Browse Arkansas Code titles and sections

51 U.S.C. § 70504 — Stepping stone approach to exploration

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

51 U.S.C. § 70504 — Stepping stone approach to exploration

**(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. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.

Original supplied file — preserved unchanged

Download original Markdown file

File SHA-256: a058245e521c373453218e7a6d66a2f77b350c04060288ccf12ed398a96867b6. 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_4b8e9200c203bc39308c5dcf
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-51/section-70504-stepping-stone-approach-to-exploration--e394701ed6.md
Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded
Passage SHA-256: 45a57ba97223e34537d3d3937abef33a14f6b1beba046b5f6b66f045c136ac92

Source location: Title 51, Chapter 705, § 70504; chapter-705-exploration-initiatives.md

Stored source content

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

42 U.S.C. § 17731 — Repealed. Pub. L. 111–314, § 6, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3444

### Statutory Notes Section, Pub. L. 110–422, title III, § 307, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4788, related to funding for research and development activities in support of other mission directorates. See [section 40104 of Title 51](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section40104&num=0&edition=prelim), National and Commercial Space Programs.

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 17731

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

51 U.S.C. § 20302 — Vision for space exploration

**(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

42 U.S.C. § 17732 — Repealed. Pub. L. 111–314, § 6, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3444

### Statutory Notes Section, Pub. L. 110–422, title IV, § 403, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4789, related to stepping stone approach to exploration. See [section 70504 of Title 51](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section70504&num=0&edition=prelim), National and Commercial Space Programs.

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 17732

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

42 U.S.C. § 18321 — Goals and objectives

**(a) Long-term goals** The long-term goals of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— (1) to expand permanent human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where practical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners; (2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the goal in paragraph (1) to enable the potential for subsequent human exploration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system; and (3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habitation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century.11 So in original. Probably should be “century.” **(b) Key objectives** The key objectives of the United States for human expansion into space shall be— (1) to sustain the capability for long-duration presence in low-Earth orbit, initially through continuation of the ISS and full utilization of the United States segment of the ISS as a National Laboratory, and through assisting and enabling an expanded commercial presence in, and access to, low-Earth orbit, as elements of a low-Earth orbit infrastructure; (2) to determine if humans can live in an extended manner in space with decreasing reliance on Earth, starting with utilization of low-Earth orbit infrastructure, to identify potential roles that space resources such as energy and materials may play, to meet national and global needs and challenges, such as potential cataclysmic threats, and to explore the viability of and lay the foundation for sustainable economic activities in space; (3) to maximize the role that human exploration of space can play in advancing overall knowledge of the universe, supporting United States national and economic security and the United States global

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 18321

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

51 U.S.C. § 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](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. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 18312 — Definitions

In this chapter: (1) **Administrator** — The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2) **Appropriate committees of Congress** — The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Science 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and Technology”. of the House of Representatives. (3) **Cis-lunar space** — The term “cis-lunar space” means the region of space from the Earth out to and including the region around the surface of the Moon. (4) **Deep space** — The term “deep space” means the region of space beyond cis-lunar space. (5) **ISS** — The term “ISS” means the International Space Station. (6) **NASA** — The term “NASA” means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (7) **Near-Earth space** — The term “near-Earth space” means the region of space that includes low-Earth orbit and extends out to and includes geo-synchronous orbit. (8) **NOAA** — The term “NOAA” means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (9) **OSTP** — The term “OSTP” means the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (10) **Space Launch System** — The term “Space Launch System” means the follow-on government-owned civil launch system developed, managed, and operated by NASA to serve as a key component to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit.

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 18312

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 18312. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

42 U.S.C. § 18312 — Goals and objectives

Page 9148 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 18312 1 So in original. Probably should be ‘‘century.’’ 1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period. Editorial Notes CODIFICATION In subsec. (b), ‘‘section 70501(a) of title 51’’ sub- stituted for ‘‘section 501(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16761(a))’’ on authority of Pub. L. 111–314, § 5(e), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3443, which Act enacted Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs. AMENDMENTS 2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–10 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘It is the policy of the United States that reliance upon and use of non-United States human space flight capabilities shall be undertaken only as a contingency in circumstances where no United States-owned and op- erated human space flight capability is available, oper- ational, and certified for flight by appropriate Federal agencies.’’ § 18312. Goals and objectives (a) Long-term goals The long-term goals of the human space flight and exploration efforts of NASA shall be— (1) to expand permanent human presence be- yond low-Earth orbit and to do so, where prac- tical, in a manner involving international, academic, and industry partners; (2) crewed missions and progress toward achieving the goal in paragraph (1) to enable the potential for subsequent human explo- ration and the extension of human presence throughout the solar system; and (3) to enable a capability to extend human presence, including potential human habi- tation on another celestial body and a thriving space economy in the 21st Century.1 (b) Key objectives The key objectives of the United States for human expansion into space shall be— (1) to sustai

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 42 U.S.C. § 18312

Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 18312. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

51 U.S.C. § 70504 — Stepping stone approach to exploration

Page 172 TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS § 70502 and workload between the Centers to mitigate the brunt of job losses being borne by only certain Centers; (3) new workload, tasks, initiatives, and missions being secured for the affected Centers; and (4) overall projec- tions of future civil service and contractor workforce levels at the affected Centers. The Administrator shall transmit this strategy to Congress not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 26, 2007]. The Administrator shall update and transmit to Congress this strategy not less than every six months thereafter until the successor human-rated space trans- port vehicle is fully operational.’’ Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 502, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2928, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator [of the Na- tional Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall, to the fullest extent possible consistent with a successful development program, use the personnel, capabilities, assets, and infrastructure of the Space Shuttle program in developing the Crew Exploration Vehicle, Crew Launch Vehicle, and a heavy-lift launch vehicle. ‘‘(b) PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 30, 2005], the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science [now Com- mittee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com- merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan describing how NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] will proceed with its human space flight programs, which, at a minimum, shall de- scribe— ‘‘(1) how NASA will deploy personnel from, and use the facilities of, the Space Shuttle program to ensure that the Space Shuttle operates as saf

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 51 U.S.C. § 70504

Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.