Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60

§18324 Utilization of Existing Workforce and Assets in Development of Space Launch System and Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle

Title 42 › Chapter 159— SPACE EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE › Subchapter II— EXPANSION OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT BEYOND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT › § 18324

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator must try to use existing contracts, investments, workers, factories, and skills from the Space Shuttle, Orion, and Ares 1 work when building the Space Launch System and the multi-purpose crew vehicle. That includes using space-suit work and life-support ideas, Shuttle- and Ares-derived parts that use U.S. engines and tanks, and test facilities that existed or were being built on October 11, 2010. When possible, the Administrator must use current ground manufacturing, testing, launch and operations facilities, and workforce know-how. The plan should limit changes to ground infrastructure and reuse software and operations processes. The A-3 test stand should be finished and ready by September 30, 2013. The Administrator may buy, develop, and flight-test parts, and must take steps to keep the projects on time and on budget, such as using buying methods with proper oversight, helping contractors work efficiently, and simplifying contract rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18324

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In developing the Space Launch System pursuant to section 18322 of this title and the multi-purpose crew vehicle pursuant to section 18323 of this title, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable utilize—

(1)existing contracts, investments, workforce, industrial base, and capabilities from the Space Shuttle and Orion and Ares 1 projects, including—

(A)space-suit development activities for application to, and coordinated development of, a multi-purpose crew vehicle suit and associated life-support requirements with potential development of standard NASA-certified suit and life support systems for use in alternative commercially-developed crew transportation systems; and

(B)Space Shuttle-derived components and Ares 1 components that use existing United States propulsion systems, including liquid fuel engines, external tank or tank-related capability, and solid rocket motor engines; and

(2)associated testing facilities, either in being or under construction as of October 11, 2010.

(b)In meeting the requirements of subsection (a), the Administrator—

(1)shall, to the extent practicable, utilize ground-based manufacturing capability, ground testing activities, launch and operations infrastructure, and workforce expertise;

(2)shall, to the extent practicable, minimize the modification and development of ground infrastructure and maximize the utilization of existing software, vehicle, and mission operations processes;

(3)shall complete construction and activation of the A–3 test stand with a completion goal of September 30, 2013;

(4)may procure, develop, and flight test applicable components; and

(5)shall take appropriate actions to ensure timely and cost-effective development of the Space Launch System and the multi-purpose crew vehicle, including the use of a procurement approach that incorporates adequate and effective oversight, the facilitation of contractor efficiencies, and the stream-lining of contract and procurement requirements.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 18324

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60