Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§18325 Nasa Launch Support and Infrastructure Modernization Program

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 › § 18325

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The NASA Administrator must run a program to get Kennedy Space Center ready to process and launch the Space Launch System. The work must make vehicle hookups and ground and payload processing simpler to cut costs and improve safety. The program must fund upgrades that boost KSC’s abilities and security, support multiple vehicles and better payload handling, and may include other launch-site improvements tied to commercial ISS cargo launches. Within 120 days after October 11, 2010, the Administrator must send Congress a plan. The plan must describe the SLS-related ground upgrades and possible work at other NASA centers, list planned joint actions with Cape Canaveral Air Force Station or other government sites, and explain how authorized funds would be used to improve non‑NASA facilities, including a business plan showing other parties’ planned investments.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18325

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

(a)In general

The Administrator shall carry out a program the primary purpose of which is to prepare infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center that is needed to enable processing and launch of the Space Launch System. Vehicle interfaces and other ground processing and payload integration areas should be simplified to minimize overall costs, enhance safety, and complement the purpose of this section.

(b)Elements

The program required by this section shall include—

(1)investments to improve civil and national security operations at the Kennedy Space Center, to enhance the overall capabilities of the Center, and to reduce the long term cost of operations and maintenance;

(2)measures to provide multi-vehicle support, improvements in payload processing, and partnering at the Kennedy Space Center; and

(3)such other measures, including investments to improve launch infrastructure at NASA flight facilities scheduled to launch cargo to the ISS under the commercial orbital transportation services program as the Administrator may consider appropriate.

(c)Report on NASA launch support and infrastructure modernization program

(1)Report required

Not later than 120 days after October 11, 2010, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the plan for the implementation of the NASA launch support and infrastructure modernization program.

(2)Elements

The report required by this subsection shall include—

(A)a description of the ground infrastructure plan tied to the Space Launch System and potential ground investment activities at other NASA centers related to supporting the development of the Space Launch System;

(B)a description of proposed initiatives intended to be conducted jointly or in cooperation with Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, or other installations or components of the United States Government; and

(C)a description of plans to use funds authorized to be appropriated by this chapter to improve non-NASA facilities, which plans shall include a business plan outlining the nature and scope of investments planned by other parties.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 18325

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110