Title 51 — National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73
§70905 National laboratory designation
Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Access to Space › Chapter CHAPTER 709— - INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION › § 70905
Summary
The U.S. segment of the International Space Station — elements made by the United States or made for it by other nations for funds or launch services — is designated a national laboratory under section 70501(a). The Administrator must increase Federal and private use through partnerships and cost‑sharing, and may contract a nongovernmental operator under applicable Federal law.
Full Legal Text
Title 51, §70905
National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In this section the term “United States segment of the International Space Station” means those elements of the International Space Station manufactured—
(1)by the United States; or
(2)for the United States by other nations in exchange for funds or launch services.
(b)To further the policy described in section 70501(a) of this title, the United States segment of the International Space Station is hereby designated a national laboratory.
(c)(1)The Administrator shall seek to increase the utilization of the International Space Station by other Federal entities and the private sector through partnerships, cost-sharing agreements, and other arrangements that would supplement Administration funding of the International Space Station.
(2)The Administrator may enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to operate the International Space Station national laboratory, subject to all applicable Federal laws and regulations.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70905(a)42 U.S.C. 16767(d).Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 507(a), (b), (d), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2930, 2931. 70905(b)42 U.S.C. 16767(a). 70905(c)42 U.S.C. 16767(b).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 70905
Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73