Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-110
§70503 Ground-based Analog Capabilities
Title 51 › Subtitle VII — Access to Space › CHAPTER 705 — EXPLORATION INITIATIVES › § 70503
Summary
The Administrator may create remote U.S. test sites to help develop lunar operations, life support, and using local resources. Sites must be reachable, have extreme temperature swings, and access energy or natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic). They must involve local people, academia, and industry partners whenever possible.
Full Legal Text
Title 51, §70503
National and Commercial Space Programs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In General.—
The Administrator may establish a ground-based analog capability in remote United States locations in order to assist in the development of lunar operations, life support, and in-situ resource utilization experience and capabilities.
(b)Environmental Characteristics.—
The Administrator shall select locations for the activities described in subsection (a) that—
(1)are regularly accessible;
(2)have significant temperature extremes and range; and
(3)have access to energy and natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic, or other potential resources).
(c)Involvement of Local Populations and Private Sector Partners.—
In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall involve local populations, academia, and industrial partners as much as possible to ensure that ground-based benefits and applications are encouraged and developed.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7050342 U.S.C. 16764.Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 504, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2929.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 70503
Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110