---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 19069"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "19069"
heading: "Astronomy and satellite constellations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/19069"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter III — National Science Foundation for the Future"
  - "Part E — Fundamental Research"
---

# §19069. Astronomy and satellite constellations


The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall support research into and the design, development, and testing of mitigation measures to address the potential impact of satellite constellations on [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11) scientific programs by—

- (1) making awards on a competitive basis to support study of the potential impacts of satellite constellations on ground-based optical, infrared, and radio astronomy, including through existing programs such Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT) and the Spectrum Innovation Initiative;
- (2) supporting research on potential satellite impacts and benefits and mitigation strategies to be carried out at one or more [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11) supported Federally Funded Research and Development [Centers](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) or major multiuser research facilities as defined in [section 1862s–2(g) of this title](/usc/42/1862s–2.md?p=g), as appropriate; and
- (3) supporting workshops related to the potential impact of satellite constellations on scientific research and how those constellations could be used to improve scientific research.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title III, § 10362, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1568.)