- § 18351. Continuation of the International Space Station
- § 18352. Maximum utilization of the International Space Station
- § 18353. Maintenance of the United States segment and assurance of continued operations of the International Space Station
- § 18354. Management of the ISS national laboratory
§ 18351. Continuation of the International Space Station
(a) Policy of the United States
(b) NASA action
In furtherance of the policy set forth in subsection (a), NASA shall—
(1) pursue international, commercial, and intragovernmental means to maximize ISS logistics supply, maintenance, and operational capabilities, reduce risks to ISS systems sustainability, and offset and minimize United States operations costs relating to the ISS;
(2) utilize, to the extent practicable, the ISS for the development of capabilities and technologies needed for the future of human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and
(3) utilize, if practical and cost effective, the ISS for Science Mission Directorate missions in low-Earth orbit.
(Pub. L. 111–267, title V, § 501, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2822; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 114(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 715; Pub. L. 115–10, title III, § 301(c), Mar. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 23; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10815(a), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1737.)
§ 18352. Maximum utilization of the International Space Station
(a) In general
(b) NASA actions
In carrying out subsection (a), NASA shall, at a minimum, undertake the following:
(1) Innovative use of U.S. segment
(2) International cooperation
(3) Domestic collaboration
(Pub. L. 111–267, title V, § 502, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2823.)
§ 18353. Maintenance of the United States segment and assurance of continued operations of the International Space Station
(a) In general
(b) Vehicle and component review
(1) In general
(2) Data
(c) Reports
(1) Report on assessment
(A) Report required
(B) ElementsThe report required by this paragraph shall include, at minimum, the following:
(i) A description of the spare or replacement modules, systems and components, elements, and equipment identified pursuant to the assessment that are currently produced, in inventory, or on order, a description of the state of their readiness, and a schedule for their delivery to the ISS (including the planned transportation means for such delivery), including for each such module, system or component, element, or equipment a description of—(I) its specifications, including size, weight, and necessary configuration for launch and delivery to the ISS;(II) its function;(III) its location; and(IV) its criticality for ISS system integrity.
(ii) A description of the spare or replacement modules, systems and components, elements, and equipment identified pursuant to the assessment that are not currently produced, in inventory, or on order, including for each such module, system or component, element, or equipment a description of—(I) its specifications, including size, weight, and necessary configuration for launch and delivery to the ISS;(II) its function;(III) its location;(IV) its criticality for ISS system integrity; and(V) the anticipated cost and schedule for its design, procurement, manufacture, and delivery to the ISS.
(iii) A detailed summary of the delivery schedule and associated delivery vehicle requirements necessary to transport all spare and replacement elements considered essential for the ongoing and sustained functionality of all critical systems of the ISS, both in and of themselves and as an element of an integrated, mutually dependent essential capability, including an assessment of the current schedule for delivery, the availability of delivery vehicles to meet that schedule, and the likelihood of meeting that schedule through such vehicles.
(2) GAO report
(A) Report required
(B) Cooperation with GAO
(d) Utilization of research facilities and capabilities
(e) Space Shuttle mission to ISS
(1) Space Shuttle mission
(2) Assessment of safe means of return
(3) Schedule and payloadThe determination of the schedule and payload for the mission authorized by paragraph (1) shall take into account the following:
(A) The supply and logistics delivery requirements of the ISS.
(B) The findings of the study required by paragraph (2).
(4) Funds
(f) Space Shuttle manifest flight assurance
(1) In general
(2) Continuation of contractor support
(Pub. L. 111–267, title V, § 503, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2823; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 114(b)(2), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10815(b), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1737.)
§ 18354. Management of the ISS national laboratory
(a) Cooperative agreement with not-for-profit entity for management of national laboratory
(1) In general
(2) Qualifications
(3) Prohibition on other activities
(b) NASA liaison
(1) Designation
(2) Consultation with liaison
(c) Planning and coordination of ISS national laboratory research activities
The Administrator shall provide initial financial assistance to the organization with which the Administrator enters into a cooperative agreement under subsection (a), in order for the organization to initiate the following:
(1) Planning and coordination of the ISS national laboratory research activities.
(2) Development and implementation of guidelines, selection criteria, and flight support requirements for non-NASA scientific utilization of ISS research capabilities and facilities available in United States-owned modules of the ISS or in partner-owned facilities of the ISS allocated to United States utilization by international agreement.
(3) Interaction with and integration of the International Space Station National Laboratory Advisory Committee established under section 70906 of title 51 with the governance of the organization, and review recommendations provided by that Committee regarding agreements with non-NASA departments and agencies of the United States Government, academic institutions and consortia, and commercial entities leading to the utilization of the ISS national laboratory facilities.
(4) Coordination of transportation requirements in support of the ISS national laboratory research and development objectives, including provision for delivery of instruments, logistics support, and related experiment materials, and provision for return to Earth of collected samples, materials, and scientific instruments in need of replacement or upgrade.
(5) Cooperation with NASA, other departments and agencies of the United States Government, the States, and commercial entities in ensuring the enhancement and sustained operations of non-exploration-related research payload ground support facilities for the ISS, including the Space Life Sciences Laboratory, the Space Station Processing Facility and Payload Operations Integration Center.
(6) Development and implementation of scientific outreach and education activities designed to ensure effective utilization of ISS research capabilities including the conduct of scientific assemblies, conferences, and other fora for the presentation of research findings, methods, and mechanisms for the dissemination of non-restricted research findings and the development of educational programs, course supplements, interaction with educational programs at all grade levels, including student-focused research opportunities for conduct of research in the ISS national laboratory facilities.
(7) Such other matters relating to the utilization of the ISS national laboratory facilities for research and development as the Administrator may consider appropriate.
(d) Research capacity allocation and integration of research payloads
(1) Allocation of ISS research capacity
(2) Additional research capabilities
(3) Research priorities and enhanced capacity
(4) Responsibility for research payload
(Pub. L. 111–267, title V, § 504, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2825; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 114(b)(3), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VII, § 10815(c), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1738.)