Title 51 — National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73not60
§50909 Prohibition, Suspension, and End of Launches, Operation of Launch Sites and Reentry Sites, and Reentries
Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle V— Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities › Chapter 509— COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES › § 50909
Summary
The Secretary can immediately stop or pause any licensed launch, launch- or reentry-site operations, or reentry if it would threaten health, property, or U.S. national security or foreign policy. The order stays in effect while it is reviewed.
Full Legal Text
Title 51, §50909
National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary of Transportation may prohibit, suspend, or end immediately the launch of a launch vehicle or the operation of a launch site or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle, licensed under this chapter if the Secretary decides the launch or operation or reentry is detrimental to the public health and safety, the safety of property, or a national security or foreign policy interest of the United States.
(b)An order under this section takes effect immediately and remains in effect during a review under section 50912 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70108(a)49 App.:2610(a).Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 11, 98 Stat. 3059. 70108(b)49 App.:2610(b).
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(I), successively renumbered section 70108 of title 49 and section 70108 of this title as this section. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(L), substituted “section 50912” for “section 70110”. 1998—Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(A), substituted “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries” for “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches and operation of launch sites” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(B), inserted “or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle,” after “operation of a launch site” and “or reentry” after “launch or operation”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 50909
Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60