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51 U.S.C. § 70502 — Exploration plan and programs

Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗
The Administrator shall—
  1. (1)construct an architecture and implementation plan for the Administration’s human exploration program that is not critically dependent on the achievement of milestones by fixed dates;
  2. (2)implement an exploration research and technology development program to enable human and robotic operations consistent with section 20302(b) of this title;
  3. (3)conduct an in-situ resource utilization technology program to develop the capability to use space resources to increase independence from Earth, and sustain exploration beyond low-Earth orbit; and
  4. (4)pursue aggressively automated rendezvous and docking capabilities that can support the International Space Station and other mission requirements.