† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘(20) ‘space flight participant’ means an indi-
vidual, 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 in-
volving crew, government astronauts, or space flight par-
ticipants’’. 
(l) LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS; AP-
PLICATIONS.—Section 50905 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘crews and 
space flight participants’’ and inserting ‘‘crew, gov-
ernment astronauts, and space flight participants’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by striking ‘‘crew or 
space flight participants’’ and inserting ‘‘crew, gov-
ernment astronauts, or space flight participants’’; 
and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘crew 
and space flight participants’’ and inserting
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘crew, government astronauts, and space flight 
participants’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘to crew 
or space flight participants’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘to crew, government astro-
nauts, 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 govern-
ment 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 partici-
pants’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘to any human 
being’’. 
(o) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCIES, 
LAWS, AND INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS; NONAPPLICA-
TION.—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 activ-
† HR 2262 EAS 
ity the Government carries out for the Govern-
ment; or 
‘‘(B) planning or policies related to the 
launch, reentry, operation, or activity under sub-
paragraph (A). 
‘‘(2) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—The following 
activities are not space activities the Government car-
ries 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 re-
entry vehicle under this chapter.’’. 
SEC. 113. STREAMLINE COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AC-
TIVITIES. 
(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 sec-
tor. 
(b) REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.—Congress reaffirms 
that the Secretary of Transportation, in overseeing and co-
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ordinating commercial launch and reentry operations, 
should— 
(1) promote commercial space launches and reen-
tries by the private sector; 
(2) facilitate Government, State, and private sec-
tor involvement in enhancing U.S. launch sites and 
facilities; 
(3) protect public health and safety, safety of 
property, national security interests, and foreign pol-
icy interests of the United States; and 
(4) consult with the head of another executive 
agency, including the Secretary of Defense or the Ad-
ministrator 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 Transpor-
tation 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—
† HR 2262 EAS 
(A) to identify all requirements that are im-
posed 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 vehi-
cle; and 
(B) to evaluate the requirements identified 
in subparagraph (A) and, in coordination with 
the licensee or transferee and the heads of the rel-
evant executive agencies— 
(i) determine whether the satisfaction 
of a requirement of one agency could result 
in the satisfaction of a requirement of an-
other agency; and 
(ii) resolve any inconsistencies and re-
move any outmoded or duplicative require-
ments or approvals of the Federal Govern-
ment 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
† HR 2262 EAS 
the Federal Government exist, the Secretary of Trans-
portation, in consultation with the Secretary of De-
fense, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, the commercial space sec-
tor, and the heads of other executive agencies, as ap-
propriate, shall submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives, and the congressional de-
fense committees a report that includes the following: 
(A) A description of the process for the ap-
plication for and approval of a permit or license 
under chapter 509 of title 51, United States 
Code, for the commercial launch of a launch ve-
hicle or commercial reentry of a reentry vehicle, 
including the identification of— 
(i) any unique requirements for oper-
ating on a United States Government 
launch site, reentry site, or launch property; 
and 
(ii) any inconsistent, outmoded, or du-
plicative requirements or approvals. 
(B) A description of current efforts, if any, 
to coordinate and work across executive agencies 
to define interagency processes and procedures
† HR 2262 EAS 
for sharing information, avoiding duplication of 
effort, and resolving common agency require-
ments. 
(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 appli-
cation set that satisfies the requirements 
identified in paragraph (1)(A). 
(3) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub-
section— 
(A) any applicable definitions set forth in 
section 50902 of title 51, United States Code, 
shall apply; 
(B) the terms ‘‘launch’’, ‘‘reenter’’, and ‘‘re-
entry’’ include landing of a launch vehicle or re-
entry vehicle; and 
(C) the terms ‘‘United States Government 
launch site’’ and ‘‘United States Government re-
entry site’’ include any necessary facility, at
† HR 2262 EAS 
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, sci-
entific research, commercial applications, and explo-
ration 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 de-
cisions regarding the service life of the ISS are based 
on the station’s projected capability to continue pro-
viding effective and productive research and explo-
ration 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
† HR 2262 EAS 
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘through 
at least 2020’’ and inserting ‘‘through at least 
2024’’. 
(2) MAINTENANCE OF THE UNITED STATES SEG-
MENT AND ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED OPERATIONS 
OF
THE
INTERNATIONAL
SPACE
STATION.—Section 
503 of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration 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 INTE-
GRATION 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:
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘§ 70907. Maintaining use through at least 2024 
‘‘(a) POLICY.—The Administrator shall take all nec-
essary steps to ensure that the International Space Station 
remains a viable and productive facility capable of poten-
tial 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 ex-
ploration and partnership strategies and approaches; 
‘‘(2) is considered for use by all NASA mission 
directorates, as appropriate, for technically appro-
priate scientific data gathering or technology risk re-
duction demonstrations; and 
‘‘(3) remains an effective, functional vehicle pro-
viding research and test bed capabilities for the 
United States through at least September 30, 2024.’’. 
(5) 
TECHNICAL
AND
CONFORMING
AMEND-
MENTS.— 
(A) TABLE OF CONTENTS OF 2010 ACT.—The 
item relating to section 501 in the table of con-
tents in section 1(b) of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of
† HR 2262 EAS 
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 sec-
tion 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 car-
ried 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 facili-
ties, States and State launch facilities should seek to 
take proper measures to protect themselves, to the ex-
tent of their potential liability for involvement in
† HR 2262 EAS 
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 Transpor-
tation 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, in-
cluding State and municipal property, in the existing in-
demnification 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 sub-
mit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation 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 commer-
cial space industry. 
(b) CONTENTS.—This report shall include—
† HR 2262 EAS 
(1) the extent to which launch providers rely on 
such services as part of their business models; 
(2) the statutory, regulatory, and market bar-
riers 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 sys-
tem’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘space shuttle’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘space launch system’’; 
(3) by amending section 70102 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘§ 70102. Space launch system use policy 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Space Launch System may 
be used for the following circumstances:
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‘‘(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 substan-
tially benefit from the unique capabilities of the 
Space Launch System. 
‘‘(3) On a space available basis, Federal Govern-
ment 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 agree-
ments 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 deter-
mination 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
† HR 2262 EAS 
for a specific mission under that subsection, including jus-
tification 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: 
‘‘§ 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’’;
† HR 2262 EAS 
(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: 
‘‘§ 60126. Annual reports 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall submit a re-
port to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation 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 annu-
ally thereafter, on—
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘(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 de-
nied, 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 dis-
position exceeded the 120 day deadline estab-
lished 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).
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘(b) CLASSIFIED ANNEXES.—Each report under sub-
section (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 Na-
tional 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 stat-
utory 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 sens-
ing systems, instruments, or technologies.
† HR 2262 EAS 
TITLE III—OFFICE OF SPACE 
COMMERCE 
SEC. 301. RENAMING OF OFFICE OF SPACE COMMER-
CIALIZATION. 
(a) CHAPTER HEADING.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—The heading for chapter 507 
is amended by striking ‘‘COMMERCIALIZA-
TION’’ and inserting ‘‘COMMERCE’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item relat-
ing 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 amend-
ed by striking ‘‘Commercialization’’ and inserting ‘‘Com-
merce’’. 
(c) RENAMING.—Section 50702(a) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Commercialization’’ and inserting ‘‘Commerce’’. 
SEC. 302. FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF SPACE COM-
MERCE. 
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;
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘(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 ne-
gotiations with foreign countries to promote United 
States space commerce; 
‘‘(4) to promote the advancement of United 
States geospatial technologies related to space com-
merce, in cooperation with relevant interagency work-
ing groups; and 
‘‘(5) to provide support to Federal Government 
organizations working on Space-Based Positioning 
Navigation, and Timing policy, including the Na-
tional Coordination Office for Space-Based Position, 
Navigation, and Timing.’’. 
TITLE IV—SPACE RESOURCE EX-
PLORATION 
AND 
UTILIZA-
TION 
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Space Resource Explo-
ration and Utilization Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 402. TITLE 51 AMENDMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle V is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘CHAPTER 513—SPACE RESOURCE COM-
MERCIAL EXPLORATION AND UTILIZA-
TION 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘51301. Definitions. 
‘‘51302. Commercial exploration and commercial recovery. 
‘‘51303. Asteroid resource and space resource rights. 
‘‘§ 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 re-
source’ means an abiotic resource in situ in 
outer space. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘space re-
source’ 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. 
‘‘§ 51302. Commercial exploration and commercial re-
covery 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through ap-
propriate Federal agencies, shall—
† HR 2262 EAS 
‘‘(1) facilitate commercial exploration for and 
commercial recovery of space resources by United 
States citizens; 
‘‘(2) discourage government barriers to the devel-
opment 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 commer-
cial recovery of space resources free from harmful in-
terference, in accordance with the international obli-
gations of the United States and subject to authoriza-
tion and continuing supervision by the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
‘‘(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 com-
mercial recovery of space resources by United States citizens 
that specifies— 
‘‘(1) the authorities necessary to meet the inter-
national obligations of the United States, including 
authorization and continuing supervision by the Fed-
eral Government; and