NASA Authorization Act of 2005

NASA Authorization Act of 2005
Great Seal of the United States
Other short titles
  • Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act
  • George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act
Long titleAn Act to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
NicknamesNational Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005
Enacted bythe 109th United States Congress
EffectiveDecember 30, 2005
Citations
Public law109-155
Statutes at Large119 Stat. 2895
Codification
Titles amended42 U.S.C.: Public Health and Social Welfare
U.S.C. sections created42 U.S.C. ch. 150 § 16601 et seq.
Legislative history
  • Introduced in the Senate as S. 1281 by Kay Bailey Hutchison (RTX) on June 21, 2005
  • Committee consideration by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
  • Passed the Senate on September 28, 2005 (Passed)
  • Passed the House on November 18, 2005 (Passed)
  • Reported by the joint conference committee on December 15, 2005; agreed to by the House on December 17, 2005 (Agreed) and by the Senate on December 22, 2005 (Agreed)
  • Signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 30, 2005

The NASA Authorization Act of 2005 is an act of the United States Congress that requires NASA to carry out a balanced set of programs in human spaceflight, in aeronautics research and development and in scientific research. It was signed by the then President George W. Bush and became Public Law 109-155 on December 30, 2005.

The act directs NASA to send robotic spacecraft to study the Moon and planets, and to study astronomy and astrophysics. It directs NASA to use research satellites to conduct earth science research and research on the Sun-Earth connection. It also directs NASA to support university research in a variety of fields. It also directs NASA, in conducting its work, to consult with other agencies including the National Science and Technology Council, work closely with the private sector, and "involve other nations to the extent appropriate."