Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship Act of 2015

or the

SPACE Act of 2015

Consensus standards

Section 50905(c) of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking paragraph (3); (2)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (8); and (3)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)

Interim Industry Voluntary Consensus Standards Report

The Secretary, in consultation with the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or its successor organization, shall provide a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the progress of the commercial space transportation industry in developing voluntary consensus standards or any other construction that promotes best practices to improve the industry. Such report shall include, at a minimum— (A)any voluntary industry consensus standards or any other construction that have been accepted by the industry at large; (B)the identification of areas that have the potential to become voluntary industry consensus standards or another potential construction that are currently under consideration by the industry at large; (C)an assessment from the Secretary on the general progress of the industry in adopting voluntary consensus standards or any other construction; (D)lessons learned about voluntary industry consensus standards or any other construction, best practices, and commercial space launch operations; (E)any lessons learned associated with the development, potential application, and acceptance of voluntary industry consensus standards or any other construction, best practices, and commercial space launch operations; and (F)recommendations, findings, or observations from the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, or its successor organization, on the progress of the industry in developing industry consensus standards or any other construction.

This report, with the appropriate updates in the intervening periods, shall be transmitted to such committees no later than December 31, 2016, December 31, 2018, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Each report shall describe and assess the progress achieved as of 6 months prior to the specified transmittal date.

(4)

Interim Report on Knowledge and Operational Experience

The Secretary shall provide a report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the of the Senate on the status of the knowledge and operational experience acquired by the industry while providing flight services for compensation or hire to support the development of a safety framework. Interim reports shall by transmitted to such committees no later than December 31, 2018, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Each report shall describe and assess the progress achieved as of 6 months prior to the specified transmittal date. (5)

Independent Review

No later than December 31, 2023, an independent, private systems engineering and technical assistance organization or standards development organization contracted by the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 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 industry voluntary standards or any other construction as reported by the Secretary in the interim assessments included in reports provided under paragraph (4); and (B)the knowledge and operational experience obtained by the commercial space industry while providing services for compensation or hire as reported by the Secretary in the interim knowledge and operational reports provided under paragraph (4). (6)

Learning Period

Beginning on December 31, 2025, the Secretary may propose regulations under this subsection without regard to paragraph (2)(C) and (D). The development of any such regulations shall take into consideration the evolving standards of the commercial space flight industry as identified through the reports published under paragraphs (3) and (4). (7)

Communication and Transparency

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to discuss potential 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.

International launch competitiveness

(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to provide for updating 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 to provide reasonable maximum probable loss values associated with potential third party losses from commercially licensed launches. An appropriately updated methodology will help ensure that the Federal Government is not exposed to greater financial risks than intended and that launch companies are not required to purchase more insurance coverage than necessary. (b)

Maximum probable loss plan

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan to update the methodology used to calculate maximum probable loss from claims under section 50914 of title 51, United States Code, through the use of a validated risk profile approach. Such plan shall include, at a minimum— (1)an evaluation of the reasonableness of the current single casualty estimate and, if needed, the steps the Secretary will take to update such estimate; (2)an evaluation, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the heads of other relevant executive agencies, of the reasonableness of the dollar value of the insurance requirement required by the Secretary for launch providers to cover damage to Government property resulting from a commercially licensed space launch activity, and recommendations as to a reasonable calculation if, as determined by the Secretary, the current statutory threshold is insufficient; (3)a schedule of when updates to the methodology and calculations for the totality of the Maximum Probable Loss will be implemented, and a detailed explanation of any changes to the current calculation; and (4)consideration of the impact of the cost of its implementation on the licensing process, both in terms of the cost to industry of collecting and providing the requisite data and cost to the Government of analyzing the data. (c)

Independent assessment

Not later than 270 days after transmittal of the plan under subsection (b), the Comptroller General shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of— (1)the conclusions and analysis provided by the Secretary of Transportation in the plan required under subsection (b); (2)the implementation schedule proposed by the Secretary in such plan; (3)the suitability of the plan for implementation; and (4)any further actions needed to implement the plan or otherwise accomplish the purpose of this section. (d)

Launch liability extension

Section 50915(f) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking December 31, 2016 and inserting December 31, 2025.

Launch license flexibility

Section 50906 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (d), by striking launched or reentered and inserting launched or reentered under that permit; (2)by amending subsection (d)(1) to read as follows:

(1)research and development to test design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques;

;

(3)in subsection (d)(3), by striking prior to obtaining a license; (4)in subsection (e)(1), by striking suborbital rocket design and inserting suborbital rocket or rocket design; and (5)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 shall not invalidate a permit under this section.

Government astronauts

(a)

Definitions

Section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (22) as paragraphs (5) through (23), respectively; (2)by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

(4)government astronaut means an individual designated as such by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, pursuant requirements established by the Administrator, who— (A)is an employee of— (i)the United States Government, including the United States Armed Forces; or (ii)a foreign government that is a party to the Intergovernmental Agreement Among the Government of Canada, Governments of Member States of the European Space Agency, the Government of Japan, the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, signed on January 29, 1998; and (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.

;

(3)in paragraph (5), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting government astronaut, after crew,; (4)in paragraph (7)(A), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting government astronaut, after (including crew training),; (5)in paragraph (14), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting government astronauts, after crew,; (6)in paragraph (15)(A), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting government astronaut, after (including crew training),; (7)by amending paragraph (18), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, to read as follows:

(18)space flight participant means an individual, who is not crew or a government astronaut, carried within a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle.

; and

(8)in paragraph (22)(E), as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting , government astronauts, after crew. (b)

Restrictions on launches, operations, and reentries; single license or permit

Section 50904(d) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by inserting , government astronauts, after crew. (c)

License applications and requirements; applications

Section 50905 of title 51, United States Code, 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 inserting , government astronauts, after crew; and (3)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1), by inserting , government astronauts, after crew; 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. (d)

Monitoring activities

Section 50907(a) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking crew or space flight participant training and inserting crew, government astronaut, or space flight participant training. (e)

Additional suspensions

Section 50908(d)(1) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking to crew or space flight participants each place it appears and inserting to crew, government astronauts, or space flight participants.

Indemnification for space flight participants

Chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (1)in section 50914(a)(4), by adding at the end the following:

(E)space flight participants.

; and

(2)in section 50915(a)(1)— (A)by striking or a contractor and inserting a contractor; and (B)by striking but not against and inserting or.

Federal jurisdiction

Section 50914 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Federal jurisdiction

Any action or tort arising from a licensed launch or reentry shall be the sole jurisdiction of the Federal courts and shall be decided under Federal law.

Cross-waivers

Section 50914(b)(1) of title 51, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (1) 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 its contractors, subcontractors, and customers, the contractors and subcontractors of the customers, and any space flight participants, involved in launch services or reentry services or participating in a flight under which each party to the waiver agrees to be responsible for property damage or loss it or they sustain, or for personal injury to, death of, or property damage or loss sustained by its own employees resulting from an activity carried out under the applicable license..

Orbital traffic management

(a)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of the Congress that, as none currently exists, there may be a need for a framework that addresses space traffic management of United States Government assets and United States private sector assets to minimize the proliferation of debris and decrease the congestion of the orbital environment. (b)

Study Required

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall enter into an arrangement with an independent, private systems engineering and technical assistance organization to study frameworks for the management of space traffic and orbital activities. The study shall include the following: (1)An assessment of current regulations, Government best practices, and industry standards that apply to space traffic management and orbital debris mitigation. (2)An assessment of current statutory authority granted to the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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 in which the Federal Government complies with those requirements. (4)An assessment of existing Federal Government assets used to conduct space traffic management and space situational awareness. (5)An assessment of the risk associated with smallsats as well as any necessary Government coordination for their launch and utilization. (6)An assessment of existing private sector information sharing activities associated with space situational awareness and space traffic management. (7)Recommendations related to the framework for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and economic vitality of the space industry. (c)

Report to Congress

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate the report required in subsection (b). (d)

Department of Defense authorities

Congress recognizes the vital and unique role played by the Department of Defense in protecting national security assets in space. Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend authorities granted to the Department of Defense to safeguard the national security.

10.

State commercial launch facilities

It is the Sense of Congress that State involvement, development, ownership, and operation of launch facilities can help enable growth of the Nation’s commercial suborbital and orbital space endeavors and support both commercial and Government space programs. It is further the sense of Congress that State launch facilities and the people and property within the affected launch areas of those State facilities are subject to risks if the commercial launch vehicle fails or experiences an anomaly. To ensure the success of the commercial launch industry and the safety of the people and property in the affected launch areas, it is the further sense of Congress that States and State launch facilities should seek to take proper measures to secure their investments and the safety of third parties from potential damages that could be suffered from commercial launch activities.

11.

Space support vehicles study

Not less than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, a report on the use of space support vehicle services in the commercial space industry. 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.

12.

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.

13.

Space Launch System update

(a)

Chapter 701

(1)

Amendment

The chapter heading of chapter 701 of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking

Space Shuttle

and inserting

Space Launch System

. (2)

Conforming amendment

The item relating to chapter 701 in the table of chapters at the beginning of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking Space Shuttle and inserting Space Launch System. (b)

Section 70101

(1)

Amendments

Section 70101 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (A)in the section heading, by striking

space shuttle

and inserting

Space Launch System

; and (B)by striking space shuttle and inserting Space Launch System. (2)

Conforming amendment

The item relating section 70101 in the table of sections for chapter 701 of title 51, United States Code is amended by striking space shuttle and inserting Space Launch System. (c)

Section 70102

(1)

Amendments

Section 70102 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (A)in the section heading, by striking

Space shuttle

and inserting

Space Launch System

; (B)in subsection (a)(1)(A), by striking space shuttle both places it appears and inserting Space Launch System; (C)in subsection (a)(1)(A)(i), by inserting directly to cis-lunar space and the regions of space beyond low-Earth orbit after human presence; (D)in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking a shuttle launch and inserting a launch of the Space Launch System; (E)in subsection (a)(2), by striking a space shuttle mission and inserting a mission of the Space Launch System; (F)in subsection (b)— (i)by striking space shuttle each place it appears and inserting Space Launch System; and (ii)by striking from the shuttle and inserting from the Space Launch System; (G)in subsection (c), by striking space shuttle and inserting Space Launch System; and (H)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)

Definition

In this section, 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.

(2)

Conforming amendment

The item relating section 70102 in the table of sections for chapter 701 of title 51, United States Code is amended by striking Space shuttle and inserting Space Launch System. (d)

Section 70103

(1)

Amendments

Section 70103 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (A)in the section heading, by striking

space shuttle

and inserting

Space Launch System

; and (B)by striking space shuttle each place it appears and inserting Space Launch System. (2)

Conforming amendment

The item relating section 70103 in the table of sections for chapter 701 of title 51, United States Code is amended by striking space shuttle and inserting Space Launch System.