Space Research Innovation Act
Key claim: The bill would direct NASA to establish a university-affiliated research center partnering with higher education and non-profit institutions to provide engineering support and analysis for deep-space and cis-lunar missions.
Abstract
(HR52 · 117th Congress) Space Research Innovation Act This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to (1) establish a university-affiliated research center to facilitate NASA capabilities, and (2) use the research center to fund analyses and engineering support related to cis-lunar and deep-space missions and interplanetary research. The bill lists the following entities as eligible to participate in the research center: (1) an institution of higher education, (2) an operator of a federally funded research and development center, and (3) a nonprofit or not-for-profit research institution. Latest action (2021-01-04): Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
Why this matters
The proposal would give NASA a dedicated university- and nonprofit-linked structure for engineering support and analysis of deep-space and cis-lunar missions. For participating institutions, it could create a channel for mission-focused research collaboration, but the bill is only introduced and the supplied finding does not establish funding amounts or participation terms.