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Title 51 — National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73not60

§20112 Functions of the Administration

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle II— General Program and Policy Provisions › Chapter 201— NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE PROGRAM › Subchapter II— COORDINATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES › § 20112

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administration must plan, direct, and run aeronautical and space programs. It must involve the scientific community in planning and carrying out measurements and observations from aircraft and spacecraft. It must share information about its work as widely as practical, promote the fullest possible commercial use of space, and encourage the federal government to use commercial space services and hardware when they meet government needs. If money is provided, the Administration must start, support, and carry out research, development, and demonstrations in ground propulsion technologies listed in sections 4–10 of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C. 2503–2509). It must do the same, with appropriated funds, for solar heating and cooling technologies in sections 5, 6, and 9 of the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5503, 5504, 5507).

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §20112

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

(a)The Administration, in order to carry out the purpose of this chapter, shall—
(1)plan, direct, and conduct aeronautical and space activities;
(2)arrange for participation by the scientific community in planning scientific measurements and observations to be made through use of aeronautical and space vehicles, and conduct or arrange for the conduct of such measurements and observations;
(3)provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof;
(4)seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space; and
(5)encourage and provide for Federal Government use of commercially provided space services and hardware, consistent with the requirements of the Federal Government.
(b)(1)The Administration shall, to the extent of appropriated funds, initiate, support, and carry out such research, development, demonstration, and other related activities in ground propulsion technologies as are provided for in sections 4 to 10 of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C. 2503 to 2509).
(2)The Administration shall initiate, support, and carry out such research, development, demonstrations, and other related activities in solar heating and cooling technologies (to the extent that funds are appropriated therefor) as are provided for in section 5, 6, and 9 of the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5503, 5504, 5507).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2011242 U.S.C. 2473(a), (b).Pub. L. 85–568, title II, § 203(a), (b), July 29, 1958, 72 Stat. 429; Pub. L. 93–409, § 4, Sept. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1070; Pub. L. 94–413, § 15(c), Sept. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 1270; Pub. L. 95–401, § 6, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 860; Pub. L. 101–611, title I, § 107, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3197.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 20112

Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60