SUBCHAPTER III—FEDERAL ACQUISITION OF SPACE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
§50131. Requirement to procure commercial space transportation services
(a)
(b)
(1) a payload requires the unique capabilities of the space shuttle;
(2) cost effective space transportation services that meet specific mission requirements would not be reasonably available from United States commercial providers when required;
(3) the use of space transportation services from United States commercial providers poses an unacceptable risk of loss of a unique scientific opportunity;
(4) the use of space transportation services from United States commercial providers is inconsistent with national security objectives;
(5) the use of space transportation services from United States commercial providers is inconsistent with international agreements for international collaborative efforts relating to science and technology;
(6) it is more cost effective to transport a payload in conjunction with a test or demonstration of a space transportation vehicle owned by the Federal Government; or
(7) a payload can make use of the available cargo space on a space shuttle mission as a secondary payload, and such payload is consistent with the requirements of research, development, demonstration, scientific, commercial, and educational programs authorized by the Administrator.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(
| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 50131(a) | ||
| 50131(b) | ||
| 50131(c) | ||
| 50131(d) | ||
| 50131(e) |
In subsection (d), the date "October 28, 1998" is substituted for "the date of the enactment of this Act" and for "such date" to reflect the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Act of 1998 (
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
NASA Launch Capabilities Collaboration
"(a)
"(1) The Launch Services Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial launch services for NASA's [National Aeronautics and Space Administration's] science and robotic missions.
"(2) The Commercial Crew Program is responsible for the acquisition, management, and technical oversight of commercial crew transportation systems.
"(3) The Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program have worked together to gain exceptional technical insight into the contracted launch service providers that are common to both programs.
"(4) The Launch Services Program has a long history of oversight of 12 different launch vehicles and over 80 launches.
"(5) Co-location of the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program has enabled the Commercial Crew Program to efficiently obtain the launch vehicle technical expertise of and provide engineering and analytical support to the Commercial Crew Program.
"(b)
"(1) the Launch Services Program and Commercial Crew Program each benefit from communication and coordination of launch manifests, technical information, and common launch vehicle insight between the programs; and
"(2) such communication and coordination is enabled by the co-location of the programs.
"(c)
Leveraging Commercial Satellite Servicing Capabilities Across Mission Directorates
"(a)
"(1) Refueling and relocating aging satellites to extend their operational lifetimes is a capacity that NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] will substantially benefit from and is important for lowering the costs of ongoing scientific, national security, and commercial satellite operations.
"(2) The technologies involved in satellite servicing, such as dexterous robotic arms, propellant transfer systems, and solar electric propulsion, are all critical capabilities to support a human exploration mission to Mars.
"(b)
"(1) satellite servicing is a vital capability that will bolster the capacity and affordability of NASA's ongoing scientific and human exploration operations while simultaneously enhancing the ability of domestic companies to compete in the global marketplace; and
"(2) future NASA satellites and spacecraft across mission directorates should be constructed in a manner that allows for servicing in order to maximize operational longevity and affordability.
"(c)
"(1) identify orbital assets in both the Science Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate that could benefit from satellite servicing-related technologies; and
"(2) work across all NASA mission directorates to evaluate opportunities for the private sector to perform such services or advance technical capabilities by leveraging the technologies and techniques developed by NASA programs and other industry programs."
§50132. Acquisition of commercial space transportation services
(a)
(b)
(
| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 50132 |
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a).
2018—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
[§50133. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–10, title IV, §416(c), Mar. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 35 ]
Section,
§50134. Use of excess intercontinental ballistic missiles
(a)
(1) convert any missile described in subsection (c) to a space transportation vehicle configuration; or
(2) transfer ownership of any such missile to another person, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b)
(1)
(A) would result in cost savings to the Federal Government when compared to the cost of acquiring space transportation services from United States commercial providers;
(B) meets all mission requirements of the agency, including performance, schedule, and risk requirements;
(C) is consistent with international obligations of the United States; and
(D) is approved by the Secretary of Defense or the designee of the Secretary of Defense.
(2)
(c)
(1) were formerly used by the Department of Defense for national defense purposes as intercontinental ballistic missiles; and
(2) have been declared excess to United States national defense needs and are in compliance with international obligations of the United States.
(
| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 50134 |
In subsection (b)(1), in the matter before subparagraph (A), the words "Committee on Science and Technology" are substituted for "Committee on Science" on authority of Rule X(1)(o) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, adopted by House Resolution No. 6 (110th Congress, January 5, 2007).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
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.