§ 101. FINDINGS.
370 words·~2 min read·
/usc/title-51/section-101A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
“The Congress finds that— over the next decade, the United States aeronautics and space program will be directed toward major national priorities of understanding, preserving, and enhancing our global environment, hypersonic transportation, human exploration, and emerging technology commercialization; the United States aeronautics and space program is supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people; the United States aeronautics and space program genuinely reflects our Nation’s pioneer heritage and demonstrates our quest for leadership, economic growth, and human understanding; the United States space program is based on a solid record of achievement and continues to promote the objective of international cooperation in the exploration of the planets and the universe; the United States aeronautics and space program generates critical technology breakthroughs that benefit our economy through new products and processes that significantly improve our standard of living; the United States aeronautics and space program excites the imagination of every generation and can stimulate the youth of our Nation toward the pursuit of excellence in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics; the United States aeronautics and space program contributes to the Nation’s technological competitive advantage; the United States aeronautics and space program requires a sustained commitment of financial and human resources as a share of the Nation’s Gross National Product; the United States space transportation system will depend upon a robust fleet of space shuttle orbiters and expendable and reusable launch vehicles and services; the United States space program will be advanced with an assured funding stream for the development of a permanently manned space station with research, experimentation, observation, servicing, manufacturing, and staging capabilities for lunar and Mars missions; the United States aeronautics program has been a key factor in maintaining preeminence in aviation over many decades; the United States needs to maintain a strong program with respect to transatmospheric research and technology by developing and demonstrating National Aero-Space Plane technology by a mid-decade date certain; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is primarily responsible for formulating and implementing policy that supports and encourages civil aeronautics and space activities in the United States; and commercial activities of the private sector will substantially and increasingly contribute to the strength of both the United States space program and the national economy.