51 U.S.C. § 60125: Agency activities

Summary

Private companies may apply for a license to operate a private remote-sensing system that uses, when space is available, a civilian U.S. government satellite or vehicle. The Secretary may approve the license if the system follows the subchapter’s rules, the company agrees to pay the government promptly for all related costs (including a fair share of fixed, platform, data transmission, and launch costs), and the use would not interfere with the government agency’s civilian mission. The Secretary can help companies find these opportunities. If Congress provides money in advance, a U.S. government agency may make an agreement to allow such use when it fits the agency’s mission and legal authority and the system is licensed before it starts. This does not apply to activities under subchapter IV, and it does not change the Federal Communications Commission’s authority under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

Title 51, §60125

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

(a)License Application and Issuance.—

A private sector party may apply for a license to operate a private remote sensing space system which utilizes, on a space-available basis, a civilian United States Government satellite or vehicle as a platform for such system. The Secretary, pursuant to this subchapter, may license such system if it meets all conditions of this subchapter and— (1)

(2)such utilization would not interfere with or otherwise compromise intended civilian Government missions, as determined by the agency responsible for such civilian platform.

(b)Assistance.—

The Secretary may offer assistance to private sector parties in finding appropriate opportunities for such utilization.

(c)Agreements.—

To the extent provided in advance by appropriation Acts, any United States Government agency may enter into agreements for such utilization if such agreements are consistent with such agency’s mission and statutory authority, and if such remote sensing space system is licensed by the Secretary before commencing operation.

(d)Applicability.—

This section does not apply to activities carried out under subchapter IV.

(e)Effect on FCC Authority.—

Nothing in this subchapter shall affect the authority of the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 6012515 U.S.C. 5625.Pub. L. 102–555, title II, § 205, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4173.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (e), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, which is classified principally to chapter 5 (§ 151 et seq.) of Title 47, Telecommunications. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of Title 47 and Tables.

§60125 Agency Activities