Sec. 212. Maintaining a national laboratory in space
235 words·~1 min read·
/bill/116/s/2800/is/section-212A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that— the United States segment of the International Space Station (as defined in section 70905 of title 51, United States Code), which is designated as a national laboratory under section 70905(b) of title 51, United States Code— benefits the scientific community and promotes commerce in space; fosters stronger relationships among NASA and other Federal agencies, the private sector, and research groups and universities; advances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through use of the unique microgravity environment; and advances human knowledge and international cooperation; after the ISS is decommissioned, the United States should maintain a national microgravity laboratory in space; in maintaining a national microgravity laboratory in space, the United States should make appropriate accommodations for different types of ownership and operation arrangements for the ISS and future space stations; to the maximum extent practicable, a national microgravity laboratory in space should be maintained in cooperation with international space partners; and NASA should continue to support fundamental science research on future platforms in low-Earth orbit and cislunar space, orbital and suborbital flights, drop towers, and other microgravity testing environments.
The Administrator, in coordination with the National Space Council and other Federal agencies as the Administrator considers appropriate, shall issue a report detailing the feasibility of establishing a microgravity national laboratory federally funded research and development center to carry out activities relating to the study and use of in-space conditions.