(a) Establishment
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force, acting through the Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, may establish a pilot program to conduct in-space technology demonstrations, and related risk reduction technology development activities, with respect to both advanced nuclear fission propulsion systems and advanced nuclear fusion propulsion systems.
(b) Purpose
If the Secretary carries out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in a manner that reduces technical risk and informs future development requirements relating to nuclear propulsion for national security missions in space, including potential operations beyond geosynchronous orbit, including in cislunar orbit.
(c) Selection
If the Secretary carries out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall select entities to carry out activities under the pilot program. In determining the criteria for making such selection, the Secretary shall emphasize previous subcomponent and prototype development and the ability to demonstrate within reasonable timeframes.
(d) Demonstration required
If the Secretary carries out the pilot program under subsection (a), not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct in-space demonstrations described in subsection (a), with oversight by the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
(e) Activities
In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, at a minimum—
establish technical objectives and success criteria for the in-space demonstrations described in subsection (a);
develop a concept of operations and test and evaluation approach for the demonstrations;
conduct ground test activities necessary to support the demonstrations;
assist in the acquisition of launch services;
plan for collection and analysis of on-orbit data sufficient to assess propulsion performance, operability, and reliability; and
assess potential use cases for applications in cislunar operations pending the conclusion of the demonstrations.
(f) Plan
Before commencing the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan on the pilot program.
(g) Report
If the Secretary carries out the pilot program under subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program. The report shall include—
a description of the activities carried out under the pilot program, including the planned demonstration concept of operations and the associated timeline;
the technical objectives and success criteria established under subsection (e)(1);
an assessment of major technical risks and planned risk-mitigation activities; and
an assessment of parallel efforts by the People’s Republic of China to develop and deploy advanced space propulsion technologies for strategic purposes.