51 U.S.C. § 10101
Definitions
In this title:
Title 51 — NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
United States · statute · 51 U.S.C. · 202 active provisions
51 U.S.C. § 20101
Short title
This chapter may be cited as the “National Aeronautics and Space Act”.
51 U.S.C. § 20102
Congressional declaration of policy and purpose
The aeronautical and space activities of the United States shall be conducted so as to contribute materially to one or more of the following objectives:
51 U.S.C. § 20103
Definitions
In this chapter: The term “aeronautical and space activities” means—
51 U.S.C. § 20112
Functions of the Administration
The Administration, in order to carry out the purpose of this chapter, shall—
51 U.S.C. § 20113
Powers of the Administration in performance of functions
In the performance of its functions, the Administration is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out such functions. The officers and employees shall be appointed in accordance with the civil service laws and their compensation fixed in accordance with cha…
51 U.S.C. § 20115
International cooperation
The Administration, under the foreign policy guidance of the President, may engage in a program of international cooperation in work done pursuant to this chapter, and in the peaceful application of the results thereof, pursuant to agreements made by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
51 U.S.C. § 20116
Reports to Congress
The President shall transmit to Congress in May of each year a report, which shall include—
51 U.S.C. § 20117
Disposal of excess land
Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other law, the Administration may not report to a disposal agency as excess to the needs of the Administration any land having an estimated value in excess of $50,000 that is owned by the United States and under the jurisdiction and control of the Administration, unless—
51 U.S.C. § 20131
Public access to information
Information obtained or developed by the Administrator in the performance of the Administrator’s functions under this chapter shall be made available for public inspection, except information—
51 U.S.C. § 20132
Security requirements
The Administrator shall establish such security requirements, restrictions, and safeguards as the Administrator deems necessary in the interest of the national security. The Administrator may arrange with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management for the conduct of such security or other personnel investigatio…
51 U.S.C. § 20133
Permission to carry firearms
As the Administrator deems necessary in the public interest, the Administrator may—
51 U.S.C. § 20134
Arrest authority
Under regulations prescribed by the Administrator and approved by the Attorney General, employees of the Administration and of its contractors and subcontractors authorized to carry firearms under section 20133 of this title may arrest without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presenc…
51 U.S.C. § 20135
Property rights in inventions
In this section: An invention shall be the exclusive property of the United States if it is made in the performance of any work under any contract of the Administration, and the Administrator determines that—
51 U.S.C. § 20136
Contributions awards
Subject to the provisions of this section, the Administrator is authorized, on the Administrator’s own initiative or on application of any person, to make a monetary award, in an amount and on terms the Administrator determines to be warranted, to any person (as defined by section 20135(a) of this title) for any scient…
51 U.S.C. § 20138
Insurance and indemnification
In this section: An agreement made under subsection (c) that provides indemnification must also provide for—
51 U.S.C. § 20139
Insurance for experimental aerospace vehicles
In this section: The term “developer” means a United States person (other than a natural person) who— A developer shall obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate for the maximum probable loss from claims by—
51 U.S.C. § 20140
Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this chapter, except that nothing in this chapter shall authorize the appropriation of any amount for—
51 U.S.C. § 20141
Misuse of agency name and initials
No person (as defined by section 20135(a) of this title) may knowingly use the words “National Aeronautics and Space Administration” or the letters “NASA”, or any combination, variation, or colorable imitation of those words or letters either alone or in combination with other words or letters—
51 U.S.C. § 20143
Full cost appropriations account structure
To ensure the safe, timely, and successful accomplishment of Administration missions, the Administration may transfer among accounts as necessary, amounts for—
51 U.S.C. § 20144
Prize authority
To be eligible to win a prize under this section, an individual or entity— Participants must obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the Administrator, for claims by— For each competition, the Administration, either directly or through an agreement under subsection (…
51 U.S.C. § 20145
Lease of non-excess property
Of any amounts of cash consideration received under this subsection that are not utilized in accordance with subparagraph (A)— The Administrator shall submit an annual report by January 31st of each year. The report shall include the following: Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the National Aer…
51 U.S.C. § 20147
Recovery and disposition authority
In this section: The term “Administration human space flight vehicle” means a space vehicle, as defined in section 20138(a) of this title, that— is either—
51 U.S.C. § 20148
Indemnification; NASA launch services and reentry services
Under such regulations in conformity with this section as the Administrator shall prescribe taking into account the availability, cost, and terms of liability insurance, any contract between the Administration and a provider may provide that the United States will indemnify the provider against successful claims (inclu…
51 U.S.C. § 20149
Medical monitoring and research relating to human space flight
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may provide for— The Administrator may provide for conditional payments for or provide medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment described in subsection (a) that is obligated to be paid for or provided by the United States or any third party under any othe…
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