(a)  In General.⁠—The Administrator may establish a ground-based analog capability in remote United States locations in order to assist in the development of lunar operations, life support, and in-situ resource utilization experience and capabilities.

(b)  Environmental Characteristics.⁠—The Administrator shall select locations for the activities described in subsection (a) that⁠—

(1)  are regularly accessible;

(2)  have significant temperature extremes and range; and

(3)  have access to energy and natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic, or other potential resources).

(c)  Involvement of Local Populations and Private Sector Partners.⁠—In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall involve local populations, academia, and industrial partners as much as possible to ensure that ground-based benefits and applications are encouraged and developed.