Pub. L. 100-685, tit. II, sec. 217

Sec. 217. (a) The Congress declares that the extension of human life beyond Earth’s atmosphere, leading ultimately to the establishment of space settlements, will fulfill the purposes of advancing 102 STAT. 4095science, exploration, and development and will enhance the general welfare. (b) In pursuit of the establishment of an International Space Year in 1992 pursuant to Public Law 99–170, the United States shall exercise leadership and mobilize the international community in furtherance of increasing mankind’s knowledge and exploration of the solar system. (c) Once every 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall submit a report to the President and to the Congress which— (1) provides a review of all activities undertaken under this section including an analysis of the focused research and development activities on the Space Station, Moon, and other outposts that are necessary to accomplish a manned mission to Mars; (2) analyzes ways in which current science and technology can be applied in the establishment of space settlements; (3) identifies scientific and technological capacity for establishing space settlements, including a description of what steps must be taken to develop such capacity; (4) examines alternative space settlement locations and architectures; (5) examines the status of technologies necessary for extraterrestrial resource development and use and energy production; (6) reviews the ways in which the existence of space settlements would enhance science, exploration, and development; (7) reviews mechanisms and institutional options which could foster a broad-based plan for international cooperation in establishing space settlements; (8) analyzes the economics of financing space settlements, especially with respect to private sector and international participation; (9) discusses sociological factors involved in space settlement such as psychology, political science, and legal issues; and (10) addresses such other topics as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration considers appropriate.