§60125 — Title 51 National and Commercial Space Programs | U.S. Code

Summary

Private companies can get a license to use a U.S. civilian satellite or vehicle, if space is available, to do remote sensing. The Secretary can approve only if the company reimburses government costs (including a share of fixed, platform, transmission, and launch costs) and if the use will not interfere with the platform’s civilian missions. The Secretary may help find opportunities. Agencies may agree if Congress funds it and the system is licensed. This excludes subchapter IV and does not affect the FCC’s authority under the Communications Act of 1934.

Title 51, §60125

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A private sector party may apply for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system which utilizes, on a space-available basis, a civilian United States Government satellite or vehicle as a platform for such system. The Secretary, pursuant to this subchapter, may license such system if it meets all conditions of this subchapter and—

(1)the system operator agrees to reimburse the Government in a timely manner for all related costs incurred with respect to such utilization, including a reasonable and proportionate share of fixed, platform, data transmission, and launch costs; and

(2)such utilization would not interfere with or otherwise compromise intended civilian Government missions, as determined by the agency responsible for such civilian platform.

(b)The Secretary may offer assistance to private sector parties in finding appropriate opportunities for such utilization.

(c)To the extent provided in advance by appropriation Acts, any United States Government agency may enter into agreements for such utilization if such agreements are consistent with such agency’s mission and statutory authority, and if such remote sensing space system is licensed by the Secretary before commencing operation.

(d)This section does not apply to activities carried out under subchapter IV.

(e)Nothing in this subchapter shall affect the authority of the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 6012515 U.S.C. 5625.Pub. L. 102–555, title II, § 205, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4173.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (e), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, which is classified principally to chapter 5 (§ 151 et seq.) of Title 47, Telecommunications. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of Title 47 and Tables.

§60125 Agency activities