Section was enacted as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993, and not as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 which is classified principally to this chapter.

Sections 301 to 303 of title III of Pub. L. 102–588 provided that:

“This title [enacting this section and provisions set out as a note below] may be cited as the ‘Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research on Space and Aeronautics Act’.

“Congress finds that—

“(1) the report of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the United States Space Program has provided a framework within which a consensus on the goals of the space program can be developed;

“(2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s space science and applications, aeronautical research and technology, and space research and technology programs will serve as the fulcrum for future initiatives by the United States in civil space and aviation;

“(3) colleges and universities in many States are currently not able to compete successfully for research grants awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through its space science and applications, aeronautical research and technology, and space research and technology programs;

“(4) balanced programs of space science and applications, aeronautical research and technology, and space research and technology should include initiatives designed to foster competitive research capacity in all geographic areas of the Nation; and

“(5) by strengthening the competitive research capacity in those geographic areas of the Nation which are not currently fully competitive, the education and training of scientists and engineers important to the future of the United States civil space and aviation programs will be fostered.

“It is the policy of the United States that—

“(1) the Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration], in planning for national programs in space science and applications, aeronautical research, space flight, and exploration, should ensure the resilience of the space and aeronautics research infrastructure;

“(2) a stable and balanced program of space science and applications, aeronautical research and technology, and space research and technology should include programs to assure that geographic areas of the United States that currently do not successfully participate in competitive space and aeronautical research activities are enabled to become more competitive; and

“(3) programs to improve competitive capabilities should be a part of the research and the educational activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”

Section 305 of Pub. L. 102–588 provided that: “In carrying out the programs listed in section 102 (a) [106 Stat. 5108], the Administrator [of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] should ensure that up to $10,000,000 from the appropriations authorized for ‘Research and Development’, for fiscal year 1993 are also used for purposes of establishing and developing an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research on Space and Aeronautics.”

Administrator means Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, see section 102(f) of Pub. L. 102–588, 106 Stat. 5110.