Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§60131 Continued Federal research and development

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VI— - Earth Observations › Chapter CHAPTER 601— - LAND REMOTE SENSING POLICY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION › § 60131

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator and the Secretary of Defense must keep and improve remote sensing research and development programs. The Administrator may run experimental space remote sensing projects, develop sensing technologies for monitoring Earth and its environment, and work with other U.S. agencies and public or private partners (including joint ventures). The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior may use appropriated funds for remote sensing research to help manage natural resources, including university research, application demonstrations, and cooperative projects. Other federal agencies may also use their funds to do similar remote sensing R&D for their missions.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §60131

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

(a)(1)The Administrator and the Secretary of Defense are directed to continue and to enhance programs of remote sensing research and development.
(2)The Administrator is authorized and encouraged to—
(A)conduct experimental space remote sensing programs (including applications demonstration programs and basic research at universities);
(B)develop remote sensing technologies and techniques, including those needed for monitoring the Earth and its environment; and
(C)conduct such research and development in cooperation with other United States Government agencies and with public and private research entities (including private industry, universities, non-profit organizations, State and local governments, foreign governments, and international organizations) and to enter into arrangements (including joint ventures) which will foster such cooperation.
(b)(1)In order to enhance the ability of the United States to manage and utilize its renewable and nonrenewable resources, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior are authorized and encouraged to conduct programs of research and development in the applications of remote sensing using funds appropriated for such purposes.
(2)Such programs may include basic research at universities, demonstrations of applications, and cooperative activities involving other Government agencies, private sector parties, and foreign and international organizations.
(c)Other United States Government agencies are authorized and encouraged to conduct research and development on the use of remote sensing in the fulfillment of their authorized missions, using funds appropriated for such purposes.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 6013115 U.S.C. 5631.Pub. L. 102–555, title III, § 301, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4174.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 60131

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73