§ 20147. Recovery and disposition authority

• (a) In this section:
  • (1) The term “Administration human space flight vehicle” means a space vehicle, as defined in section 20138(a) of this title , that—
    • (A) is intended to transport one or more persons;
    • (B) is designed to operate in outer space; and
    • (C) is either—
      • (i) owned by the Administration; or
      • (ii) owned by an Administration contractor or cooperating party and operated as part of an Administration mission or a joint mission with the Administration.
  • (2) The term “crewmember” means an astronaut or other person assigned to an Administration human space flight vehicle.
• (b)
  • (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), when there is an accident or mishap resulting in the death of a crewmember of an Administration 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) Each crewmember shall provide the Administrator with the crewmember’s preferences regarding the treatment accorded to the crewmember’s remains and the Administrator shall, to the extent possible, respect those stated preferences.
  • (3) This section shall not be construed to permit the Administrator to interfere with any Federal investigation of a mishap or accident.