51 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2022 Edition
Title 51 - NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
Subtitle VI - Earth Observations
CHAPTER 605 - EARTH SCIENCE
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

### CHAPTER 605—EARTH SCIENCE

Sec.
60501.
Goal.
60502.
Transitioning experimental research into operational services.
60503.
Reauthorization of Glory Mission.
60504.
Tornadoes and other severe storms.
60505.
Coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
60506.
Sharing of climate related data.

### §60501. Goal

The goal for the Administration's Earth Science program shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, the Administration's Earth Science program shall ensure that securing practical benefits for society will be an important measure of its success in addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, the Administration shall, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and carrying out a cooperative international Earth observations-based research program.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3425.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60501 | 42 U.S.C. 17711. | Pub. L. 110–422, title II, §201, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4784.

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Earth Science Missions and Programs

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, §10824, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1742, provided that:

"(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—

"(1) the Earth science and applications program of the [National Aeronautics and Space] Administration provides increasingly valuable data for natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, food security, air quality monitoring, and many other application areas; and

"(2) a robust and balanced Earth science and applications program contributes significantly to—

"(A) the scientific discovery and economic growth of the United States; and

"(B) supporting the health and safety of the people of the United States and the citizens of the world.

"(b) Reaffirmation.—Congress reaffirms the goal for the Administration's Earth science and applications program set forth in section 60501 of title 51, United States Code, which states: 'The goal for the Administration's Earth Science program shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applications activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, the Administration's Earth Science program shall ensure that securing practical benefits for society will be an important measure of its success in addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, the Administration shall, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and carrying out a cooperative international Earth observations-based research program.'.[sic]

"(c) Earth Science Missions and Programs.—With respect to the missions and programs of the Earth Science Division, the Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall, to the maximum extent practicable, follow the recommendations and guidance provided by the scientific community through the decadal survey for Earth science and applications from space of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, including—

"(1) the science priorities described in such survey;

"(2) the execution of the series of existing or previously planned observations (commonly known as the 'program of record'); and

"(3) the development of a range of missions of all classes, including opportunities for principal investigator-led, competitively selected missions.

"(d) Earth System Observatory.—The Administrator shall pursue an Earth System Observatory, which shall consist of an array of new and complementary Earth-observing scientific satellites, instruments, and missions—

"(1) to address the recommendations of the 2018 Earth science and applications decadal survey of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine entitled 'Thriving on our Changing Planet', including by conducting priority observations in—

"(A) aerosols;

"(B) cloud convection and precipitation;

"(C) mass change;

"(D) surface biology and geology;

"(E) surface deformation and change; and

"(F) other observation areas designated as high-priority by such decadal survey; and

"(2) to achieve the goal of the Earth Science Program set forth in section 60501 of title 51, United States Code.

"(e) Survey of Use of Earth Observation Data by States, Tribes, and Territories.—

"(1) Survey.—The Administrator shall arrange for the conduct of a survey of the use of NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] Earth observation data by States, Tribal organizations, and territories.

"(2) Submission.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2022], the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives] the results of the survey conducted under paragraph (1).

"(f) Climate Architecture Plan.—The Administrator shall—

"(1) maintain a comprehensive, strategic Climate Architecture Plan for Earth Observations and Applications from Space that describes an integrated and balanced program of Earth science and applications observations to advance science, policy, and applications and societal benefits; and

"(2) update such plan every 5 years so as to align with the release of the decadal surveys in Earth science and applications from space and the mid-decade assessments of the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [probably should be "National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine"]."

#### Carbon Cycle Remote Sensing Applications Research

Pub. L. 106–391, title III, §315, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1595, provided that:

"(a) Carbon Cycle Remote Sensing Applications Research Program.—

"(1) In general.—The Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall develop a carbon cycle remote sensing applications research program—

"(A) to provide a comprehensive view of vegetation conditions;

"(B) to assess and model agricultural carbon sequestration; and

"(C) to encourage the development of commercial products, as appropriate.

"(2) Use of centers.—The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall use regional earth science application centers to conduct applications research under this section.

"(3) Researched areas.—The areas that shall be the subjects of research conducted under this section include—

"(A) the mapping of carbon-sequestering land use and land cover;

"(B) the monitoring of changes in land cover and management;

"(C) new approaches for the remote sensing of soil carbon; and

"(D) region-scale carbon sequestration estimation.

"(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 of funds authorized by section 102 [114 Stat. 1581] for fiscal years 2001 through 2002."

#### Earth Observing System

Pub. L. 102–588, title I, §102(g), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5111, directed the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out an Earth Observing System program addressing highest priority international climate change research goals; within 180 days after Nov. 4, 1992, submit to Congress a plan to ensure that the highest priority measurements were maintained on schedule to the greatest extent practicable while lower priority measurements were deferred or deleted; and within 90 days after Nov. 4, 1992, submit to Congress a Development Plan.

### §60502. Transitioning experimental research into operational services

(a) Interagency Process.—The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop a process to transition, when appropriate, Administration Earth science and space weather missions or sensors into operational status. The process shall include coordination of annual agency budget requests as required to execute the transitions.

(b) Responsible Agency Official.—The Administrator and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall each designate an agency official who shall have the responsibility for and authority to lead the Administration's and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's transition activities and interagency coordination.

(c) Plan.—For each mission or sensor that is determined to be appropriate for transition under subsection (a), the Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall transmit to Congress a joint plan for conducting the transition. The plan shall include the strategy, milestones, and budget required to execute the transition. The transition plan shall be transmitted to Congress no later than 60 days after the successful completion of the mission or sensor critical design review.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3425.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60502(a) | 42 U.S.C. 17712(b). | Pub. L. 110–422, title II, §204(b), (c), (d), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4785.
60502(b) | 42 U.S.C. 17712(c). |
60502(c) | 42 U.S.C. 17712(d). |

### §60503. Reauthorization of Glory Mission

Congress reauthorizes the Administration to continue with development of the Glory Mission, which will examine how aerosols and solar energy affect the Earth's climate.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3425.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60503 | 42 U.S.C. 17713(a). | Pub. L. 110–422, title II, §206(a), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4785.

### §60504. Tornadoes and other severe storms

The Administrator shall ensure that the Administration gives high priority to those parts of its existing cooperative activities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that are related to the study of tornadoes and other severe storms, tornado-force winds, and other factors determined to influence the development of tornadoes and other severe storms, with the goal of improving the Nation's ability to predict tornados and other severe storms. Further, the Administrator shall examine whether there are additional cooperative activities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that should be undertaken in the area of tornado and severe storm research.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3425.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60504 | 42 U.S.C. 17714. | Pub. L. 110–422, title II, §208, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4786.

### §60505. Coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(a) Joint Working Group.—The Administrator and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall appoint a Joint Working Group, which shall review and monitor missions of the two agencies to ensure maximum coordination in the design, operation, and transition of missions where appropriate. The Joint Working Group shall also prepare the plans required by subsection (c).

(b) Coordination Report.—Not later than February 15 of each year, the Administrator and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall jointly transmit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on how the Earth science programs of the Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be coordinated during the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the report is transmitted.

(c) Coordination of Transition Planning and Reporting.—The Administrator, in conjunction with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in consultation with other relevant agencies, shall evaluate relevant Administration science missions for their potential operational capabilities and shall prepare transition plans for the existing and future Earth observing systems found to have potential operational capabilities.

(d) Limitation.—The Administrator shall not transfer any Administration Earth science mission or Earth observing system to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration until the plan required under subsection (c) has been approved by the Administrator and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and until financial resources have been identified to support the transition or transfer in the President's budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3426.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60505 | 42 U.S.C. 16656. | Pub. L. 109–155, title III, §306, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2919.

In subsection (b), the words "beginning with the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act [December 30, 2005]" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b), the words "Committee on Science and Technology" are substituted for "Committee on Science" on authority of Rule X(1)(o) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, adopted by House Resolution No. 6 (110th Congress, January 5, 2007).

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Change of Name

Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011.

### §60506. Sharing of climate related data

The Administrator shall work to ensure that the Administration's policies on the sharing of climate related data respond to the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office's report on climate change research and data-sharing policies and to the recommendations on the processing, distribution, and archiving of data by the National Academies Earth Science Decadal Survey, "Earth Science and Applications from Space", and other relevant National Academies reports, to enhance and facilitate their availability and widest possible use to ensure public access to accurate and current data on global warming.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3426.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
60506 | 42 U.S.C. 17825(c). | Pub. L. 110–422, title XI, §1109(c), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4811.