---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 20103"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "20103"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/20103"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — General Program and Policy Provisions"
  - "Chapter 201 — National Aeronautics and Space Program"
  - "Subchapter I — Short Title, Declaration of Policy, and Definitions"
---

# §20103. Definitions


In this chapter:

- (1) **Aeronautical and space activities.—** The term “aeronautical and space activities” means—
  - (A) research into, and the solution of, problems of flight within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere;
  - (B) the development, construction, testing, and operation for research purposes of [aeronautical and space vehicles](#2);
  - (C) the operation of a space transportation system including the space shuttle, upper stages, space platforms, and related equipment; and
  - (D) such other activities as may be required for the exploration of space.
- (2) **Aeronautical and space vehicles.—** The term “aeronautical and space vehicles” means aircraft, missiles, satellites, and other space vehicles, manned and unmanned, together with related equipment, devices, components, and parts.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3332.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 20103 | 42 U.S.C. 2452. | Pub. L. 85–568, title I, § 103, July 29, 1958, 72 Stat. 427; Pub. L. 98–52, title I, § 108, July 15, 1983, 97 Stat. 285. |

In paragraph (1)(A), the word “Earth’s” is capitalized for consistency in title 51.