United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

S 212 — MANIFEST for Human Spaceflight Act of 2017

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S448-449)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Mapping a New and Innovative Focus on Our Exploration Strategy for Human Spaceflight Act of 2017 or the MANIFEST for Human Spaceflight Act of 2017. This bill amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 to make it a key U.S. objective to achieve human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence to the surface of Mars. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall report a strategy to achieve such objective through a series of successive, sustainable, free-standing, but complementary missions making robust use of cislunar space and employing the Space Launch System, Orion crew capsule, and other capabilities provided under specified titles of the Act. NASA shall arrange with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review and comment on each interim report on the strategy and identify matters the NAS agrees with and matters raising NAS concerns, as well as any NAS recommendations.

Bill Text

Sections of law this bill changes

1 section in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Space exploration, technology, and science · 42 U.S.C. ch. 159 1 section
  • § 18312 Goals and objectives Amends

    42 U.S.C. § 18312 — at 18312(b)

    The law today

    (a) Long-term goals The long-term goals of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— (1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners; (2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the goal in paragraph (1) to enable the potential for subsequent human exploration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system; and (3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century.1 (b) Key objectives The key objectives of the United States for human expansion into space shall be— (1) to sustain the capability for long-duration presence in low-Earth orbit, initially through continuation of the ISS and full utilization of the United States segment of the ISS as a National Laboratory, and through assisting and enabling an expanded commercial presence in, and access to, low-Earth orbit, as elements of a low-Earth orbit infrastructure; (2) to determine if humans can live in an extended manner in space with decreasing reliance on Earth, starting with utilization of low-Earth orbit infrastructure, to identify potential roles that space resources such as energy and materials may play, to meet national and global needs and challenges, such as potential cataclysmic threats, and to explore the viability of and lay the foundation for sustainable economic activities in space; (3) to maximize the role that human exploration of space can play in advancing overall knowledge of the universe, supporting United States national and economic security and the United States global competitive posture, and inspiring young people in their educational pursuits; (4) to build upon the cooperative and mutually beneficial framework established by the ISS partnership agreements and experience in developing and undertaking programs and meeting objectives designed to realize the goal of human space flight set forth in subsection (a); and (5) to achieve human exploration of Mars and beyond through the prioritization of those technologies and capabilities best suited for such a mission in accordance with the stepping stone approach to exploration under section 70504 of title 51.

    2 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to reaffirm the long-term goals of NASA's human spaceflight program and adds new strategic requirements for human exploration of Mars.

  • 42 U.S.C. 18312(b)

    and

    The bill removes the conjunction 'and' from paragraph (3), indicating that a new item will follow.

  • 42 U.S.C. 18312(b)

    . → ; and

    The bill adds a semicolon and the word 'and' at the end of paragraph (4), preparing for an additional item to be listed.

  • 42 U.S.C. 18312(b)

    to achieve human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence to the surface of Mars.

    The bill adds a new paragraph (5) that outlines a specific goal for human exploration of Mars.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S448-449)

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

transportation technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 212 do?
Mapping a New and Innovative Focus on Our Exploration Strategy for Human Spaceflight Act of 2017 or the MANIFEST for Human Spaceflight Act of 2017. This bill amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 to make it a key U.S. objective to achieve human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence to the surface of Mars. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall report a strategy to achieve such objective through a series of successive, sustainable, free-standing, but complementary missions making robust use of cislunar space and employing the Space Launch System, Orion crew capsule, and other capabilities provided under specified titles of the Act. NASA shall arrange with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review and comment on each interim report on the strategy and identify matters the NAS agrees with and matters raising NAS concerns, as well as any NAS recommendations.
Who sponsors S 212?
S 212 is sponsored by Cornyn, John (Republican).
What is the current status of S 212?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 212?
Track S 212 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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