51 USC § 51301 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s51301"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "51 USC § 51301 - Definitions"
title_number: 51
title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
section_number: "51301"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 513
chapter_name: "SPACE RESOURCE COMMERCIAL EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 114–90, title IV, § 402(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 721.)"
---


# § 51301. Definitions

In this chapter:

**(1)** **Asteroid resource.—** The term “asteroid resource” means a space resource found on or within a single asteroid.

**(2)** **Space resource.—**

**(A)** **In general.—** The term “space resource” means an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.

**(B)** **Inclusions.—** The term “space resource” includes water and minerals.

**(3)** **United states citizen.—** The term “United States citizen” has the meaning given the term “citizen of the United States” in section 50902.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 114–90, title IV, § 402(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 721.)