51 U.S.C. § 60501 — Goal

Page 159 TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS § 60501 Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted ‘‘section 1013 of title 5,’’ for ‘‘section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.),’’. § 60305. Data availability The Administrator shall ensure that the re- sults of each of the pilot projects completed under section 60303 of this title shall be retriev- able through an electronic, internet-accessible database. (Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3424.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 60305 .......... 42 U.S.C. 16675. Pub. L. 109–155, title III, § 315, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2922. § 60306. Education The Administrator shall establish an edu- cational outreach program to increase aware- ness at institutions of higher education and State, local, regional, and tribal agencies of the potential applications of remote sensing and other geospatial information and awareness of the need for geospatial workforce development. (Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3424.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 60306 .......... 42 U.S.C. 16676. Pub. L. 109–155, title III, § 316, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2922. 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 meas- ure of its success in addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, the Ad- ministration shall, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and carrying out a co- operative 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 re- source management, agriculture, forestry, food secu- rity, air quality monitoring, and many other applica- tion areas; and ‘‘(2) a robust and balanced Earth science and appli- cations program contributes significantly to— ‘‘(A) the scientific discovery and economic growth of the United States; and ‘‘(B) supporting the health and safety of the peo- ple 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 Adminis- tration’s Earth Science program shall be to pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and applica- tions activities to better understand the Earth, how it supports life, and how human activities affect its abil- ity 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 secur- ing new knowledge about the Earth system and climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, the Administra- tion shall, together with the National Oceanic and At- mospheric Administration and other relevant agencies, provide United States leadership in developing and car- rying out a cooperative international Earth observa- tions-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 recommenda- tions and guidance provided by the scientific commu- nity 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 pre- viously 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 investi- gator-led, competitively selected missions. ‘‘(d) EARTH SYSTEM OBSERVATORY.—The Adminis- trator shall pursue an Earth System Observatory, which shall consist of an array of new and complemen- tary 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 Page 160 TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS § 60502 ‘‘(2) to achieve the goal of the Earth Science Pro- gram 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 obser- vation data by States, Tribal organizations, and ter- ritories. ‘‘(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 Com- mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives] the results of the survey conducted under paragraph (1). ‘‘(f) CLIMATE ARCHITECTURE PLAN.—The Adminis- trator shall— ‘‘(1) maintain a comprehensive, strategic Climate Architecture Plan for Earth Observations and Appli- cations from Space that describes an integrated and balanced program of Earth science and applications observations to advance science, policy, and applica- tions 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-dec- ade 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 Na- tional Aeronautics and Space Administration] shall develop a carbon cycle remote sensing applications research program— ‘‘(A) to provide a comprehensive view of vegeta- tion conditions; ‘‘(B) to assess and model agricultural carbon se- questration; and ‘‘(C) to encourage the development of commercial products, as appropriate. ‘‘(2) USE OF CENTERS.—The Administrator of the Na- tional Aeronautics and Space Administration shall use regional earth science application centers to con- duct 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 esti- mation. ‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is au- thorized 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 Aero- nautics 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 de- ferred 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 Ad- ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos- pheric Administration, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop a process to transi- tion, when appropriate, Administration Earth science and space weather missions or sensors into operational status. The process shall in- clude coordination of annual agency budget re- quests as required to execute the transitions. (b) RESPONSIBLE AGENCY OFFICIAL.—The Ad- ministrator and the Administrator of the Na- tional 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 Adminis- tration shall transmit to Congress a joint plan for conducting the transition. The plan shall in- clude the strategy, milestones, and budget re- quired 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 Mis- sion, 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 Ad- ministration gives high priority to those parts of its existing cooperative activities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tion 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