SEC. 131. IMPLEMENTATION OF A SCIENCE PROGRAM THAT EXTENDS HUMAN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE EARTH, SUN, SOLAR SYSTEM, AND THE UNIVERSE.

The Administrator shall--

(1) conduct a rich and vigorous set of science activities aimed at better comprehension of the universe, solar system, and Earth, and ensure that the various areas within NASA's science portfolio are developed and maintained in a balanced and healthy manner, and, as part of this balanced science research program, provide, to the maximum extent feasible, continued support and funding for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, SIM-Planet Quest, and Future Explorers programs, including determining whether these delayed missions and planned missions can be expedited to meet previous schedules, and may place a greater emphasis on science, including the programs described in this paragraph, throughout the fiscal years for which funds are authorized by this Act (and for this purpose, of the funds authorized by section 101(1) of this Act, no less than $5,341,200,000 shall be for science, and of the funds authorized by section 102(1) of this Act, no less than $5,960,300,000 shall be for science);

(2) plan projected Mars exploration activities in the context of planned lunar robotic precursor missions, ensuring the ability to conduct a broad set of scientific investigations and research around and on the Moon's surface;

(3) upon successful completion of the planned return-to-flight schedule of the Space Shuttle, determine the schedule for a Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, unless such a mission would compromise astronaut or safety or the integrity of NASA's other missions;

(4) ensure that, in implementing the provisions of this section, appropriate inter-agency and commercial collaboration opportunities are sought and utilized to the maximum feasible extent;

(5) seek opportunities to diversify the flight opportunities for scientific Earth science instruments and seek innovation in the development of instruments that would enable greater flight opportunities;

(6) develop a long term sustainable relationship with the United States commercial remote sensing industry, and, consistent with applicable policies and law, to the maximum practical extent, rely on their services;

(7) in conjunction with United States industry and universities, develop Earth science applications to enhance Federal, State, local, and tribal governments that use government and commercial remote sensing capabilities and other sources of geospatial information to address their needs;

(8) plan, develop, and implement a near-Earth object survey program to detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical characteristics of near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to assess the threat of such near-Earth objects in impacting the Earth; and

(9) ensure that, of the amount expended for aeronautics, a significant portion is directed toward the Vehicle System Program, as much of the basic, long-term, high-risk, and innovative research in aeronautical disciplines is performed within that program.