§20147 Recovery and disposition authority

Summary

The Administrator may take charge of a crewmember’s remains after an accident or mishap that kills them and can order autopsies and other medical or scientific tests. Definitions: "Administration human space flight vehicle" — a space vehicle meant to carry one or more persons into outer space, owned by the Administration or by a contractor/cooperating party but used on an Administration mission. "Crewmember" — an astronaut or person assigned to that vehicle. Each crewmember must give the Administrator their wishes for how their remains are handled, and the Administrator must try to follow those wishes as much as possible. This authority does not let the Administrator interfere with any federal investigation of the accident.