To require a report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to space resources, and for other purposes.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Secretary of Commerce shall jointly submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the merits of, and options for, establishing an institute relating to space resources to advance the objectives of NASA and the Department of Commerce in maintaining United States preeminence in space. Such objectives shall include the following:

(1) Identifying, developing, and distributing space resources, including by encouraging the development of foundational science, industrial capability, and technology.

(2) Reducing the technological and business risks associated with identifying, developing, and distributing space resources.

(3) Research to maximize the responsible use of space resources.

(4) Developing options for using space resources to carry out the following.

(A) Support current and future space architectures, programs, business, and missions.

(B) Enable such architectures, programs, business, and missions that would not otherwise be possible.

(C) Supplement the supply of such resources available on Earth.

The report required under subsection (a) shall also include the following assessments of the Administrator of NASA and the Secretary of Commerce:

(1) Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.

(2) Whether partnering with institutions of higher education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing information available to the institute with respect to advancing the objectives described in such subsection.

In this section:

The term extractive industry means companies and individuals involved in the processes of extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

The term space resource means an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.

The term space resource includes a raw, natural material or energy source.