Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§18351 Continuation of the International Space Station

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 159— - SPACE EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - CONTINUATION, SUPPORT, AND EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION › § 18351

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The United States must support full use of the International Space Station with its international partners through at least September 30, 2030. NASA must work with other countries, private companies, and U.S. agencies to improve ISS supplies, maintenance, and operations, lower risks to the station’s long-term health, and reduce U.S. operating costs; use the ISS, when practical, to develop technology for human missions beyond low‑Earth orbit; and, if practical and cost‑effective, use the ISS for Science Mission Directorate work in low‑Earth orbit.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18351

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It shall be the policy of the United States, in consultation with its international partners in the ISS program, to support full and complete utilization of the ISS through at least September 30, 2030.
(b)In furtherance of the policy set forth in subsection (a), NASA shall—
(1)pursue international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize ISS logistics supply, maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS systems sustainability, and offset and minimize United States operations costs relating to the ISS;
(2)utilize, to the extent practicable, the ISS for the development of capabilities and technologies needed for the future of human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and
(3)utilize, if practical and cost effective, the ISS for Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–167 substituted “September 30, 2030” for “2024”. 2017—Pub. L. 115–10 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “(a) Policy of the United States.—It shall be the policy of the United States, in consultation with its international partners in the ISS program, to support full and complete utilization of the ISS through at least 2024. “(b) NASA Actions.—In furtherance of the policy set forth in subsection (a), NASA shall pursue international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize ISS logistics supply, maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS systems sustainability, and offset and minimize United States operations costs relating to the ISS.” 2015—Pub. L. 114–90, § 114(b)(1)(A), struck out “through 2020” after “Station” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–90, § 114(b)(1)(B), substituted “through at least 2024” for “through at least 2020”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 18351

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73