Title 51, National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-110

§51501 Establishment of Office of Spaceports

Title 51 › Subtitle V — Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities › CHAPTER 515 — OFFICE OF SPACEPORTS › § 51501

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must create a centralized policy office inside the Office of Commercial Space Transportation called the Office of Spaceports. That office must support licensing and technical help, make policy and infrastructure improvements, promote U.S. spaceports, and strengthen competitiveness and resilience for the Federal Government and commercial customers. The head of the Associate Administrator’s office must appoint the Director. "Spaceport" means a launch or reentry site operated by an entity licensed by the Secretary of Transportation.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §51501

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

(a)Establishment of Office.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall identify, within the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, a centralized policy office to be known as the Office of Spaceports.
(b)Functions.—
The Office of Spaceports shall—
(1)support licensing activities for operation of launch and reentry sites;
(2)develop policies that promote infrastructure improvements at spaceports;
(3)provide technical assistance and guidance to spaceports;
(4)promote United States spaceports within the Department; and
(5)strengthen the Nation’s competitiveness in commercial space transportation infrastructure and increase resilience for the Federal Government and commercial customers.
(c)Recognition.—
In carrying out the functions assigned in subsection (b), the Secretary shall recognize the unique needs and distinctions of spaceports that host—
(1)launches to or reentries from orbit; and
(2)are involved in suborbital launch activities.
(d)Director.— (e) Definition.—
The head of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation shall designate a Director of the Office of Spaceports.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 115–254, which was approved Oct. 5, 2018.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 51501

Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110