PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Launch vehicle: a craft built to operate in space or to carry something into space. Payload: an object someone plans to put into space using a launch vehicle, including vehicle parts made for that object. NASA must not take commercial payloads as the main payload on the Space Launch System unless the agency head finds either that the payload needs special capabilities only the SLS can provide, or that launching it on the SLS is important for national security or for foreign policy.

Title 51, §70103

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

(a)Definitions.—

In this section: (1) Launch vehicle.—

(2)Payload.—

The term “payload” means an object which a person undertakes to place in outer space by means of a launch vehicle, and includes subcomponents of the launch vehicle specifically designed or adapted for that object.

(b)In General.—

Commercial payloads may not be accepted for launch as primary payloads on the space launch system unless the Administrator determines that—

(1)the payload requires the unique capabilities of the space launch system; or

(2)launching of the payload on the space launch system is important for either national security or foreign policy purposes.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70103(a)42 U.S.C. 2465c.Pub. L. 101–611, title II, § 203, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3206; Pub. L. 105–303, title II, § 203(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2855. 70103(b)42 U.S.C. 2465f.Pub. L. 101–611, title II, § 206, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3207; Pub. L. 105–303, title II, § 203(4), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2855. In subsection (a), the words “this section” are substituted for “this title”, meaning title II of Public Law 101–611, because title II of Public Law 101–611 was previously repealed except for section 201 (a

Short Title

provision, classified to 42 U.S.C. 2451 note, in which neither defined term appears) and section 203 (42 U.S.C. 2465c) and 206 (42 U.S.C. 2465f) of Public Law 101–611, which are restated in this section.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–90 substituted “space launch system” for “space shuttle” in section catchline and wherever appearing in text.

§70103 Commercial Payloads on Space Launch System