---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18321"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18321"
heading: "Human space flight beyond low-Earth orbit"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18321"
units:
  - "Chapter 159 — Space Exploration, Technology, and Science"
  - "Subchapter II — Expansion of Human Space Flight Beyond the International Space Station and Low-Earth Orbit"
---

# §18321. Human space flight beyond low-Earth orbit

- (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](/usc/42/18302.md?p=4) destinations such as near-Earth asteroids and Mars.
  - (2) The regions of [cis-lunar space](/usc/42/18302.md?p=3) 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](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall submit to the [appropriate committees of Congress](/usc/42/18302.md?p=2) a report on the following assets and capabilities:
    - (A) Any effort by [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6) to expand and ensure effective international collaboration on the [ISS](/usc/42/18302.md?p=5).
    - (B) The efforts of [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6), including its approach and progress, in defining near-term, [cis-lunar space](/usc/42/18302.md?p=3) human missions.
  - (2) **NASA contributions—** In preparing the report required by [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall assume that [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6) will contribute to the efforts described in that paragraph the following:
    - (A) A [Space Launch System](/usc/42/18302.md?p=10).
    - (B) A multi-purpose crew vehicle.
    - (C) Such other technology elements the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) may consider appropriate, and which the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall specifically identify in the report.

## Source credit

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