---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 70503"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "70503"
heading: "Ground-based analog capabilities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/70503"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Access to Space"
  - "Chapter 705 — Exploration Initiatives"
---

# §70503. Ground-based analog capabilities

- (a) **In General.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) may establish a ground-based analog capability in remote United States locations in order to assist in the development of lunar operations, life support, and in-situ resource utilization experience and capabilities.
- (b) **Environmental Characteristics.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall select locations for the activities described in [subsection (a)](#a) that—
  - (1) are regularly accessible;
  - (2) have significant temperature extremes and range; and
  - (3) have access to energy and natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic, or other potential resources).
- (c) **Involvement of Local Populations and Private Sector Partners.—** In carrying out this section, the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall involve local populations, academia, and industrial partners as much as possible to ensure that ground-based benefits and applications are encouraged and developed.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3430.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 70503 | 42 U.S.C. 16764. | Pub. L. 109–155, title V, § 504, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2929. |