Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§18352 Maximum Utilization of the International Space Station

Title 42 › CHAPTER 159 — SPACE EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE › SUBCHAPTER IV — CONTINUATION, SUPPORT, AND EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION › § 18352

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

NASA must make the International Space Station (ISS) as useful as possible now that its construction is finished. The work should support science and technology research, help push human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, and keep strong international cooperation. To do that, NASA must run the U.S. part of the ISS, called the National Laboratory, so it can be used in new and effective ways (see section 18354); keep the ISS as a key platform for international missions and for building human presence beyond near-Earth space while supporting U.S. security and economic interests; and operate the station to create chances to work with other U.S. government research programs and with commercial suppliers, users, and developers.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18352

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

(a)In general

With assembly of the ISS complete, NASA shall take steps to maximize the productivity and use of the ISS with respect to scientific and technological research and development, advancement of space exploration, and international collaboration.

(b)NASA actions

In carrying out subsection (a), NASA shall, at a minimum, undertake the following:

(1)Innovative use of U.S. segment

The United States segment of the ISS, which has been designated as a National Laboratory, shall be developed, managed and utilized in a manner that enables the effective and innovative use of such facility, as provided in section 18354 of this title.

(2)International cooperation

The ISS shall continue to be utilized as a key component of international efforts to build missions and capabilities that further the development of a human presence beyond near-Earth space and advance United States security and economic goals. The Administrator shall actively seek ways to encourage and enable the use of ISS capabilities to support these efforts.

(3)Domestic collaboration

The operations, management, and utilization of the ISS shall be conducted in a manner that provides opportunities for collaboration with other research programs and objectives of the United States Government in cooperation with commercial suppliers, users, and developers.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 18352

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110