Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/3358

 124 STAT. 3332 PUBLIC LAW 111–314—DEC. 18, 2010 ground propulsion systems research and development. Such develop- ment shall be conducted so as to contribute to the objectives of developing energy and petroleum-conserving ground propulsion sys- tems, and of minimizing the environmental degradation caused by such systems. (f) BIOENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRA- TION PROGRAMS.—Congress declares that the general welfare of the United States requires that the unique competence of the Administration in science and engineering systems be directed to assisting in bioengineering research, development, and demonstra- tion programs designed to alleviate and minimize the effects of disability. (g) WARNING AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF NEAR- EARTH OBJECTS.—Congress declares that the general welfare and security of the United States require that the unique competence of the Administration be directed to detecting, tracking, cataloguing, and characterizing near-Earth asteroids and comets in order to provide warning and mitigation of the potential hazard of such near-Earth objects to the Earth. (h) PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.—It is the purpose of this chapter to carry out and effectuate the policies declared in subsections (a) to (g). § 20103. Definitions In this chapter: (1) AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘‘aero- nautical and space activities’’ means— (A) research into, and the solution of, problems of flight within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere; (B) the development, construction, testing, and operation for research purposes of aeronautical and space vehicles; (C) the operation of a space transportation system including the space shuttle, upper stages, space platforms, and related equipment; and (D) such other activities as may be required for the exploration of space. (2) AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE VEHICLES.—The term ‘‘aero- nautical and space vehicles’’ means aircraft, missiles, satellites, and other space vehicles, manned and unmanned, together with related equipment, devices, components, and parts. SUBCHAPTER II—COORDINATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES § 20111. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (a) ESTABLISHMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR.— There is established the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- tration. The Administration shall be headed by an Administrator, who shall be appointed from civilian life by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under the supervision and direction of the President, the Administrator shall be respon- sible for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all duties of the Administration and shall have authority and control over all personnel and activities thereof. (b) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.—There shall be in the Administra- tion a Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed from civilian life by the President by and with the advice and consent of the