51 U.S.C. § 20301 General Responsibilities

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(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.

Cite as 51 U.S.C. § 20301

Source: Pub. L. 111-314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3355.

current through 5/22/2023

<TABLE> <TR><TD colspan="3">HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>Revised <para>Section</para> </TD> <TD>Source (U.S. Code)</TD> <TD>Source (Statutes at Large)</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>20301</TD> <TD> <codecitation statecd="US" datatype="S" title="42">42 U.S.C. <codesec>16611<subdiv>(a)</subdiv></codesec></codecitation>.</TD> <TD> <actcitation href="" statecd="US" sessionyear="2005" actaltid="109-155">Pub. L. <actid>109-155</actid></actcitation>, <actseccitation href="" statecd="US" sessionyear="2005" actaltid="109-155">title I, §<actsec>101</actsec>(a), Dec. 30, <sessionyear>2005</sessionyear></actseccitation>, 119 Stat. 2897.</TD> </TR> </TABLE>

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Pub. L. 117-167, div. B, title VII, §108120812,, 136 Stat. 1735, provided that:

"(a) EXPLORATION GROUND SYSTEMS INFRASTRUCTURE.-The Administrator shall ensure that-

"(1) the necessary elements of a ground system infrastructure are in place to enable the preparation and use of the Space Launch System, specifically the Block 1 (at least 70 mt), Block 1B (at least 105 mt), and Block 2 (at least 130 mt) variants of the Space Launch System; and

"(2) not fewer than 2 bays of the vehicle assembly building of such ground system infrastructure are outfitted and dedicated to support Space Launch System stacking and preparations.

"(b) FLIGHT RATE AND SAFETY.-After the first crewed lunar landing of the Administration's Moon to Mars activities, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, seek to carry out a flight rate of 2 integrated Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle missions annually until the lunar activities needed to enable a human mission to Mars are completed so as to maintain the critical human spaceflight production and operations skills necessary for the safety of human spaceflight activities in deep space.

"(c) MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORM.-

"(1) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator is authorized to maintain 2 operational mobile launch platforms to enable the launch of multiple configurations of the Space Launch System.

"(2) SECOND MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORM.-

"(A) IN GENERAL.-In implementing paragraph (1), the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to develop and complete a second mobile launch platform, to be in place by 2026, to support the first launch of the Block 1B variant of the Space Launch System.

"(B) REQUIREMENT.-Such second mobile launch platform shall be sized and constructed to accommodate the Block 2 variant of the Space Launch System.

"(d) REPORTS.-The Administrator shall submit to Congress-

"(1) not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2022], a report on the steps the Administrator and industry partners are taking-

"(A) to address the cost, schedule, and performance challenges in the development of the Mobile Launch-2 platform; and

"(B) to ensure that such platform is ready for operational use on a schedule that aligns with the current plans for an Artemis IV launch, which is currently anticipated in 2027; and

"(2) not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, a report that contains a list of the key milestones required for completing each of the Space Launch System variants, and an estimated date on which such milestones will be completed.

"(e) EXPLORATION UPPER STAGE.-

"(1) IN GENERAL.-To meet the capability requirements under section 302(c)(2) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18322(c)(2) ), the Administrator shall continue development of the Exploration Upper Stage for the Space Launch System on a schedule consistent with the Artemis IV lunar mission.

"(2) BRIEFING.-Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the development and scheduled availability of the Exploration Upper Stage for the Artemis IV lunar mission.

"(f) MAIN PROPULSION TEST ARTICLE.-To meet the requirements under section 302(c)(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 18322(c)(3) ), the Administrator may initiate development of a main propulsion test article for the integrated Exploration Upper Stage element of the Space Launch System, consistent with cost and schedule constraints, particularly for long-lead propulsion hardware needed for flight."

[For definitions of terms used in section 10812 of Pub. L. 116-167 set out above, see section 10802 of Pub. L. 117-167 set out as a Definitions note under section 10101 of this title.]

ROCKET ENGINE TEST INFRASTRUCTURE

Pub. L. 117-167, div. B, title VII, §108130813,, 136 Stat. 1736, provided that:

"(a) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, continue to carry out a program to modernize rocket propulsion test infrastructure at NASA facilities-

"(1) to increase capabilities;

"(2) to enhance safety;

"(3) to support propulsion development and testing; and

"(4) to foster the improvement of Government and commercial space transportation and exploration.

"(b) PROJECTS.-Projects funded under the program described in subsection (a) may include-

"(1) infrastructure and other facilities and systems relating to rocket propulsion test stands and rocket propulsion testing;

"(2) enhancements to test facility capacity and flexibility; and

"(3) such other projects as the Administrator considers appropriate to meet the goals described in that subsection.

"(c) REQUIREMENTS.-In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall-

"(1) to the extent practicable and appropriate, prioritize investments in projects that enhance test and flight certification capabilities, including for large thrust-level atmospheric and altitude engines and engine systems, and multi-engine integrated test capabilities;

"(2) continue to make underutilized test facilities available for commercial use on a reimbursable basis; and

"(3) ensure that no project carried out under this program adversely impacts, delays, or defers testing or other activities associated with facilities used for Government programs, including-

"(A) the Space Launch System and the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System;

"(B) in-space propulsion to support exploration missions; or

"(C) nuclear propulsion testing.

"(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in this section shall preclude a NASA program, including the Space Launch System and the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System, from using the modernized test infrastructure developed under this section.

"(e) WORKING CAPITAL FUND STUDY.-

"(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this division [Aug. 9, 2022], the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the use of the authority under section 30102 of title 51, United States Code, to promote increased use of NASA rocket propulsion test infrastructure for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities by other Federal agencies, firms, associations, corporations, and educational institutions.

"(2) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.-The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

"(A) An assessment of prior use, if any, of the authority under section 30102 of title 51, United States Code, to improve testing infrastructure.

"(B) An analysis of any barrier to implementation of such authority for the purpose of promoting increased use of NASA rocket propulsion test infrastructure."

[For definitions of terms used in section 10813 of Pub. L. 116-167 set out above, see section 10802 of Pub. L. 117-167 set out as a Definitions note under section 10101 of this title.]

SEARCH FOR LIFE

Pub. L. 117-167, div. B, title VII, §108220822,, 136 Stat. 1740, provided that:

"(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.-It is the sense of Congress that-

"(1) the report entitled 'An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe' published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines key scientific questions and methods on the search for the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe; and