Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/3357

 124 STAT. 3331 PUBLIC LAW 111–314—DEC. 18, 2010 welfare and security of the United States require that adequate provision be made for aeronautical and space activities. Congress further declares that such activities shall be the responsibility of, and shall be directed by, a civilian agency exercising control over aeronautical and space activities sponsored by the United States, except that activities peculiar to or primarily associated with the development of weapons systems, military operations, or the defense of the United States (including the research and development necessary to make effective provision for the defense of the United States) shall be the responsibility of, and shall be directed by, the Department of Defense; and that determination as to which agency has responsibility for and direction of any such activity shall be made by the President. (c) COMMERCIAL USE OF SPACE.—Congress declares that the gen- eral welfare of the United States requires that the Administration seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space. (d) OBJECTIVES OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES.—The aeronautical and space activities of the United States shall be conducted so as to contribute materially to one or more of the following objectives: (1) The expansion of human knowledge of the Earth and of phenomena in the atmosphere and space. (2) The improvement of the usefulness, performance, speed, safety, and efficiency of aeronautical and space vehicles. (3) The development and operation of vehicles capable of carrying instruments, equipment, supplies, and living orga- nisms through space. (4) The establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits to be gained from, the opportunities for, and the prob- lems involved in the utilization of aeronautical and space activi- ties for peaceful and scientific purposes. (5) The preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology and in the application thereof to the conduct of peaceful activities within and outside the atmosphere. (6) The making available to agencies directly concerned with national defense of discoveries that have military value or significance, and the furnishing by such agencies, to the civilian agency established to direct and control nonmilitary aero- nautical and space activities, of information as to discoveries which have value or significance to that agency. (7) Cooperation by the United States with other nations and groups of nations in work done pursuant to this chapter and in the peaceful application of the results thereof. (8) The most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of the United States, with close coopera- tion among all interested agencies of the United States in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, facilities, and equipment. (9) The preservation of the United States preeminent position in aeronautics and space through research and technology development related to associated manufacturing processes. (e) GROUND PROPULSION SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOP- MENT.—Congress declares that the general welfare of the United States requires that the unique competence in scientific and engineering systems of the Administration also be directed toward