42 USC § 18374 - Instrument test-beds and venture class missions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s18374"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 18374 - Instrument test-beds and venture class missions"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "18374"
section_name: "Instrument test-beds and venture class missions"
chapter_number: 159
chapter_name: "SPACE EXPLORATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND SCIENCE"
subchapter_number: "VI"
subchapter_name: "EARTH SCIENCE"
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 VII, § 706, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2831.)"
---


# § 18374. Instrument test-beds and venture class missions

The Administrator shall pursue innovative ways to fly instrument-level payloads for early demonstration or as co-manifested payloads. The Congress encourages the use of the ISS as an accessible platform for the conduct of such activities. Additionally, in order to address the cost and schedule challenges associated with large flight systems, NASA should pursue smaller systems where practicable and warranted.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 111–267, title VII, § 706, Oct. 11, 2010, 124 Stat. 2831.)