SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1.
Table of contents. 
Sec. 2.
Purpose; conformity with original intent. 
Sec. 3.
Enactment of title 51, United States Code. 
Sec. 4.
Conforming amendments to other laws. 
Sec. 5.
Transitional and savings provisions. 
Sec. 6.
Repeals. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE; CONFORMITY WITH ORIGINAL INTENT. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to codify certain existing laws 
related to national and commercial space programs as a positive law title 
of the United States Code. 
(b) CONFORMITY WITH ORIGINAL INTENT.—In the codification of laws 
by this Act, the intent is to conform to the understood policy, intent, and 
purpose of Congress in the original enactments, with such amendments and 
corrections as will remove ambiguities, contradictions, and other imperfec-
tions, in accordance with section 205(c)(1) of House Resolution No. 988, 
93d Congress, as enacted into law by Public Law 93–554 (2 U.S.C. 
285b(1)). 
SEC. 3. ENACTMENT OF TITLE 51, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Title 51, United States Code, ‘‘National and Commercial Space Pro-
grams’’, is enacted as follows: 
TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL 
SPACE PROGRAMS 
Subtitle I—General 
Chap. 
Sec. 
101. Definitions ........................................................................................................
10101 
Subtitle II—General Program and Policy Provisions 
201. National Aeronautics and Space Program .......................................................
20101 
203. Responsibilities and Vision ...............................................................................
20301 
Subtitle III—Administrative Provisions 
301. Appropriations, Budgets, and Accounting ........................................................
30101 
303. Contracting and Procurement ..........................................................................
30301 
305. Management and Review ..................................................................................
30501 
307. International Cooperation and Competition .....................................................
30701 
309. Awards ..............................................................................................................
30901 
311. Safety ................................................................................................................
31101 
313. Healthcare ........................................................................................................
31301 
315. Miscellaneous ....................................................................................................
31501
Subtitle IV—Aeronautics and Space Research and Edu-
cation 
401. Aeronautics .......................................................................................................
40101 
403. National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program ..................................
40301 
405. Biomedical Research in Space ..........................................................................
40501 
407. Environmentally Friendly Aircraft ...................................................................
40701 
409. Miscellaneous ....................................................................................................
40901 
Subtitle V—Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities 
501. Space Commerce ...............................................................................................
50101 
503. Commercial Reusable In-Space Transportation ...............................................
50301 
505. Commercial Space Competitiveness ..................................................................
50501 
507. Office of Space Commercialization ...................................................................
50701 
Subtitle VI—Earth Observations 
601. Land Remote Sensing Policy ............................................................................
60101 
603. Remote Sensing ................................................................................................
60301 
605. Earth Science ...................................................................................................
60501 
Subtitle VII—Access to Space 
701. Use of Space Shuttle or Alternatives ...............................................................
70101 
703. Shuttle Pricing Policy for Commercial and Foreign Users ..............................
70301 
705. Exploration Initiatives ......................................................................................
70501 
707. Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission .........................
70701 
709. International Space Station ..............................................................................
70901 
711. Near-Earth Objects ..........................................................................................
71101 
713. Cooperation for Safety Among Spacefaring Nations .......................................
71301 
Subtitle I—General 
CHAPTER 101—DEFINITIONS 
Sec. 
10101.
Definitions. 
§ 10101. Definitions 
In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administration’’ means the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Admin-
istrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
Subtitle II—General Program and Policy 
Provisions 
CHAPTER 201—NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
PROGRAM 
SUBCHAPTER I—SHORT TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, AND DEFINITIONS 
Sec. 
20101.
Short title.
20102.
Congressional declaration of policy and purpose. 
20103.
Definitions. 
SUBCHAPTER II—COORDINATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES 
20111.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
20112.
Functions of the Administration. 
20113.
Powers of the Administration in performance of functions. 
20114.
Administration and Department of Defense coordination. 
20115.
International cooperation. 
20116.
Reports to Congress. 
20117.
Disposal of excess land. 
SUBCHAPTER III—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
20131.
Public access to information. 
20132.
Security requirements. 
20133.
Permission to carry firearms. 
20134.
Arrest authority. 
20135.
Property rights in inventions. 
20136.
Contributions awards. 
20137.
Malpractice and negligence suits against United States. 
20138.
Insurance and indemnification. 
20139.
Insurance for experimental aerospace vehicles. 
20140.
Appropriations. 
20141.
Misuse of agency name and initials. 
20142.
Contracts regarding expendable launch vehicles. 
20143.
Full cost appropriations account structure. 
20144.
Prize authority. 
20145.
Lease of non-excess property. 
20146.
Retrocession of jurisdiction. 
20147.
Recovery and disposition authority. 
SUBCHAPTER IV—UPPER ATMOSPHERE RESEARCH 
20161.
Congressional declaration of purpose and policy. 
20162.
Definition of upper atmosphere. 
20163.
Program authorized. 
20164.
International cooperation. 
SUBCHAPTER I—SHORT TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, AND 
DEFINITIONS 
§ 20101. Short title 
This chapter may be cited as the ‘‘National Aeronautics and Space Act’’. 
§ 20102. Congressional declaration of policy and purpose 
(a) DEVOTION OF SPACE ACTIVITIES TO PEACEFUL PURPOSES FOR BEN-
EFIT OF ALL HUMANKIND.—Congress declares that it is the policy of the 
United States that activities in space should be devoted to peaceful purposes 
for the benefit of all humankind. 
(b) AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES FOR WELFARE AND SECU-
RITY OF UNITED STATES.—Congress declares that the general welfare and 
security of the United States require that adequate provision be made for 
aeronautical and space activities. Congress further declares that such activi-
ties shall be the responsibility of, and shall be directed by, a civilian agency 
exercising control over aeronautical and space activities sponsored by the 
United States, except that activities peculiar to or primarily associated with 
the development of weapons systems, military operations, or the defense of 
the United States (including the research and development necessary to 
make effective provision for the defense of the United States) shall be the
responsibility of, and shall be directed by, the Department of Defense; and 
that determination as to which agency has responsibility for and direction 
of any such activity shall be made by the President. 
(c) COMMERCIAL USE OF SPACE.—Congress declares that the general 
welfare of the United States requires that the Administration seek and en-
courage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of 
space. 
(d) OBJECTIVES OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES.—The aero-
nautical and space activities of the United States shall be conducted so as 
to contribute materially to one or more of the following objectives: 
(1) The expansion of human knowledge of the Earth and of phe-
nomena in the atmosphere and space. 
(2) The improvement of the usefulness, performance, speed, safety, 
and efficiency of aeronautical and space vehicles. 
(3) The development and operation of vehicles capable of carrying in-
struments, equipment, supplies, and living organisms through space. 
(4) The establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits 
to be gained from, the opportunities for, and the problems involved in 
the utilization of aeronautical and space activities for peaceful and sci-
entific purposes. 
(5) The preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in 
aeronautical and space science and technology and in the application 
thereof to the conduct of peaceful activities within and outside the at-
mosphere. 
(6) The making available to agencies directly concerned with national 
defense of discoveries that have military value or significance, and the 
furnishing by such agencies, to the civilian agency established to direct 
and control nonmilitary aeronautical and space activities, of informa-
tion as to discoveries which have value or significance to that agency. 
(7) Cooperation by the United States with other nations and groups 
of nations in work done pursuant to this chapter and in the peaceful 
application of the results thereof. 
(8) The most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering re-
sources of the United States, with close cooperation among all inter-
ested agencies of the United States in order to avoid unnecessary dupli-
cation of effort, facilities, and equipment. 
(9) The preservation of the United States preeminent position in aer-
onautics and space through research and technology development re-
lated to associated manufacturing processes. 
(e) GROUND PROPULSION SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.— 
Congress declares that the general welfare of the United States requires
that the unique competence in scientific and engineering systems of the Ad-
ministration also be directed toward ground propulsion systems research 
and development. Such development shall be conducted so as to contribute 
to the objectives of developing energy and petroleum-conserving ground pro-
pulsion systems, and of minimizing the environmental degradation caused 
by such systems. 
(f) BIOENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION 
PROGRAMS.—Congress declares that the general welfare of the United 
States requires that the unique competence of the Administration in science 
and engineering systems be directed to assisting in bioengineering research, 
development, and demonstration programs designed to alleviate and mini-
mize the effects of disability. 
(g) WARNING
AND MITIGATION
OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS
OF NEAR- 
EARTH OBJECTS.—Congress declares that the general welfare and security 
of the United States require that the unique competence of the Administra-
tion be directed to detecting, tracking, cataloguing, and characterizing near- 
Earth asteroids and comets in order to provide warning and mitigation of 
the potential hazard of such near-Earth objects to the Earth. 
(h) PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.—It is the purpose of this chapter to carry 
out and effectuate the policies declared in subsections (a) to (g). 
§ 20103. Definitions 
In this chapter: 
(1) AERONAUTICAL
AND
SPACE
ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘‘aero-
nautical and space activities’’ means— 
(A) research into, and the solution of, problems of flight within 
and outside the Earth’s atmosphere; 
(B) the development, construction, testing, and operation for re-
search purposes of aeronautical and space vehicles; 
(C) the operation of a space transportation system including the 
space shuttle, upper stages, space platforms, and related equip-
ment; and 
(D) such other activities as may be required for the exploration 
of space. 
(2) AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE VEHICLES.—The term ‘‘aeronautical 
and space vehicles’’ means aircraft, missiles, satellites, and other space 
vehicles, manned and unmanned, together with related equipment, de-
vices, components, and parts.
SUBCHAPTER II—COORDINATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND 
SPACE ACTIVITIES 
§ 20111. National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR.—There is 
established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Admin-
istration shall be headed by an Administrator, who shall be appointed from 
civilian life by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate. Under the supervision and direction of the President, the Administrator 
shall be responsible for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all 
duties of the Administration and shall have authority and control over all 
personnel and activities thereof. 
(b) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.—There shall be in the Administration a 
Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed from civilian life by the 
President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy 
Administrator shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the 
Administrator may prescribe. The Deputy Administrator shall act for, and 
exercise the powers of, the Administrator during the Administrator’s ab-
sence or disability. 
(c) RESTRICTION ON OTHER BUSINESS OR EMPLOYMENT.—The Admin-
istrator and the Deputy Administrator shall not engage in any other busi-
ness, vocation, or employment while serving as such. 
§ 20112. Functions of the Administration 
(a) PLANNING, DIRECTING, AND CONDUCTING AERONAUTICAL
AND 
SPACE ACTIVITIES.—The Administration, in order to carry out the purpose 
of this chapter, shall— 
(1) plan, direct, and conduct aeronautical and space activities; 
(2) arrange for participation by the scientific community in planning 
scientific measurements and observations to be made through use of 
aeronautical and space vehicles, and conduct or arrange for the conduct 
of such measurements and observations; 
(3) provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination 
of information concerning its activities and the results thereof; 
(4) seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest 
commercial use of space; and 
(5) encourage and provide for Federal Government use of commer-
cially provided space services and hardware, consistent with the re-
quirements of the Federal Government. 
(b) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN CERTAIN TECHNOLOGIES.— 
(1) GROUND
PROPULSION
TECHNOLOGIES.—The Administration 
shall, to the extent of appropriated funds, initiate, support, and carry 
out such research, development, demonstration, and other related ac-
tivities in ground propulsion technologies as are provided for in sections 
4 to 10 of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and 
Demonstration Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C. 2503 to 2509). 
(2) SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING TECHNOLOGIES.—The Adminis-
tration shall initiate, support, and carry out such research, develop-
ment, demonstrations, and other related activities in solar heating and 
cooling technologies (to the extent that funds are appropriated there-
for) as are provided for in sections 5, 6, and 9 of the Solar Heating 
and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5503, 5504, 5507). 
§ 20113. Powers of the Administration in performance of 
functions 
(a) RULES AND REGULATIONS.—In the performance of its functions, the 
Administration is authorized to make, promulgate, issue, rescind, and 
amend rules and regulations governing the manner of its operations and the 
exercise of the powers vested in it by law. 
(b) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—In the performance of its functions, the 
Administration is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of officers 
and employees as may be necessary to carry out such functions. The officers 
and employees shall be appointed in accordance with the civil service laws 
and their compensation fixed in accordance with chapter 51 and subchapter 
III of chapter 53 of title 5, except that— 
(1) to the extent the Administrator deems such action necessary to 
the discharge of the Administrator’s responsibilities, the Administrator 
may appoint not more than 425 of the scientific, engineering, and ad-
ministrative personnel of the Administration without regard to such 
laws, and may fix the compensation of such personnel not in excess of 
the rate of basic pay payable for level III of the Executive Schedule; 
and 
(2) to the extent the Administrator deems such action necessary to 
recruit specially qualified scientific and engineering talent, the Admin-
istrator may establish the entrance grade for scientific and engineering 
personnel without previous service in the Federal Government at a level 
up to 2 grades higher than the grade provided for such personnel under 
the General Schedule, and fix their compensation accordingly. 
(c) PROPERTY.—In the performance of its functions, the Administration 
is authorized— 
(1) to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise), con-
struct, improve, repair, operate, and maintain laboratories, research 
and testing sites and facilities, aeronautical and space vehicles, quar-
ters and related accommodations for employees and dependents of em-
ployees of the Administration, and such other real and personal prop-
erty (including patents), or any interest therein, as the Administration 
deems necessary within and outside the continental United States; 
(2) to acquire by lease or otherwise, through the Administrator of 
General Services, buildings or parts of buildings in the District of Co-
lumbia for the use of the Administration for a period not to exceed 10 
years without regard to section 8141 of title 40; 
(3) to lease to others such real and personal property; 
(4) to sell and otherwise dispose of real and personal property (in-
cluding patents and rights thereunder) in accordance with the provi-
sions of chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and in accordance with title III 
of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 
U.S.C. 251 et seq.); and 
(5) to provide by contract or otherwise for cafeterias and other nec-
essary facilities for the welfare of employees of the Administration at 
its installations and purchase and maintain equipment therefor. 
(d) GIFTS.—In the performance of its functions, the Administration is 
authorized to accept unconditional gifts or donations of services, money, or 
property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible. 
(e) CONTRACTS, LEASES, AND AGREEMENTS.—In the performance of its 
functions, the Administration is authorized, without regard to subsections 
(a) and (b) of section 3324 of title 31, to enter into and perform such con-
tracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be nec-
essary in the conduct of its work and on such terms as it may deem appro-
priate, with any agency or instrumentality of the United States, or with any 
State, territory, or possession, or with any political subdivision thereof, or 
with any person, firm, association, corporation, or educational institution. 
To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the accomplishment 
of the purpose of this chapter, such contracts, leases, agreements, and other 
transactions shall be allocated by the Administrator in a manner which will 
enable small-business concerns to participate equitably and proportionately 
in the conduct of the work of the Administration. 
(f) COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES AND OTHERS.—In the per-
formance of its functions, the Administration is authorized to use, with their 
consent, the services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of Federal and 
other agencies with or without reimbursement, and on a similar basis to co-
operate with other public and private agencies and instrumentalities in the 
use of services, equipment, and facilities. Each department and agency of 
the Federal Government shall cooperate fully with the Administration in 
making its services, equipment, personnel, and facilities available to the Ad-
ministration, and any such department or agency is authorized, notwith-
standing any other provision of law, to transfer to or to receive from the
Administration, without reimbursement, aeronautical and space vehicles, 
and supplies and equipment other than administrative supplies or equip-
ment. 
(g) ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—In the performance of its functions, the 
Administration is authorized to appoint such advisory committees as may 
be appropriate for purposes of consultation and advice to the Administra-
tion. 
(h) OFFICES AND PROCEDURES.—In the performance of its functions, the 
Administration is authorized to establish within the Administration such of-
fices and procedures as may be appropriate to provide for the greatest pos-
sible coordination of its activities under this chapter with related scientific 
and other activities being carried on by other public and private agencies 
and organizations. 
(i) TEMPORARY OR INTERMITTENT SERVICES OF EXPERTS OR CONSULT-
ANTS.—In the performance of its functions, the Administration is author-
ized to obtain services as provided by section 3109 of title 5, but at rates 
for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the maximum 
rate payable under section 5376 of title 5. 
(j) ALIENS.—In the performance of its functions, the Administration is 
authorized, when determined by the Administrator to be necessary, and sub-
ject to such security investigations as the Administrator may determine to 
be appropriate, to employ aliens without regard to statutory provisions pro-
hibiting payment of compensation to aliens. 
(k) CONCESSIONS FOR VISITORS’ FACILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the performance of its functions, the Adminis-
tration is authorized to provide by concession, without regard to section 
1302 of title 40, on such terms as the Administrator may deem to be 
appropriate and necessary to protect the concessioner against loss of 
the concessioner’s investment in property (but not anticipated profits) 
resulting from the Administration’s discretionary acts and decisions, 
for the construction, maintenance, and operation of all manner of facili-
ties and equipment for visitors to the several installations of the Ad-
ministration and, in connection therewith, to provide services incident 
to the dissemination of information concerning its activities to such 
visitors, without charge or with a reasonable charge therefor (with this 
authority being in addition to any other authority that the Administra-
tion may have to provide facilities, equipment, and services for visitors 
to its installations). 
(2) PUBLIC NOTICE AND DUE CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS.—A 
concession agreement under this subsection may be negotiated with any
qualified proposer following due consideration of all proposals received 
after reasonable public notice of the intention to contract. 
(3) REASONABLE
OPPORTUNITY
FOR
PROFIT.—The concessioner 
shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make a profit commensu-
rate with the capital invested and the obligations assumed. The consid-
eration paid by the concessioner for the concession shall be based on 
the probable value of the opportunity and not on maximizing revenue 
to the United States. 
(4) RECORDS AND ACCESS TO RECORDS.—Each concession agree-
ment shall specify the manner in which the concessioner’s records are 
to be maintained, and shall provide for access to the records by the 
Administration and the Comptroller General of the United States for 
a period of 5 years after the close of the business year to which the 
records relate. 
(5) POSSESSORY INTERESTS.—A concessioner may be accorded a 
possessory interest, consisting of all incidents of ownership except legal 
title (which shall vest in the United States), in any structure, fixture, 
or improvement the concessioner constructs or locates upon land owned 
by the United States. With the approval of the Administration, such 
possessory interest may be assigned, transferred, encumbered, or relin-
quished by the concessioner, and, unless otherwise provided by con-
tract, shall not be extinguished by the expiration or other termination 
of the concession and may not be taken for public use without just 
compensation. 
(l) DETAILING MEMBERS OF ARMED SERVICES.—In the performance of 
its functions, the Administration is authorized, with the approval of the 
President, to enter into cooperative agreements under which members of the 
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps may be detailed by the appro-
priate Secretary for services in the performance of functions under this 
chapter to the same extent as that to which they might be lawfully assigned 
in the Department of Defense. 
(m) CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.—In the performance of its 
functions, the Administration is authorized— 
(1) to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, settle, and pay, on be-
half of the United States, in full satisfaction thereof, any claim for 
$25,000 or less against the United States for bodily injury, death, or 
damage to or loss of real or personal property resulting from the con-
duct of the Administration’s functions as specified in section 20112(a) 
of this title, where such claim is presented to the Administration in 
writing within 2 years after the accident or incident out of which the 
claim arises; and
(2) if the Administration considers that a claim in excess of $25,000 
is meritorious and would otherwise be covered by this subsection, to re-
port the facts and circumstances to Congress for its consideration. 
§ 20114. Administration and Department of Defense coordi-
nation 
(a) ADVISE AND CONSULT.—The Administration and the Department of 
Defense, through the President, shall advise and consult with each other on 
all matters within their respective jurisdictions related to aeronautical and 
space activities and shall keep each other fully and currently informed with 
respect to such activities. 
(b) REFERRAL TO THE PRESIDENT.—If the Secretary of Defense con-
cludes that any request, action, proposed action, or failure to act on the 
part of the Administrator is adverse to the responsibilities of the Depart-
ment of Defense, or the Administrator concludes that any request, action, 
proposed action, or failure to act on the part of the Department of Defense 
is adverse to the responsibilities of the Administration, and the Adminis-
trator and the Secretary of Defense are unable to reach an agreement with 
respect to the matter, either the Administrator or the Secretary of Defense 
may refer the matter to the President for a decision (which shall be final). 
§ 20115. International cooperation 
The Administration, under the foreign policy guidance of the President, 
may engage in a program of international cooperation in work done pursu-
ant to this chapter, and in the peaceful application of the results thereof, 
pursuant to agreements made by the President with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. 
§ 20116. Reports to Congress 
(a) PRESIDENTIAL REPORT.—The President shall transmit to Congress 
in May of each year a report, which shall include— 
(1) a comprehensive description of the programmed activities and the 
accomplishments of all agencies of the United States in the field of aer-
onautics and space activities during the preceding fiscal year; and 
(2) an evaluation of such activities and accomplishments in terms of 
the attainment of, or the failure to attain, the objectives described in 
section 20102(d) of this title. 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION.—Any report 
made under this section shall contain such recommendations for additional 
legislation as the Administrator or the President may consider necessary or 
desirable for the attainment of the objectives described in section 20102(d) 
of this title. 
(c) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—No information that has been classified 
for reasons of national security shall be included in any report made under
this section, unless the information has been declassified by, or pursuant to 
authorization given by, the President. 
§ 20117. Disposal of excess land 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other law, the Administra-
tion may not report to a disposal agency as excess to the needs of the Ad-
ministration any land having an estimated value in excess of $50,000 that 
is owned by the United States and under the jurisdiction and control of the 
Administration, unless— 
(1) a period of 30 days has passed after the receipt by the Speaker 
and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the President and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of a report by the Adminis-
trator or the Administrator’s designee containing a full and complete 
statement of the action proposed to be taken and the facts and cir-
cumstances relied upon in support of such action; or 
(2) each such committee before the expiration of that period has 
transmitted to the Administrator written notice to the effect that the 
committee has no objection to the proposed action. 
SUBCHAPTER III—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
§ 20131. Public access to information 
(a) PUBLIC INSPECTION.—Information obtained or developed by the Ad-
ministrator in the performance of the Administrator’s functions under this 
chapter shall be made available for public inspection, except information— 
(1) authorized or required by Federal statute to be withheld; 
(2) classified to protect the national security; or 
(3) described in subsection (b). 
(b) SPECIAL HANDLING OF TRADE SECRET OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, for a period of up to 5 years 
after the development of information described in paragraph (2), may 
provide appropriate protections against the dissemination of such infor-
mation, including exemption from subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 
5. 
(2) INFORMATION
DESCRIBED.—Information referred to in para-
graph (1) is information that results from activities conducted under 
an agreement entered into under subsections (e) and (f) of section 
20113 of this title, and that would be a trade secret or commercial or 
financial information that is privileged or confidential under the mean-
ing of section 552(b)(4) of title 5 if the information had been obtained 
from a non-Federal party participating in such an agreement.
(c) COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—Nothing in this chapter authorizes the 
withholding of information by the Administrator from the duly authorized 
committees of Congress. 
§ 20132. Security requirements 
The Administrator shall establish such security requirements, restrictions, 
and safeguards as the Administrator deems necessary in the interest of the 
national security. The Administrator may arrange with the Director of the 
Office of Personnel Management for the conduct of such security or other 
personnel investigations of the Administration’s officers, employees, and 
consultants, and its contractors and subcontractors and their officers and 
employees, actual or prospective, as the Administrator deems appropriate. 
If any such investigation develops any data reflecting that the individual 
who is the subject of the investigation is of questionable loyalty, the matter 
shall be referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the conduct of 
a full field investigation, the results of which shall be furnished to the Ad-
ministrator. 
§ 20133. Permission to carry firearms 
As the Administrator deems necessary in the public interest, the Adminis-
trator may— 
(1) direct officers and employees of the Administration to carry fire-
arms while in the conduct of their official duties; and 
(2) authorize employees of contractors and subcontractors of the Ad-
ministration who are engaged in the protection of property owned by 
the United States, and located at facilities owned by or contracted to 
the United States, to carry firearms while in the conduct of their offi-
cial duties. 
§ 20134. Arrest authority 
Under regulations prescribed by the Administrator and approved by the 
Attorney General, employees of the Administration and of its contractors 
and subcontractors authorized to carry firearms under section 20133 of this 
title may arrest without warrant for any offense against the United States 
committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of 
the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person 
to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony. Persons granted 
authority to make arrests by this section may exercise that authority only 
while guarding and protecting property owned or leased by, or under the 
control of, the United States under the administration and control of the 
Administration or one of its contractors or subcontractors, at facilities 
owned by or contracted to the Administration. 
§ 20135. Property rights in inventions 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) CONTRACT.—The term ‘‘contract’’ means any actual or proposed 
contract, agreement, understanding, or other arrangement, and in-
cludes any assignment, substitution of parties, or subcontract executed 
or entered into thereunder. 
(2) MADE.—The term ‘‘made’’, when used in relation to any inven-
tion, means the conception or first actual reduction to practice of such 
invention. 
(3) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means any individual, partnership, 
corporation, association, institution, or other entity. 
(b) EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF UNITED STATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An invention shall be the exclusive property of the 
United States if it is made in the performance of any work under any 
contract of the Administration, and the Administrator determines 
that— 
(A) the person who made the invention was employed or as-
signed to perform research, development, or exploration work and 
the invention is related to the work the person was employed or 
assigned to perform, or was within the scope of the person’s em-
ployment duties, whether or not it was made during working 
hours, or with a contribution by the Government of the use of 
Government facilities, equipment, materials, allocated funds, infor-
mation proprietary to the Government, or services of Government 
employees during working hours; or 
(B) the person who made the invention was not employed or as-
signed to perform research, development, or exploration work, but 
the invention is nevertheless related to the contract, or to the work 
or duties the person was employed or assigned to perform, and 
was made during working hours, or with a contribution from the 
Government of the sort referred to in subparagraph (A). 
(2) PATENT TO UNITED STATES.—If an invention is the exclusive 
property of the United States under paragraph (1), and if such inven-
tion is patentable, a patent therefor shall be issued to the United 
States upon application made by the Administrator, unless the Admin-
istrator waives all or any part of the rights of the United States to 
such invention in conformity with the provisions of subsection (g). 
(c) CONTRACT PROVISIONS FOR FURNISHING REPORTS OF INVENTIONS, 
DISCOVERIES, IMPROVEMENTS, OR INNOVATIONS.—Each contract entered 
into by the Administrator with any party for the performance of any work 
shall contain effective provisions under which the party shall furnish 
promptly to the Administrator a written report containing full and complete
technical information concerning any invention, discovery, improvement, or 
innovation which may be made in the performance of any such work. 
(d) PATENT APPLICATION.—No patent may be issued to any applicant 
other than the Administrator for any invention which appears to the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United 
States Patent and Trademark Office (hereafter in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Director’’) to have significant utility in the conduct of aeronautical 
and space activities unless the applicant files with the Director, with the ap-
plication or within 30 days after request therefor by the Director, a written 
statement executed under oath setting forth the full facts concerning the 
circumstances under which the invention was made and stating the relation-
ship (if any) of the invention to the performance of any work under any 
contract of the Administration. Copies of each such statement and the appli-
cation to which it relates shall be transmitted forthwith by the Director to 
the Administrator. 
(e) ISSUANCE OF PATENT TO APPLICANT.—Upon any application as to 
which any such statement has been transmitted to the Administrator, the 
Director may, if the invention is patentable, issue a patent to the applicant 
unless the Administrator, within 90 days after receipt of the application and 
statement, requests that the patent be issued to the Administrator on behalf 
of the United States. If, within such time, the Administrator files such a 
request with the Director, the Director shall transmit notice thereof to the 
applicant, and shall issue such patent to the Administrator unless the appli-
cant within 30 days after receipt of the notice requests a hearing before the 
Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences on the question whether the Ad-
ministrator is entitled under this section to receive the patent. The Board 
may hear and determine, in accordance with rules and procedures estab-
lished for interference cases, the question so presented, and its determina-
tion shall be subject to appeal by the applicant or by the Administrator to 
the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in accordance 
with procedures governing appeals from decisions of the Board of Patent 
Appeals and Interferences in other proceedings. 
(f) SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER OF PATENT IN CASE OF FALSE REPRESEN-
TATIONS.—Whenever a patent has been issued to an applicant in conformity 
with subsection (e), and the Administrator thereafter has reason to believe 
that the statement filed by the applicant in connection with the patent con-
tained a false representation of a material fact, the Administrator, within 
5 years after the date of issuance of the patent, may file with the Director 
a request for the transfer to the Administrator of title to the patent on the 
records of the Director. Notice of any such request shall be transmitted by 
the Director to the owner of record of the patent, and title to the patent
shall be so transferred to the Administrator unless, within 30 days after re-
ceipt of notice, the owner of record requests a hearing before the Board of 
Patent Appeals and Interferences on the question whether any such false 
representation was contained in the statement filed in connection with the 
patent. The question shall be heard and determined, and the determination 
shall be subject to review, in the manner prescribed by subsection (e) for 
questions arising thereunder. A request made by the Administrator under 
this subsection for the transfer of title to a patent, and prosecution for the 
violation of any criminal statute, shall not be barred by the failure of the 
Administrator to make a request under subsection (e) for the issuance of 
the patent to the Administrator, or by any notice previously given by the 
Administrator stating that the Administrator had no objection to the 
issuance of the patent to the applicant. 
(g) WAIVER OF RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS.—Under such regulations in con-
formity with this subsection as the Administrator shall prescribe, the Ad-
ministrator may waive all or any part of the rights of the United States 
under this section with respect to any invention or class of inventions made 
or which may be made by any person or class of persons in the performance 
of any work required by any contract of the Administration if the Adminis-
trator determines that the interests of the United States will be served 
thereby. Any such waiver may be made upon such terms and under such 
conditions as the Administrator shall determine to be required for the pro-
tection of the interests of the United States. Each such waiver made with 
respect to any invention shall be subject to the reservation by the Adminis-
trator of an irrevocable, nonexclusive, nontransferable, royalty-free license 
for the practice of such invention throughout the world by or on behalf of 
the United States or any foreign government pursuant to any treaty or 
agreement with the United States. Each proposal for any waiver under this 
subsection shall be referred to an Inventions and Contributions Board which 
shall be established by the Administrator within the Administration. Such 
Board shall accord to each interested party an opportunity for hearing, and 
shall transmit to the Administrator its findings of fact with respect to such 
proposal and its recommendations for action to be taken with respect there-
to. 
(h) PROTECTION OF TITLE.—The Administrator is authorized to take all 
suitable and necessary steps to protect any invention or discovery to which 
the Administrator has title, and to require contractors or persons who retain 
title to inventions or discoveries under this section to protect the inventions 
or discoveries to which the Administration has or may acquire a license of 
use.
(i) ADMINISTRATION AS DEFENSE AGENCY.—The Administration shall be 
considered a defense agency of the United States for the purpose of chapter 
17 of title 35. 
(j) OBJECTS INTENDED FOR LAUNCH, LAUNCHED, OR ASSEMBLED IN 
OUTER SPACE.—Any object intended for launch, launched, or assembled in 
outer space shall be considered a vehicle for the purpose of section 272 of 
title 35. 
(k) USE OR MANUFACTURE OF PATENTED INVENTIONS INCORPORATED 
IN SPACE VEHICLES LAUNCHED
FOR PERSONS OTHER THAN UNITED 
STATES.—The use or manufacture of any patented invention incorporated 
in a space vehicle launched by the United States Government for a person 
other than the United States shall not be considered to be a use or manu-
facture by or for the United States within the meaning of section 1498(a) 
of title 28, unless the Administration gives an express authorization or con-
sent for such use or manufacture. 
§ 20136. Contributions awards 
(a) APPLICATIONS.—Subject to the provisions of this section, the Admin-
istrator is authorized, on the Administrator’s own initiative or on applica-
tion of any person, to make a monetary award, in an amount and on terms 
the Administrator determines to be warranted, to any person (as defined by 
section 20135(a) of this title) for any scientific or technical contribution to 
the Administration which is determined by the Administrator to have sig-
nificant value in the conduct of aeronautical and space activities. Each ap-
plication made for such an award shall be referred to the Inventions and 
Contributions Board established under section 20135 of this title. Such 
Board shall accord to each applicant an opportunity for hearing on the ap-
plication, and shall transmit to the Administrator its recommendation as to 
the terms of the award, if any, to be made to the applicant for the contribu-
tion. In determining the terms and conditions of an award the Adminis-
trator shall take into account— 
(1) the value of the contribution to the United States; 
(2) the aggregate amount of any sums which have been expended by 
the applicant for the development of the contribution; 
(3) the amount of any compensation (other than salary received for 
services rendered as an officer or employee of the Government) pre-
viously received by the applicant for or on account of the use of the 
contribution by the United States; and 
(4) any other factors the Administrator determines to be material. 
(b) APPORTIONMENT OF AWARDS.—If more than one applicant under 
subsection (a) claims an interest in the same contribution, the Adminis-
trator shall ascertain and determine the respective interests of the appli-
cants, and shall apportion any award to be made among the applicants in 
amounts the Administrator determines to be equitable. 
(c) SURRENDER OF OTHER CLAIMS.—No award may be made under sub-
section (a) unless the applicant surrenders, by means the Administrator de-
termines to be effective, all claims that the applicant may have to receive 
any compensation (other than the award made under this section) for the 
use of the contribution or any element thereof at any time by or on behalf 
of the United States, or by or on behalf of any foreign government pursuant 
to a treaty or agreement with the United States, within the United States 
or at any other place. 
(d) REPORT AND WAITING PERIOD.—No award may be made under sub-
section (a) in an amount exceeding $100,000 unless the Administrator 
transmits to the appropriate committees of Congress a full and complete re-
port concerning the amount and terms of, and the basis for, the proposed 
award, and a period of 30 calendar days of regular session of Congress ex-
pires after receipt of the report by the committees. 
§ 20137. Malpractice and negligence suits against United 
States 
(a) EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.—The remedy against the United States pro-
vided by sections 1346(b) and 2672 of title 28, for damages for personal 
injury, including death, caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission 
of any physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, or paramedical or other sup-
porting personnel (including medical and dental technicians, nursing assist-
ants, and therapists) of the Administration in the performance of medical, 
dental, or related health care functions (including clinical studies and inves-
tigations) while acting within the scope of such person’s duties or employ-
ment therein or therefor shall be exclusive of any other civil action or pro-
ceeding by reason of the same subject matter against such person (or the 
estate of such person) whose act or omission gave rise to the action or pro-
ceeding. 
(b) ATTORNEY GENERAL TO DEFEND
ANY CIVIL ACTION
OR PRO-
CEEDING FOR MALPRACTICE OR NEGLIGENCE.—The Attorney General shall 
defend any civil action or proceeding brought in any court against any per-
son referred to in subsection (a) (or the estate of such person) for any such 
injury. Any such person against whom such civil action or proceeding is 
brought shall deliver within such time after date of service or knowledge of 
service as determined by the Attorney General, all process served upon such 
person or an attested true copy thereof to such person’s immediate superior 
or to whomever was designated by the Administrator to receive such papers. 
Such person shall promptly furnish copies of the pleading and process there-
in to the United States Attorney for the district embracing the place where-
in the proceeding is brought, to the Attorney General, and to the Adminis-
trator. 
(c) REMOVAL OF ACTIONS.—Upon a certification by the Attorney General 
that any person described in subsection (a) was acting in the scope of such 
person’s duties or employment at the time of the incident out of which the 
suit arose, any such civil action or proceeding commenced in a State court 
shall be removed without bond at any time before trial by the Attorney Gen-
eral to the district court of the United States of the district and division 
embracing the place wherein it is pending and the proceeding deemed a tort 
action brought against the United States under the provisions of title 28, 
and all references thereto. Should a district court of the United States de-
termine, on a hearing on a motion to remand held before a trial on the mer-
its, that the case so removed is one in which a remedy by suit within the 
meaning of subsection (a) is not available against the United States, the 
case shall be remanded to the State court. 
(d) COMPROMISE OR SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS.—The Attorney General 
may compromise or settle any claim asserted in such civil action or pro-
ceeding in the manner provided in section 2677 of title 28, and with the 
same effect. 
(e) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW.—For purposes of 
this section, the provisions of section 2680(h) of title 28 shall not apply to 
any cause of action arising out of a negligent or wrongful act or omission 
in the performance of medical, dental, or related health care functions (in-
cluding clinical studies and investigations). 
(f) LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERSONS ASSIGNED TO FOREIGN COUN-
TRIES OR NON-FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Administrator or the Adminis-
trator’s designee may, to the extent that the Administrator or the designee 
deems appropriate, hold harmless or provide liability insurance for any per-
son described in subsection (a) for damages for personal injury, including 
death, caused by such person’s negligent or wrongful act or omission in the 
performance of medical, dental, or related health care functions (including 
clinical studies and investigations) while acting within the scope of such per-
son’s duties if such person is assigned to a foreign country or detailed for 
service with other than a Federal department, agency, or instrumentality or 
if the circumstances are such as are likely to preclude the remedies of third 
persons against the United States described in section 2679(b) of title 28, 
for such damage or injury. 
§ 20138. Insurance and indemnification 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SPACE VEHICLE.—The term ‘‘space vehicle’’ means an object in-
tended for launch, launched, or assembled in outer space, including the
space shuttle and other components of a space transportation system, 
together with related equipment, devices, components, and parts. 
(2) THIRD PARTY.—The term ‘‘third party’’ means any person who 
may institute a claim against a user for death, bodily injury, or loss 
of or damage to property. 
(3) USER.—The term ‘‘user’’ includes anyone who enters into an 
agreement with the Administration for use of all or a portion of a space 
vehicle, who owns or provides property to be flown on a space vehicle, 
or who employs a person to be flown on a space vehicle. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Administration is authorized on such terms 
and to the extent it may deem appropriate to provide liability insurance for 
any user of a space vehicle to compensate all or a portion of claims by third 
parties for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property resulting 
from activities carried on in connection with the launch, operations, or re-
covery of the space vehicle. Appropriations available to the Administration 
may be used to acquire such insurance, but such appropriations shall be re-
imbursed to the maximum extent practicable by the users under reimburse-
ment policies established pursuant to section 20113 of this title. 
(c) INDEMNIFICATION.—Under such regulations in conformity with this 
section as the Administrator shall prescribe taking into account the avail-
ability, cost, and terms of liability insurance, any agreement between the 
Administration and a user of a space vehicle may provide that the United 
States will indemnify the user against claims (including reasonable expenses 
of litigation or settlement) by third parties for death, bodily injury, or loss 
of or damage to property resulting from activities carried on in connection 
with the launch, operations, or recovery of the space vehicle, but only to the 
extent that such claims are not compensated by liability insurance of the 
user. Such indemnification may be limited to claims resulting from other 
than the actual negligence or willful misconduct of the user. 
(d) TERMS
OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT.—An agreement made 
under subsection (c) that provides indemnification must also provide for— 
(1) notice to the United States of any claim or suit against the user 
for the death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to the property; and 
(2) control of or assistance in the defense by the United States, at 
its election, of that suit or claim. 
(e) CERTIFICATION OF JUST AND REASONABLE AMOUNT.—No payment 
may be made under subsection (c) unless the Administrator or the Adminis-
trator’s designee certifies that the amount is just and reasonable. 
(f) PAYMENTS.—Upon the approval by the Administrator, payments 
under subsection (c) may be made, at the Administrator’s election, either
from funds available for research and development not otherwise obligated 
or from funds appropriated for such payments. 
§ 20139. Insurance for experimental aerospace vehicles 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COOPERATING PARTY.—The term ‘‘cooperating party’’ means 
any person who enters into an agreement with the Administration for 
the performance of cooperative scientific, aeronautical, or space activi-
ties to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 
(2) DEVELOPER.—The term ‘‘developer’’ means a United States per-
son (other than a natural person) who— 
(A) is a party to an agreement with the Administration for the 
purpose of developing new technology for an experimental aero-
space vehicle; 
(B) owns or provides property to be flown or situated on that 
vehicle; or 
(C) employs a natural person to be flown on that vehicle. 
(3) EXPERIMENTAL AEROSPACE VEHICLE.—The term ‘‘experimental 
aerospace vehicle’’ means an object intended to be flown in, or launched 
into, orbital or suborbital flight for the purpose of demonstrating tech-
nologies necessary for a reusable launch vehicle, developed under an 
agreement between the Administration and a developer. 
(4) RELATED ENTITY.—The term ‘‘related entity’’ includes a con-
tractor or subcontractor at any tier, a supplier, a grantee, and an in-
vestigator or detailee. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may provide liability insurance for, 
or indemnification to, the developer of an experimental aerospace vehicle de-
veloped or used in execution of an agreement between the Administration 
and the developer. 
(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 
insurance and indemnification provided by the Administration under 
subsection (b) to a developer shall be provided on the same terms and 
conditions as insurance and indemnification is provided by the Admin-
istration under section 20138 of this title to the user of a space vehicle. 
(2) INSURANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A developer shall obtain liability insurance 
or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate 
for the maximum probable loss from claims by— 
(i) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property dam-
age, or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connec-
(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 pur-
pose 
of 
funding 
capital 
repairs, 
renovations, 
rehabilitation, 
sustainment, demolition, or replacement of Administration real prop-
erty, on a reimbursable basis within the Administration. 
(3) NO FISCAL YEAR LIMITATION.—Amounts in the fund are avail-
able 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; and 
(3) payments received for loss or damage to property of the fund. 
(d) REIMBURSEMENT.—The fund shall be reimbursed, in advance, for 
supplies and services at rates that will approximate the expenses of oper-
ation, such as the accrual of annual leave, depreciation of plant, property, 
and equipment, and overhead. 
§ 30103. Budgets 
(a) CATEGORIES.—The proposed budget for the Administration submitted 
by the President for each fiscal year shall be accompanied by documents 
showing— 
(1) by program— 
(A) the budget for space operations, including the International 
Space Station and the space shuttle; 
(B) the budget for exploration systems; 
(C) the budget for aeronautics; 
(D) the budget for space science; 
(E) the budget for Earth science; 
(F) the budget for microgravity science; 
(G) the budget for education; 
(H) the budget for safety oversight; and 
(I) the budget for public relations; 
(2) the budget for technology transfer programs; 
(3) the budget for the Integrated Enterprise Management Program, 
by individual element;
(4) the budget for the Independent Technical Authority, both total 
and by center; 
(5) the total budget for the prize program under section 20144 of 
this title, and the administrative budget for that program; and 
(6) the comparable figures for at least the 2 previous fiscal years for 
each item in the proposed budget. 
(b) ADDITIONAL BUDGET INFORMATION UPON REQUEST BY COMMIT-
TEES.—The Administration shall make available, upon request from the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives or 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate— 
(1) information on corporate and center general and administrative 
costs and service pool costs, including— 
(A) the total amount of funds being allocated for those purposes 
for any fiscal year for which the President has submitted an an-
nual budget request to Congress; 
(B) the amount of funds being allocated for those purposes for 
each center, for headquarters, and for each directorate; and 
(C) the major activities included in each cost category; and 
(2) the figures on the amount of unobligated funds and unexpended 
funds, by appropriations account— 
(A) that remained at the end of the fiscal year prior to the fis-
cal year in which the budget is being presented that were carried 
over into the fiscal year in which the budget is being presented; 
(B) that are estimated will remain at the end of the fiscal year 
in which the budget is being presented that are proposed to be 
carried over into the fiscal year for which the budget is being pre-
sented; and 
(C) that are estimated will remain at the end of the fiscal year 
for which the budget is being presented. 
(c) INFORMATION IN ANNUAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION.—The Adminis-
tration shall provide, at a minimum, the following information in its annual 
budget justification: 
(1) The actual, current, proposed funding level, and estimated budg-
ets for the next 5 fiscal years by directorate, theme, program, project 
and activity within each appropriations account. 
(2) The proposed programmatic and non-programmatic construction 
of facilities. 
(3) The budget for headquarters including— 
(A) the budget by office, and any division thereof, for the ac-
tual, current, proposed funding level, and estimated budgets for 
the next 5 fiscal years;
CHAPTER 403—NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND 
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 
Sec. 
40301.
Purposes. 
40302.
Definitions. 
40303.
National space grant college and fellowship program. 
40304.
Grants or contracts. 
40305.
Specific national needs. 
40306.
Space grant college and space grant regional consortium. 
40307.
Space grant fellowship program. 
40308.
Space grant review panel. 
40309.
Availability of other Federal personnel and data. 
40310.
Designation or award to be on competitive basis. 
40311.
Continuing emphasis. 
§ 40301. Purposes 
The purposes of this chapter are to— 
(1) increase the understanding, assessment, development, and utiliza-
tion of space resources by promoting a strong educational base, respon-
sive research and training activities, and broad and prompt dissemina-
tion of knowledge and techniques; 
(2) utilize the abilities and talents of the universities of the Nation 
to support and contribute to the exploration and development of the 
resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment; 
(3) encourage and support, within the university community of the 
Nation, the existence of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary pro-
grams of space research that— 
(A) engage in integrated activities of training, research, and 
public service; 
(B) have cooperative programs with industry; and 
(C) are coordinated with the overall program of the Administra-
tion; 
(4) encourage and support the existence of consortia, made up of 
university and industry members, in order to advance the exploration 
and development of space resources in cases in which national objec-
tives can be better fulfilled through such consortia than through the 
programs of single universities; 
(5) encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships 
in fields related to space; and 
(6) support activities in colleges and universities generally for the 
purpose of creating and operating a network of institutional programs 
that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under this chap-
ter. 
§ 40302. Definitions 
In this chapter:
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3237 
AN ACT 
To enact certain laws relating to national and com-
mercial space programs as title 51, United States 
Code, ‘‘National and Commercial Space Pro-
grams’’.