51 U.S.C. § 20147 Recovery and Disposition Authority

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

(a) DEFINITIONS.-In this section:

(1) ADMINISTRATION HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT VEHICLE.-The term "Administration human space flight vehicle" means a space vehicle, as defined in section 20138(a) of this title, that-

(A) is intended to transport one or more persons;

(B) is designed to operate in outer space; and

(C) is either-

(i) owned by the Administration; or

(ii) owned by an Administration contractor or cooperating party and operated as part of an Administration mission or a joint mission with the Administration.

(2) CREWMEMBER.-The term "crewmember" means an astronaut or other person assigned to an Administration human space flight vehicle.

(b) CONTROL OF REMAINS.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), when there is an accident or mishap resulting in the death of a crewmember of an Administration human space flight vehicle, the Administrator may take control over the remains of the crewmember and order autopsies and other scientific or medical tests.

(2) TREATMENT.-Each crewmember shall provide the Administrator with the crewmember's preferences regarding the treatment accorded to the crewmember's remains and the Administrator shall, to the extent possible, respect those stated preferences.