What is the primary purpose of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)?

The primary purpose of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to ensure security in all modes of transportation, including aviation. Established in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the TSA was created to protect the nation's transportation system, focusing especially on preventing terrorist attacks, safeguarding passengers and crew, and ensuring the security of transportation infrastructure. This includes not only aviation security, such as screening passengers and baggage at airports but also overseeing security measures for surface transportation, such as rail systems and public transit.

While other options involve various aspects of aviation and transport management, they do not accurately reflect the TSA's main mission. Regulating air traffic control is the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), managing federal airspace policies also falls under the FAA, and developing new aircraft technologies is typically the domain of aerospace companies and research organizations rather than a security-focused agency. Thus, the focus on security across multiple transport modes defines the TSA's overarching goal.