H.R. 6638

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6638 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6638

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

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 11, 2025

Mrs. Foushee (for herself and Mr. Webster of Florida) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REPORT ON MERITS AND OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTE 
RELATING TO SPACE RESOURCES.

(a) Report.--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.
(b) Additional Matters.--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.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Extractive industry.--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.
(2) Institute of higher education.--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)).
(3) Space resource.--
(A) In general.--The term ``space resource'' means 
an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``space resource'' 
includes a raw, natural material or energy source.
<all>