Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73not60

§60122 Conditions for Operation

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VI— Earth Observations › Chapter 601— LAND REMOTE SENSING POLICY › Subchapter III— LICENSING OF PRIVATE REMOTE SENSING SPACE SYSTEMS › § 60122

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone under U.S. control must get a government license before running a private satellite system that collects images or other remote-sensing data. The license will require the operator to protect U.S. national security and follow the country’s international duties; share raw (not enhanced) data about a country with that country’s government as soon as the data are available and on fair terms; provide other specific data the Secretary requires; handle any satellites left in space in a way the President finds acceptable when operations end; give the Secretary full orbit and data-collection details and report any deviations right away; and notify the Secretary about any major deals with foreign nations or groups. The Landsat 6 contractor has two extra duties. It must tell the Secretary about any value-added activities it or its affiliates will do, and if it will do them, give the Secretary a plan showing how it will follow the rules for making data available.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §60122

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

(a)No person that is subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States may, directly or through any subsidiary or affiliate, operate any private remote sensing space system without a license pursuant to section 60121 of this title.
(b)Any license issued pursuant to this subchapter shall specify that the licensee shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter and shall—
(1)operate the system in such manner as to preserve the national security of the United States and to observe the international obligations of the United States in accordance with section 60146 of this title;
(2)make available to the government of any country (including the United States) unenhanced data collected by the system concerning the territory under the jurisdiction of such government as soon as such data are available and on reasonable terms and conditions;
(3)make unenhanced data designated by the Secretary in the license pursuant to section 60121(e) of this title available in accordance with section 60141 of this title;
(4)upon termination of operations under the license, make disposition of any satellites in space in a manner satisfactory to the President;
(5)furnish the Secretary with complete orbit and data collection characteristics of the system, and inform the Secretary immediately of any deviation; and
(6)notify the Secretary of any significant or substantial agreement the licensee intends to enter with a foreign nation, entity, or consortium involving foreign nations or entities.
(c)In addition to the requirements of subsection (b), any license issued pursuant to this subchapter to the Landsat 6 contractor shall specify that the Landsat 6 contractor shall—
(1)notify the Secretary of any value added activities (as defined by the Secretary by regulation) that will be conducted by the Landsat 6 contractor or by a subsidiary or affiliate; and
(2)if such activities are to be conducted, provide the Secretary with a plan for compliance with section 60141 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 6012215 U.S.C. 5622.Pub. L. 102–555, title II, § 202, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4172; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 107(f)(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2854. In subsection (c), in the matter before paragraph (1), the words “subsection (b)” are substituted for “paragraph (b)” to correct an error in the law.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 60122

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60