
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC2465a]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                   CHAPTER 26--NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM
 
                    SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 2465a. Space Shuttle use policy


(a) Use policy

    (1) It shall be the policy of the United States to use the Space 
Shuttle for purposes that (i) require the presence of man, (ii) require 
the unique capabilities of the Space Shuttle or (iii) when other 
compelling circumstances exist.
    (2) The term ``compelling circumstances'' includes, but is not 
limited to, occasions when the Administrator determines, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, that important 
national security or foreign policy interests would be served by a 
Shuttle launch.
    (3) The policy stated in subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not 
preclude the use of available cargo space, on a Space Shuttle mission 
otherwise consistent with the policy described under subsection (a)(1) 
of this section, for the purpose of carrying secondary payloads (as 
defined by the Administrator) that do not require the presence of man if 
such payloads are consistent with the requirements of research, 
development, demonstration, scientific, commercial, and educational 
programs authorized by the Administrator.

(b) Implementation plan

    The Administrator shall, within six months after November 16, 1990, 
submit a report to the Congress setting forth a plan for the 
implementation of the policy described in subsection (a)(1) of this 
section. Such plan shall include--
        (1) details of the implementation plan;
        (2) a list of purposes that meet such policy;
        (3) a proposed schedule for the implementation of such policy;
        (4) an estimate of the costs to the United States of 
    implementing such policy; and
        (5) a process for informing the Congress in a timely and regular 
    manner of how the plan is being implemented.

(c) Annual report

    At least annually, the Administrator shall submit to the Congress a 
report certifying that the payloads scheduled to be launched on the 
space shuttle for the next four years are consistent with the policy set 
forth in subsection (a)(1) of this section. For each payload scheduled 
to be launched from the space shuttle, which do not require the presence 
of man, the Administrator shall, in the certified report to Congress, 
state the specific circumstances which justified the use of the space 
shuttle. If, during the period between scheduled reports to the 
Congress, any additions are made to the list of certified payloads 
intended to be launched from the Shuttle, the Administrator shall inform 
the Congress of the additions and the reasons therefor within 45 days of 
the change.

(d) NASA payloads

    The report described in subsection (c) of this section shall also 
include those National Aeronautics and Space Administration payloads 
designed solely to fly on the space shuttle which have begun the phase 
C/D of its development cycle.

(Pub. L. 101-611, title I, Sec. 112, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3198.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1991, and not as part of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 which is classified 
principally to this chapter.


                     Definition of ``Administrator''

    Section 127 of title I of Pub. L. 101-611 provided that: ``For 
purposes of this title [enacting this section and sections 2459a and 
2471a of this title and section 1535 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, 
amending section 2473 of this title and sections 2601, 2602, 2604, 2614, 
and 2623 of former Title 49, Transportation, and enacting provisions set 
out as notes under sections 2451, 2459, and 2471 of this title], the 
term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration.''
