§70117. Relationship to other executive agencies, laws, and international obligations

(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.

(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 the Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 ¹ (15 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.).

(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 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.-A launch vehicle or payload that is launched is not, because of the launch, an export for purposes of a law controlling exports.

(g) Nonapplication.-This chapter does not apply to-

(1) a launch, operation of a launch vehicle or launch site, or other space activity the Government carries out for the Government; or

(2) planning or policies related to the launch, operation, or activity.

( Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1342 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (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.

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064 , as amended, which is classified principally to section 151 et seq. of Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of Title 47 and Tables.

The Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 98–365, July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 451 , which was classified principally to chapter 68 (§4201 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and was repealed by Pub. L. 102–555, §4, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4166 . See chapter 82 (§5601 et seq.) of Title 15.

¹ See References in Text note below.