staff needed to run the technology development program; and the budget assumptions behind the policy, which for fiscal years 2011 through 2013 must match the funding levels this chapter authorizes for NASA's technology program. The policy must be built on the idea that the federal government has an established interest in research and development that helps keep the U.S. a global leader in space technology and its uses. In writing the policy, the President or designee must consider, and discuss in the required report, several issues: how much NASA should focus on long-term, high-risk research versus more incremental technology work, and what effect that choice would have on the economy; how much NASA should address both military and commercial needs; how NASA will coordinate its technology program with other federal agencies; and how much NASA should do research in-house, fund university research, or collaborate with industry, and what effect that funding mix would have on the supply of American workers for industry. In developing the policy, the President or designee must consult widely with academic and industry experts and with other federal agencies, and the Administrator^* may arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to help develop it.

(c) Report. Two reports are required. Not later than one year after October 11, 2010, the President must send Congress's appropriate committees, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, a report setting out the national space technology policy. Not later than 60 days after the President sends that report, the Administrator must send those same committees a report describing how NASA will carry out the policy.