§70101. Findings and purposes

(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, and remote sensing technologies;

(4) the private sector in the United States has the capability of developing and providing private satellite launching, reentry, and associated services that would complement the launching, reentry, and associated services now available from 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; and

(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.

(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; and

(B) facilitating and encouraging the use of Government-developed space technology;

(3) to provide that the Secretary of Transportation is to oversee and coordinate the conduct of commercial launch and reentry operations, issue 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 ; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, §102(a)(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2846 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (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.

Amendments

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,".