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

§19069 Astronomy and Satellite Constellations

Title 42 › Chapter 163— RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMPETITION, AND INNOVATION › Subchapter III— NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE › Part E— Fundamental Research › § 19069

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Director must fund research and create ways to reduce how satellite constellations affect the Foundation’s science programs. That includes competitive grants to study impacts on ground-based optical, infrared, and radio astronomy using programs like SWIFT and the Spectrum Innovation Initiative; research at Foundation-supported federally funded research centers or major multiuser facilities; and workshops on harms and possible scientific uses.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §19069

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

The Director shall support research into and the design, development, and testing of mitigation measures to address the potential impact of satellite constellations on Foundation scientific programs by—

(1)making awards on a competitive basis to support study of the potential impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based optical, infrared, and radio astronomy, including through existing programs such Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT) and the Spectrum Innovation Initiative;

(2)supporting research on potential satellite impacts and benefits and mitigation strategies to be carried out at one or more Foundation supported Federally Funded Research and Development Centers or major multiuser research facilities as defined in section 1862s–2(g) of this title, as appropriate; and

(3)supporting workshops related to the potential impact of satellite constellations on scientific research and how those constellations could be used to improve scientific research.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 19069

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60