The BOOST for Engines Act would require the Administrator of NASA to continue a modernization program for rocket propulsion test infrastructure at NASA facilities. The goal is to increase testing capabilities, enhance safety, support propulsion development and testing, and foster improvements in both government and commercial space transportation and exploration. Projects funded under this program could include test stands, related facilities and systems, and enhancements to facility capacity and flexibility, along with other appropriate efforts. The bill directs NASA to prioritize investments that boost test and flight certification for large thrust engines and multi-engine tests, to keep underutilized facilities open for commercial use on a reimbursable basis, and to review center-specific commercial agreements to reflect local costs rather than the highest national rate. It also requires ensuring that modernization efforts do not delay or interfere with government programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and its upper stages, in-space propulsion, or nuclear propulsion testing. The act clarifies that NASA’s ongoing programs can still utilize the modernized test infrastructure.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: Directs NASA to continue modernizing rocket propulsion test infrastructure at NASA centers to improve capabilities, safety, and support for government and commercial space activities.
- 2Project types: Modernization may include test stands, related facilities, systems, and enhancements to capacity and flexibility.
- 3Priorities: Focus on improving test and flight certification capabilities for large thrust engines and multi-engine integrated testing.
- 4Commercial use: Underutilized test facilities should be available to commercial users on a reimbursable basis.
- 5Financial and program safeguards: Evaluate center-specific agreements to reflect local costs; ensure modernization does not adversely impact government testing programs (e.g., SLS, Exploration Upper Stage, in-space propulsion, nuclear propulsion testing); but does not prohibit use of modernized infrastructure by NASA programs.