---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18401"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18401"
heading: "Aeronautics research goals"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18401"
units:
  - "Chapter 159 — Space Exploration, Technology, and Science"
  - "Subchapter VIII — Aeronautics and Space Technology"
---

# §18401. Aeronautics research goals


The [Administrator](/usc/42/18302.md?p=1) should ensure that [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6) maintains a strong aeronautics research portfolio ranging from fundamental research through systems research with specific research goals, including the following:

- (1) **Airspace capacity—** [NASA](/usc/42/18302.md?p=6)’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate shall address research needs of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, including the ability of the National Airspace System to handle up to 3 times the current travel demand by 2025.
- (2) **Environmental sustainability—** The Directorate shall consider and pursue concepts to reduce noise, emissions, and fuel consumption while maintaining high safety standards and shall pursue research related to alternative fuels.
- (3) **Aviation safety—** The Directorate shall proactively address safety challenges with new and current air vehicles and with operations in the Nation’s current and future air transportation system.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–267, title IX, § 902, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2835.)