1999 US Code
Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 26 - NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM
SUBCHAPTER II - COORDINATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ACTIVITIES
Sec. 2472 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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§2472. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (a) Establishment; appointment and duties of Administrator

There is established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (hereinafter called the “Administration”). The Administration shall be headed by an Administrator, who shall be appointed from civilian life by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under the supervision and direction of the President, the Administrator shall be responsible for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all duties of the Administration, and shall have authority and control over all personnel and activities thereof.

(b) Deputy Administrator; appointment and duties

There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed from civilian life by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Administrator may prescribe. The Deputy Administrator shall act for, and exercise the powers of, the Administrator during his absence or disability.

(c) Restriction on engaging in any other business, vocation, or employment

The Administrator and the Deputy Administrator shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or employment while serving as such.

(Pub. L. 85–568, title II, §202, July 29, 1958, 72 Stat. 429; Pub. L. 88–426, title III, §305(12), Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 423.)

Amendments

1964—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 88–426, §305(12)(A), repealed provisions which prescribed compensation of Administrator.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88–426, §305(12)(B), repealed provisions which prescribed compensation of Deputy Administrator.

Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 88–426 effective on the first day of the first pay period which begins on or after July 1, 1964, except to the extent provided in section 501(c) of Pub. L. 88–426, see section 501 of Pub. L. 88–426.

Emergency Preparedness Functions

For assignment of certain emergency preparedness functions to Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, see Parts 1, 2, and 19 of Ex. Ord. No. 12656, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47491, set out as a note under section 5195 of this title.

Termination of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics; Transfer of Functions

Section 301(a) of Pub. L. 85–568 provided that: “The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, on the effective date of this section [see note set out under section 2302 of Title 10, Armed Forces], shall cease to exist. On such date all functions, powers, duties, and obligations, and all real and personal property, personnel (other than members of the Committee), funds, and records of that organization, shall be transferred to the Administration.”

Appointment of Retired Military Officer as Administrator

Pub. L. 101–48, June 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 136, provided: “That notwithstanding the provisions of section 202(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2472(a)), or any other provision of law, the President, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, is authorized to appoint Rear Admiral Richard Harrison Truly to the Office of Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Admiral Truly's appointment to, acceptance of, and service in that Office shall in no way affect the status, rank, and grade which he holds as an officer on the retired list of the United States Navy, or any emolument, perquisite, right, privilege, or benefit incident to or arising out of any such status, office, rank, or grade, except to the extent that subchapter IV of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code, affects the amount of retired pay to which he is entitled by law during his service as Administrator. So long as he serves as Administrator, Admiral Truly shall receive the compensation of that Office at the rate which would be applicable if he were not an officer on the retired list of the United States Navy, shall retain the status, rank, and grade which he now holds as an officer on the retired list of the United States Navy, shall retain all emoluments, perquisites, rights, privileges, and benefits incident to or arising out of such status, office, rank, or grade, and shall in addition continue to receive the retired pay to which he is entitled by law, subject to the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code.

“Sec. 2. In the performance of his duties as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Admiral Truly shall be subject to no supervision, control, restriction, or prohibition (military or otherwise) other than would be operative with respect to him if he were not an officer on the retired list of the United States Navy.

“Sec. 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as approval by the Congress of any future appointments of military persons to the Offices of Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”

Ex. Ord. No. 10849. Establishment of Seal for National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Ex. Ord. No. 10849, Nov. 27, 1959, 24 F.R. 9559, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10942, May 19, 1961, 26 F.R. 4419, provided:

WHEREAS the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has caused to be made, and has recommended that I approve, a seal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the design of which accompanies and is hereby made a part of this order, and which is described as follows:

On a disc of the blue sky strewn with white stars, to dexter a larger yellow sphere bearing a red flight symbol apex in upper sinister and wings enveloping and casting a brown shadow upon the sphere, all partially encircled with a horizontal white orbit, in sinister a small light-blue sphere; circumscribing the disc a white band edged gold inscribed “National Aeronautics and Space Administration U.S.A.” in red letters.

AND WHEREAS it appears that such seal is of suitable design and appropriate for establishment as the official seal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration:

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, I hereby approve such seal as the official seal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Cross References

Compensation of Administrator and Deputy Administrator, see sections 5313 and 5314, respectively, of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.