51 U.S.C. § 50506: Commercial Space…

Summary

Creates a Commercial Space Achievement Award that includes a medal. The Secretary of Commerce may also give a cash prize if donated funds are available. Awards go to people, companies, company divisions, or subsidiaries doing commercial space work that meet three tests: at least half of their space-related revenue comes from sources other than the United States Government; their work has substantially added to the United States gross national product and U.S. industry’s standing; and they have substantially advanced space technology or applications. No one or any corporate entity can receive the award more often than once every 5 years. The Secretary may accept public or private donations to pay cash prizes, must use those donations only for that purpose, and must publish an itemized list of the funding sources.

Title 51, §50506

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

(a)Establishment.—

There is established a Commercial Space Achievement Award. The award shall consist of a medal, which shall be of such design and materials and bear such inscriptions as determined by the Secretary of Commerce. A cash prize may also be awarded if funding for the prize is available under subsection (d).

(b)Criteria for Award.—

The Secretary of Commerce shall periodically make awards under this section to individuals, corporations, corporate divisions, or corporate subsidiaries substantially engaged in commercial space activities that in the opinion of the Secretary of Commerce best meet the following criteria:

(1)Non-governmental revenue.—

For corporate entities, at least half of the revenues from the space-related activities of the corporation, division, or subsidiary is derived from sources other than the United States Government.

(2)Substantial contribution.—

The activities and achievements of the individual, corporation, division, or subsidiary have substantially contributed to the United States gross national product and the stature of United States industry in international markets, with due consideration for both the economic magnitude and the technical quality of the activities and achievements.

(3)Substantial advancement of technology.—

The individual, corporation, division, or subsidiary has substantially advanced space technology and space applications directly related to commercial space activities.

(c)Limitations.—

No individual or corporate entity may receive an award under this section more than once every 5 years.

(d)Funding for Award.—

The Secretary of Commerce may seek and accept gifts of money from public and private sources for the purpose of making cash prize awards under this section. Such money may be used only for that purpose, and only such money may be used for that purpose. The Secretary of Commerce shall make publicly available an itemized list of the sources of such funding.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5050615 U.S.C. 5808.Pub. L. 102–588, title V, § 510, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5129. In subsection (b), in the matter before paragraph (1), the words “The Secretary of Commerce shall periodically make awards” are substituted for “The Secretary of Commerce shall periodically make, and the Chairman of the National Space Council shall present, awards” to eliminate obsolete language. The reference to the Chairman of the National Space Council is obsolete because the National Space Council (established by section 501 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989 (Public Law 100–685, 102 Stat. 4102)) has not functioned or been staffed since 1993.

§50506 Commercial Space Achievement Award

Summary

Title 51, §50506

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Citations & Metadata