§ 17771. Launch Services strategy
(a)
In general
In preparation for the award of contracts to follow up on the current NASA Launch Services (NLS) contracts, the Administrator shall develop a strategy for providing domestic commercial launch services in support of NASA’s small and medium-sized Science, Space Operations, and Exploration missions, consistent with current law and policy.
(b)
Report
The Administrator shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the strategy developed under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after October 15, 2008. The report shall provide, at a minimum—
(1)
the results of the Request for Information on small to medium-sized launch services released on April 22, 2008;
(2)
an analysis of possible alternatives to maintain small and medium-sized lift capabilities after June 30, 2010, including the use of the Department of Defense’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV);