---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18362"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18362"
heading: "Retirement of Space Shuttle orbiters and transition of Space Shuttle program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18362"
units:
  - "Chapter 159 — Space Exploration, Technology, and Science"
  - "Subchapter V — Space Shuttle Retirement and Transition"
---

# §18362. Retirement of Space Shuttle orbiters and transition of Space Shuttle program

- (a) **In general—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall retire the Space Shuttle orbiters pursuant to a schedule established by the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) and in a manner consistent with provisions of this chapter regarding potential requirements for contingency utilization of Space Shuttle orbiters for [ISS](/usc/42/18302.md?p=5) requirements.
- (b) **Utilization of workforce and assets in follow-on Space Launch System—**
  - (1) **Utilization of vehicle assets—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, utilize workforce, assets, and infrastructure of the Space Shuttle program in efforts relating to the initiation of a follow-on [Space Launch System](/usc/42/18302.md?p=10) developed pursuant to [section 18322 of this title](/usc/42/18322.md).
  - (2) **Other assets—** With respect to the workforce, assets, and infrastructure not utilized as described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) shall work closely with other departments and [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the Federal Government, and the private sector, to divest unneeded assets and to assist displaced workers with retraining and other placement efforts. Amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 101(2)(B)[^1] shall be available for activities pursuant to this paragraph.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–267, title VI, § 602, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2828.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 101(2)(B), referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 111–267, title I, § 101(2)(B), Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2809, which is not classified to the Code.