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 
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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. 
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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. 
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(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. 
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(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 
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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). 
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§ 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-
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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-
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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 
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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. 
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(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-
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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. 
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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.— 
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(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-
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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 
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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-
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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 
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