ASSESSMENT OF COST GROWTH.

SEC. 508. ASSESSMENT OF COST GROWTH.(a) Study.—The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement for an independent external assessment to identify the primary causes of cost growth in the large-, medium-, and small-sized space and Earth science spacecraft mission classes, and make recommendations as to what changes, if any, should be made to contain costs and ensure frequent mission opportunities in NASA’s science spacecraft mission programs.(b) Report.—The report of the assessment conducted under subsection (a) shall be submitted to Congress not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.