42 USC § 18324 - Utilization of existing workforce and assets in development of Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s18324"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 18324 - Utilization of existing workforce and assets in development of Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "18324"
section_name: "Utilization of existing workforce and assets in development of Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle"
chapter_number: 159
chapter_name: "SPACE EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "EXPANSION OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT BEYOND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND LOW-EARTH ORBIT"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 111–267, title III, § 304, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2816.)"
---


# § 18324. Utilization of existing workforce and assets in development of Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle

**(a)** **In general** In developing the Space Launch System pursuant to section 18322 of this title and the multi-purpose crew vehicle pursuant to section 18323 of this title, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable utilize—

**(1)** existing contracts, investments, workforce, industrial base, and capabilities from the Space Shuttle and Orion and Ares 1 projects, including—

**(A)** space-suit development activities for application to, and coordinated development of, a multi-purpose crew vehicle suit and associated life-support requirements with potential development of standard NASA-certified suit and life support systems for use in alternative commercially-developed crew transportation systems; and

**(B)** Space Shuttle-derived components and Ares 1 components that use existing United States propulsion systems, including liquid fuel engines, external tank or tank-related capability, and solid rocket motor engines; and

**(2)** associated testing facilities, either in being or under construction as of October 11, 2010.

**(b)** **Discharge of requirements** In meeting the requirements of subsection (a), the Administrator—

**(1)** shall, to the extent practicable, utilize ground-based manufacturing capability, ground testing activities, launch and operations infrastructure, and workforce expertise;

**(2)** shall, to the extent practicable, minimize the modification and development of ground infrastructure and maximize the utilization of existing software, vehicle, and mission operations processes;

**(3)** shall complete construction and activation of the A–3 test stand with a completion goal of September 30, 2013;

**(4)** may procure, develop, and flight test applicable components; and

**(5)** shall take appropriate actions to ensure timely and cost-effective development of the Space Launch System and the multi-purpose crew vehicle, including the use of a procurement approach that incorporates adequate and effective oversight, the facilitation of contractor efficiencies, and the stream-lining of contract and procurement requirements.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 111–267, title III, § 304, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2816.)