Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§40301 Purposes

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle IV— - Aeronautics and Space Research and Education › Chapter CHAPTER 403— - NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM › § 40301

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Has six main goals to improve how the nation studies, develops, and uses resources from space. It aims to build strong education, research, and training so knowledge and methods spread quickly; use the talents of U.S. universities to help explore and develop space resources; promote university programs that mix subjects, combine training, research, and public service, work with industry, and fit with the Administration’s overall program; support university‑industry consortia when teamwork better meets national goals; encourage Federal funding for graduate fellowships in space fields; and back college programs that create a network of institutions to boost results from these efforts.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §40301

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The purposes of this chapter are to—
(1)increase the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space resources by promoting a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, and broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques;
(2)utilize the abilities and talents of the universities of the Nation to support and contribute to the exploration and development of the resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment;
(3)encourage and support, within the university community of the Nation, the existence of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs of space research that—
(A)engage in integrated activities of training, research, and public service;
(B)have cooperative programs with industry; and
(C)are coordinated with the overall program of the Administration;
(4)encourage and support the existence of consortia, made up of university and industry members, in order to advance the exploration and development of space resources in cases in which national objectives can be better fulfilled through such consortia than through the programs of single universities;
(5)encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships in fields related to space; and
(6)support activities in colleges and universities generally for the purpose of creating and operating a network of institutional programs that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under this chapter.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 4030142 U.S.C. 2486a.Pub. L. 100–147, title II, § 203, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 869. In paragraph (3), the word “that” is substituted for “, to” for clarity. In paragraph (4), the words “in order to” are substituted for “to”, and the words “through such consortia” are added, for clarity.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Congressional Statement of Findings Pub. L. 100–147, title II, § 202, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 869, provided that: “The Congress finds that— “(1) the vitality of the Nation and the quality of life of the citizens of the Nation depend increasingly on the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space resources; “(2) research and development of space science, space technology, and space commercialization will contribute to the quality of life, national security, and the enhancement of commerce; “(3) the understanding and development of the space frontiers require a broad commitment and an intense involvement on the part of the Federal Government in partnership with State and local governments, private industry, universities, organizations, and individuals concerned with the exploration and utilization of space; “(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, through the national space grant college and fellowship program, offers the most suitable means for such commitment and involvement through the promotion of activities that will result in greater understanding, assessment, development, and utilization; and “(5) Federal support of the establishment, development, and operation of programs and projects by space grant colleges, space grant regional consortia, institutions of higher education, institutes, laboratories, and other appropriate public and private entities is the most cost-effective way to promote such activities.” [For definition of terms used in section 202 of Pub. L. 100–147, set out above, see section 204 of Pub. L. 100–147, title II, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 870, which was classified to former section 2486b of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and was repealed and reenacted as section 40302 of this title by Pub. L. 111–314, §§ 3, 6, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3328, 3444.]

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 40301

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73