Legal corpus: the complete U.S. Code (59,740 sections, all 53 titles)

Ingested titles 12–51 and 54 from OLRC USLM XML @119-100 (the whole Code
now, uniform edition; Title 53 is reserved/empty). LegalText 11,221 ->
59,740; repo total 105,704 records. Deterministic (byte-identical rerun,
verified on Title 42's 8,356 sections); make check green. make
legal-us-code default now covers every title.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50901.md

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50901"
+description: "Findings and purposes"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50901"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50901"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50901"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "5d8b3565b9207c97031c8e4c3ef7c8ab0f115e3ca97e024203f8c2e8afa7f477"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "e89b086950c62368b07df12e08027b7aea0503ec4204c23e36367169448ab6eb"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50901 - Findings and purposes
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Findings.— Congress finds that—
+
+(1) the peaceful uses of outer space continue to be of great value and to offer benefits to all mankind;
+
+(2) private applications of space technology have achieved a significant level of commercial and economic activity and offer the potential for growth in the future, particularly in the United States;
+
+(3) new and innovative equipment and services are being sought, produced, and offered by entrepreneurs in telecommunications, information services, microgravity research, human space flight, and remote sensing technologies;
+
+(4) the private sector in the United States has the capability of developing and providing private launching, reentry, and associated services that would complement the launching, reentry, and associated capabilities of the United States Government;
+
+(5) the development of commercial launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, and associated services would enable the United States to retain its competitive position internationally, contributing to the national interest and economic well-being of the United States;
+
+(6) providing launch services and reentry services by the private sector is consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and would be facilitated by stable, minimal, and appropriate regulatory guidelines that are fairly and expeditiously applied;
+
+(7) the United States should encourage private sector launches, reentries, and associated services and, only to the extent necessary, regulate those launches, reentries, and services to ensure compliance with international obligations of the United States and to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States;
+
+(8) space transportation, including the establishment and operation of launch sites, reentry sites, and complementary facilities, the providing of launch services and reentry services, the establishment of support facilities, and the providing of support services, is an important element of the transportation system of the United States, and in connection with the commerce of the United States there is a need to develop a strong space transportation infrastructure with significant private sector involvement;
+
+(9) the participation of State governments in encouraging and facilitating private sector involvement in space-related activity, particularly through the establishment of a space transportation-related infrastructure, including launch sites, reentry sites, complementary facilities, and launch site and reentry site support facilities, is in the national interest and is of significant public benefit;
+
+(10) the goal of safely opening space to the American people and their private commercial, scientific, and cultural enterprises should guide Federal space investments, policies, and regulations;
+
+(11) private industry has begun to develop commercial launch vehicles capable of carrying human beings into space and greater private investment in these efforts will stimulate the Nation’s commercial space transportation industry as a whole;
+
+(12) space transportation is inherently risky, and the future of the commercial human space flight industry will depend on its ability to continually improve its safety performance;
+
+(13) a critical area of responsibility for the Department of Transportation is to regulate the operations and safety of the emerging commercial human space flight industry;
+
+(14) the public interest is served by creating a clear legal, regulatory, and safety regime for commercial human space flight; and
+
+(15) the regulatory standards governing human space flight must evolve as the industry matures so that regulations neither stifle technology development nor expose crew, government astronauts, or space flight participants to avoidable risks as the public comes to expect greater safety for crew, government astronauts, and space flight participants from the industry.
+
+(b) Purposes.— The purposes of this chapter are—
+
+(1) to promote economic growth and entrepreneurial activity through use of the space environment for peaceful purposes;
+
+(2) to encourage the United States private sector to provide launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, and associated services by—
+
+(A) simplifying and expediting the issuance and transfer of commercial licenses;
+
+(B) facilitating and encouraging the use of Government-developed space technology; and
+
+(C) promoting the continuous improvement of the safety of launch vehicles designed to carry humans, including through the issuance of regulations, to the extent permitted by this chapter;
+
+(3) to provide that the Secretary of Transportation is to oversee and coordinate the conduct of commercial launch and reentry operations, issue permits and commercial licenses and transfer commercial licenses authorizing those operations, and protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States; and
+
+(4) to facilitate the strengthening and expansion of the United States space transportation infrastructure, including the enhancement of United States launch sites and launch-site support facilities, and development of reentry sites, with Government, State, and private sector involvement, to support the full range of United States space-related activities.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1330, § 70101 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2846; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3974; renumbered § 70101 then § 50901 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(A), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 112(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 711.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70101(a)49 App.:2601.Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, §§ 2, 3, 98 Stat. 3055; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–611, § 117(c), (d), 104 Stat. 3202. 70101(b)49 App.:2602. In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “and declares” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the word “therefore” is omitted as surplus.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (a)(15). Pub. L. 114–90, which directed amendment of section “50901(15)” by inserting “, government astronauts,” after “crew” wherever appearing, was executed by making the insertion in subsec. (a)(15) in two places, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70101 of title 49 and section 70101 of this title as this section. 2004—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a)(1), inserted “human space flight,” after “microgravity research,”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a)(2), struck out “satellite” after “providing private” and substituted “capabilities of” for “services now available from”. Subsec. (a)(10) to (15). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a)(3)–(5), added pars. (10) to (15). Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a)(6), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(a)(7), substituted “issue permits and commercial licenses and transfer” for “issue and transfer”. 1998—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(A), inserted “microgravity research,” after “information services,”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(B), inserted “, reentry,” after “launching” in two places. Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(C), inserted “, reentry vehicles,” after “launch vehicles”. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(D), inserted “and reentry services” after “launch services”. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(E), inserted “, reentries,” after “launches” in two places. Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(F), (G), inserted “, reentry sites,” after “launch sites” and “and reentry services” after “launch services”. Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(H), (I), inserted “reentry sites,” after “launch sites,” and “and reentry site” after “launch site”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(J), inserted “, reentry vehicles,” after “launch vehicles” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(K), struck out “launch” before “licenses”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(L), (M), inserted “and reentry” after “conduct of commercial launch” and struck out “launch” before “licenses”. Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(2)(N), inserted “and development of reentry sites,” after “launch-site support facilities,”.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+FindingsPub. L. 106–405, § 2, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1751, provided that: “The Congress finds that— “(1) a robust United States space transportation industry is vital to the Nation’s economic well-being and national security; “(2) enactment of a 5-year extension of the excess third party claims payment provision of [former] chapter 701 of title 49, United States Code [now 51 U.S.C. 50901 et seq.] (Commercial Space Launch Activities), will have a beneficial impact on the international competitiveness of the United States space transportation industry; “(3) space transportation may evolve into airplane-style operations; “(4) during the next 3 years the Federal Government and the private sector should analyze the liability risk-sharing regime to determine its appropriateness and effectiveness, and, if needed, develop and propose a new regime to Congress at least 2 years prior to the expiration of the extension contained in this Act [see Tables for classification]; “(5) the areas of responsibility of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation have significantly increased as a result of—“(A) the rapidly expanding commercial space transportation industry and associated government licensing requirements; “(B) regulatory activity as a result of the emerging commercial reusable launch vehicle industry; and “(C) the increased regulatory activity associated with commercial operation of launch and reentry sites; and “(6) the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation should continue to limit its promotional activities to those which support its regulatory mission.”

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50903.md

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50903"
+description: "General authority"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50903"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50903"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50903"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "cf0954a967b2baf78505980da65217bc409391997a358403072680f141cf5cb2"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "9bdc3e69e914852431f4512584181a9c6a8cae4df3dc582c03c103637dff7f07"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50903 - General authority
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General.— The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out this chapter.
+
+(b) Facilitating Commercial Launches and Reentries.— In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall—
+
+(1) encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector, including those involving space flight participants; and
+
+(2) take actions to facilitate private sector involvement in commercial space transportation activity, and to promote public-private partnerships involving the United States Government, State governments, and the private sector to build, expand, modernize, or operate a space launch and reentry infrastructure.
+
+(c) Safety.— In carrying out the responsibilities under subsection (b), the Secretary shall encourage, facilitate, and promote the continuous improvement of the safety of launch vehicles designed to carry humans, and the Secretary may, consistent with this chapter, promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
+
+(d) Executive Agency Assistance.— When necessary, the head of an executive agency shall assist the Secretary in carrying out this chapter.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1332, § 70103 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(4), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2847; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(1), (2), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3976; renumbered § 70103 then § 50903 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(C), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70103(a)49 App.:2604(a) (1st–10th words).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 5(a) (1st–10th words, (b)), 98 Stat. 3057. 70103(b)49 App.:2604(a) (11th–15th words, cls. (1), (3)).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 5(a) (11th–15th words, cls. (1), (3)), 98 Stat. 3057; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–611, § 117(e)(1), (3), 104 Stat. 3203. 70103(c)49 App.:2604(b). In subsection (a), the words “be responsible for” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (c), the words “To the extent permitted by law” are omitted as surplus. The words “the head of an executive agency” are substituted for “Federal agencies” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70103 of title 49 and section 70103 of this title as this section. 2004—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(1), inserted “, including those involving space flight participants” after “private sector”. Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(2), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d). 1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(4)(A), inserted “and Reentries” after “Launches” in heading. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(4)(B), inserted “and reentries” after “commercial space launches”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(4)(C), inserted “and reentry” after “space launch”.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Launch Services StrategyPub. L. 110–422, title VI, § 621, Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4801, provided that: “(a) In General.—In preparation for the award of contracts to follow up on the current NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] Launch Services (NLS) contracts, the Administrator shall develop a strategy for providing domestic commercial launch services in support of NASA’s small and medium-sized Science, Space Operations, and Exploration missions, consistent with current law and policy. “(b) Report.—The Administrator [of NASA] shall transmit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology [now Committee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the strategy developed under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2008]. The report shall provide, at a minimum—“(1) the results of the Request for Information on small to medium-sized launch services released on April 22, 2008; “(2) an analysis of possible alternatives to maintain small and medium-sized lift capabilities after June 30, 2010, including the use of the Department of Defense’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV); “(3) the recommended alternatives, and associated 5-year budget plans starting in October 2010 that would enable their implementation; and “(4) a contingency plan in the event the recommended alternatives described in paragraph (3) are not available when needed.”
+
+Executive Documents
+
+Ex. Ord. No. 12465. Coordination and Encouragement of Commercial Expendable Launch Vehicle Activities Ex. Ord. No. 12465, Feb. 24, 1984, 49 F.R. 7211, provided: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and in order to encourage, facilitate and coordinate the development of commercial expendable launch vehicle (ELV) operations by private United States enterprises, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. The Department of Transportation is designated as the lead agency within the Federal government for encouraging and facilitating commercial ELV activities by the United States private sector. Sec. 2. Responsibilities of Lead Agency. The Secretary of Transportation shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, perform the following functions: (a) act as a focal point within the Federal government for private sector space launch contacts related to commercial ELV operations; (b) promote and encourage commercial ELV operations in the same manner that other private United States commercial enterprises are promoted by United States agencies; (c) provide leadership in the establishment, within affected departments and agencies, of procedures that expedite the processing of private sector requests to obtain licenses necessary for commercial ELV launches and the establishment and operation of commercial launch ranges; (d) consult with other affected agencies to promote consistent application of ELV licensing requirements for the private sector and assure fair and equitable treatment for all private sector applicants; (e) serve as a single point of contact for collection and dissemination of documentation related to commercial ELV licensing applications; (f) make recommendations to affected agencies and, as appropriate, to the President, concerning administrative measures to streamline Federal government procedures for licensing of commercial ELV activities; (g) identify Federal statutes, treaties, regulations and policies which may have an adverse impact on ELV commercialization efforts and recommend appropriate changes to affected agencies and, as appropriate, to the President; and (h) conduct appropriate planning regarding long-term effects of Federal activities related to ELV commercialization. Sec. 3. An interagency group, chaired by the Secretary of Transportation and composed of representatives from the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is hereby established. This group shall meet at the call of the Chair and shall advise and assist the Department of Transportation in performing its responsibilities under this Order. Sec. 4. Responsibilities of Other Agencies. All executive departments and agencies shall assist the Secretary of Transportation in carrying out this Order. To the extent permitted by law and in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, they shall: (a) provide the Secretary of Transportation with information concerning agency regulatory actions which may affect development of commercial ELV operations; (b) review and revise their regulations and procedures to eliminate unnecessary regulatory obstacles to the development of commercial ELV operations and to ensure that those regulations and procedures found essential are administered as efficiently as possible; and (c) establish timetables for the expeditious handling of and response to applications for licenses and approvals for commercial ELV activities. Sec. 5. The powers granted to the Secretary of Transportation to encourage, facilitate and coordinate the overall ELV commercialization process shall not diminish or abrogate any statutory or operational authority exercised by any other Federal agency. Sec. 6. Nothing contained in this Order or in any procedures promulgated hereunder shall confer any substantive or procedural right or privilege on any person or organization, enforceable against the United States, its agencies, its officers or any person. Sec. 7. This Order shall be effective immediately. Ronald Reagan.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50904.md

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50904"
+description: "Restrictions on launches, operations, and reentries"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50904"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50904"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50904"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "af276c3ffc9d4a20dea89edab47d1931e25f80c625de5cc59154284aad50a498"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "27021b626715958bf8517234abca62e9d7512ce6d15bd3b4a7806596ce16e274"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50904 - Restrictions on launches, operations, and reentries
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Requirement.— A license issued or transferred under this chapter, or a permit, is required for the following:
+
+(1) for a person to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, in the United States.
+
+(2) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in section 50902(1)(A) or (B) of this title) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, outside the United States.
+
+(3) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in section 50902(1)(C) of this title) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, outside the United States and outside the territory of a foreign country unless there is an agreement between the United States Government and the government of the foreign country providing that the government of the foreign country has jurisdiction over the launch or operation or reentry.
+
+(4) for a citizen of the United States (as defined in section 50902(1)(C) of this title) to launch a launch vehicle or to operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle, in the territory of a foreign country if there is an agreement between the United States Government and the government of the foreign country providing that the United States Government has jurisdiction over the launch or operation or reentry.
+
+Notwithstanding this subsection, a permit shall not authorize a person to operate a launch site or reentry site.
+
+(b) Compliance With Payload Requirements.— The holder of a license or permit under this chapter may launch or reenter a payload only if the payload complies with all requirements of the laws of the United States related to launching or reentering a payload.
+
+(c) Preventing Launches and Reentries.— The Secretary of Transportation shall establish whether all required licenses, authorizations, and permits required for a payload have been obtained. If no license, authorization, or permit is required, the Secretary may prevent the launch or reentry if the Secretary decides the launch or reentry would jeopardize the public health and safety, safety of property, or national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.
+
+(d) Single License or Permit.— The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that only 1 license or permit is required from the Department of Transportation to conduct activities involving crew, government astronauts, or space flight participants, including launch and reentry, for which a license or permit is required under this chapter. The Secretary shall ensure that all Department of Transportation regulations relevant to the licensed or permitted activity are satisfied.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1332, § 70104 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(5), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2847; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(3)–(5), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3976; renumbered § 70104 then § 50904 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(D), (5)(C)–(E), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 112(k), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 713.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70104(a)49 App.:2605(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 6(a), (b), 98 Stat. 3057. 70104(b)49 App.:2605(b)(1) (1st sentence). 70104(c)49 App.:2605(b)(1) (last sentence), (2). In subsection (a)(2)–(4), the cross-reference is to section 70102(1) of the revised title (restating 49 App.:2603(12)) rather than to section 70102(11) (restating 49 App.:2603(11)) to correct a mistake. Section 3(2) of the Commercial Space Launch Act Amendments of 1988 (Public Law 100–657, 102 Stat. 3900) redesignated 49 App.:2603(11) as 49 App.:2603(12) but did not amend the cross-reference in 49 App.:2605(a). In subsection (a)(3) and (4), the words “the government of” are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “in force” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(3), the words “at any place which is both” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(4), the text of 49 App.:2605(a)(3)(B)(i) is omitted as surplus. In subsection (c), the words “by Federal law”, “which is to be launched”, “by any Federal law”, “take such action under this chapter as the Secretary deems necessary to”, and “of a payload by a holder of a launch license under this chapter” are omitted as surplus.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–90 substituted “activities involving crew, government astronauts, or space flight participants” for “activities involving crew or space flight participants”. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(D), successively renumbered section 70104 of title 49 and section 70104 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(C), substituted “section 50902(1)(A) or (B)” for “section 70102(1)(A) or (B)”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(D), substituted “section 50902(1)(C)” for “section 70102(1)(C)”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(E), substituted “section 50902(1)(C)” for “section 70102(1)(C)”. 2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(3), substituted “Requirement” for “License Requirement” in heading and “A license issued or transferred under this chapter, or a permit,” for “A license issued or transferred under this chapter” in introductory provisions and inserted concluding provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(4), inserted “or permit” after “holder of a license”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(5), added subsec. (d). 1998—Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(5)(A), substituted “Restrictions on launches, operations, and reentries” for “Restrictions on launches and operations” in section catchline. Subsec. (a)(1), (2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(5)(B), inserted “or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle,” after “operate a launch site”. Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(5)(B), (C), inserted “or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle,” after “operate a launch site” and “or reentry” after “launch or operation”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(5)(D), struck out “launch” before “license” and inserted “or reenter” after “may launch” and “or reentering” after “related to launching”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(5)(E), substituted “Preventing Launches and Reentries” for “Preventing Launches” in heading and inserted “or reentry” after “prevent the launch” and after “decides the launch” in second sentence.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50906.md

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50906"
+description: "Experimental permits"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50906"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50906"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50906"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "d1deb6ba4747708521467c500f284ff59c62e938b84afb1a44dbd4c062a36145"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "ba2ae209490c7273827b87617ba7da321425c1f850b8cc6eec9a172b6a2e6fe9"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50906 - Experimental permits
+
+## Text
+
+(a) A person may apply to the Secretary of Transportation for an experimental permit under this section in the form and manner the Secretary prescribes. Consistent with the protection of the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, the Secretary, not later than 120 days after receiving an application pursuant to this section, shall issue a permit if the Secretary decides in writing that the applicant complies, and will continue to comply, with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this chapter. The Secretary shall inform the applicant of any pending issue and action required to resolve the issue if the Secretary has not made a decision not later than 90 days after receiving an application. The Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written notice not later than 15 days after any occurrence when the Secretary has failed to act on a permit within the deadline established by this section.
+
+(b) In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary may establish procedures for safety approvals of launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, safety systems, processes, services, or personnel that may be used in conducting commercial space launch or reentry activities pursuant to a permit.
+
+(c) In order to encourage the development of a commercial space flight industry, the Secretary may when issuing permits use the authority granted under section 50905(b)(2)(C).
+
+(d) The Secretary may issue a permit only for reusable suborbital rockets or reusable launch vehicles that will be launched into a suborbital trajectory or reentered under that permit solely for—
+
+(1) research and development to test design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques;
+
+(2) showing compliance with requirements as part of the process for obtaining a license under this chapter; or
+
+(3) crew training for a launch or reentry using the design of the rocket or vehicle for which the permit would be issued.
+
+(e) Permits issued under this section shall—
+
+(1) authorize an unlimited number of launches and reentries for a particular suborbital rocket or suborbital rocket design, or for a particular reusable launch vehicle or reusable launch vehicle design, for the uses described in subsection (d); and
+
+(2) specify the type of modifications that may be made to the suborbital rocket or launch vehicle without changing the design to an extent that would invalidate the permit.
+
+(f) Permits shall not be transferable.
+
+(g) The Secretary may issue a permit under this section notwithstanding any license issued under this chapter. The issuance of a license under this chapter may not invalidate a permit issued under this section.
+
+(h) No person may operate a reusable suborbital rocket or reusable launch vehicle under a permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.
+
+(i) For the purposes of sections 50907, 50908, 50909, 50910, 50912, 50914, 50917, 50918, 50919, and 50923 of this chapter—
+
+(1) a permit shall be considered a license;
+
+(2) the holder of a permit shall be considered a licensee;
+
+(3) a vehicle operating under a permit shall be considered to be licensed; and
+
+(4) the issuance of a permit shall be considered licensing.
+
+This subsection shall not be construed to allow the transfer of a permit.
+
+(Added Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(16), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3979, § 70105a of title 49; renumbered § 70105a then § 50906 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(F), (5)(G), (H), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 104, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 706.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(1)(A), substituted “or reusable launch vehicles that will be launched into a suborbital trajectory or reentered under that permit” for “that will be launched or reentered” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(1)(B), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “research and development to test new design concepts, new equipment, or new operating techniques;”. Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(1)(C), struck out “prior to obtaining a license” after “crew training” and inserted “or vehicle” after “design of the rocket”. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(2)(A), substituted “suborbital rocket or suborbital rocket design, or for a particular reusable launch vehicle or reusable launch vehicle design,” for “suborbital rocket design”. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(2)(B), inserted “or launch vehicle” after “the suborbital rocket”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(3), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: “A permit may not be issued for, and a permit that has already been issued shall cease to be valid for, a particular design for a reusable suborbital rocket after a license has been issued for the launch or reentry of a rocket of that design.” Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 114–90, § 104(4), inserted “or reusable launch vehicle” after “suborbital rocket”. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(F), successively renumbered section 70105a of title 49 and section 70105a of this title as this section. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(G), substituted “section 50905(b)(2)(C)” for “section 70105(b)(2)(C)”. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(H), substituted “sections 50907, 50908, 50909, 50910, 50912, 50914, 50917, 50918, 50919, and 50923” for “sections 70106, 70107, 70108, 70109, 70110, 70112, 70115, 70116, 70117, and 70121” in introductory provisions.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Change of Name Committee on Science of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50907.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50907"
+description: "Monitoring activities"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50907"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50907"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50907"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "db3e678eb86ede0496cafec0c9dbf39107cffc9aec3f61550dca9076e3794407"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "f99c095f727e0c5dace643bd05682cf1e2e687dbc6afaf958e68174a66c16bd6"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50907 - Monitoring activities
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General Requirements.— A licensee under this chapter must allow the Secretary of Transportation to place an officer or employee of the United States Government or another individual as an observer at a launch site or reentry site the licensee uses, at a production facility or assembly site a contractor of the licensee uses to produce or assemble a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, at a site not owned or operated by the Federal Government or a foreign government used for crew, government astronaut, or space flight participant training, or at a site at which a payload is integrated with a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle. The observer will monitor the activity of the licensee or contractor at the time and to the extent the Secretary considers reasonable to ensure compliance with the license or to carry out the duties of the Secretary under sections 50904(c), 50905, and 50906 of this title. A licensee must cooperate with an observer carrying out this subsection.
+
+(b) Contracts.— To the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law, the Secretary may make a contract with a person to carry out subsection (a) of this section.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1334, § 70106 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(7), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2848; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(17), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3980; renumbered § 70106 then § 50907 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(G), (5)(I), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 112(m), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 713.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70106(a)49 App.:2613(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 14, 98 Stat. 3060. 70106(b)49 App.:2613(b). In subsection (a), the word “duties” is substituted for “responsibilities” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–90 substituted “at a site not owned or operated by the Federal Government or a foreign government used for crew, government astronaut, or space flight participant training” for “at a site used for crew or space flight participant training”. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(G), successively renumbered section 70106 of title 49 and section 70106 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(I), substituted “sections 50904(c), 50905, and 50906” for “sections 70104(c), 70105, and 70105a”. 2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–492 inserted “at a site used for crew or space flight participant training,” after “assemble a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle,” and substituted “sections 70104(c), 70105, and 70105a” for “section 70104(c)”. 1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, in first sentence, inserted “or reentry site” after “observer at a launch site” and “or reentry vehicle” after “assemble a launch vehicle” and after “with a launch vehicle”.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50908.md

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50908"
+description: "Effective periods, and modifications, suspensions, and revocations, of licenses"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50908"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50908"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50908"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "9dc870cfb39b73ace7e59f44d00091cbde0c01909a73a297d32d10f8d9680d9e"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "5fb1643eec830fe7c9f33292840bd8f0adbbf6f59dc3d6816ba79dbf35fef3c0"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50908 - Effective periods, and modifications, suspensions, and revocations, of licenses
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Effective Periods of Licenses.— The Secretary of Transportation shall specify the period for which a license issued or transferred under this chapter is in effect.
+
+(b) Modifications.— (1) On the initiative of the Secretary or on application of the licensee, the Secretary may modify a license issued or transferred under this chapter if the Secretary decides the modification will comply with this chapter.
+
+(2) The Secretary shall modify a license issued or transferred under this chapter whenever a modification is needed for the license to be in conformity with a regulation that was issued pursuant to section 50905(c) after the issuance of the license. This paragraph shall not apply to permits.
+
+(c) Suspensions and Revocations.— The Secretary may suspend or revoke a license if the Secretary decides that—
+
+(1) the licensee has not complied substantially with a requirement of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter; or
+
+(2) the suspension or revocation is necessary to protect the public health and safety, the safety of property, or a national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.
+
+(d) Additional Suspensions.— (1) The Secretary may suspend a license when a previous launch or reentry under the license has resulted in a serious or fatal injury (as defined in 49 CFR 830, as in effect on November 10, 2004) to any human being and the Secretary has determined that continued operations under the license are likely to cause additional serious or fatal injury (as defined in 49 CFR 830, as in effect on November 10, 2004) to any human being.
+
+(2) Any suspension imposed under this subsection shall be for as brief a period as possible and, in any event, shall cease when the Secretary—
+
+(A) has determined that the licensee has taken sufficient steps to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of the serious or fatal injury; or
+
+(B) has modified the license pursuant to subsection (b) to sufficiently reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of the serious or fatal injury.
+
+(3) This subsection shall not apply to permits.
+
+(e) Effective Periods of Modifications, Suspensions, and Revocations.— Unless the Secretary specifies otherwise, a modification, suspension, or revocation under this section takes effect immediately and remains in effect during a review under section 50912 of this title.
+
+(f) Notification.— The Secretary shall notify the licensee in writing of the decision of the Secretary under this section and any action the Secretary takes or proposes to take based on the decision.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1334, § 70107 of title 49; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(18), (19), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3980; renumbered § 70107 then § 50908 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(H), (5)(J), (K), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 112(n), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 713.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70107(a)49 App.:2606 (last sentence).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, §§ 7 (last sentence), 10, 98 Stat. 3058, 3059. 70107(b)49 App.:2609(b). 70107(c)49 App.:2609(a). 70107(d)49 App.:2609(c). 70107(e)49 App.:2609(d). In subsection (a), the words “of time” and “in accordance with regulations issued under this chapter” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words “the requirements of” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (e), the words “Whenever the Secretary takes any action” are omitted as surplus.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 114–90 substituted “to any human being” for “to crew or space flight participants” in two places. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(H), successively renumbered section 70107 of title 49 and section 70107 of this title as this section. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(J), substituted “section 50905(c)” for “section 70105(c)”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(K), substituted “section 50912” for “section 70110”. 2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(18), designated existing text as par. (1) and added par. (2). Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(19), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50909.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50909"
+description: "Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50909"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50909"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50909"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "4da81bbde7e1fd8906c89de2b40a37a9f2b6f18048727395b7ee99fe352cdeb3"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "fc0f6756af67f762f0adb66024643a883aad0070110a00a5d1c8617432ec025d"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50909 - Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General Authority.— The Secretary of Transportation may prohibit, suspend, or end immediately the launch of a launch vehicle or the operation of a launch site or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle, licensed under this chapter if the Secretary decides the launch or operation or reentry is detrimental to the public health and safety, the safety of property, or a national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.
+
+(b) Effective Periods of Orders.— An order under this section takes effect immediately and remains in effect during a review under section 50912 of this title.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1334, § 70108 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(8), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2848; renumbered § 70108 then § 50909 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(I), (5)(L), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70108(a)49 App.:2610(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 11, 98 Stat. 3059. 70108(b)49 App.:2610(b).
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(I), successively renumbered section 70108 of title 49 and section 70108 of this title as this section. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(L), substituted “section 50912” for “section 70110”. 1998—Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(A), substituted “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries” for “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches and operation of launch sites” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(B), inserted “or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle,” after “operation of a launch site” and “or reentry” after “launch or operation”.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50910.md

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50910"
+description: "Preemption of scheduled launches or reentries"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50910"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50910"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50910"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "5138457ec3a0a9d9d9184d548a25442ccfafc107b58053c836ad3830397699c3"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "6f5956778c5d2b23a379a2f7a14a1e347709cc11fd65e3e31f21192d5cae98da"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50910 - Preemption of scheduled launches or reentries
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General.— With the cooperation of the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of Transportation shall act to ensure that a launch or reentry of a payload is not preempted from access to a United States Government launch site, reentry site, or launch property, except for imperative national need, when a launch date commitment or reentry date commitment from the Government has been obtained for a launch or reentry licensed under this chapter. A licensee or transferee preempted from access to a launch site, reentry site, or launch property does not have to pay the Government any amount for launch services, or services related to a reentry, attributable only to the scheduled launch or reentry prevented by the preemption.
+
+(b) Imperative National Need Decisions.— In consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Defense or the Administrator shall decide when an imperative national need requires preemption under subsection (a) of this section. That decision may not be delegated.
+
+(c) Reports.— In cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Defense or the Administrator, as appropriate, shall submit to Congress not later than 7 days after a decision to preempt under subsection (a) of this section, a report that includes an explanation of the circumstances justifying the decision and a schedule for ensuring the prompt launching or reentry of a preempted payload.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1335, § 70109 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(9), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2849; renumbered § 70109 then § 50910 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(J), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70109(a)49 App.:2614(b)(4)(A) (1st, last sentences).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, 98 Stat. 3055, § 15(b)(4); added Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 7, 102 Stat. 3906. 70109(b)49 App.:2614(b)(4)(A) (2d sentence). 70109(c)49 App.:2614(b)(4)(B).
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70109 of title 49 and section 70109 of this title as this section. 1998—Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(9)(A), substituted “Preemption of scheduled launches or reentries” for “Preemption of scheduled launches” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(9)(B), inserted “or reentry” after “ensure that a launch”, “, reentry site,” after “United States Government launch site”, “or reentry date commitment” after “launch date commitment”, “or reentry” after “obtained for a launch”, “, reentry site,” after “access to a launch site”, “, or services related to a reentry,” after “amount for launch services”, and “or reentry” after “the scheduled launch”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(9)(C), inserted “or reentry” after “prompt launching”.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50911.md

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50911"
+description: "Space advertising"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50911"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50911"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50911"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "250b7b63ea7e56096440fddd6640364b4c63b461f57800d2effd9a1cc99c1b9a"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "99a52d92e4d3f7e93817bb84866cb97907cf9c4ed01c32868ab21f29994bb060"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50911 - Space advertising
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Licensing.— Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other provision of law, the Secretary may not, for the launch of a payload containing any material to be used for the purposes of obtrusive space advertising—
+
+(1) issue or transfer a license under this chapter; or
+
+(2) waive the license requirements of this chapter.
+
+(b) Launching.— No holder of a license under this chapter may launch a payload containing any material to be used for purposes of obtrusive space advertising.
+
+(c) Commercial Space Advertising.— Nothing in this section shall apply to nonobtrusive commercial space advertising, including advertising on—
+
+(1) commercial space transportation vehicles;
+
+(2) space infrastructure payloads;
+
+(3) space launch facilities; and
+
+(4) launch support facilities.
+
+(Added Pub. L. 106–391, title III, § 322(b), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1598, § 70109a of title 49; renumbered § 70109a then § 50911 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(K), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70109a of title 49 and section 70109a of this title as this section.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Negotiation With Foreign Launching NationsPub. L. 106–391, title III, § 322(c), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1598, provided that: “(1) The President is requested to negotiate with foreign launching nations for the purpose of reaching one or more agreements that prohibit the use of outer space for obtrusive space advertising purposes. “(2) It is the sense of the Congress that the President should take such action as is appropriate and feasible to enforce the terms of any agreement to prohibit the use of outer space for obtrusive space advertising purposes. “(3) As used in this subsection, the term ‘foreign launching nation’ means a nation—“(A) that launches, or procures the launching of, a payload into outer space; or “(B) from the territory or facility of which a payload is launched into outer space.”

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50912.md

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50912"
+description: "Administrative hearings and judicial review"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50912"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50912"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50912"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "3984b0db482e679a68066aa459b3bcc9058e0566e90a01f8b90af31f39b20a6b"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "d48d25332f86e148529fcb5c7b723b605beb177a1dfc221cf607c1d76fb5f4de"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50912 - Administrative hearings and judicial review
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Administrative Hearings.— The Secretary of Transportation shall provide an opportunity for a hearing on the record to—
+
+(1) an applicant under this chapter, for a decision of the Secretary under section 50905(a) or 50906 of this title to issue or transfer a license with terms or deny the issuance or transfer of a license;
+
+(2) an owner or operator of a payload under this chapter, for a decision of the Secretary under section 50904(c) of this title to prevent the launch or reentry of the payload; and
+
+(3) a licensee under this chapter, for a decision of the Secretary under—
+
+(A) section 50908(b) or (c) of this title to modify, suspend, or revoke a license; or
+
+(B) section 50909(a) of this title to prohibit, suspend, or end a launch or operation of a launch site or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle, licensed by the Secretary.
+
+(b) Judicial Review.— A final action of the Secretary under this chapter is subject to judicial review as provided in chapter 7 of title 5.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1335, § 70110 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(10), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2849; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(20), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3981; renumbered § 70110 then § 50912 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(L), (5)(M)–(P), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70110(a)(1)49 App.:2611(a)(1) (1st sentence).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 12, 98 Stat. 3060. 70110(a)(2)49 App.:2611(a)(1) (last sentence). 70110(a)(3)49 App.:2611(a)(2). 70110(b)49 App.:2611(b). In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “The Secretary of Transportation shall provide an opportunity for a hearing on the record to” are substituted for “shall be entitled to a determination on the record after an opportunity for a hearing” for consistency in the revised title. The words “in accordance with section 554 of title 5” are omitted for consistency and because 5:554 applies to a hearing on the record unless otherwise stated. In clause (1), the words “and a proposed transferee of a license” are omitted as being included in “applicant”. In subsection (b), the words “to issue, transfer, deny the issuance or transfer of, suspend, revoke, or modify a license or to terminate, prohibit, or suspend any launch or operation of a launch site licensed by the Secretary or to prevent the launch of a payload” are omitted as surplus.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(L), successively renumbered section 70110 of title 49 and section 70110 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(M), substituted “section 50905(a) or 50906” for “section 70105(a) or 70105a”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(N), substituted “section 50904(c)” for “section 70104(c)”. Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(O), substituted “section 50908(b) or (c)” for “section 70107(b) or (c)”. Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(P), substituted “section 50909(a)” for “section 70108(a)”. 2004—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–492 inserted “or 70105a” after “70105(a)”. 1998—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(10)(A), inserted “or reentry” after “prevent the launch”. Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(10)(B), inserted “or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle,” after “operation of a launch site”

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50913.md

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50913"
+description: "Acquiring United States Government property and services"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50913"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50913"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50913"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "202a351cb5817e762aa8e6f117b0334e6ef8e7e0776b04c4685e874b36cb33e8"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "5d7d6714bb1183a45c102f083f94d8ac340b7ce4ade42b4ae36ec5812bc31b90"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50913 - Acquiring United States Government property and services
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General Requirements and Considerations.— (1) The Secretary of Transportation shall facilitate and encourage the acquisition by the private sector and State governments of—
+
+(A) launch or reentry property of the United States Government that is excess or otherwise is not needed for public use; and
+
+(B) launch services and reentry services, including utilities, of the Government otherwise not needed for public use.
+
+(2) In acting under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the commercial availability on reasonable terms of substantially equivalent launch property or launch services or reentry services from a domestic source, whether such source is located on or off a Federal range.
+
+(b) Price.— (1) In this subsection, “direct costs” means the actual costs that—
+
+(A) can be associated unambiguously with a commercial launch or reentry effort; and
+
+(B) the Government would not incur if there were no commercial launch or reentry effort.
+
+(2) In consultation with the Secretary, the head of the executive agency providing the property or service under subsection (a) of this section shall establish the price for the property or service. The price for—
+
+(A) acquiring launch property by sale or transaction instead of sale is the fair market value;
+
+(B) acquiring launch property (except by sale or transaction instead of sale) is an amount equal to the direct costs, including specific wear and tear and property damage, the Government incurred because of acquisition of the property; and
+
+(C) launch services or reentry services is an amount equal to the direct costs, including the basic pay of Government civilian and contractor personnel, the Government incurred because of acquisition of the services.
+
+(3) The Secretary shall ensure the establishment of uniform guidelines for, and consistent implementation of, this section by all Federal agencies.
+
+(c) Collection by Secretary.— The Secretary may collect a payment under this section with the consent of the head of the executive agency establishing the price. Amounts collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury. Amounts (except for excess launch property) shall be credited to the appropriation from which the cost of providing the property or services was paid.
+
+(d) Collection by Other Governmental Heads.— The head of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government may collect a payment for an activity involved in producing a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, or the payload of either, for launch or reentry if the activity was agreed to by the owner or manufacturer of the launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, or payload.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1335, § 70111 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(11), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2849; renumbered § 70111 then § 50913 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(M), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70111(a)49 App.:2614(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 15(a), 98 Stat. 3060; Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 4(a), 102 Stat. 3900; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–611, § 117(b), 104 Stat. 3202. 70111(b)49 App.:2614(b)(1).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 15(b)(1), 98 Stat. 3061; Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 4(b), 102 Stat. 3901. 70111(c)49 App.:2614(b)(2), (3).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 15(b)(2), (3), 98 Stat. 3061. 70111(d)49 App.:2614(d).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, 98 Stat. 3055, § 15(d); added Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 4(c), 102 Stat. 3901. In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the words “take such actions as may be necessary to” and “(by lease, sale, transaction in lieu of sale, or otherwise)” are omitted as surplus. In subsections (b)(2) and (c), the words “the head of” are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsection (b)(2), before clause (A), the word “price” is substituted for “amount to be paid to the United States” and “the amount of such payment” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “by any person who acquires launch property or launch services, including utilities” are omitted as surplus. In clause (C), the words “including utilities” are omitted as surplus. The words “basic pay” are substituted for “salaries” for clarity. In subsection (c), the word “collected” is substituted for “received” for consistency in this section. The words “by the United States for launch property or launch services, including utilities” and “the general fund of” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (d), the words “department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government” are substituted for “Federal agency or department” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70111 of title 49 and section 70111 of this title as this section. 1998—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(A), inserted “or reentry” after “launch”. Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(B), inserted “and reentry services” after “launch services”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(C), (D), inserted “or reentry services” after “or launch services” and substituted “source, whether such source is located on or off a Federal range” for “source”. Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (B). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(E), inserted “or reentry” after “commercial launch”. Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(F), inserted “or reentry services” after “launch services”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(G), added par. (3). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(11)(H), (I), substituted “or reentry vehicle, or the payload of either, for launch or reentry” for “or its payload for launch” and inserted “, reentry vehicle,” after “manufacturer of the launch vehicle”.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50914.md

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50914"
+description: "Liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50914"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50914"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50914"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "3e4bc495a7220db8b85bd9060592ed24cc34a8d32cc541d9268201626a48623c"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "4f20ddf03582511ef135f3e3e6fce65f08606a67c1570bfb893470a8fc11e66b"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50914 - Liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General Requirements.— (1) When a launch or reentry license is issued or transferred under this chapter, the licensee or transferee shall obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts to compensate for the maximum probable loss from claims by—
+
+(A) a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from an activity carried out under the license; and
+
+(B) the United States Government against a person for damage or loss to Government property resulting from an activity carried out under the license.
+
+(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall determine the amounts required under paragraph (1)(A) and (B) of this subsection, after consulting with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the heads of other appropriate executive agencies.
+
+(3) For the total claims related to one launch or reentry, a licensee or transferee is not required to obtain insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility of more than—
+
+(A) (i) $500,000,000 under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection; or
+
+(ii) $100,000,000 under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection; or
+
+(B) the maximum liability insurance available on the world market at reasonable cost if the amount is less than the applicable amount in clause (A)(i) or (ii) of this paragraph.
+
+(4) An insurance policy or demonstration of financial responsibility under this subsection shall protect the following, to the extent of their potential liability for involvement in launch services or reentry services, at no cost to the Government:
+
+(A) the Government.
+
+(B) executive agencies and personnel, contractors, and subcontractors of the Government.
+
+(C) contractors, subcontractors, and customers of the licensee or transferee.
+
+(D) contractors and subcontractors of the customer.
+
+(E) space flight participants.
+
+(5) Subparagraph (E) of paragraph (4) ceases to be effective September 30, 2028.
+
+(b) Reciprocal Waiver of Claims.— (1) (A) A launch or reentry license issued or transferred under this chapter shall contain a provision requiring the licensee or transferee to make a reciprocal waiver of claims with applicable parties involved in launch services or reentry services under which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible for personal injury to, death of, or property damage or loss sustained by it or its own employees resulting from an activity carried out under the applicable license.
+
+(B) In this paragraph, the term “applicable parties” means—
+
+(i) contractors, subcontractors, and customers of the licensee or transferee;
+
+(ii) contractors and subcontractors of the customers; and
+
+(iii) space flight participants.
+
+(C) Clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) ceases to be effective September 30, 2028.
+
+(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall make, for the Government, executive agencies of the Government involved in launch services or reentry services, and contractors and subcontractors involved in launch services or reentry services, a reciprocal waiver of claims with the licensee or transferee, contractors, subcontractors, crew, space flight participants, and customers of the licensee or transferee, and contractors and subcontractors of the customers, involved in launch services or reentry services under which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible for property damage or loss it sustains, or for personal injury to, death of, or property damage or loss sustained by its own employees or by space flight participants, resulting from an activity carried out under the applicable license. The waiver applies only to the extent that claims are more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section. After consulting with the Administrator and the Secretary of the Air Force, the Secretary of Transportation may waive, for the Government and a department, agency, and instrumentality of the Government, the right to recover damages for damage or loss to Government property to the extent insurance is not available because of a policy exclusion the Secretary of Transportation decides is usual for the type of insurance involved.
+
+(c) Determination of Maximum Probable Losses.— The Secretary of Transportation shall determine the maximum probable losses under subsection (a)(1)(A) and (B) of this section associated with an activity under a license not later than 90 days after a licensee or transferee requires a determination and submits all information the Secretary requires. The Secretary shall amend the determination as warranted by new information.
+
+(d) Annual Report.— (1) Not later than November 15 of each year, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report on current determinations made under subsection (c) of this section related to all issued licenses and the reasons for the determinations.
+
+(2) Not later than May 15 of each year, the Secretary of Transportation shall review the amounts specified in subsection (a)(3)(A) of this section and submit a report to Congress that contains proposed adjustments in the amounts to conform with changed liability expectations and availability of insurance on the world market. The proposed adjustment takes effect 30 days after a report is submitted.
+
+(e) Launches or Reentries Involving Government Facilities and Personnel.— The Secretary of Transportation shall establish requirements consistent with this chapter for proof of financial responsibility and other assurances necessary to protect the Government and its executive agencies and personnel from liability, death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss as a result of a launch or operation of a launch site or reentry site or a reentry involving a facility or personnel of the Government. The Secretary may not relieve the Government of liability under this subsection for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from the willful misconduct of the Government or its agents.
+
+(f) Collection and Crediting Payments.— The head of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government shall collect a payment owed for damage or loss to Government property under its jurisdiction or control resulting from an activity carried out under a launch or reentry license issued or transferred under this chapter. The payment shall be credited to the current applicable appropriation, fund, or account of the department, agency, or instrumentality.
+
+(g) Federal Jurisdiction.— Any claim by a third party or space flight participant for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from an activity carried out under the license shall be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1336, § 70112 of title 49; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(74), (93), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3396, 3398; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(12), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2850; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(21), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3981; renumbered § 70112 then § 50914 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(N), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, §§ 103(a)(1), 106, 107, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 706, 707; Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title LVII, § 5702(2), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2461.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes Pub. L. 103–272 RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70112(a)(1), (2)49 App.:2615(a)(1)(A) (1st sentence), (B) (1st sentence).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 16(a), (c), 98 Stat. 3061; restated Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 5(a), 102 Stat. 3901, 3905. 70112(a)(3)49 App.:2615(a)(1)(A) (last sentence), (B) (last sentence). 70112(a)(4)49 App.:2615(a)(2). 70112(b)(1)49 App.:2615(a)(1)(C). 70112(b)(2)49 App.:2615(a)(1)(D). 70112(c)49 App.:2615(a)(3) (1st, 2d sentences). 70112(d)(1)49 App.:2615(a)(3) (last sentence). 70112(d)(2)49 App.:2615(a)(4). 70112(e)49 App.:2614(c).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 15(c), 98 Stat. 3061; restated Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 5(b), 102 Stat. 3905. 70112(f)49 App.:2615(c). In subsection (a), the word “particular” is omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the word “sufficient” is omitted as surplus. In clauses (A) and (B), the words “in connection with any particular launch” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (a)(4), before clause (A), the words “made . . . a requirement described in” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b)(2), the words “department, agency, and instrumentality of the Government” are substituted for “Federal agency” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsection (d)(2), the words “if appropriate” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (f), the words “department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government” are substituted for “Federal agency or department” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words “insurance proceeds or . . . other” and “proceeds or other” are omitted as surplus.
+
+Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(93)This amends 49:70112(a)(3)(B) to clarify a cross-reference in the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 1337).
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2024—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 118–159, § 5702(2)(A), substituted “September 30, 2028” for “September 30, 2025”. Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 118–159, § 5702(2)(B), substituted “September 30, 2028” for “September 30, 2025”. 2015—Subsec. (a)(4)(E). Pub. L. 114–90, § 103(a)(1)(A), added subpar. (E). Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 114–90, § 103(a)(1)(B), added par. (5). Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–90, § 107, amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “A launch or reentry license issued or transferred under this chapter shall contain a provision requiring the licensee or transferee to make a reciprocal waiver of claims with its contractors, subcontractors, and customers, and contractors and subcontractors of the customers, involved in launch services or reentry services under which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible for property damage or loss it sustains, or for personal injury to, death of, or property damage or loss sustained by its own employees resulting from an activity carried out under the applicable license.” Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–90, § 106, added subsec. (g). 2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70112 of title 49 and section 70112 of this title as this section. 2004—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–492 inserted “crew, space flight participants,” after “transferee, contractors, subcontractors,” and “or by space flight participants,” after “its own employees”. 1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(A), inserted “launch or reentry” before “license is issued”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(B), inserted “or reentry” after “one launch” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(C), inserted “or reentry services” after “launch services” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(D)–(F), inserted “launch or reentry” before “license issued or transferred”, “or reentry services” after “launch services”, and “applicable” after “carried out under the”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(E), (F), inserted “or reentry services” after “launch services” wherever appearing and “applicable” after “carried out under the”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(G), (H), inserted “or Reentries” after “Launches” in heading and “or reentry site or a reentry” after “launch site” in text. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(12)(I), inserted “launch or reentry” before “license issued or transferred”. 1996—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(93), substituted “clause (A)(i) or (ii)” for “clause (A)”. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(74), substituted “Committee on Science” for “Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Change of Name Committee on Science of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011.
+
+Effective Date of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by section 5(93) of Pub. L. 104–287 effective July 5, 1994, see section 8(1) of Pub. L. 104–287, set out as a note under section 5303 of Title 49, Transportation.
+
+Termination of Reporting RequirementsFor termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which the 2nd item on page 133 identifies a reporting provision which, as subsequently amended, is contained in subsec. (d)(1) of this section), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50915.md

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50915"
+description: "Paying claims exceeding liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50915"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50915"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50915"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "495688be4882987bbcd4a0139156e1bc8eb77626584f8941a26bad69a16bbaa3"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "0129abc0a2e354b5bd642269a282e49ca7bcb0fd5431ae8f9bbe266d9c0bf262"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50915 - Paying claims exceeding liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements
+
+## Text
+
+(a) General Requirements.— (1) To the extent provided in advance in an appropriation law or to the extent additional legislative authority is enacted providing for paying claims in a compensation plan submitted under subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall provide for the payment by the United States Government of a successful claim (including reasonable litigation or settlement expenses) of a third party against a person described in paragraph (3)(A) resulting from an activity carried out under the license issued or transferred under this chapter for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from an activity carried out under the license. However, claims may be paid under this section only to the extent the total amount of successful claims related to one launch or reentry—
+
+(A) is more than the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under section 50914(a)(1)(A) of this title; and
+
+(B) is not more than $1,500,000,000 (plus additional amounts necessary to reflect inflation occurring after January 1, 1989) above that insurance or financial responsibility amount.
+
+(2) The Secretary may not provide for paying a part of a claim for which death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss results from willful misconduct by the licensee or transferee. To the extent insurance required under section 50914(a)(1)(A) of this title is not available to cover a successful third party liability claim because of an insurance policy exclusion the Secretary decides is usual for the type of insurance involved, the Secretary may provide for paying the excluded claims without regard to the limitation contained in section 50914(a)(1).
+
+(3) (A) A person described in this subparagraph is—
+
+(i) a licensee or transferee under this chapter;
+
+(ii) a contractor, subcontractor, or customer of the licensee or transferee;
+
+(iii) a contractor or subcontractor of a customer; or
+
+(iv) a space flight participant.
+
+(B) Clause (iv) of subparagraph (A) ceases to be effective September 30, 2028.
+
+(b) Notice, Participation, and Approval.— Before a payment under subsection (a) of this section is made—
+
+(1) notice must be given to the Government of a claim, or a civil action related to the claim, against a party described in subsection (a)(1) of this section for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss;
+
+(2) the Government must be given an opportunity to participate or assist in the defense of the claim or action; and
+
+(3) the Secretary must approve any part of a settlement to be paid out of appropriations of the Government.
+
+(c) Withholding Payments.— The Secretary may withhold a payment under subsection (a) of this section if the Secretary certifies that the amount is not reasonable. However, the Secretary shall deem to be reasonable the amount of a claim finally decided by a court of competent jurisdiction.
+
+(d) Surveys, Reports, and Compensation Plans.— (1) If as a result of an activity carried out under a license issued or transferred under this chapter the total of claims related to one launch or reentry is likely to be more than the amount of required insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility, the Secretary shall—
+
+(A) survey the causes and extent of damage; and
+
+(B) submit expeditiously to Congress a report on the results of the survey.
+
+(2) Not later than 90 days after a court determination indicates that the liability for the total of claims related to one launch or reentry may be more than the required amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility, the President, on the recommendation of the Secretary, shall submit to Congress a compensation plan that—
+
+(A) outlines the total dollar value of the claims;
+
+(B) recommends sources of amounts to pay for the claims;
+
+(C) includes legislative language required to carry out the plan if additional legislative authority is required; and
+
+(D) for a single event or incident, may not be for more than $1,500,000,000.
+
+(3) A compensation plan submitted to Congress under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall—
+
+(A) have an identification number; and
+
+(B) be submitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives on the same day and when the Senate and House are in session.
+
+(e) Congressional Resolutions.— (1) In this subsection, “resolution”—
+
+(A) means a joint resolution of Congress the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: “That the Congress approves the compensation plan numbered _____ submitted to the Congress on _____ __, 20__.”, with the blank spaces being filled appropriately; but
+
+(B) does not include a resolution that includes more than one compensation plan.
+
+(2) The Senate shall consider under this subsection a compensation plan requiring additional appropriations or legislative authority not later than 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the plan is submitted to Congress.
+
+(3) A resolution introduced in the Senate shall be referred immediately to a committee by the President of the Senate. All resolutions related to the same plan shall be referred to the same committee.
+
+(4) (A) If the committee of the Senate to which a resolution has been referred does not report the resolution within 20 calendar days after it is referred, a motion is in order to discharge the committee from further consideration of the resolution or to discharge the committee from further consideration of the plan.
+
+(B) A motion to discharge may be made only by an individual favoring the resolution and is highly privileged (except that the motion may not be made after the committee has reported a resolution on the plan). Debate on the motion is limited to one hour, to be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. An amendment to the motion is not in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to is not in order.
+
+(C) If the motion to discharge is agreed to or disagreed to, the motion may not be renewed and another motion to discharge the committee from another resolution on the same plan may not be made.
+
+(5) (A) After a committee of the Senate reports, or is discharged from further consideration of, a resolution, a motion to proceed to the consideration of the resolution is in order at any time, even though a similar previous motion has been disagreed to. The motion is highly privileged and is not debatable. An amendment to the motion is not in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to is not in order.
+
+(B) Debate on the resolution referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is limited to not more than 10 hours, to be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. A motion further to limit debate is not debatable. An amendment to, or motion to recommit, the resolution is not in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the resolution is agreed to or disagreed to is not in order.
+
+(6) The following shall be decided in the Senate without debate:
+
+(A) a motion to postpone related to the discharge from committee.
+
+(B) a motion to postpone consideration of a resolution.
+
+(C) a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business.
+
+(D) an appeal from a decision of the chair related to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedures related to a resolution.
+
+(f) Application.— This section applies to a license issued or transferred under this chapter for which the Secretary receives a complete and valid application not later than September 30, 2028. This section does not apply to permits.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1338, § 70113 of title 49; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(94), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3398; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(13), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2850; Pub. L. 106–74, title IV, § 433, Oct. 20, 1999, 113 Stat. 1097; Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title IV, § 429], Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1441, 1441A–56; Pub. L. 106–405, §§ 5(b), 6(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1752; Pub. L. 108–428, § 1, Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2432; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(22), (23), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3981; Pub. L. 111–125, § 1, Dec. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 3486; renumbered § 70113 then § 50915 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(O), (5)(Q), (R), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442; Pub. L. 112–273, § 3, Jan. 14, 2013, 126 Stat. 2454; Pub. L. 113–76, § 8, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 7; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, §§ 102(d), 103(a)(2), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 706; Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title LVII, § 5702(3), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2461.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes Pub. L. 103–272 RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70113(a)49 App.:2615(b)(1).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 16(b)(1)–(4), 98 Stat. 3061; restated Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 5(a), 102 Stat. 3903. 70113(b)49 App.:2615(b)(2). 70113(c)49 App.:2615(b)(3). 70113(d)(1)49 App.:2615(b)(4)(A). 70113(d)(2)49 App.:2615(b)(4)(B). 70113(d)(3)49 App.:2615(b)(4)(C). 70113(e)(1)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(i), (iii). 70113(e)(2)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(ii). 70113(e)(3)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(iv). 70113(e)(4)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(v). 70113(e)(5)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(vi). 70113(e)(6)49 App.:2615(b) (4)(D)(vii). 70113(f)49 App.:2615(b)(5).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 16(b)(5), 98 Stat. 3061; restated Nov. 15, 1988, Pub. L. 100–657, § 5(a), 102 Stat. 3903; Nov. 4, 1992, Pub. L. 102–588, § 503, 106 Stat. 5124. In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the word “particular” is omitted as surplus. In clause (B), the words “the level that is” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b)(1), the words “civil action” are substituted for “suit” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code and rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). In subsection (b)(2), the words “the Government must be given an opportunity” are substituted for “by the United States, at its election” for clarity. In subsection (c), the words “just and” and “judgment” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (d), the word “particular” is omitted as surplus. In subsection (d)(2), before clause (A), the words “or plans” are omitted because of 1:1. In subsection (e)(1), before clause (A), the text of 49 App.:2615(b)(4)(D)(i) is omitted as surplus. In clause (A), the word “only” is omitted as surplus. The word “Congress” is substituted for “the first blank space therein being filled with the name of the resolving House” to correct an error in the law. In subsection (e)(3), the words “once introduced with respect to a compensation plan” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (e)(4)(A), the word “either” is omitted as surplus. In subsection (f), the word “only” is omitted as surplus.
+
+Pub. L. 104–287This amends 49:70113(e)(6)(D) to correct an error in the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 1340).
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2024—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 118–159, § 5702(3)(A) substituted “September 30, 2028” for “September 30, 2025”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–159, § 5702(3)(B), substituted “September 30, 2028” for “September 30, 2025”. 2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–90, § 103(a)(2)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted “a person described in paragraph (3)(A)” for “a licensee or transferee under this chapter, a contractor, subcontractor, or customer of the licensee or transferee, or a contractor or subcontractor of a customer, but not against a space flight participant,”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 114–90, § 103(a)(2)(B), added par. (3). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–90, § 102(d), substituted “September 30, 2025” for “December 31, 2016”. 2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–76 substituted “December 31, 2016” for “December 31, 2013”. 2013—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–273 substituted “December 31, 2013” for “December 31, 2012”. 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(O), successively renumbered section 70113 of title 49 and section 70113 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(Q), substituted “section 50914(a)(1)(A)” for “section 70112(a)(1)(A)”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(R), substituted “section 50914(a)(1)(A)” for “section 70112(a)(1)(A)” and “section 50914(a)(1)” for “section 70112(a)(1)”. 2009—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–125 substituted “December 31, 2012.” for “December 31, 2009.” 2004—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(22), inserted “but not against a space flight participant,” after “subcontractor of a customer,”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(23), inserted at end “This section does not apply to permits.” Pub. L. 108–428 substituted “December 31, 2009” for “December 31, 2004”. 2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–405, § 6(a), substituted “20__” for “19__”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–405, § 5(b), substituted “December 31, 2004” for “December 31, 2001”. Pub. L. 106–377 substituted “December 31, 2001” for “December 31, 2000”. 1999—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–74 substituted “December 31, 2000” for “December 31, 1999”. 1998—Subsecs. (a)(1), (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 105–303 inserted “or reentry” after “one launch”. 1996—Subsec. (e)(6)(D). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted “related to a resolution” for “related to resolution”.
+
+Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
+
+Effective Date of 2000 AmendmentPub. L. 106–405, § 6(b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1752, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] takes effect on January 1, 2000.”

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50916.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50916"
+description: "Disclosing information"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50916"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50916"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50916"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "de4b8188b2f4bc99c42daca551dddd870fd7dbfb0f85cf74d5d6e51812b06cb1"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "9c9817071257cdb0513a92586b4057cf9383db26e8a7397bc45fa516cb24e3ad"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50916 - Disclosing information
+
+## Text
+
+The Secretary of Transportation, an officer or employee of the United States Government, or a person making a contract with the Secretary under section 50907(b) of this title may disclose information under this chapter that qualifies for an exemption under section 552(b)(4) of title 5 or is designated as confidential by the person or head of the executive agency providing the information only if the Secretary decides withholding the information is contrary to the public or national interest.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1340, § 70114 of title 49; renumbered § 70114 then § 50916 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(P), (5)(S), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7011449 App.:2608(c).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 9(c), 98 Stat. 3059. The words “data or” are omitted as surplus. The words “the head of” and “executive” are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(S), substituted “section 50907(b)” for “section 70106(b)”. Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(P), successively renumbered section 70114 of title 49 and section 70114 of this title as this section.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50917.md

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50917"
+description: "Enforcement and penalty"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50917"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50917"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50917"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "d10327e1c2ad8cdff55d2cc66fd519d7a131300fd8716ad5a0b48400041e324e"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "00aaa103d2765569c1734101d1bd76118e7da36c50d73613f5cdae604adf7bc1"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50917 - Enforcement and penalty
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Prohibitions.— A person may not violate this chapter, a regulation prescribed under this chapter, or any term of a license issued or transferred under this chapter.
+
+(b) General Authority.— (1) In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary of Transportation may—
+
+(A) conduct investigations and inquiries;
+
+(B) administer oaths;
+
+(C) take affidavits; and
+
+(D) under lawful process—
+
+(i) enter at a reasonable time a launch site, reentry site, production facility, assembly site of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, crew or space flight participant training site, or site at which a payload is integrated with a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle to inspect an object to which this chapter applies or a record or report the Secretary requires be made or kept under this chapter; and
+
+(ii) seize the object, record, or report when there is probable cause to believe the object, record, or report was used, is being used, or likely will be used in violation of this chapter.
+
+(2) The Secretary may delegate a duty or power under this chapter related to enforcement to an officer or employee of another executive agency with the consent of the head of the agency.
+
+(c) Civil Penalty.— (1) After notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, a person the Secretary finds to have violated subsection (a) of this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $100,000. A separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues.
+
+(2) In conducting a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary may—
+
+(A) subpena witnesses and records; and
+
+(B) enforce a subpena in an appropriate district court of the United States.
+
+(3) The Secretary shall impose the civil penalty by written notice. The Secretary may compromise or remit a penalty imposed, or that may be imposed, under this section.
+
+(4) The Secretary shall recover a civil penalty not paid after the penalty is final or after a court enters a final judgment for the Secretary.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1341, § 70115 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(14), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2850; Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(24), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3981; renumbered § 70115 then § 50917 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(Q), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70115(a)49 App.:2617.Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, §§ 17–19, 98 Stat. 3061. 70115(b)(1)49 App.:2616(b). 70115(b)(2)49 App.:2616(a). 70115(c)(1)49 App.:2618(a) (1st, 2d sentences). 70115(c)(2)49 App.:2618(c). 70115(c)(3)49 App.:2618(a) (3d, last sentences). 70115(c)(4)49 App.:2618(b). In subsection (a), the words “a requirement of” are omitted as surplus. The word “prescribed” is substituted for “issued” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words “condition, or restriction” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b)(1)(A)–(C), the words “concerning any matter relating to enforcement of this chapter” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b)(1)(B) and (C), the words “from any person” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b)(1)(B), the word “affirmation” is omitted because of 1:1. In subsection (b)(2), the text of 49 App.:2616(a) (1st sentence) is omitted as surplus because the Secretary of Transportation enforces programs the Secretary carries out unless otherwise provided. The words “the exercise of” are omitted as surplus. The words “duty or power” are substituted for “authority” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words “to any officer or employee of the Department of Transportation” are omitted as surplus because of 49:322(b). In subsection (c)(1), the words “in accordance with section 554 of title 5” are omitted for consistency in the revised title and because 5:554 applies to a hearing on the record unless otherwise stated. The words “for each violation” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (c)(2), the words “relevant papers, books, documents, and other” are omitted as surplus. The words “(3) administer oaths and affirmatives” are omitted as surplus because of subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section. In subsection (c)(3), the word “impose” is substituted for “assessed” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words “amount of such” and “modify . . . with or without conditions” are omitted as surplus. Subsection (c)(4) is substituted for 49 App.:2618(b) to eliminate unnecessary words.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70115 of title 49 and section 70115 of this title as this section. 2004—Subsec. (b)(1)(D)(i). Pub. L. 108–492 inserted “crew or space flight participant training site,” after “site of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle,”. 1998—Subsec. (b)(1)(D)(i). Pub. L. 105–303 inserted “reentry site,” after “launch site,” and inserted “or reentry vehicle” after “launch vehicle” in two places.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50919.md

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50919"
+description: "Relationship to other executive agencies, laws, and international obligations"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50919"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50919"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50919"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "d0f2fb8edd418709c6109dcd457d11fb0a18fd92bf897e5ccfbf8118648872d7"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "61d4faa54f0f015145a191c8a70e7b872167071de3d821c33c7f9587c3df2679"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50919 - Relationship to other executive agencies, laws, and international obligations
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Executive Agencies.— Except as provided in this chapter, a person is not required to obtain from an executive agency a license, approval, waiver, or exemption to launch a launch vehicle or operate a launch site or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle.
+
+(b) Federal Communications Commission and Secretary of Commerce.— This chapter does not affect the authority of—
+
+(1) the Federal Communications Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.); or
+
+(2) the Secretary of Commerce under chapter 601 of this title.
+
+(c) States and Political Subdivisions.— A State or political subdivision of a State—
+
+(1) may not adopt or have in effect a law, regulation, standard, or order inconsistent with this chapter; but
+
+(2) may adopt or have in effect a law, regulation, standard, or order consistent with this chapter that is in addition to or more stringent than a requirement of, or regulation prescribed under, this chapter.
+
+(d) Consultation.— The Secretary of Transportation is encouraged to consult with a State to simplify and expedite the approval of a space launch or reentry activity.
+
+(e) Foreign Countries.— The Secretary of Transportation shall—
+
+(1) carry out this chapter consistent with an obligation the United States Government assumes in a treaty, convention, or agreement in force between the Government and the government of a foreign country; and
+
+(2) consider applicable laws and requirements of a foreign country when carrying out this chapter.
+
+(f) Launch Not an Export; Reentry Not an Import.— A launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, or payload that is launched or reentered is not, because of the launch or reentry, an export or import, respectively, for purposes of a law controlling exports or imports, except that payloads launched pursuant to foreign trade zone procedures as provided for under the Foreign Trade Zones Act (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u) shall be considered exports with regard to customs entry.
+
+(g) Nonapplication.— (1) In general.— This chapter does not apply to—
+
+(A) a launch, reentry, operation of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, operation of a launch site or reentry site, or other space activity the Government carries out for the Government; or
+
+(B) planning or policies related to the launch, reentry, operation, or activity under subparagraph (A).
+
+(2) Rule of construction.— The following activities are not space activities the Government carries out for the Government under paragraph (1):
+
+(A) A government astronaut being carried within a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle under this chapter.
+
+(B) A government astronaut performing activities directly relating to the launch, reentry, or other operation of the launch vehicle or reentry vehicle under this chapter.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1342, § 70117 of title 49; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(95), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3398; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(15), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2850; renumbered § 70117 then § 50919 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(S), (5)(T), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442; Pub. L. 114–90, title I, § 112(o), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 713.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes Pub. L. 103–272 RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70117(a)49 App.:2605(c)(1).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, §§ 6(c), 21, 98 Stat. 3058, 3063. 70117(b)49 App.:2605(c)(2). 70117(c)49 App.:2620(a) (1st, 2d sentences). 70117(d)49 App.:2620(a) (last sentence). 70117(e)49 App.:2620(d). 70117(f)49 App.:2620(b). 70117(g)49 App.:2620(c). In subsection (e)(1), the words “government of a foreign country” are substituted for “foreign nation” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
+
+Pub. L. 104–287This amends 49:70117(b)(2) by updating a cross-reference. Section 4 of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–555, 106 Stat. 4166) repealed the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.). The substantive provisions of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, which replaced the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984, were classified to the United States Code at 15 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+References in TextThe Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, which is classified principally to section 151 et seq. of Title 47, Telecommunications. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of Title 47 and Tables. The Foreign Trade Zones Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is act June 18, 1934, ch. 590, 48 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1A (§ 81a et seq.) of Title 19, Customs Duties. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
+
+Amendments2015—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–90 amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “This chapter does not apply to— “(1) a launch, reentry, operation of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, operation of a launch site or reentry site, or other space activity the Government carries out for the Government; or “(2) planning or policies related to the launch, reentry, operation, or activity.” 2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(S), successively renumbered section 70117 of title 49 and section 70117 of this title as this section. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(T), substituted “chapter 601 of this title” for “the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.)”. 1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(15)(A), inserted “or reentry site, or to reenter a reentry vehicle” after “operate a launch site”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(15)(B), inserted “or reentry” after “approval of a space launch”. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(15)(C), amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A launch vehicle or payload that is launched is not, because of the launch, an export for purposes of a law controlling exports.” Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(15)(D)(i), substituted “reentry, operation of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle, operation of a launch site or reentry site,” for “operation of a launch vehicle or launch site,”. Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(15)(D)(ii), inserted “reentry,” after “launch,”. 1996—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted “Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.)” for “Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.)”.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50920.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50920"
+description: "User fees"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50920"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50920"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50920"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "2500dba0d51c589eaea8f601eb520e0124ec73c7032f09f5b02d5298074706be"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "004288ffcba05547fe3503a99ebdc67a1ee8a6e9cce86182fb08e83141bf4761"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50920 - User fees
+
+## Text
+
+The Secretary of Transportation may collect a user fee for a regulatory or other service conducted under this chapter only if specifically authorized by this chapter.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1342, § 70118 of title 49; renumbered § 70118 then § 50920 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(T), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7011849 App.:2623 (last sentence).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 24 (last sentence), 98 Stat. 3064; Dec. 5, 1985, Pub. L. 99–170, § 301, 99 Stat. 1018; Oct. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–147, § 120, 101 Stat. 868; Nov. 17, 1988, Pub. L. 100–685, § 213, 102 Stat. 4093; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–611, § 117(a), 104 Stat. 3202; restated Dec. 9, 1991, Pub. L. 102–195, § 13, 105 Stat. 1613; Nov. 4, 1992, Pub. L. 102–588, § 211, 106 Stat. 5115.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70118 of title 49 and section 70118 of this title as this section.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50921.md

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50921"
+description: "Office of Commercial Space Transportation"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50921"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50921"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50921"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "b93d46f645478b2bcc10aee300bdc82d1c9ad158b80fbcaf5977a6ca777b3f93"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "dff4f1248e1d922dfd1cca0e0f592a0cf993ecb9bf9c32d173d27026f30b051d"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50921 - Office of Commercial Space Transportation
+
+## Text
+
+There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation—
+
+(1) $11,941,000 for fiscal year 2005;
+
+(2) $12,299,000 for fiscal year 2006;
+
+(3) $12,668,000 for fiscal year 2007;
+
+(4) $13,048,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
+
+(5) $13,440,000 for fiscal year 2009.
+
+(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1343, § 70119 of title 49, Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(b), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2851; Pub. L. 106–405, § 3(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1752; Pub. L. 108–360, title III, § 301, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1680; renumbered § 70119 then § 50921 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(U), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Historical and Revision Notes RevisedSectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 7011949 App.:2623 (less last sentence).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 24 (less last sentence), 98 Stat. 3064; Dec. 5, 1985, Pub. L. 99–170, § 301, 99 Stat. 1018; Oct. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–147, § 120, 101 Stat. 868; Nov. 17, 1988, Pub. L. 100–685, § 213, 102 Stat. 4093; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–611, § 117(a), 104 Stat. 3202; restated Dec. 9, 1991, Pub. L. 102–195, § 13, 105 Stat. 1613; Nov. 4, 1992, Pub. L. 102–588, § 211, 106 Stat. 5115. In this section, the amendment by section 211 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 (Pub. L. 102–588, 106 Stat. 5115) was executed to carry out the probable intent of Congress by omitting the period after “1993”. As to the applicability of section 219 of the Act (Pub. L. 102–588, 106 Stat. 5118) to amounts authorized by this section for fiscal year 1993, see section 6(b) of the bill.
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70119 of title 49 and section 70119 of this title as this section. 2004—Pars. (1) to (5). Pub. L. 108–360 added pars. (1) to (5) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows: “(1) $12,607,000 for fiscal year 2001; and “(2) $16,478,000 for fiscal year 2002.” 2000—Pub. L. 106–405 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation— “(1) $6,275,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999; and “(2) $6,600,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000.” 1998—Pub. L. 105–303 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The following amounts may be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993: “(1) $4,900,000 to carry out this chapter. “(2) $20,000,000 for a program to ensure the resiliency of the space launch infrastructure of the United States if a law is enacted to establish that program in the Department of Transportation.”

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50922.md

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50922"
+description: "Regulations"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50922"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50922"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50922"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "23c3750d58ad02267a37879b373929a1a2390757b76f38615037a5728ed8ea51"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "337d2614dfdeb57af1f0365130f8e902d310c77ef8ef7fc179b09250e21d23d3"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50922 - Regulations
+
+## Text
+
+(a) In General.— The Secretary of Transportation, within 9 months after the date of the enactment of this section, shall issue regulations to carry out this chapter that include—
+
+(1) guidelines for industry and State governments to obtain sufficient insurance coverage for potential damages to third parties;
+
+(2) procedures for requesting and obtaining licenses to launch a commercial launch vehicle;
+
+(3) procedures for requesting and obtaining operator licenses for launch;
+
+(4) procedures for requesting and obtaining launch site operator licenses; and
+
+(5) procedures for the application of government indemnification.
+
+(b) Reentry.— The Secretary of Transportation, within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to carry out this chapter that includes—
+
+(1) procedures for requesting and obtaining licenses to reenter a reentry vehicle;
+
+(2) procedures for requesting and obtaining operator licenses for reentry; and
+
+(3) procedures for requesting and obtaining reentry site operator licenses.
+
+(c) Amendments.— (1) Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary shall publish proposed regulations to carry out that Act, including regulations relating to crew, space flight participants, and permits for launch or reentry of reusable suborbital rockets. Not later than 18 months after such date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue final regulations.
+
+(2) (A) Starting 3 years after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary may issue final regulations changing the definition of suborbital rocket under this chapter. No such regulation may take effect until 180 days after the Secretary has submitted the regulation to the Congress.
+
+(B) The Secretary may issue regulations under this paragraph only if the Secretary has determined that the definition in section 50902 does not describe, or will not continue to describe, all appropriate vehicles and only those vehicles. In making that determination, the Secretary shall take into account the evolving nature of the commercial space launch industry.
+
+(d) Effective Date.— (1) Licenses for the launch or reentry of launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human beings on board and permits may be issued by the Secretary prior to the issuance of the regulations described in subsection (c).
+
+(2) As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary shall issue guidelines or advisory circulars to guide the implementation of that Act until regulations are issued.
+
+(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), no licenses for the launch or reentry of launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human beings on board or permits may be issued starting three years after the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 unless the final regulations described in subsection (c) have been issued.
+
+(Added Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(16), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2850, § 70120 of title 49; amended Pub. L. 108–492, § 2(c)(25), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3981; renumbered § 70120 then § 50922 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(V), (5)(U), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+References in TextThe date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 105–303, which was approved Oct. 28, 1998. The Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, referred to in subsecs. (c) and (d), is Pub. L. 108–492, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3974, which was approved Dec. 23, 2004. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2004 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(V), successively renumbered section 70120 of title 49 and section 70120 of this title as this section. Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(U), substituted “section 50902” for “section 70102”. 2004—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–492 added subsecs. (c) and (d).

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50923.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50923"
+description: "Report to Congress"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50923"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50923"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50923"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "afe4ba789eb9578f00a8b48b0deeaf53cad1b12801a82b60514a8c50f6feed33"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "6623e0e4bbb63eb85d4073dfcb66074c0cb5885d376a9bfa3dfec3d7920fbbbc"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50923 - Report to Congress
+
+## Text
+
+The Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress an annual report to accompany the President’s budget request that—
+
+(1) describes all activities undertaken under this chapter, including a description of the process for the application for and approval of licenses under this chapter and recommendations for legislation that may further commercial launches and reentries; and
+
+(2) reviews the performance of the regulatory activities and the effectiveness of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation.
+
+(Added Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(16), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2851, § 70121 of title 49; renumbered § 70121 then § 50923 of title 51, Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(W), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+Amendments2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70121 of title 49 and section 70121 of this title as this section.

legal/us/code/title-51/chapter-509/section-50924.md

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+---
+type: "LegalText"
+title: "51 U.S.C. § 50924"
+description: "Space launch and reentry licensing and permitting user fees"
+jurisdiction: "us"
+corpus: "united_states_code"
+kind: "code_section"
+title_number: 51
+title_name: "NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS"
+chapter_number: "509"
+chapter_name: "COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES"
+section: "50924"
+citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50924"
+status: "current"
+release_point: "119-100"
+release_date: "2026-06-26"
+source: "official"
+source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc51@119-100.zip"
+source_identifier: "/us/usc/t51/s50924"
+source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-51/usc51.xml"
+source_hash: "7ff822fa479937ca491cd16745b9dc1c340710d4de2b12a5ec9776a93fe048e9"
+raw_snapshot_hash: "247760e048bc0c854023cd923eddd6011c857ad6958b62a813e0392121390bd5"
+text_hash: "9d2814ab6bea9bf371710d4e268bc9b1430add3a73f7cb889eb3afc268880321"
+retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
+confidence: "official"
+tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
+---
+
+# 51 U.S.C. § 50924 - Space launch and reentry licensing and permitting user fees
+
+## Text
+
+(a) Fees.— (1) In general.— The Secretary of Transportation shall impose a fee, which shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (b), on each launch or reentry carried out under a license or permit issued under section 50904 during 2026 or a subsequent year, in an amount equal to the lesser of—
+
+(A) the amount specified in paragraph (2) for the year involved per pound of the weight of the payload; or
+
+(B) the amount specified in paragraph (3) for the year involved.
+
+(2) Paragraph (2) specified amount.— The amount specified in this paragraph is—
+
+(A) for 2026, $0.25;
+
+(B) for 2027, $0.35;
+
+(C) for 2028, $0.50;
+
+(D) for 2029, $0.60;
+
+(E) for 2030, $0.75;
+
+(F) for 2031, $1;
+
+(G) for 2032, $1.25;
+
+(H) for 2033, $1.50; and
+
+(I) for 2034 and each subsequent year, the amount specified in this paragraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
+
+(3) Paragraph (3) specified amount.— The amount specified in this paragraph is—
+
+(A) for 2026, $30,000;
+
+(B) for 2027, $40,000;
+
+(C) for 2028, $50,000;
+
+(D) for 2029, $75,000;
+
+(E) for 2030, $100,000;
+
+(F) for 2031, $125,000;
+
+(G) for 2032, $170,000;
+
+(H) for 2033, $200,000; and
+
+(I) for 2034 and each subsequent year, the amount specified in this paragraph for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.
+
+(b) Office of Commercial Space Transportation Launch and Reentry Licensing and Permitting Fund.— There is established in the Treasury of the United States a separate account, which shall be known as the “Office of Commercial Space Transportation Launch and Reentry Licensing and Permitting Fund”, for the purposes of expenses of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation of the Federal Aviation Administration and to carry out section 630(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. 70 percent of the amounts deposited into the fund shall be available for such purposes and shall be available without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation.
+
+(Added Pub. L. 119–21, title IV, § 40004(a), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 132.)
+
+## Notes
+
+Editorial Notes
+
+References in TextSection 630(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, referred to in subsec. (b), is section 630(b) of Pub. L. 118–63, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1245, which relates to funds for developing technology for space launch and reentry reintegration and is not classified to the Code.