Browse Arkansas Code titles and sections
51 U.S.C. § 20301 — General responsibilities
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(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](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section20302&num=0&edition=prelim);
(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
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 20301
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.
Original supplied file — preserved unchanged
Download original Markdown file
File SHA-256: c4d212fc700668bb28bcc61cedcfff07c6253c5289b13e41092fc40afe551c54. The original may include catalog metadata, neighboring provisions, or embedded records outside this collection's scope. Search shows only the selected federal record. Historical editions and unverified snapshots are not a statement of current law.
Authority boundary: historical or unconfirmed source not current law verified.
Open the recorded source website ↗
Record provenance
Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_11d2aabf8b825e87230191b9
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-51/section-20301-general-responsibilities--ad4699a6ef.md
Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded
Passage SHA-256: 4fcc8a191af14d9e5e4b2f8e5e5a1e2a21e655590ad1f7146855701e07c357b6
Source location: Title 51, Chapter 203, § 20301; chapter-203-responsibilities-and-vision.md
Stored source content
**(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](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section20302&num=0&edition=prelim);
(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.
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
In this title:
(1) **Administration.—** — The term “Administration” means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) **Administrator.—** — The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 10101
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—** The Administration—
(1) may conduct missions to intermediate destinations in sustainable steps in accordance with [section 20302(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section20302/b&num=0&edition=prelim), and on a timetable determined by the availability of funding, in order to achieve the objective of human exploration of Mars specified in section 202(b)(5) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ([42 U.S.C. 18312(b)(5)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section18312/b/5&num=0&edition=prelim)); and
(2) shall incorporate any such missions into the human exploration roadmap under section 432 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017.
**(b) Cost-effectiveness.—** In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term space exploration and utilization activities of the United States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps, including engaging international, academic, and industry partners, to ensure that activities in the Administration’s human space exploration program balance how those activities might also help meet the requirements of future exploration and utilization activities leading to human habitation on the surface of Mars.
**(c) Completion.—** Within budgetary considerations, once an exploration-related project enters its development phase, the Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, to complete that project without undue delays.
**(d) International Participation.—** In order to achieve the goal of successfully conducting a crewed mission to the surface of Mars, the President may invite the United States partners in the ISS program
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 70504
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Atomic energy is capable of application for peaceful as well as military purposes. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the United States that—
**(a)** the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to make the maximum contribution to the general welfare, subject at all times to the paramount objective of making the maximum contribution to the common defense and security; and
**(b)** the development, use, and control of atomic energy shall be directed so as to promote world peace, improve the general welfare, increase the standard of living, and strengthen free competition in private enterprise.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 2011
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Establishment.—** There is hereby established in the United States Treasury an Administration working capital fund.
**(b) Availability of Amounts.—**
(1) **In general.—** — Amounts in the fund are available for financing activities, services, equipment, information, and facilities as authorized by law to be provided—
(A) within the Administration;
(B) to other agencies or instrumentalities of the United States;
(C) to any State, territory, or possession or political subdivision thereof;
(D) to other public or private agencies; or
(E) to any person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution on a reimbursable basis.
(2) **Capital repairs.—** — The fund shall also be available for the purpose of funding capital repairs, renovations, rehabilitation, sustainment, demolition, or replacement of Administration real property, on a reimbursable basis within the Administration.
(3) **Information technology (it) modernization.—** — The fund shall also be available for the purpose of funding IT Modernization activities, as described in section 1077(b)(3)(A)–(E) of Public Law 115–91, on a non-reimbursable basis.
(4) **No fiscal year limitation.—** — Amounts in the fund are available without regard to fiscal year limitation.
**(c) Contents.—** The capital of the fund consists of—
(1) amounts appropriated to the fund;
(2) the reasonable value of stocks of supplies, equipment, and other assets and inventories on order that the Administrator transfers to the fund, less the related liabilities and unpaid obligations;
(3) payments received for loss or damage to property of the fund; and
(4) refunds or rebates received on an on-going basis from a credit card services provider under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s credit car
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 30102
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Sense of Congress** It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the ISS, technology developments, the current Space Shuttle program, and follow-on transportation systems authorized by this chapter form the foundation of initial capabilities for missions beyond low-Earth orbit to a variety of lunar and Lagrangian orbital locations; and
(2) these initial missions and related capabilities should be utilized to provide operational experience, technology development, and the placement and assured use of in-space infrastructure and in-space servicing of existing and future assets.
**(b) Sense of Congress regarding human space flight capability assurance** It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator shall proceed with the utilization of the ISS, technology development, and follow-on transportation systems (including the Space Launch System, multi-purpose crew vehicle, and commercial crew and cargo transportation capabilities) under subchapters II and III of this chapter in a manner that ensures—
(1) that these capabilities remain inherently complementary and interrelated;
(2) a balance of the development, sustainment, and use of each of these capabilities, which are of critical importance to the viability and sustainability of the U.S. space program; and
(3) that resources required to support the timely and sustainable development of these capabilities authorized in either subchapter II or subchapter III of this chapter are not derived from a reduction in resources for the capabilities authorized in the other subchapter.
**(c) Limitation** Nothing in subsection (b) shall apply to or affect any capability authorized by any other subchapter of this chapter 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 18322
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—** The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence in cis-lunar space or 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) Future Exploration of Mars.—** The Administrator shall manage human space flight programs, including the Space Launch System and Orion, to enable humans to explore Mars and other destinations by defining a series of sustainable steps and conducting mission planning, research, and technology development on a timetable that is technically and fiscally possible, consistent with section 70504.
**(c) Definitions.—** In this section:
(1) **Orion.—** — The term “Orion” means the multipurpose crew vehicle described under section 303 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ([42 U.S.C. 18323](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section18323&num=0&edition=prelim)).
(2) **Space launch system.—** — The term “Space Launch System” means has the meaning 11 So in original. given the term in section 3 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ([42 U.S.C. 18302](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section18302&num=0&edition=prelim)).
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 20302
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Requirement.—** A license issued or transferred under this chapter, or a permit, is required for the following:
(1) for a person to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, in the United States.
(2) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in section 50902(1)(A) or (B) of this title) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, outside the United States.
(3) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in [section 50902(1)(C) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section50902/1/C&num=0&edition=prelim)) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, outside the United States and outside the territory of a foreign country unless there is an agreement between the United States Government and the government of the foreign country providing that the government of the foreign country has jurisdiction over the launch or operation or reentry.
(4) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in [section 50902(1)(C) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section50902/1/C&num=0&edition=prelim)) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, in the territory of a foreign country if there is an agreement between the United States Government and the government of the foreign country providing that the United States Government has jurisdiction over the launch or operation or reentry.
Notwithstanding this subsection, a permit shall not authorize a person to operate a launch site or reentry site.
**(b) Compliance With Payload Requirements.—** T
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 50904
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In General.—** In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administration for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $9,995,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2032, to use as follows:
(1) $700,000,000, to be obligated not later than fiscal year 2026, for the procurement, using a competitively bid, firm fixed-price contract with a United States commercial provider (as defined in section 50101(7)), of a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter—
(A) that—
(i) is capable of providing robust, continuous communications for—
(I) a Mars sample return mission, as described in section 432(3)(C) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 ([51 U.S.C. 20302](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section20302&num=0&edition=prelim) note; Public Law 115–10); and
(II) future Mars surface, orbital, and human exploration missions;
(ii) supports autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities; and
(iii) is selected from among the commercial proposals that—
(I) received funding from the Administration in fiscal year 2024 or 2025 for commercial design studies for Mars Sample Return; and
(II) proposed a separate, independently launched Mars telecommunication orbiter supporting an end-to-end Mars sample return mission; and
(B) which shall be delivered to the Administration not later than December 31, 2028.
(2) $2,600,000,000 to meet the requirements of section 20302(a) using the program of record known, as of the date of the enactment of this section, as “Gateway”, and as described in section 10811(b)(2)(B)(iv) of the National Aeronau
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 20306
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Policy Statement.—** In order to ensure continuous United States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization of space and as an essential instrument of national security, it is the policy of the United States to maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and operations—
(1) in low-Earth orbit; and
(2) beyond low-Earth orbit once the capabilities described in section 421(f) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 become available.
**(b) Annual Report.—** The Administrator shall transmit an annual report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives describing the progress being made toward developing the Space Launch System and Orion and the estimated time before they will demonstrate crewed, orbital spaceflight.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 51 U.S.C. § 70501
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 47
TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
§ 20301
engineering community in the program au-
thorized by this subchapter; and
(3) make all results of the program author-
ized by this subchapter available to the appro-
priate regulatory agencies and provide for the
widest practicable dissemination of such re-
sults.
(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3354.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Revised
Section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
20163 ..........
42 U.S.C. 2483.
Pub. L. 85–568, title IV, § 403,
as added Pub. L. 94–39, § 8,
June 19, 1975, 89 Stat. 222.
§ 20164. International cooperation
In carrying out the provisions of this sub-
chapter, the Administration, subject to the di-
rection of the President and after consultation
with the Secretary of State, shall make every
effort to enlist the support and cooperation of
appropriate scientists and engineers of other
countries and international organizations.
(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)
20164 ..........
42 U.S.C. 2484.
Pub. L. 85–568, title IV, § 404,
as added Pub. L. 94–39, § 8,
June 19, 1975, 89 Stat. 223.
CHAPTER 203—RESPONSIBILITIES AND
VISION
Sec.
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 en-
sure that the Administration carries out a bal-
anced 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 develop
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 51 U.S.C. § 20301
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.