| Shorttitle: | NASA Authorization Act of 2005 |
| Longtitle: | An Act to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. |
| Nickname: | National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 |
| Enacted By: | 109th |
| Effective Date: | December 30, 2005 |
| Public Law Url: | https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-119/pdf/STATUTE-119-Pg2895.pdf |
| Cite Public Law: | 109-155 |
| Title Amended: | 42 U.S.C.: Public Health and Social Welfare |
| Sections Created: | § 16601 et seq. |
| Introducedin: | Senate |
| Introducedby: | Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–TX) |
| Introduceddate: | June 21, 2005 |
| Committees: | Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation |
| Passedbody1: | Senate |
| Passeddate1: | September 28, 2005 |
| Passedvote1: | Passed |
| Passedbody2: | House |
| Passeddate2: | November 18, 2005 |
| Passedvote2: | Passed |
| Conferencedate: | December 15, 2005 |
| Passedbody3: | House |
| Passeddate3: | December 17, 2005 |
| Passedvote3: | Agreed |
| Passedbody4: | Senate |
| Passeddate4: | December 22, 2005 |
| Passedvote4: | Agreed |
| Signedpresident: | George W. Bush |
| Signeddate: | December 30, 2005 |
The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 is an act of the United States Congress that requires NASA to carry out a balanced set of programs in human spaceflight, in aeronautics research and development and in scientific research. It was signed by the then President George W. Bush and became Public Law 109-155 on December 30, 2005.
The act directs NASA to send robotic spacecraft to study the Moon and planets, and to study astronomy and astrophysics. It directs NASA to use research satellites to conduct earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth connection. It also directs NASA to support university research in a variety of fields. It also directs NASA, in conducting its work, to consult with other agencies including the National Science and Technology Council, work closely with the private sector, and "involve other nations to the extent appropriate."
See main article: Vision for Space Exploration. The act makes into law, and establishes milestones for, the United States Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). Specifically it directs the NASA Administrator to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon with a lunar precursor program, and authorizes international collaborations in pursuit of these goals.
The NASA Administrator is directed to "strive to achieve" the following milestones:
The act requires establishment of a policy to guide U.S. aeronautics research and development programs through 2020. The act reiterates the Federal Government's interest in conducting research and development programs that:
The act directs the Administrator to "detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physicalcharacteristics of near-Earth objects equal to or greater than140 meters in diameter in order to assess the threat of suchnear-Earth objects to the Earth. It shall be the goal of theSurvey program to achieve 90 percent completion of its nearEarthobject catalogue (based on statistically predicted populationsof near-Earth objects) within 15 years after the dateof enactment of this Act."
The act directs the Administrator to develop a plan for NASA science programs through 2016. The act specifically mentions the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, SIM-Planet Quest, and the "Future Explorers Program".
The act required NASA to plan the final mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
The act makes specific requirements regarding the NASA budget.