U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 2459l. Recovery and disposition authority

(a) In general

(1) Control of remains

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), when there is an accident or mishap resulting in the death of a crewmember of a NASA human space flight vehicle, the Administrator may take control over the remains of the crewmember and order autopsies and other scientific or medical tests.

(2) Treatment

Each crewmember shall provide the Administrator with his or her preferences regarding the treatment accorded to his or her remains and the Administrator shall, to the extent possible, respect those stated preferences.

(3) Construction

This section shall not be construed to permit the Administrator to interfere with any Federal investigation of a mishap or accident.

(b) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Crewmember

The term “crewmember” means an astronaut or other person assigned to a NASA human space flight vehicle.

(2) NASA human space flight vehicle

The term “NASA human space flight vehicle” means a space vehicle, as defined in section 2458b (f)(1) of this title, that

(A) is intended to transport 1 or more persons;

(B) is designed to operate in outer space; and

(C) is either owned by NASA, or owned by a NASA contractor or cooperating party and operated as part of a NASA mission or a joint mission with NASA.

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