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-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
tion with the development or use of an experimental aero-
space vehicle; and 
(ii) the United States Government for damage or loss to 
Government property resulting from such an activity. 
(B) MAXIMUM REQUIRED.—The Administrator shall determine 
the amount of insurance required, but, except as provided in sub-
paragraph (C), that amount shall not be greater than the amount 
required under section 50914(a)(3) of this title for a launch. The 
Administrator shall publish notice of the Administrator’s deter-
mination and the applicable amount or amounts in the Federal 
Register within 10 days after making the determination. 
(C) INCREASE IN DOLLAR AMOUNTS.—The Administrator may 
increase the dollar amounts set forth in section 50914(a)(3)(A) of 
this title for the purpose of applying that section under this sec-
tion to a developer after consultation with the Comptroller General 
and such experts and consultants as may be appropriate, and after 
publishing notice of the increase in the Federal Register not less 
than 180 days before the increase goes into effect. The Adminis-
trator shall make available for public inspection, not later than the 
date of publication of such notice, a complete record of any cor-
respondence received by the Administration, and a transcript of 
any meetings in which the Administration participated, regarding 
the proposed increase. 
(D) SAFETY REVIEW REQUIRED BEFORE ADMINISTRATOR PRO-
VIDES INSURANCE.—The Administrator may not provide liability 
insurance or indemnification under subsection (b) unless the devel-
oper establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrator that ap-
propriate safety procedures and practices are being followed in the 
development of the experimental aerospace vehicle. 
(3) NO
INDEMNIFICATION
WITHOUT
CROSS-WAIVER.—Notwith-
standing subsection (b), the Administrator may not indemnify a devel-
oper of an experimental aerospace vehicle under this section unless 
there is an agreement between the Administration and the developer 
described in subsection (d). 
(4) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROCEDURES.—If the Administrator 
requests additional appropriations to make payments under this sec-
tion, like the payments that may be made under section 20138(c) of 
this title, then the request for those appropriations shall be made in 
accordance with the procedures established by subsections (d) and (e) 
of section 50915 of this title. 
(d) CROSS-WAIVERS.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(1) ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORIZED TO WAIVE.—The Administrator, 
on behalf of the United States, and its departments, agencies, and in-
strumentalities, may reciprocally waive claims with a developer or co-
operating party and with the related entities of that developer or co-
operating party under which each party to the waiver agrees to be re-
sponsible, and agrees to ensure that its own related entities are respon-
sible, for damage or loss to its property for which it is responsible, or 
for losses resulting from any injury or death sustained by its own em-
ployees or agents, as a result of activities connected to the agreement 
or use of the experimental aerospace vehicle. 
(2) LIMITATIONS.— 
(A) CLAIMS.—A reciprocal waiver under paragraph (1) may not 
preclude a claim by any natural person (including, but not limited 
to, a natural person who is an employee of the United States, the 
developer, the cooperating party, or their respective subcontrac-
tors) or that natural person’s estate, survivors, or subrogees for 
injury or death, except with respect to a subrogee that is a party 
to the waiver or has otherwise agreed to be bound by the terms 
of the waiver. 
(B) LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENCE.—A reciprocal waiver under 
paragraph (1) may not absolve any party of liability to any nat-
ural person (including, but not limited to, a natural person who 
is an employee of the United States, the developer, the cooperating 
party, or their respective subcontractors) or such a natural per-
son’s estate, survivors, or subrogees for negligence, except with re-
spect to a subrogee that is a party to the waiver or has otherwise 
agreed to be bound by the terms of the waiver. 
(C) INDEMNIFICATION
FOR
DAMAGES.—A reciprocal waiver 
under paragraph (1) may not be used as the basis of a claim by 
the Administration, or the developer or cooperating party, for in-
demnification against the other for damages paid to a natural per-
son, or that natural person’s estate, survivors, or subrogees, for 
injury or death sustained by that natural person as a result of ac-
tivities connected to the agreement or use of the experimental 
aerospace vehicle. 
(D) WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.—A reciprocal waiver under para-
graph (1) may not relieve the United States, the developer, the co-
operating party, or the related entities of the developer or cooper-
ating party, of liability for damage or loss resulting from willful 
misconduct. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(3) EFFECT ON PREVIOUS WAIVERS.—This subsection applies to any 
waiver of claims entered into by the Administration without regard to 
the date on which the Administration entered into the waiver. 
(e) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.— 
(1) SECTION
20138.—This section does not apply to any object, 
transaction, or operation to which section 20138 of this title applies. 
(2) SECTION 50919(g)(1).—The Administrator may not provide indem-
nification to a developer under this section for launches subject to li-
cense under section 50919(g)(1) of this title. 
(f) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of this section shall terminate on 
December 31, 2010. 
(2) EFFECT OF TERMINATION ON AGREEMENT.—The termination of 
this section shall not terminate or otherwise affect any cross-waiver 
agreement, insurance agreement, indemnification agreement, or other 
agreement entered into under this section, except as may be provided 
in that agreement. 
§ 20140. Appropriations 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated such 
sums as may be necessary to carry out this chapter, except that noth-
ing in this chapter shall authorize the appropriation of any amount 
for— 
(A) the acquisition or condemnation of any real property; or 
(B) any other item of a capital nature (such as plant or facility 
acquisition, construction, or expansion) which exceeds $250,000. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Sums appropriated pursuant to this subsection 
for the construction of facilities, or for research and development activi-
ties, shall remain available until expended. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS OF EXISTING FACILI-
TIES.—Any funds appropriated for the construction of facilities may be used 
for emergency repairs of existing facilities when such existing facilities are 
made inoperative by major breakdown, accident, or other circumstances and 
such repairs are deemed by the Administrator to be of greater urgency than 
the construction of new facilities. 
(c) TERMINATION.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the au-
thorization of any appropriation to the Administration shall expire (unless 
an earlier expiration is specifically provided) at the close of the third fiscal 
year following the fiscal year in which the authorization was enacted, to the 
extent that such appropriation has not theretofore actually been made. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
§ 20141. Misuse of agency name and initials 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No person (as defined by section 20135(a) of this 
title) may knowingly use the words ‘‘National Aeronautics and Space Ad-
ministration’’ or the letters ‘‘NASA’’, or any combination, variation, or 
colorable imitation of those words or letters either alone or in combination 
with other words or letters— 
(1) as a firm or business name in a manner reasonably calculated 
to convey the impression that the firm or business has some connection 
with, endorsement of, or authorization from, the Administration which 
does not, in fact, exist; or 
(2) in connection with any product or service being offered or made 
available to the public in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the 
impression that the product or service has the authorization, support, 
sponsorship, or endorsement of, or the development, use, or manufac-
ture by or on behalf of the Administration which does not, in fact, 
exist. 
(b) CIVIL PROCEEDING TO ENJOIN.—Whenever it appears to the Attor-
ney General that any person is engaged in an act or practice which con-
stitutes or will constitute conduct prohibited by subsection (a), the Attorney 
General may initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the United 
States to enjoin such act or practice. 
§ 20142. Contracts regarding expendable launch vehicles 
(a) COMMITMENTS BEYOND AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS.—The Admin-
istrator may enter into contracts for expendable launch vehicle services that 
are for periods in excess of the period for which funds are otherwise avail-
able for obligation, provide for the payment for contingent liability which 
may accrue in excess of available appropriations in the event the Federal 
Government for its convenience terminates such contracts, and provide for 
advance payments reasonably related to launch vehicle and related equip-
ment, fabrication, and acquisition costs, if any such contract limits the 
amount of the payments that the Government is allowed to make under 
such contract to amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Such 
contracts may be limited to sources within the United States when the Ad-
ministrator determines that such limitation is in the public interest. 
(b) TERMINATION IF FUNDS NOT AVAILABLE.—If funds are not available 
to continue any such contract, the contract shall be terminated for the con-
venience of the Government, and the costs of such contract shall be paid 
from appropriations originally available for performance of the contract, 
from other unobligated appropriations currently available for the procure-
ment of launch services, or from funds appropriated for such payments. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
§ 20143. Full cost appropriations account structure 
(a) ACCOUNTS FOR APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) DESIGNATION OF 3 ACCOUNTS.—Appropriations for the Adminis-
tration shall be made in 3 accounts, ‘‘Science, Aeronautics, and Edu-
cation’’, ‘‘Exploration Systems and Space Operations’’, and an account 
for amounts appropriated for the necessary expenses of the Office of 
the Inspector General. 
(2) REPROGRAMMING.—Within the Exploration Systems and Space 
Operations account, no more than 10 percent of the funds for a fiscal 
year for Exploration Systems may be reprogrammed for Space Oper-
ations, and no more than 10 percent of the funds for a fiscal year for 
Space Operations may be reprogrammed for Exploration Systems. This 
paragraph shall not apply to reprogramming for the purposes described 
in subsection (b)(2). 
(3) AVAILABILITY.—Appropriations shall remain available for 2 fis-
cal years, unless otherwise specified in law. Each account shall include 
the planned full costs of Administration activities. 
(b) TRANSFERS AMONG ACCOUNTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure the safe, timely, and successful accom-
plishment of Administration missions, the Administration may transfer 
among accounts as necessary, amounts for— 
(A) Federal salaries and benefits; 
(B) training, travel, and awards; 
(C) facility and related costs; 
(D) information technology services; 
(E) publishing services; 
(F) science, engineering, fabricating, and testing services; and 
(G) other administrative services. 
(2) DISASTER, ACT OF TERRORISM, EMERGENCY RESCUE.—The Ad-
ministration may also transfer amounts among accounts for the imme-
diate costs of recovering from damage caused by a major disaster (as 
defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)) or by an act of terrorism, 
or for the immediate costs associated with an emergency rescue of as-
tronauts. 
(c) TRANSFER OF UNEXPIRED BALANCES.—The unexpired balances of 
prior appropriations to the Administration for activities authorized under 
this chapter may be transferred to the new account established for such ac-
tivity in subsection (a). Balances so transferred may be merged with funds 
in the newly established account and thereafter may be accounted for as one 
fund under the same terms and conditions. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
§ 20144. Prize authority 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administration may carry out a program to com-
petitively award cash prizes to stimulate innovation in basic and applied re-
search, technology development, and prototype demonstration that have the 
potential for application to the performance of the space and aeronautical 
activities of the Administration. The Administration may carry out a pro-
gram to award prizes only in conformity with this section. 
(b) TOPICS.—In selecting topics for prize competitions, the Administrator 
shall consult widely both within and outside the Federal Government, and 
may empanel advisory committees. The Administrator shall give consider-
ation to prize goals such as the demonstration of the ability to provide en-
ergy to the lunar surface from space-based solar power systems, demonstra-
tion of innovative near-Earth object survey and deflection strategies, and in-
novative approaches to improving the safety and efficiency of aviation sys-
tems. 
(c) ADVERTISING.—The Administrator shall widely advertise prize com-
petitions to encourage participation. 
(d) REQUIREMENTS AND REGISTRATION.—For each prize competition, 
the Administrator shall publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
the subject of the competition, the rules for being eligible to participate in 
the competition, the amount of the prize, and the basis on which a winner 
will be selected. 
(e) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to win a prize under this section, an in-
dividual or entity— 
(1) shall have registered to participate in the competition pursuant 
to any rules promulgated by the Administrator under subsection (d); 
(2) shall have complied with all the requirements under this section; 
(3) in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and main-
tain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case 
of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be 
a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and 
(4) shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within 
the scope of their employment. 
(f) LIABILITY.— 
(1) ASSUMPTION OF RISK.—Registered participants must agree to 
assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Govern-
ment and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, 
for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, 
whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participa-
tion in a competition, whether such injury, death, damage, or loss 
arises through negligence or otherwise. For the purposes of this para-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
graph, the term ‘‘related entity’’ means a contractor or subcontractor 
at any tier, and a supplier, user, customer, cooperating party, grantee, 
investigator, or detailee. 
(2) LIABILITY INSURANCE.—Participants must obtain liability insur-
ance or demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by 
the Administrator, for claims by— 
(A) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage, 
or loss resulting from an activity carried out in connection with 
participation in a competition, with the Federal Government 
named as an additional insured under the registered participant’s 
insurance policy and registered participants agreeing to indemnify 
the Federal Government against third party claims for damages 
arising from or related to competition activities; and 
(B) the Federal Government for damage or loss to Government 
property resulting from such an activity. 
(g) JUDGES.—For each competition, the Administration, either directly or 
through an agreement under subsection (h), shall assemble a panel of quali-
fied judges to select the winner or winners of the prize competition on the 
basis described pursuant to subsection (d). Judges for each competition 
shall include individuals from outside the Administration, including from the 
private sector. A judge may not— 
(1) have personal or financial interests in, or be an employee, officer, 
director, or agent of any entity that is a registered participant in a 
competition; or 
(2) have a familial or financial relationship with an individual who 
is a registered participant. 
(h) ADMINISTERING THE COMPETITION.—The Administrator may enter 
into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize 
competition, subject to the provisions of this section. 
(i) FUNDING.— 
(1) SOURCES.—Prizes under this section may consist of Federal ap-
propriated funds and funds provided by the private sector for such cash 
prizes. The Administrator may accept funds from other Federal agen-
cies for such cash prizes. The Administrator may not give any special 
consideration to any private sector entity in return for a donation. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.— 
(A) DEFINITION OF PROVISIONS KNOWN AS THE ANTI-DEFI-
CIENCY ACT.—In this paragraph, the term ‘‘provisions known as 
the Anti-Deficiency Act’’ means sections 1341, 1342, 1349(a), 
1350, 1351, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517, 1518, 
and 1519 of title 31. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(B) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
funds appropriated for prize awards under this section shall re-
main available until expended, and may be transferred, repro-
grammed, or expended for other purposes only after the expiration 
of 10 fiscal years after the fiscal year for which the funds were 
originally appropriated. No provision in this section permits obli-
gation or payment of funds in violation of the provisions known 
as the Anti-Deficiency Act. 
(3) APPROPRIATION OR COMMITMENT OF FUNDS REQUIRED BEFORE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRIZE OR INCREASE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—No prize may be announced under sub-
section (d) until all the funds needed to pay out the announced 
amount of the prize have been appropriated or committed in writ-
ing by a private source. 
(B) INCREASE.—The Administrator may increase the amount of 
a prize after an initial announcement is made under subsection (d) 
if— 
(i) notice of the increase is provided in the same manner 
as the initial notice of the prize; and 
(ii) the funds needed to pay out the announced amount of 
the increase have been appropriated or committed in writing 
by a private source. 
(4) 
NOTICE
TO
COMMITTEES
FOR
PRIZE
GREATER
THAN 
$50,000,000.—No prize competition under this section may offer a prize 
in an amount greater than $50,000,000 unless 30 days have elapsed 
after written notice has been transmitted to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(5) APPROVAL
OF
ADMINISTRATOR
FOR
PRIZE
GREATER
THAN 
$1,000,000.—No prize competition under this section may result in the 
award of more than $1,000,000 in cash prizes without the approval of 
the Administrator. 
(j) USE OF ADMINISTRATION NAME OR INSIGNIA.—A registered partici-
pant in a competition under this section may use the Administration’s 
name, initials, or insignia only after prior review and written approval by 
the Administration. 
(k) COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAW.—The Federal Government shall 
not, by virtue of offering or providing a prize under this section, be respon-
sible for compliance by registered participants in a prize competition with 
Federal law, including licensing, export control, and non-proliferation laws, 
and related regulations. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
§ 20145. Lease of non-excess property 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may enter into a lease under this 
section with any person or entity (including another department or agency 
of the Federal Government or an entity of a State or local government) with 
regard to any non-excess real property and related personal property under 
the jurisdiction of the Administrator. 
(b) CASH CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) FAIR MARKET VALUE.—A person or entity entering into a lease 
under this section shall provide cash consideration for the lease at fair 
market value as determined by the Administrator. 
(2) UTILIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may utilize amounts of 
cash consideration received under this subsection for a lease en-
tered into under this section to cover the full costs to the Adminis-
tration in connection with the lease. These funds shall remain 
available until expended. 
(B) CAPITAL REVITALIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS.—Of any 
amounts of cash consideration received under this subsection that 
are not utilized in accordance with subparagraph (A)— 
(i) 35 percent shall be deposited in a capital asset account 
to be established by the Administrator, shall be available for 
maintenance, capital revitalization, and improvements of the 
real property assets and related personal property under the 
jurisdiction of the Administrator, and shall remain available 
until expended; and 
(ii) the remaining 65 percent shall be available to the re-
spective center or facility of the Administration engaged in 
the lease of nonexcess real property, and shall remain avail-
able until expended for maintenance, capital revitalization, 
and improvements of the real property assets and related per-
sonal property at the respective center or facility subject to 
the concurrence of the Administrator. 
(C) NO UTILIZATION FOR DAILY OPERATING COSTS.—Amounts 
utilized under subparagraph (B) may not be utilized for daily op-
erating costs. 
(c) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Administrator may re-
quire such terms and conditions in connection with a lease under this sec-
tion as the Administrator considers appropriate to protect the interests of 
the United States. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(d) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LEASE AUTHORITY.—The authority under 
this section to lease property of the Administration is in addition to any 
other authority to lease property of the Administration under law. 
(e) LEASE RESTRICTIONS.— 
(1) NO LEASE BACK OR OTHER CONTRACT.—The Administration is 
not authorized to lease back property under this section during the 
term of the out-lease or enter into other contracts with the lessee re-
specting the property. 
(2) CERTIFICATION THAT OUT-LEASE WILL NOT HAVE NEGATIVE IM-
PACT ON MISSION.—The Administration is not authorized to enter into 
an out-lease under this section unless the Administrator certifies that 
the out-lease will not have a negative impact on the mission of the Ad-
ministration. 
(f) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall submit an an-
nual report by January 31st of each year. The report shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) VALUE
OF
ARRANGEMENTS
AND
EXPENDITURES
OF
REVE-
NUES.—Information that identifies and quantifies the value of the ar-
rangements and expenditures of revenues received under this section. 
(2) AVAILABILITY AND USE OF FUNDS FOR OPERATING PLAN.—The 
availability and use of funds received under this section for the Admin-
istration’s operating plan. 
(g) SUNSET.—The authority to enter into leases under this section shall 
expire 10 years after December 26, 2007. The expiration under this sub-
section of authority to enter into leases under this section shall not affect 
the validity or term of leases or the Administration’s retention of proceeds 
from leases entered into under this section before the expiration of the au-
thority. 
§ 20146. Retrocession of jurisdiction 
(a) DEFINITION OF STATE.—In this section, the term ‘‘State’’ means any 
of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the North-
ern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession 
of the United States. 
(b) RELINQUISHING LEGISLATIVE JURISDICTION.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the Administrator may relinquish to a State all or 
part of the legislative jurisdiction of the United States over lands or inter-
ests under the control of the Administrator in that State. 
§ 20147. Recovery and disposition authority 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(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 vehi-
cle. 
(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 Adminis-
trator with the crewmember’s preferences regarding the treatment ac-
corded to the crewmember’s remains and the Administrator shall, to 
the extent possible, respect those stated preferences. 
(3) CONSTRUCTION.—This section shall not be construed to permit 
the Administrator to interfere with any Federal investigation of a mis-
hap or accident. 
SUBCHAPTER IV—UPPER ATMOSPHERE RESEARCH 
§ 20161. Congressional declaration of purpose and policy 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this subchapter is to authorize and direct 
the Administration to develop and carry out a comprehensive program of 
research, technology, and monitoring of the phenomena of the upper atmos-
phere so as to provide for an understanding of and to maintain the chemical 
and physical integrity of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. 
(b) POLICY.—Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States 
to undertake an immediate and appropriate research, technology, and moni-
toring program that will provide for understanding the physics and chem-
istry of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. 
§ 20162. Definition of upper atmosphere 
In this subchapter, the term ‘‘upper atmosphere’’ means that portion of 
the Earth’s sensible atmosphere above the troposphere. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
§ 20163. Program authorized 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, 
the Administration, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, shall initiate 
and carry out a program of research, technology, monitoring, and other ap-
propriate activities directed to understand the physics and chemistry of the 
upper atmosphere. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the 
Administration shall— 
(1) arrange for participation by the scientific and engineering com-
munity, of both the Nation’s industrial organizations and institutions 
of higher education, in planning and carrying out appropriate research, 
in developing necessary technology, and in making necessary observa-
tions and measurements; 
(2) provide, by way of grant, contract, scholarships, or other ar-
rangements, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with 
other laws, for the widest practicable and appropriate participation of 
the scientific and engineering community in the program authorized by 
this subchapter; and 
(3) make all results of the program authorized by this subchapter 
available to the appropriate regulatory agencies and provide for the 
widest practicable dissemination of such results. 
§ 20164. International cooperation 
In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Administration, sub-
ject to the direction of the President and after consultation with the Sec-
retary of State, shall make every effort to enlist the support and cooperation 
of appropriate scientists and engineers of other countries and international 
organizations. 
CHAPTER 203—RESPONSIBILITIES AND VISION 
Sec. 
20301.
General responsibilities. 
20302.
Vision for space exploration. 
20303.
Contribution to innovation. 
20304.
Basic research enhancement. 
20305.
National Academies decadal surveys. 
§ 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; 
(2) aeronautics research and development; and 
(3) scientific research, which shall include, at a minimum— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS
(A) robotic missions to study the Moon and other planets and 
their moons, and to deepen understanding of astronomy, astro-
physics, and other areas of science that can be productively stud-
ied from space; 
(B) Earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth con-
nection through the development and operation of research sat-
ellites 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 di-
rectly 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 rel-
evant 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 serv-
ices, 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. 
§ 20302. Vision for space exploration 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall establish a program to de-
velop a sustained human presence on the Moon, including a robust pre-
cursor 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) MILESTONES.—The Administrator shall manage human space flight 
programs to strive to achieve the following milestones (in conformity with 
section 70502 of this title): 
(1) Returning Americans to the Moon no later than 2020. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
23:22 May 10, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6221
E:\BILLS\H3237.RS
H3237
tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with BILLS