51 U.S.C. § 70502 — Exploration plan and programs

construct an architecture and implementation plan for the Administration’s human exploration program that is not critically dependent on the achievement of milestones by fixed dates;

implement an exploration research and technology development program to enable human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title;

conduct an in-situ resource utilization technology program to develop the capability to use space resources to increase independence from Earth, and sustain exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and

pursue aggressively automated rendezvous and docking capabilities that can support the International Space Station and other mission requirements.