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

§20142 Contracts Regarding Expendable Launch Vehicles

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle II— General Program and Policy Provisions › Chapter 201— NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE PROGRAM › Subchapter III— GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › § 20142

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator can make contracts for expendable launch vehicle services that last longer than the time money is currently approved. Such contracts can allow advance payments for making or buying launch vehicles and can include paying liabilities if the government cancels the contract, but total payments are limited to amounts Congress provides. If there is no money to keep a contract going, the government must end it for its convenience and pay costs from the original contract funds, other unused launch-service funds, or from funds Congress later provides for that purpose.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §20142

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

(a)The Administrator may enter into contracts for expendable launch vehicle services that are for periods in excess of the period for which funds are otherwise available for obligation, provide for the payment for contingent liability which may accrue in excess of available appropriations in the event the Federal Government for its convenience terminates such contracts, and provide for advance payments reasonably related to launch vehicle and related equipment, fabrication, and acquisition costs, if any such contract limits the amount of the payments that the Government is allowed to make under such contract to amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Such contracts may be limited to sources within the United States when the Administrator determines that such limitation is in the public interest.
(b)If funds are not available to continue any such contract, the contract shall be terminated for the convenience of the Government, and the costs of such contract shall be paid from appropriations originally available for performance of the contract, from other unobligated appropriations currently available for the procurement of launch services, or from funds appropriated for such payments.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2014242 U.S.C. 2459c.Pub. L. 85–568, title III, § 312, formerly § 311, as added Pub. L. 100–147, title I, § 117, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 867; renumbered § 312, Pub. L. 106–391, title III, § 324(a)(1), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1599. In subsection (a), the word “expendable” is substituted for “expendabe” to correct an error in the law.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 20142

Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60