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Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-110

§50113 Acquisition of Space Science Data

Title 51 › Subtitle V — Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities › CHAPTER 501 — SPACE COMMERCE › SUBCHAPTER II — PROMOTION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE OPPORTUNITIES › § 50113

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administrator must, when it is cost effective and meets scientific or educational needs, buy space science data from commercial providers. "Space science data" covers three kinds of information: resource and mineral data for the Moon, asteroids, planets and comets; microgravity acceleration measurements; and solar storm monitoring. These purchases must follow normal government procurement rules and are treated like a commercial product or service. The government can still get enough rights in the data by contract. Safety standards may be required. The Administrator may not fund the development of commercial systems to collect this data.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §50113

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

(a)Definition of Space Science Data.—
In this section, the term “space science data” includes scientific data concerning—
(1)the elemental and mineralogical resources of the moon, asteroids, planets and their moons, and comets;
(2)microgravity acceleration; and
(3)solar storm monitoring.
(b)Acquisition From Commercial Providers.—
The Administrator shall, to the extent possible and while satisfying the scientific or educational requirements of the Administration, and where appropriate, of other Federal agencies and scientific researchers, acquire, where cost effective, space science data from a commercial provider.
(c)Treatment of Space Science Data as Commercial Product or Commercial Service Under Acquisition Laws.—
Acquisitions of space science data by the Administrator shall be carried out in accordance with applicable acquisition laws and regulations (including applicable provisions of chapters 201 through 285, 341 through 343, and 363 of title 10). For purposes of such law and regulations, space science data shall be considered to be a commercial product or commercial service. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude the United States from acquiring, through contracts with commercial providers, sufficient rights in data to meet the needs of the scientific and educational community or the needs of other government activities.
(d)Safety Standards.—
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Federal Government from requiring compliance with applicable safety standards.
(e)Limitation.—
This section does not authorize the Administration to provide financial assistance for the development of commercial systems for the collection of space science data.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5011342 U.S.C. 14713.Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 105, Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2852.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted “including applicable provisions of chapters 201 through 285, 341 through 343, and 363” for “including chapters 137 and 140”. 2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “Commercial Product or Commercial Service” for “Commercial Item” in heading and “commercial product or commercial service” for “commercial item” in text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a

Savings Provision

, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2018 Amendment;

Savings Provision

note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 50113

Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110