Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73

§3239 Requirement to buy certain satellite component from American sources

Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 44— - NATIONAL SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 3239

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting January 1, 2021, an intelligence agency that is not part of the Department of Defense cannot award a contract for a national security satellite if the satellite uses a star tracker that was not made in the United States. This rule covers both the star tracker’s hardware and software. Covered element: an intelligence agency outside the Department of Defense. National security satellite: a satellite over 400 pounds whose main job is U.S. national security or intelligence. United States: the States, D.C., and U.S. territories and possessions. The agency head can waive the rule only by sending a written notice to the congressional intelligence committees saying either no U.S. star tracker meets the mission, a U.S. star tracker is unreasonably costly based on a market survey, or an urgent national security need requires a waiver.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §3239

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)The term “covered element of the intelligence community” means an element of the intelligence community that is not an element of the Department of Defense.

(2)The term “national security satellite” means a satellite weighing over 400 pounds whose principle purpose is to support the national security or intelligence needs of the United States Government.

(3)The term “United States” means the several States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

(b)Beginning January 1, 2021, except as provided in subsection (c), a covered element of the intelligence community may not award a contract for a national security satellite if the satellite uses a star tracker that is not produced in the United States, including with respect to both the software and the hardware of the star tracker.

(c)The head of a covered element of the intelligence community may waive the requirement under subsection (b) if, on a case-by-case basis, the head certifies in writing to the congressional intelligence committees that—

(1)there is no available star tracker produced in the United States that meets the mission and design requirements of the national security satellite for which the star tracker will be used;

(2)the cost of a star tracker produced in the United States is unreasonable, based on a market survey; or

(3)such waiver is necessary for the national security interests of the United States based on an urgent and compelling need.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 3239

Title 50 — War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73