U.S. Code > Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare > CHAPTER 150—NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE PROGRAMS, 2005 > SUBCHAPTER V—HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT > § 16764. Ground-based analog capabilities

§ 16764. Ground-based analog capabilities

(a) In general
The Administrator may establish a ground-based analog capability in remote United States locations in order to assist in the development of lunar operations, life support, and in-situ resource utilization experience and capabilities.
(b) Environmental characteristics
The Administrator shall select locations for the activities described in subsection (a) that—
(1) are regularly accessible;
(2) have significant temperature extremes and range; and
(3) have access to energy and natural resources (including geothermal, permafrost, volcanic, or other potential resources).
(c) Involvement of local populations; private sector partners
In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall involve local populations, academia, and industrial partners as much as possible to ensure that ground-based benefits and applications are encouraged and developed.