51 U.S.C. § 70502: Exploration plan and programs

51 U.S.C. 70502: Exploration plan and programsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).

From Title 51-NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMSCHAPTER 705-EXPLORATION INITIATIVES

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§70502. Exploration plan and programs

The Administrator shall⁠—

(1) construct an architecture and implementation plan for the Administration’s human exploration program that is not critically dependent on the achievement of milestones by fixed dates;

(2) implement an exploration research and technology development program to enable human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title;

(3) conduct an in-situ resource utilization technology program to develop the capability to use space resources to increase independence from Earth, and sustain exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and

(4) pursue aggressively automated rendezvous and docking capabilities that can support the International Space Station and other mission requirements.

( Pub. L. 111–314, § 3 , Dec. 18, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3430 ; Pub. L. 115–10, title IV, § 415 , Mar. 21, 2017 , 131 Stat. 34 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
70502	42 U.S.C. 16763.	Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 503, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2929.

70502

42 U.S.C. 16763.

Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 503, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2929.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017⁠—Par. (2). Pub. L. 115–10 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “implement an exploration technology development program to enable lunar human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title, including surface power to use on the Moon and other locations;”.