51 U.S.C.

United States Code, 2010 Edition

Title 51 - NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS

Subtitle II - General Program and Policy Provisions

CHAPTER 203 - RESPONSIBILITIES AND VISION

From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov


**CHAPTER 203—RESPONSIBILITIES AND VISION**

20301.

General responsibilities.

20302.

Vision for space exploration.

20303.

Contribution to innovation.

20304.

Basic research enhancement.

20305.

National Academies decadal surveys.


### §20301. General responsibilities

(a) Programs.—The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration carries out a balanced set of programs that shall include, at a minimum, programs in—

(1) human space flight, in accordance with section 20302 of this title;

(2) aeronautics research and development; and

(3) scientific research, which shall include, at a minimum—

(A) robotic missions to study the Moon and other planets and their moons, and to deepen understanding of astronomy, astrophysics, and other areas of science that can be productively studied from space;

(B) Earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth connection through the development and operation of research satellites and other means;

(C) support of university research in space science, Earth science, and microgravity science; and

(D) research on microgravity, including research that is not directly related to human exploration.


(b) Consultation and Coordination.—In carrying out the programs of the Administration, the Administrator shall—

(1) consult and coordinate to the extent appropriate with other relevant Federal agencies, including through the National Science and Technology Council;

(2) work closely with the private sector, including by—

(A) encouraging the work of entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop new means to launch satellites, crew, or cargo;

(B) contracting with the private sector for crew and cargo services, including to the International Space Station, to the extent practicable;

(C) using commercially available products (including software) and services to the extent practicable to support all Administration activities; and

(D) encouraging commercial use and development of space to the greatest extent practicable; and


(3) involve other nations to the extent appropriate.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3355.)

Historical and Revision Notes
*Revised *Section | *Source (U.S. Code)* | *Source (Statutes at Large)* |

20301 |
42 U.S.C. 16611(a). |
Pub. L. 109–155, title I, §101(a), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2897. |


### §20302. Vision for space exploration

(a) In General.—The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust precursor program, to promote exploration, science, commerce, and United States preeminence in space, and as a stepping-stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations. The Administrator is further authorized to develop and conduct appropriate international collaborations in pursuit of these goals.

(b) Milestones.—The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs to strive to achieve the following milestones (in conformity with section 70502 of this title):

(1) Returning Americans to the Moon no later than 2020.

(2) Launching the Crew Exploration Vehicle as close to 2010 as possible.

(3) Increasing knowledge of the impacts of long duration stays in space on the human body using the most appropriate facilities available, including the International Space Station.

(4) Enabling humans to land on and return from Mars and other destinations on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3356.)

Historical and Revision Notes
*Revised *Section | *Source (U.S. Code)* | *Source (Statutes at Large)* |

20302 |
42 U.S.C. 16611(b). |
Pub. L. 109–155, title I, §101(b), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2898. |


### §20303. Contribution to innovation

(a) Participation in Interagency Activities.—The Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the Administration's mission, including authorized activities.

(b) Historic Foundation.—In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall build on the historic role of the Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of physical science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(c) Balanced Science Program and Robust Authorization Levels.—The balanced science program authorized by section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611(d)) 1 shall be an element of the contribution by the Administration to the interagency programs.

(d) Annual Report.—

(1) Requirement.—The Administrator shall submit to Congress and the President an annual report describing the activities conducted pursuant to this section, including a description of the goals and the objective metrics upon which funding decisions were made.

(2) Content.—Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include, with regard to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs, at a minimum, the following:

(A) A description of each program.

(B) The amount spent on each program.

(C) The number of students or teachers served by each program.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3356.)

Historical and Revision Notes
*Revised *Section | *Source (U.S. Code)* | *Source (Statutes at Large)* |

20303(a) |
42 U.S.C. 16611a(a). |
Pub. L. 110–69, title II, §2001(a), (b), (c), (e), Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 582. |

20303(b) |
42 U.S.C. 16611a(b). |
|

20303(c) |
42 U.S.C. 16611a(c). |
|

20303(d) |
42 U.S.C. 16611a(e). |
|


#### References in Text

Section 101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16611(d)), referred to in subsec. (c), is section 101(d) of Pub. L. 109–155, title I, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2897, which was omitted from the Code following the enactment of this title by Pub. L. 111–314.

#### International Space Station's Contribution to National Competitiveness Enhancement

Pub. L. 111–358, title II, §204, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3994, provided that:

“(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of the Congress that the International Space Station represents a valuable and unique national asset which can be utilized to increase educational opportunities and scientific and technological innovation which will enhance the Nation's economic security and competitiveness in the global technology fields of endeavor. If the period for active utilization of the International Space Station is extended to at least the year 2020, the potential for such opportunities and innovation would be increased. Efforts should be made to fully realize that potential.

“(b) Evaluation and Assessment of NASA's Interagency Contribution.—Pursuant to the authority provided in title II of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110–69 [see Tables for classification]), the Administrator [of NASA] shall evaluate and, where possible, expand efforts to maximize NASA's [National Aeronautics and Space Administration's] contribution to interagency efforts to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education capabilities, and to enhance the Nation's technological excellence and global competitiveness. The Administrator shall identify these enhancements in the annual reports required by section 2001(e) of that Act ([former] 42 U.S.C. 16611a(e)) [now 51 U.S.C. 20303(d)].

“(c) Report to the Congress.—Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 4, 2011], the Administrator shall provide to the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a report on the assessment made pursuant to subsection (a). The report shall include—

“(1) a description of current and potential activities associated with utilization of the International Space Station which are supportive of the goals of educational excellence and innovation and competitive enhancement established or reaffirmed by this Act [see Short Title of 2011 Amendment note set out under section 1861 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare], including a summary of the goals supported, the number of individuals or organizations participating in or benefiting from such activities, and a summary of how such activities might be expanded or improved upon;

“(2) a description of government and private partnerships which are, or may be, established to effectively utilize the capabilities represented by the International Space Station to enhance United States competitiveness, innovation and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; and

“(3) a summary of proposed actions or activities to be undertaken to ensure the maximum utilization of the International Space Station to contribute to fulfillment of the goals and objectives of this Act, and the identification of any additional authority, assets, or funding that would be required to support such activities.”

### §20304. Basic research enhancement

(a) Definition of Basic Research.—In this section, the term “basic research” has the meaning given the term in Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–11.

(b) Coordination.—The Administrator, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate basic research activities related to physical sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3357.)

Historical and Revision Notes
*Revised *Section | *Source (U.S. Code)* | *Source (Statutes at Large)* |

20304 |
42 U.S.C. 16658. |
Pub. L. 110–69, title II, §2003, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 583. |


### §20305. National Academies decadal surveys

(a) In General.—The Administrator shall enter into agreements on a periodic basis with the National Academies for independent assessments, also known as decadal surveys, to take stock of the status and opportunities for Earth and space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and to recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas over the next decade.

(b) Independent Cost Estimates.—The agreements described in subsection (a) shall include independent estimates of the life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed in the decadal surveys whenever possible.

(c) Reexamination.—The Administrator shall request that each National Academies decadal survey committee identify any conditions or events, such as significant cost growth or scientific or technological advances, that would warrant the Administration asking the National Academies to reexamine the priorities that the decadal survey had established.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3357.)

Historical and Revision Notes
*Revised *Section | *Source (U.S. Code)* | *Source (Statutes at Large)* |

20305 |
42 U.S.C. 17823. |
Pub. L. 110–422, title XI, §1104, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4809. |