; and (B) pursue research relating to alternative fuels. (3) Aviation safety The Directorate shall proactively address safety challenges with new and current air vehicles and with operations in the Nation’s current and future air transportation system. 40902. Research collaboration (a) Department of Defense The Administrator shall continue to coordinate with the Secretary of Defense, through the National Partnership for Aeronautics Testing, to develop and implement joint plans for those elements of the Nation’s research, development, testing, and engineering infrastructure that are of common interest and use. (b) Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator shall continue to coordinate with, and work closely with, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, under the framework of the Senior Policy Council, in the development of the Next Generation Air Transportation Program. The Administrator shall encourage the Council to explore areas for greater collaboration, including areas in which the Administration can help to accelerate the development and demonstration of NextGen technologies. 40903. Goal for Administration space technology Building on its Innovative Partnerships Program and other partnering approaches, it is critical that the Administration maintain an Administration space technology base that helps align mission directorate investments and supports long term needs— (1) to complement mission-directorate funded research