Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Space.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 16, 2016

Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

This bill requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to encourage and support the development of permanent space settlements.

Expanding permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit in a way that enables human settlement and a thriving space economy shall be an objective of U.S. aeronautical and space activities.

NASA shall obtain, produce, and provide information related to all issues important for the development of a thriving space economy and the establishment of human space settlements.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48] · R–CA

Committees

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 30, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Space.
Mar 16, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Mar 16, 2016
Introduced in House
Mar 16, 2016
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 16, 2016 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4752 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4752, 114th Congress: Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4752

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr4752/BILLS-114hr4752ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:16:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4752 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4752 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4752, 114th Congress: Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4752

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr4752/BILLS-114hr4752ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:16:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4752 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4752 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4752, 114th Congress: Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4752

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr4752/BILLS-114hr4752ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:16:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4752 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4752 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4752, 114th Congress: Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2016

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4752

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-03-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr4752/BILLS-114hr4752ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:16:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4752 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.