National Aeronautics Research and Development

Executive Order 13419 of December 20, 2006

National Aeronautics Research and Development

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including section 204 of the National Science
and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act
of 1976, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6613), section 101(c) of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155), and
section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is
hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. National Aeronautics Research and
Development Policy. Continued progress in aeronautics,
the science of flight, is essential to America's
economic success and the protection of America's
security interests at home and around the globe.
Accordingly, it shall be the policy of the United
States to facilitate progress in aeronautics research
and development (R&D) through appropriate funding and
activities of the Federal Government, in cooperation
with State, territorial, tribal, local, and foreign
governments, international organizations, academic and
research institutions, private organizations, and other
entities, as appropriate. The Federal Government shall
only undertake roles in supporting aeronautics R&D that
are not more appropriately performed by the private
sector. The National Aeronautics Research and
Development Policy prepared by the National Science and
Technology Council should, to the extent consistent
with this order and its implementation, guide the
aeronautics R&D programs of the United States through
2020.

Sec. 2. Functions of the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy. To implement the policy
set forth in section 1 of this order, the Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy (the
“Director”) shall:

    (a) review the funding and activities of the
Federal Government relating to aeronautics R&D;
    (b) recommend to the President, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget, and the heads of
executive departments and agencies, as appropriate,
such actions with respect to funding and activities of
the Federal Government relating to aeronautics R&D as
may be necessary to

(i) advance United States technological leadership in aeronautics;

(ii) support innovative research leading to significant advances in
aeronautical concepts, technologies, and capabilities;

(iii) pursue and develop advanced aeronautics concepts and technologies,
including those for advanced aircraft systems and air transportation
management systems, to benefit America's security and effective and
efficient national airspace management;

(iv) maintain and advance United States aeronautics research, development,
test and evaluation infrastructure to provide effective experimental and
computational capabilities in support of aeronautics R&D;

(v) facilitate the educational development of the future aeronautics
workforce as needed to further Federal Government interests;

(vi) enhance coordination and communication among executive departments and
agencies to maximize the effectiveness of Federal Government R&D resources;
and

(vii) ensure appropriate Federal Government coordination with State,
territorial, tribal, local, and foreign governments, international
organizations, academic and research institutions, private organizations,
and other entities.

Sec. 3. Implementation of National Aeronautics Research
and Development Policy. To implement the policy set
forth in section 1 of this order, the Director shall:

    (a) develop and, not later than 1 year after the
date of this order, submit for approval by the
President a plan for national aeronautics R&D and for
related infrastructure, (the “plan”), and thereafter
submit, not less often than biennially, to the
President for approval any changes to the plan;
    (b) monitor and report to the President as
appropriate on the implementation of the approved plan;
    (c) ensure that executive departments and agencies
conducting aeronautics R&D:

(i) obtain and exchange information and advice, as appropriate, from
organizations and individuals outside the Federal Government in support of
Federal Government planning and performance of aeronautics R&D;

(ii) develop and implement, as appropriate, measures for improving
dissemination of R&D results and facilitating technology transition from
R&D to applications; and

(iii) identify and promote innovative policies and approaches that
complement and enhance Federal Government aeronautics R&D investment; and

    (d) report to the President on the results of the
efforts of executive departments and agencies to
implement paragraphs (c)(i) through (iii) of this
section.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) In implementing this
order, the Director shall:

(i) obtain as appropriate the assistance of the National Science and
Technology Council in the performance of the Director's functions under
this order, consistent with Executive Order 12881 of November 23, 1993, as
amended;

(ii) coordinate as appropriate with the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget; and

(iii) obtain information and advice from all sources as appropriate,
including individuals associated with academic and research institutions
and private organizations.

    (b) The functions of the President under subsection
(c) of section 101 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, except
the function of designation, are assigned to the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy. In performing these assigned functions, the
Director shall, as appropriate, consult the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary
of Transportation, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, and other heads of executive
departments and agencies as appropriate. The Director
also shall ensure that all actions taken in the
performance of such functions are consistent with the
authority set forth in subsections (a) through (d) of
section 6 of Executive Order 13346 of July 8, 2004.
    (c) This order shall be implemented in a manner
consistent with: (i) applicable law, including section
102A

(i) of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended (50 U.S.C. 403-1(i)),
and subject to the availability of appropriations; and

(ii) statutory authority of the principal officers of executive departments
and agencies as the heads of their respective departments and agencies.

    (d) This order shall not be construed to impair or
otherwise affect the functions of the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget relating to budget,
administrative, and legislative proposals.

    (e) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any rights or benefits, substantive or
procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party
against the United States, its departments, agencies,
instrumentalities, or entities, its officers,
employees, or agents, or any other person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    December 20, 2006.