42 U.S.C. § 18321 — Human space flight beyond low-Earth orbit

submitted 16 years ago by Pub. L. 111-267 to r/title-42-THE-PUBLIC-HEALTH-AND-WELFARE · 403 words · no verdicts yet

in plain englishAI-generated · not legal advice

Congress found that moving human missions beyond low-Earth orbit, to the Moon and deep space, raises both opportunities and security concerns. NASA must send Congress a report, within 120 days, on international teamwork for these near-term missions. The report should assume NASA will offer a new rocket, a new crew vehicle, and other technology.

(a) Findings. Congress made seven findings. First, extending human presence from low-Earth orbit to farther regions will make it possible to reach the Moon's surface and deep space spots like near-Earth asteroids and Mars. Second, other countries and commercial companies can also reach cis-lunar space, and that access raises national security and economic issues that international cooperation can help address. Third, supporting human missions beyond low-Earth orbit and on the Moon can also drive new space infrastructure and technology. Fourth, that new infrastructure and technology can enable more uses of space, like servicing spacecraft in orbit, resupplying and transferring fuel, and using resources found in space, opening the door to more users, whether national, commercial, or international. Fifth, a long-term goal for human exploration should be international exploration of Mars. Sixth, future international missions beyond low-Earth orbit should be designed around what capabilities are available, what's affordable, and international contributions. Seventh, human spaceflight and future exploration should follow a pay-as-you-go approach. New launch and crew systems should be scaled to the minimum needed for cis-lunar missions, which can then become the foundation for missions elsewhere and give NASA experience before expanding further into space. (b) Report on international collaboration. NASA must report on international collaboration. First, within 120 days after October 11, 2010, the Administrator must send the appropriate congressional committees a report on two things: NASA's efforts to expand and ensure effective international teamwork on the ISS, and NASA's progress in defining near-term human missions to cis-lunar space. Second, in writing that report, the Administrator must assume NASA will contribute a Space Launch System, a multi-purpose crew vehicle, and any other technology the Administrator thinks is appropriate and specifically names in the report.

the actual law source: uscode.house.gov ↗public domain

(a) Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

The extension of the human presence from low-Earth orbit to other regions of space beyond low-Earth orbit will enable missions to the surface of the Moon and missions to deep space destinations such as near-Earth asteroids and Mars.

(2)

The regions of cis-lunar space are accessible to other national and commercial launch capabilities, and such access raises a host of national security concerns and economic implications that international human space endeavors can help to address.

(3)

The ability to support human missions in regions beyond low-Earth orbit and on the surface of the Moon can also drive developments in emerging areas of space infrastructure and technology.

(4)

Developments in space infrastructure and technology can stimulate and enable increased space applications, such as in-space servicing, propellant resupply and transfer, and in situ resource utilization, and open opportunities for additional users of space, whether national, commercial, or international.

(5)

A long term objective for human exploration of space should be the eventual international exploration of Mars.

(6)

Future international missions beyond low-Earth orbit should be designed to incorporate capability development and availability, affordability, and international contributions.

(7)

Human space flight and future exploration beyond low-Earth orbit should be based around a pay-as-you-go approach. Requirements in new launch and crew systems authorized in this chapter should be scaled to the minimum necessary to meet the core national mission capability needed to conduct cis-lunar missions. These initial missions, along with the development of new technologies and in-space capabilities can form the foundation for missions to other destinations. These initial missions also should provide operational experience prior to the further human expansion into space.

(b) Report on international collaboration

(1) Report required

Not later than 120 days after October 11, 2010, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the following assets and capabilities:

(A)

Any effort by NASA to expand and ensure effective international collaboration on the ISS.

(B)

The efforts of NASA, including its approach and progress, in defining near-term, cis-lunar space human missions.

(2) NASA contributions

In preparing the report required by paragraph (1), the Administrator shall assume that NASA will contribute to the efforts described in that paragraph the following:

(A)

A Space Launch System.

(B)

A multi-purpose crew vehicle.

(C)

Such other technology elements the Administrator may consider appropriate, and which the Administrator shall specifically identify in the report.

Source credit: (Pub. L. 111–267, title III, § 301, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2813.)

history & why it existsrecord from the source credit

2010Enacted · Pub. L. 111-267 · 124 Stat. 2813

A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 111-267 on 2010-10-11.

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