[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2262 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.2262

                     One Hundred Fourteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen


                                 An Act


 
  To facilitate a pro-growth environment for the developing commercial 
  space industry by encouraging private sector investment and creating 
    more stable and predictable regulatory conditions, and for other 
                                purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES.
    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``U.S. Commercial 
Space Launch Competitiveness Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; references.

TITLE I--SPURRING PRIVATE AEROSPACE COMPETITIVENESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. International launch competitiveness.
Sec. 103. Indemnification for space flight participants.
Sec. 104. Launch license flexibility.
Sec. 105. Licensing report.
Sec. 106. Federal jurisdiction.
Sec. 107. Cross waivers.
Sec. 108. Space authority.
Sec. 109. Orbital traffic management.
Sec. 110. Space surveillance and situational awareness data.
Sec. 111. Consensus standards and extension of certain safety regulation 
          requirements.
Sec. 112. Government astronauts.
Sec. 113. Streamline commercial space launch activities.
Sec. 114. Operation and utilization of the ISS.
Sec. 115. State commercial launch facilities.
Sec. 116. Space support vehicles study.
Sec. 117. Space launch system update.

                   TITLE II--COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING

Sec. 201. Annual reports.
Sec. 202. Statutory update report.

                   TITLE III--OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE

Sec. 301. Renaming of office of space commercialization.
Sec. 302. Functions of the office of space commerce.

          TITLE IV--SPACE RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Title 51 amendment.
Sec. 403. Disclaimer of extraterritorial sovereignty.

    (c) References to Title 51, United States Code.--Except as 
otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or 
repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a 
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be 
made to a section or other provision of title 51, United States Code.

        TITLE I--SPURRING PRIVATE AEROSPACE COMPETITIVENESS AND 
                            ENTREPRENEURSHIP

    SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
    This title may be cited as the ``Spurring Private Aerospace 
Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015'' or ``SPACE Act of 
2015''.
    SEC. 102. INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH COMPETITIVENESS.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that it is in 
the public interest to update the methodology used to calculate the 
maximum probable loss from claims under section 50914 of title 51, 
United States Code, with a validated risk profile approach in order to 
consistently compute valid and reasonable maximum probable loss values.
    (b) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation 
with the commercial space sector and insurance providers, shall--
        (1) evaluate the methodology used to calculate the maximum 
    probable loss from claims under section 50914 of title 51, United 
    States Code, and, if necessary, develop a plan to update that 
    methodology;
        (2) in evaluating or developing a plan under paragraph (1)--
            (A) ensure that the Federal Government is not exposed to 
        greater costs than intended and that launch companies are not 
        required to purchase more insurance coverage than necessary; 
        and
            (B) consider the impact of the cost to both the industry 
        and the Government of implementing an updated methodology; and
        (3) submit the evaluation, and any plan, to the Committee on 
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives.
    (c) Independent Assessment.--Not later than 270 days after the date 
the evaluation is submitted under subsection (b)(3), the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives an assessment of--
        (1) the analysis and conclusions provided by the Secretary of 
    Transportation in the evaluation, and any plan, under subsection 
    (b);
        (2) the implementation schedule proposed by the Secretary in 
    the plan described in paragraph (1);
        (3) the suitability of the plan described in paragraph (1) for 
    implementation; and
        (4) any further actions needed to implement the plan described 
    in paragraph (1) or otherwise accomplish the purpose of this 
    section.
    (d) Launch Liability Extension.--Section 50915(f) is amended by 
striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
    SEC. 103. INDEMNIFICATION FOR SPACE FLIGHT PARTICIPANTS.
    (a) In General.--Chapter 509 is amended--
        (1) in section 50914(a)--
            (A) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(E) space flight participants.''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(5) Subparagraph (E) of paragraph (4) ceases to be effective 
    September 30, 2025.''; and
        (2) in section 50915(a)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``a licensee or 
        transferee under this chapter, a contractor, subcontractor, or 
        customer of the licensee or transferee, or a contractor or 
        subcontractor of a customer, but not against a space flight 
        participant,'' and inserting ``a person described in paragraph 
        (3)(A)''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(3)(A) A person described in this subparagraph is--
            ``(i) a licensee or transferee under this chapter;
            ``(ii) a contractor, subcontractor, or customer of the 
        licensee or transferee;
            ``(iii) a contractor or subcontractor of a customer; or
            ``(iv) a space flight participant.
        ``(B) Clause (iv) of subparagraph (A) ceases to be effective 
    September 30, 2025.''.
    SEC. 104. LAUNCH LICENSE FLEXIBILITY.
    Section 50906 is amended--
        (1) in subsection (d)--
            (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``that will be launched or reentered'' and inserting ``or 
        reusable launch vehicles that will be launched into a 
        suborbital trajectory or reentered under that permit'';
            (B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
        ``(1) research and development to test design concepts, 
    equipment, or operating techniques;''; and
            (C) in paragraph (3)--
                (i) by striking ``prior to obtaining a license''; and
                (ii) by inserting ``or vehicle'' after ``design of the 
            rocket'';
        (2) in subsection (e)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``suborbital rocket 
        design'' and inserting ``suborbital rocket or suborbital rocket 
        design, or for a particular reusable launch vehicle or reusable 
        launch vehicle design,''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or launch vehicle'' 
        after ``the suborbital rocket'';
        (3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
    ``(g) The Secretary may issue a permit under this section 
notwithstanding any license issued under this chapter. The issuance of 
a license under this chapter may not invalidate a permit issued under 
this section.''; and
        (4) in subsection (h), by inserting ``or reusable launch 
    vehicle'' after ``suborbital rocket''.
    SEC. 105. LICENSING REPORT.
    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
report on approaches for streamlining the licensing and permitting 
process of launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, or components of launch 
or reentry vehicles, to enable non-launch flight operations related to 
space transportation. The report shall include approaches to improve 
efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, resolve inconsistencies, remove 
duplication, and minimize unwarranted constraints. The report shall 
also include an assessment of existing private and government 
infrastructure, as appropriate, in future licensing activities.
    SEC. 106. FEDERAL JURISDICTION.
    Section 50914 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Federal Jurisdiction.--Any claim by a third party or space 
flight participant for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss 
resulting from an activity carried out under the license shall be the 
exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts.''.
    SEC. 107. CROSS WAIVERS.
    Section 50914(b)(1) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(1)(A) A launch or reentry license issued or transferred 
    under this chapter shall contain a provision requiring the licensee 
    or transferee to make a reciprocal waiver of claims with applicable 
    parties involved in launch services or reentry services under which 
    each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible for personal 
    injury to, death of, or property damage or loss sustained by it or 
    its own employees resulting from an activity carried out under the 
    applicable license.
        ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `applicable parties' means--
            ``(i) contractors, subcontractors, and customers of the 
        licensee or transferee;
            ``(ii) contractors and subcontractors of the customers; and
            ``(iii) space flight participants.
        ``(C) Clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) ceases to be effective 
    September 30, 2025.''.
    SEC. 108. SPACE AUTHORITY.
    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the 
Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the heads of other relevant 
Federal agencies, and the commercial space sector, shall--
        (1) assess current, and proposed near-term, commercial non-
    governmental activities conducted in space;
        (2) identify appropriate authorization and supervision 
    authorities for the activities described in paragraph (1);
        (3) recommend an authorization and supervision approach that 
    would prioritize safety, utilize existing authorities, minimize 
    burdens to the industry, promote the U.S. commercial space sector, 
    and meet the United States obligations under international 
    treaties; and
        (4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
    Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
    and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the 
    activities described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
    (b) Exception.--Nothing in this section shall apply to the 
activities of the ISS national laboratory as described in section 504 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18354), including any research or development 
projects utilizing the ISS national laboratory.
    SEC. 109. ORBITAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that an 
improved framework may be necessary for space traffic management of 
United States Government assets and United States private sector assets 
in outer space and orbital debris mitigation.
    (b) Study.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, 
the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, the Secretary of 
Commerce, and the Secretary of Defense, shall enter into an arrangement 
with an independent systems engineering and technical assistance 
organization to study alternate frameworks for the management of space 
traffic and orbital activities.
    (c) Contents.--The study shall include the following:
        (1) An assessment of current regulations, best practices, and 
    industry standards that apply to space traffic management and 
    orbital debris mitigation.
        (2) An assessment of current statutory authorities granted to 
    the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of 
    Transportation, and the Department of Commerce that apply to space 
    traffic management and orbital debris mitigation and how those 
    agencies utilize and coordinate those authorities.
        (3) A review of all space traffic management and orbital debris 
    requirements under treaties and other international agreements to 
    which the United States is a signatory, and other nonbinding 
    international arrangements in which the United States participates, 
    and the manner and extent to which the Federal Government complies 
    with those requirements and arrangements.
        (4) An assessment of existing Federal Government assets used to 
    conduct space traffic management and space situational awareness.
        (5) An assessment of the risk to space traffic management 
    associated with smallsats and any necessary Government coordination 
    for their launch and utilization to avoid congestion of the orbital 
    environment and improve space situational awareness.
        (6) An assessment of existing private sector information 
    sharing activities associated with space situational awareness and 
    space traffic management.
        (7) Recommendations related to the appropriate framework for 
    the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and 
    economic vitality of the space industry.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives the study 
required in subsection (b).
    (e) Department of Defense Authorities.--
        (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
    Department of Defense plays a vital and unique role in protecting 
    national security assets in space.
        (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
    construed to affect the authority of the Secretary of Defense as it 
    relates to safeguarding the national security.
    SEC. 110. SPACE SURVEILLANCE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS DATA.
    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Transportation in concurrence with the Secretary of 
Defense shall--
        (1) in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal 
    agencies, study the feasibility of processing and releasing safety-
    related space situational awareness data and information to any 
    entity consistent with national security interests and public 
    safety obligations of the United States; and
        (2) submit a report on the feasibility study to the Committee 
    on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives.
    SEC. 111. CONSENSUS STANDARDS AND EXTENSION OF CERTAIN SAFETY 
      REGULATION REQUIREMENTS.
    Section 50905(c) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``In general.--'' before 
    ``The Secretary'';
        (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``Regulations.--'' before 
    ``Regulations'';
        (3) by striking paragraph (3);
        (4) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (10);
        (5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
        ``(3) Facilitation of standards.--The Secretary shall continue 
    to work with the commercial space sector, including the Commercial 
    Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or its successor 
    organization, to facilitate the development of voluntary industry 
    consensus standards based on recommended best practices to improve 
    the safety of crew, government astronauts, and space flight 
    participants as the commercial space sector continues to mature.
        ``(4) Communication and transparency.--Nothing in this 
    subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the 
    Secretary to discuss potential regulatory approaches, potential 
    performance standards, or any other topic related to this 
    subsection with the commercial space industry, including 
    observations, findings, and recommendations from the Commercial 
    Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or its successor 
    organization, prior to the issuance of a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking. Such discussions shall not be construed to permit the 
    Secretary to promulgate industry regulations except as otherwise 
    provided in this section.
        ``(5) Interim voluntary industry consensus standards reports.--
            ``(A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2016, and 
        every 30 months thereafter until December 31, 2021, the 
        Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the commercial 
        space sector, including the Commercial Space Transportation 
        Advisory Committee, or its successor organization, shall submit 
        to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
        of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the 
        commercial space transportation industry in developing 
        voluntary industry consensus standards that promote best 
        practices to improve industry safety.
            ``(B) Contents.--The report shall include, at a minimum--
                ``(i) any voluntary industry consensus standards that 
            have been accepted by the industry at large;
                ``(ii) the identification of areas that have the 
            potential to become voluntary industry consensus standards 
            that are currently under consideration by the industry at 
            large;
                ``(iii) an assessment from the Secretary on the general 
            progress of the industry in adopting voluntary industry 
            consensus standards;
                ``(iv) any lessons learned about voluntary industry 
            consensus standards, best practices, and commercial space 
            launch operations;
                ``(v) any lessons learned associated with the 
            development, potential application, and acceptance of 
            voluntary industry consensus standards, best practices, and 
            commercial space launch operations; and
                ``(vi) recommendations, findings, or observations from 
            the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or 
            its successor organization, on the progress of the industry 
            in developing voluntary industry consensus standards that 
            promote best practices to improve industry safety.
        ``(6) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
    enactment of the SPACE Act of 2015, the Secretary, in consultation 
    and coordination with the commercial space sector, including the 
    Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or its 
    successor organization, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
    Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
    Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
    report specifying key industry metrics that might indicate 
    readiness of the commercial space sector and the Department of 
    Transportation to transition to a safety framework that may include 
    regulations under paragraph (9) that considers space flight 
    participant, government astronaut, and crew safety.
        ``(7) Reports.--Not later than March 31 of each of 2018 and 
    2022, the Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the 
    commercial space sector, including the Commercial Space 
    Transportation Advisory Committee, or its successor organization, 
    shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
    Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
    and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that 
    identifies the activities, described in this subsection and 
    subsection (d) most appropriate for a new safety framework that may 
    include regulatory action, if any, and a proposed transition plan 
    for such safety framework.
        ``(8) Independent review.--Not later than December 31, 2022, an 
    independent systems engineering and technical assistance 
    organization or standards development organization contracted by 
    the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
    and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
    Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives an assessment 
    of the readiness of the commercial space industry and the Federal 
    Government to transition to a safety framework that may include 
    regulations. As part of the review, the contracted organization 
    shall evaluate--
            ``(A) the progress of the commercial space industry in 
        adopting voluntary industry consensus standards as reported by 
        the Secretary in the interim assessments included in the 
        reports under paragraph (5);
            ``(B) the progress of the commercial space industry toward 
        meeting the key industry metrics identified by the report under 
        paragraph (6), including the knowledge and operational 
        experience obtained by the commercial space industry while 
        providing services for compensation or hire; and
            ``(C) whether the areas identified in the reports under 
        paragraph (5) are appropriate for regulatory action, or further 
        development of voluntary industry consensus standards, 
        considering the progress evaluated in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
        of this paragraph.
        ``(9) Learning period.--Beginning on October 1, 2023, the 
    Secretary may propose regulations under this subsection without 
    regard to subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (2). The 
    development of any such regulations shall take into consideration 
    the evolving standards of the commercial space flight industry as 
    identified in the reports published under paragraphs (5), (6), and 
    (7).''; and
        (6) in paragraph (10), as redesignated, by inserting ``Rule of 
    construction.--'' before ``Nothing''.
    SEC. 112. GOVERNMENT ASTRONAUTS.
    (a) Findings and Purpose.--Section 50901(15) is amended by 
inserting ``, government astronauts,'' after ``crew'' each place it 
appears.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--The National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration has a need to fly government astronauts (as defined in 
section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, as amended) within 
commercial launch vehicles and reentry vehicles under chapter 509 of 
that title. This need was identified by the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration due to the intended use of commercial launch vehicles 
and reentry vehicles developed under the Commercial Crew Development 
Program, authorized in section 402 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (124 Stat. 2820; Public 
Law 111-267). It is the sense of Congress that the authority delegated 
to the Administration by the amendment made by subsection (d) of this 
section should be used for that purpose.
    (c) Definition of Government Astronaut.--Section 50902 is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (22) as paragraphs 
    (7) through (25), respectively; and
        (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
        ``(4) `government astronaut' means an individual who--
            ``(A) is designated by the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration under section 20113(n);
            ``(B) is carried within a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle 
        in the course of his or her employment, which may include 
        performance of activities directly relating to the launch, 
        reentry, or other operation of the launch vehicle or reentry 
        vehicle; and
            ``(C) is either--
                ``(i) an employee of the United States Government, 
            including the uniformed services, engaged in the 
            performance of a Federal function under authority of law or 
            an Executive act; or
                ``(ii) an international partner astronaut.
        ``(5) `international partner astronaut' means an individual 
    designated under Article 11 of the International Space Station 
    Intergovernmental Agreement, by a partner to that agreement other 
    than the United States, as qualified to serve as an International 
    Space Station crew member.
        ``(6) `International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement' 
    means the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the International 
    Space Station, signed at Washington January 29, 1998 (TIAS 
    12927).''.
    (d) Powers of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 
Performance of Functions.--Section 20113 is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
    ``(n) Identification of Government Astronauts.--For purposes of a 
license issued or transferred by the Secretary of Transportation under 
chapter 509 to launch a launch vehicle or to reenter a reentry vehicle 
carrying a government astronaut (as defined in section 50902), the 
Administration shall designate a government astronaut in accordance 
with requirements prescribed by the Administration.''.
    (e) Definition of Launch.--Paragraph (7) of section 50902, as 
redesignated, is amended by striking ``and any payload, crew, or space 
flight participant'' and inserting ``and any payload or human being''.
    (f) Definition of Launch Services.--Paragraph (9) of section 50902, 
as redesignated, is amended by striking ``payload, crew (including crew 
training), or space flight participant'' and inserting ``payload, crew 
(including crew training), government astronaut, or space flight 
participant''.
    (g) Definition of Reenter and Reentry.--Paragraph (16) of section 
50902, as redesignated, is amended by striking ``and its payload, crew, 
or space flight participants, if any,'' and inserting ``and its payload 
or human beings, if any,''.
    (h) Definition of Reentry Services.--Paragraph (17) of section 
50902, as redesignated, is amended by striking ``payload, crew 
(including crew training), or space flight participant, if any,'' and 
inserting ``payload, crew (including crew training), government 
astronaut, or space flight participant, if any,''.
    (i) Definition of Space Flight Participant.--Paragraph (20) of 
section 50902, as redesignated, is amended to read as follows:
        ``(20) `space flight participant' means an individual, who is 
    not crew or a government astronaut, carried within a launch vehicle 
    or reentry vehicle.''.
    (j) Definition of Third Party.--Paragraph (24)(E) of section 50902, 
as redesignated, is amended by inserting ``, government astronauts,'' 
after ``crew''.
    (k) Restrictions on Launches, Operations, and Reentries; Single 
License or Permit.--Section 50904(d) is amended by striking 
``activities involving crew or space flight participants'' and 
inserting ``activities involving crew, government astronauts, or space 
flight participants''.
    (l) License Applications and Requirements; Applications.--Section 
50905 is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``crews and space flight 
    participants'' and inserting ``crew, government astronauts, and 
    space flight participants'';
        (2) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by striking ``crew or space flight 
    participants'' and inserting ``crew, government astronauts, or 
    space flight participants''; and
        (3) in subsection (c)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``crew and space flight 
        participants'' and inserting ``crew, government astronauts, and 
        space flight participants''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to crew or space flight 
        participants'' each place it appears and inserting ``to crew, 
        government astronauts, or space flight participants''.
    (m) Monitoring Activities.--Section 50907(a) is amended by striking 
``at a site used for crew or space flight participant training'' and 
inserting ``at a site not owned or operated by the Federal Government 
or a foreign government used for crew, government astronaut, or space 
flight participant training''.
    (n) Additional Suspensions.--Section 50908(d)(1) is amended by 
striking ``to crew or space flight participants'' each place it appears 
and inserting ``to any human being''.
    (o) Relationship to Other Executive Agencies, Laws, and 
International Obligations; Nonapplication.--Section 50919(g) is amended 
to read as follows:
    ``(g) Nonapplication.--
        ``(1) In general.--This chapter does not apply to--
            ``(A) a launch, reentry, operation of a launch vehicle or 
        reentry vehicle, operation of a launch site or reentry site, or 
        other space activity the Government carries out for the 
        Government; or
            ``(B) planning or policies related to the launch, reentry, 
        operation, or activity under subparagraph (A).
        ``(2) Rule of construction.--The following activities are not 
    space activities the Government carries out for the Government 
    under paragraph (1):
            ``(A) A government astronaut being carried within a launch 
        vehicle or reentry vehicle under this chapter.
            ``(B) A government astronaut performing activities directly 
        relating to the launch, reentry, or other operation of the 
        launch vehicle or reentry vehicle under this chapter.''.
    SEC. 113. STREAMLINE COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH ACTIVITIES.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
eliminating duplicative requirements and approvals for commercial 
launch and reentry operations will promote and encourage the 
development of the commercial space sector.
    (b) Reaffirmation of Policy.--Congress reaffirms that the Secretary 
of Transportation, in overseeing and coordinating commercial launch and 
reentry operations, should--
        (1) promote commercial space launches and reentries by the 
    private sector;
        (2) facilitate Government, State, and private sector 
    involvement in enhancing U.S. launch sites and facilities;
        (3) protect public health and safety, safety of property, 
    national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the 
    United States; and
        (4) consult with the head of another executive agency, 
    including the Secretary of Defense or the Administrator of the 
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as necessary to 
    provide consistent application of licensing requirements under 
    chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code.
    (c) Requirements.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation under section 
    50918 of title 51, United States Code, and subject to section 
    50905(b)(2)(C) of that title, shall consult with the Secretary of 
    Defense, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
    Administration, and the heads of other executive agencies, as 
    appropriate--
            (A) to identify all requirements that are imposed to 
        protect the public health and safety, safety of property, 
        national security interests, and foreign policy interests of 
        the United States relevant to any commercial launch of a launch 
        vehicle or commercial reentry of a reentry vehicle; and
            (B) to evaluate the requirements identified in subparagraph 
        (A) and, in coordination with the licensee or transferee and 
        the heads of the relevant executive agencies--
                (i) determine whether the satisfaction of a requirement 
            of one agency could result in the satisfaction of a 
            requirement of another agency; and
                (ii) resolve any inconsistencies and remove any 
            outmoded or duplicative requirements or approvals of the 
            Federal Government relevant to any commercial launch of a 
            launch vehicle or commercial reentry of a reentry vehicle.
        (2) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the Secretary 
    of Transportation determines no outmoded or duplicative 
    requirements or approvals of the Federal Government exist, the 
    Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of 
    Defense, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
    Administration, the commercial space sector, and the heads of other 
    executive agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the Committee 
    on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives, and the congressional defense committees a report 
    that includes the following:
            (A) A description of the process for the application for 
        and approval of a permit or license under chapter 509 of title 
        51, United States Code, for the commercial launch of a launch 
        vehicle or commercial reentry of a reentry vehicle, including 
        the identification of--
                (i) any unique requirements for operating on a United 
            States Government launch site, reentry site, or launch 
            property; and
                (ii) any inconsistent, outmoded, or duplicative 
            requirements or approvals.
            (B) A description of current efforts, if any, to coordinate 
        and work across executive agencies to define interagency 
        processes and procedures for sharing information, avoiding 
        duplication of effort, and resolving common agency 
        requirements.
            (C) Recommendations for legislation that may further--
                (i) streamline requirements in order to improve 
            efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, resolve 
            inconsistencies, remove duplication, and minimize 
            unwarranted constraints; and
                (ii) consolidate or modify requirements across affected 
            agencies into a single application set that satisfies the 
            requirements identified in paragraph (1)(A).
        (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
            (A) any applicable definitions set forth in section 50902 
        of title 51, United States Code, shall apply;
            (B) the terms ``launch'', ``reenter'', and ``reentry'' 
        include landing of a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle; and
            (C) the terms ``United States Government launch site'' and 
        ``United States Government reentry site'' include any necessary 
        facility, at that location, that is commercially operated on 
        United States Government property.
    SEC. 114. OPERATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE ISS.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
        (1) maximum utilization of partnerships, scientific research, 
    commercial applications, and exploration test bed capabilities of 
    the ISS is essential to ensuring the greatest return on investments 
    made by the United States and its international partners in the 
    development, assembly, and operations of that unique facility; and
        (2) every effort should be made to ensure that decisions 
    regarding the service life of the ISS are based on the station's 
    projected capability to continue providing effective and productive 
    research and exploration test bed capabilities.
    (b) Continuation of the International Space Station.--
        (1) In general.--Section 501 of the National Aeronautics and 
    Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18351) is 
    amended--
            (A) in the heading, by striking ``through 2020''; and
            (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``through at least 
        2020'' and inserting ``through at least 2024''.
        (2) Maintenance of the united states segment and assurance of 
    continued operations of the international space station.--Section 
    503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
    Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18353) is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``through at least 
        September 30, 2020'' and inserting ``through at least September 
        30, 2024''; and
            (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``In carrying out 
        subsection (a), the Administrator'' and inserting ``The 
        Administrator''.
        (3) Research capacity allocation and integration of research 
    payloads.--Section 504(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
    Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18354(d)) is 
    amended by striking ``September 30, 2020'' each place it appears 
    and inserting ``at least September 30, 2024''.
        (4) Maintaining use through at least 2024.--Section 70907 is 
    amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 70907. Maintaining use through at least 2024
    ``(a) Policy.--The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to 
ensure that the International Space Station remains a viable and 
productive facility capable of potential United States utilization 
through at least September 30, 2024.
    ``(b) NASA Actions.--In furtherance of the policy under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that 
the International Space Station, as a designated national laboratory--
        ``(1) remains viable as an element of overall exploration and 
    partnership strategies and approaches;
        ``(2) is considered for use by all NASA mission directorates, 
    as appropriate, for technically appropriate scientific data 
    gathering or technology risk reduction demonstrations; and
        ``(3) remains an effective, functional vehicle providing 
    research and test bed capabilities for the United States through at 
    least September 30, 2024.''.
        (5) Technical and conforming amendments.--
            (A) Table of contents of 2010 act.--The item relating to 
        section 501 in the table of contents in section 1(b) of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
        of 2010 (124 Stat. 2806) is amended by striking ``through 
        2020''.
            (B) Table of contents of chapter 709.--The table of 
        contents for chapter 709 is amended by amending the item 
        relating to section 70907 to read as follows:

``70907. Maintaining use through at least 2024.''.
    SEC. 115. STATE COMMERCIAL LAUNCH FACILITIES.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
        (1) State involvement, development, ownership, and operation of 
    launch facilities can enable growth of the Nation's commercial 
    suborbital and orbital space endeavors and support both commercial 
    and Government space programs;
        (2) State launch facilities and the people and property in the 
    affected launch areas of those facilities may be subject to risks 
    resulting from an activity carried out under a license under 
    chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code; and
        (3) to ensure the success of the commercial launch industry and 
    the safety of the people and property in the affected launch areas 
    of those facilities, States and State launch facilities should seek 
    to take proper measures to protect themselves, to the extent of 
    their potential liability for involvement in launch services or 
    reentry services, and compensate third parties for possible death, 
    bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from an 
    activity carried out under a license under chapter 509 of title 51, 
    United States Code, to which the State or State launch facility is 
    involved in the launch services or reentry services.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
report on the potential inclusion of all government property, including 
State and municipal property, in the existing indemnification regime 
established under section 50914 of title 51, United States Code.
    SEC. 116. SPACE SUPPORT VEHICLES STUDY.
    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
report on the use of space support vehicle services in the commercial 
space industry.
    (b) Contents.--This report shall include--
        (1) the extent to which launch providers rely on such services 
    as part of their business models;
        (2) the statutory, regulatory, and market barriers to the use 
    of such services; and
        (3) recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that 
    may be needed to ensure reduced barriers to the use of such 
    services if such use is a requirement of the industry.
    SEC. 117. SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM UPDATE.
    (a) In General.--Chapter 701 is amended--
        (1) in the heading by striking ``SPACE SHUTTLE'' and inserting 
    ``SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM'';
        (2) in section 70101--
            (A) in the heading, by striking ``space shuttle'' and 
        inserting ``space launch system''; and
            (B) by striking ``space shuttle'' and inserting ``space 
        launch system'';
        (3) by amending section 70102 to read as follows:
``Sec. 70102. Space launch system use policy
    ``(a) In General.--The Space Launch System may be used for the 
following circumstances:
        ``(1) Payloads and missions that contribute to extending human 
    presence beyond low-Earth orbit and substantially benefit from the 
    unique capabilities of the Space Launch System.
        ``(2) Other payloads and missions that substantially benefit 
    from the unique capabilities of the Space Launch System.
        ``(3) On a space available basis, Federal Government or 
    educational payloads that are consistent with NASA's mission for 
    exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
        ``(4) Compelling circumstances, as determined by the 
    Administrator.
    ``(b) Agreements With Foreign Entities.--The Administrator may 
plan, negotiate, or implement agreements with foreign entities for the 
launch of payloads for international collaborative efforts relating to 
science and technology using the Space Launch System.
    ``(c) Compelling Circumstances.--Not later than 30 days after the 
date the Administrator makes a determination under subsection (a)(4), 
the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the 
House of Representatives written notification of the Administrator's 
intent to select the Space Launch System for a specific mission under 
that subsection, including justification for the determination.'';
        (4) in section 70103--
            (A) in the heading, by striking ``space shuttle'' and 
        inserting ``space launch system''; and
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``space shuttle'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``space launch system''; and
        (5) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 70104. Definition of Space Launch System
    ``In this chapter, the term `Space Launch System' means the Space 
Launch System authorized under section 302 of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
18322).''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
        (1) Table of chapters.--The table of chapters of title 51 is 
    amended by amending the item relating to chapter 701 to read as 
    follows:

``701.  Use of space launch system or alternatives..............70101''.

        (2) Table of contents of chapter 701.--The table of contents of 
    chapter 701 is amended--
            (A) in the item relating to section 70101, by striking 
        ``space shuttle'' and inserting ``space launch system'';
            (B) in the item relating to section 70102, by striking 
        ``Space shuttle'' and inserting ``Space launch system'';
            (C) in the item relating to section 70103, by striking 
        ``space shuttle'' and inserting ``space launch system''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:

``70104. Definition of Space Launch System.''.

        (3) Requirement to procure commercial space transportation 
    services.--Section 50131(a) of chapter 51 is amended by inserting 
    ``or in section 70102'' after ``in this section''.

                  TITLE II--COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING

    SEC. 201. ANNUAL REPORTS.
    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 601 is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
``Sec. 60126. Annual reports
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, and annually 
thereafter, on--
        ``(1) the Secretary's implementation of section 60121, 
    including--
            ``(A) a list of all applications received in the previous 
        calendar year;
            ``(B) a list of all applications that resulted in a license 
        under section 60121;
            ``(C) a list of all applications denied and an explanation 
        of why each application was denied, including any information 
        relevant to the interagency adjudication process of a licensing 
        request;
            ``(D) a list of all applications that required additional 
        information; and
            ``(E) a list of all applications whose disposition exceeded 
        the 120 day deadline established in section 60121(c), the total 
        days overdue for each application that exceeded such deadline, 
        and an explanation for the delay;
        ``(2) all notifications and information provided to the 
    Secretary under section 60122; and
        ``(3) a description of all actions taken by the Secretary under 
    the administrative authority granted by paragraphs (4), (5), and 
    (6) of section 60123(a).
    ``(b) Classified Annexes.--Each report under subsection (a) may 
include classified annexes as necessary to protect the disclosure of 
sensitive or classified information.
    ``(c) Sunset.--The reporting requirement under this section 
terminates effective September 30, 2020.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of chapter 601 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60125 the 
following:

``60126. Annual reports.''.
    SEC. 202. STATUTORY UPDATE REPORT.
    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the heads of other 
appropriate Federal agencies and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing, shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives a report on statutory updates necessary to license 
private remote sensing space systems. In preparing the report, the 
Secretary shall take into account the need to protect national security 
while maintaining United States private sector leadership in the field, 
and reflect the current state of the art of remote sensing systems, 
instruments, or technologies.

                  TITLE III--OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE

    SEC. 301. RENAMING OF OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION.
    (a) Chapter Heading.--
        (1) Amendment.--The heading for chapter 507 is amended by 
    striking ``COMMERCIALIZATION'' and inserting ``COMMERCE''.
        (2) Conforming amendment.--The item relating to chapter 507 in 
    the table of chapters for title 51 is amended by striking 
    ``Commercialization'' and inserting ``Commerce''.
    (b) Definition of Office.--Section 50701 is amended by striking 
``Commercialization'' and inserting ``Commerce''.
    (c) Renaming.--Section 50702(a) is amended by striking 
``Commercialization'' and inserting ``Commerce''.
    SEC. 302. FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE.
    Section 50702(c) is amended by striking ``Commerce.'' and inserting 
``Commerce, including--
        ``(1) to foster the conditions for the economic growth and 
    technological advancement of the United States space commerce 
    industry;
        ``(2) to coordinate space commerce policy issues and actions 
    within the Department of Commerce;
        ``(3) to represent the Department of Commerce in the 
    development of United States policies and in negotiations with 
    foreign countries to promote United States space commerce;
        ``(4) to promote the advancement of United States geospatial 
    technologies related to space commerce, in cooperation with 
    relevant interagency working groups; and
        ``(5) to provide support to Federal Government organizations 
    working on Space-Based Positioning Navigation, and Timing policy, 
    including the National Coordination Office for Space-Based 
    Position, Navigation, and Timing.''.

          TITLE IV--SPACE RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION

    SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
    This title may be cited as the ``Space Resource Exploration and 
Utilization Act of 2015''.
    SEC. 402. TITLE 51 AMENDMENT.
    (a) In General.--Subtitle V is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

  ``CHAPTER 513--SPACE RESOURCE COMMERCIAL EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION

``Sec.
``51301. Definitions.
``51302. Commercial exploration and commercial recovery.
``51303. Asteroid resource and space resource rights.

``Sec. 51301. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
        ``(1) Asteroid resource.--The term `asteroid resource' means a 
    space resource found on or within a single asteroid.
        ``(2) Space resource.--
            ``(A) In general.--The term `space resource' means an 
        abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
            ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `space resource' includes water 
        and minerals.
        ``(3) United states citizen.--The term `United States citizen' 
    has the meaning given the term `citizen of the United States' in 
    section 50902.
``Sec. 51302. Commercial exploration and commercial recovery
    ``(a) In General.--The President, acting through appropriate 
Federal agencies, shall--
        ``(1) facilitate commercial exploration for and commercial 
    recovery of space resources by United States citizens;
        ``(2) discourage government barriers to the development in the 
    United States of economically viable, safe, and stable industries 
    for commercial exploration for and commercial recovery of space 
    resources in manners consistent with the international obligations 
    of the United States; and
        ``(3) promote the right of United States citizens to engage in 
    commercial exploration for and commercial recovery of space 
    resources free from harmful interference, in accordance with the 
    international obligations of the United States and subject to 
    authorization and continuing supervision by the Federal Government.
    ``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this section, the President shall submit to Congress a report on 
commercial exploration for and commercial recovery of space resources 
by United States citizens that specifies--
        ``(1) the authorities necessary to meet the international 
    obligations of the United States, including authorization and 
    continuing supervision by the Federal Government; and
        ``(2) recommendations for the allocation of responsibilities 
    among Federal agencies for the activities described in paragraph 
    (1).
``Sec. 51303. Asteroid resource and space resource rights
    ``A United States citizen engaged in commercial recovery of an 
asteroid resource or a space resource under this chapter shall be 
entitled to any asteroid resource or space resource obtained, including 
to possess, own, transport, use, and sell the asteroid resource or 
space resource obtained in accordance with applicable law, including 
the international obligations of the United States.''.
    (b) Table of Chapters.--The table of chapters for title 51 is 
amended by adding at the end of the items for subtitle V the following:

``513. Space resource commercial exploration and utilization....51301''.

    SEC. 403. DISCLAIMER OF EXTRATERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY.
    It is the sense of Congress that by the enactment of this Act, the 
United States does not thereby assert sovereignty or sovereign or 
exclusive rights or jurisdiction over, or the ownership of, any 
celestial body.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.