Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle VI— Earth Observations › Chapter 601— LAND REMOTE SENSING POLICY › Subchapter III— LICENSING OF PRIVATE REMOTE SENSING SPACE SYSTEMS › § 60122
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
National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
51 U.S.C. § 60122
Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60