Bill > HR2616

This bill, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2013, authorizes appropriations for NASA for fiscal years 2014 through 2016, outlining funding for various programs and activities. It establishes a goal for human exploration to eventually reach Mars, with interim steps potentially including lunar missions, and emphasizes the importance of developing the Space Launch System and Orion multipurpose crew vehicle. The bill also addresses the International Space Station (ISS), supporting its continued utilization and exploring options for operations beyond 2020, while also focusing on commercial crew transportation development and safety reviews. Furthermore, it authorizes funding and sets priorities for NASA's science missions, including space and Earth science, aeronautics research, and a new space technology program, while also including provisions for acquisition management, facilities, education, and research into near-Earth objects and orbital debris.