(9) The preservation of the United States pre-
eminent position in aeronautics and space through 
research and technology development related to asso-
ciated manufacturing processes. 
(e) GROUND PROPULSION SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT.—Congress declares that the general wel-
fare of the United States requires that the unique com-
petence 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 
propulsion 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 bio-
engineering research, development, and demonstration 
programs designed to alleviate and minimize the effects 
of disability. 
(g) PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.—It is the purpose of this 
chapter to carry out and effectuate the policies declared 
in subsections (a) to (f).
§ 303. Definitions 
In this chapter: 
(1) AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES.— 
The term ‘‘aeronautical 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 research purposes of aero-
nautical and space vehicles; 
(C) the operation of a space transportation 
system including the space shuttle, upper 
stages, space platforms, and related equipment; 
and 
(D) such other activities as may be re-
quired 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 equip-
ment, devices, components, and parts.
SUBCHAPTER II—COORDINATION OF 
AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES 
§ 311. National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMIN-
ISTRATOR.—There is established the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration. The Administration 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 Senate. Under the supervision and direction 
of the President, the Administrator shall be responsible 
for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all du-
ties 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 ap-
pointed from civilian life by the President by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Adminis-
trator shall perform such duties and exercise such powers 
as the Administrator may prescribe. The Deputy Adminis-
trator shall act for, and exercise the powers of, the Admin-
istrator during the Administrator’s absence or disability. 
(c) RESTRICTION ON OTHER BUSINESS OR EMPLOY-
MENT.—The Administrator and the Deputy Administrator
shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or em-
ployment while serving as such. 
§ 312. Functions of the Administration 
(a) PLANNING, DIRECTING, AND CONDUCTING AERO-
NAUTICAL 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 ap-
propriate 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 Govern-
ment use of commercially provided space services 
and hardware, consistent with the requirements of 
the Federal Government. 
(b) RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT
IN CERTAIN 
TECHNOLOGIES.—
(1) GROUND
PROPULSION
TECHNOLOGIES.— 
The Administration shall, to the extent of appro-
priated funds, initiate, support, and carry out such 
research, development, demonstration, and other re-
lated activities 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
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The Administration shall initiate, sup-
port, and carry out such research, development, 
demonstrations, and other related activities in solar 
heating and cooling technologies (to the extent that 
funds are appropriated therefor) 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). 
§ 313. 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 regula-
tions governing the manner of its operations and the exer-
cise of the powers vested in it by law.
(b) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—In the perform-
ance of its functions, the Administration is authorized to 
appoint and fix the compensation of officers and employ-
ees 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 chap-
ter 53 of title 5, except that— 
(1) to the extent the Administrator deems such 
action necessary to the discharge of the Administra-
tor’s responsibilities, the Administrator may appoint 
not more than 425 of the scientific, engineering, and 
administrative personnel of the Administration with-
out regard to such laws, and may fix the compensa-
tion 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 sci-
entific and engineering talent, the Administrator 
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