Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§70907 Maintaining use through at least 2030

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Access to Space › Chapter CHAPTER 709— - INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION › § 70907

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator must keep the International Space Station useful and productive for possible United States use through at least September 30, 2030. As much as possible, the Administrator must keep the ISS as a designated national laboratory that stays part of exploration and partnership plans, is available to all NASA mission directorates for appropriate science or technology tests, and continues to serve as a U.S. research and test platform through at least September 30, 2030.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §70907

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

(a)The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential United States utilization through at least September 30, 2030.
(b)In furtherance of the policy under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the International Space Station, as a designated national laboratory—
(1)remains viable as an element of overall exploration and partnership strategies and approaches;
(2)is considered for use by all NASA mission directorates, as appropriate, for technically appropriate scientific data gathering or technology risk reduction demonstrations; and
(3)remains an effective, functional vehicle providing research and test bed capabilities for the United States through at least September 30, 2030.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7090742 U.S.C. 17751(a).Pub. L. 110–422, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4793.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–167, § 10815(d)(1)(A), substituted “2030” for “2024” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–167, § 10815(d)(1)(B), substituted “
September 30, 2030” for “
September 30, 2024”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–167, § 10815(d)(1)(C), substituted “
September 30, 2030” for “
September 30, 2024”. 2015—Pub. L. 114–90 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to maintaining the International Space Station as a viable and productive facility capable of potential United States utilization through at least 2020.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 70907

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73