Factors Affecting the Utilization of the International Space Station for Research in the Biological and Physical Sciences (2003)

Study.--The Administrator shall enter into a contract with the National Research Council and the National Academy of Public Administration to jointly conduct a study of the status of life and microgravity research as it relates to the International Space Station.

The study shall include--

1. an assessment of the United States scientific community's readiness to use the International Space Station for life and microgravity research;

2. an assessment of the current and projected factors limiting the United States scientific community's ability to maximize the research potential of the International Space Station, including, but not limited to, the past and present availability of resources in the life and microgravity research accounts within the Office of Human Spaceflight and the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications and the past, present, and projected access to space of the scientific community; and

3. recommendations for improving the United States scientific community's ability to maximize the research potential of the International Space Station, including an assessment of the relative costs and benefits of--

   1. dedicating an annual mission of the Space Shuttle to life and microgravity research during assembly of the International Space Station; and

   2. maintaining the schedule for assembly in place at the time of the enactment.

<<NOTE: Deadline.>> Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under this section.