On the recordDecember 18, 2020
The Senator from Maryland is correct. The Commerce Committee has no intention of trying to pressure NASA to establish a university affiliated research center unless NASA leadership identifies a technical need for a mission requirement that the agency cannot satisfy through the standard competitive processes. In addition, the intended results of the reports called for in sections 818 and 819 should not be viewed as seeking to avoid either peer review by the National Academy of Sciences or very broad consultation with the scientific and aerospace communities.
