Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-110

§30504 Assessment of Science Mission Extensions

Title 51 › Subtitle III — Administrative Provisions › CHAPTER 305 — MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW › § 30504

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator must every three years review Science divisions to assess the costs and benefits of letting missions keep collecting data past their planned end and how extensions affect the start of future missions. Before extending an operating mission, the Administrator must consult any affected federal agency and consider the benefits of the mission’s instruments. A report on reviews done in the prior year must be sent to the Senate and House committees with the annual budget.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §30504

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

(a)Assessments.—
(1)In general.—
The Administrator shall carry out triennial reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess the cost and benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection for those missions that exceed their planned missions’ lifetime.
(2)Considerations.—
In conducting an assessment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider whether and how extending missions impacts the start of future missions.
(b)Consultation and Consideration of Potential Benefits of Instruments on Missions.—
When deciding whether to extend a mission that has an operational component, the Administrator shall—
(1)consult with any affected Federal agency; and
(2)take into account the potential benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond their planned mission lifetime.
(c)Reports.—
The Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, at the same time as the submission to Congress of the Administration’s annual budget request for each fiscal year, a report detailing any assessment under subsection (a) that was carried out during the previous year.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30504(a)42 U.S.C. 16654(a) (matter before par. (1)).Pub. L. 109–155, title III, § 304(a) (matter before par. (1)), (2), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2918. 30504(b)42 U.S.C. 16654(a)(2). In subsection (a), the words “In addition—” are omitted as unnecessary.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Pub. L. 115–10 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(a) Assessment.—The Administrator shall carry out biennial reviews within each of the Science divisions to assess the cost and benefits of extending the date of the termination of data collection for those missions that have exceeded their planned mission lifetime. “(b) Consultation and Consideration of Potential Benefits of Instruments on Missions.—For those missions that have an operational component, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or any other affected agency shall be consulted and the potential benefits of instruments on missions that are beyond their planned mission lifetime taken into account.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 30504

Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110