; and (8) the factors that should be considered in evaluating whether the program, as structured and funded, could be expanded to include science and education projects, and any potential implications of such an expansion. (b) Transmittal The report in subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 605. Sense of Congress on optical communications It is the sense of Congress that advances in interplanetary communications are an essential enabler for future robotic and human exploration, and that optical communications can provide increased bandwidth at farther distances with greater accuracy and speed than radio frequency transmissions. Optical communications involve opportunities and challenges that can transform scientific investigations in space and support deep space human exploration operations that will require broadband communications with Earth. In addition, optical communications systems are lighter, more compact and use less power than radio frequency communications, and the Government’s investment in advancing optical communications also has the potential to offer significant benefits to the private sector and future space commerce. 606. Propulsion testing facilities (a) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that the Administration’s development of next generation in-space and electric propulsion will help enable the Nation’s goal of sending humans to Mars, especially for use in emplacing the cargo and infrastructure necessary to support human activities at Mars. It is the further sense of Congress that additional testing capabilities may be needed to support research and development on in-space propulsion and that such facilities could serve government, industry, and university work on maturing in-space propulsion development work. (b) Needs assessment The Administrator shall carry out a