vise the operation of space objects under chapter 801 and 
space-based remote sensing systems under chapter 802, 
as provided in and subject to the limitations of section 
80305. 
‘‘§ 80312. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 
to the Office of Space Commerce for fiscal year 2018 to 
carry out this subtitle.’’. 
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) TABLE OF CHAPTERS.—The table of chapters of 
title 51, United State Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘Subtitle VIII—Authorization and Supervision of 
Nongovernmental Space Activities 
‘‘801. Certification of Operation of Space Objects ...............80101.
‘‘802. Permitting of Space-Based Remote Sensing Sys-
tems .............................................................................80201.
‘‘803. Administrative Provisions Related to Certification 
and Permitting .......................................................80301.’’. 
(b) REPEALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Title 51, United States 
Code, is amended as follows: 
(A) Subchapter III of chapter 601 is re-
pealed. 
(B) Section 60147 is repealed. 
(C) The table of sections for chapter 601 
is amended by striking the item relating to sec-
tion 60147. 
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(D) The table of sections for chapter 601 
is amended by striking the items relating to 
subchapter III. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made 
by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that 
is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Title 51, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(A) in section 20302(c)(2), by striking 
‘‘means has the meaning’’ and inserting ‘‘has 
the meaning’’; 
(B) in section 50702(c)(5), by striking 
‘‘Space-Based Position’’ and inserting ‘‘Space- 
Based Positioning’’; and 
(C) in section 71102(1), by striking 
‘‘tracking device’’ and inserting ‘‘tracking de-
vice to’’. 
(2) CHAPTER 513.—The table of chapters of 
title 51, United State Code, is amended by striking 
the item related to chapter 513 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘513. Space Resource Commercial Exploration and Utili-
zation ..........................................................................51301.’’. 
(3) CHAPTER 701.—The table of chapters of 
title 51, United State Code, is amended by striking 
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the item related to chapter 701 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘701. Use of Space Launch System or Alternatives .............70101.’’. 
SEC. 7. OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE. 
Section 50702 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end be-
fore the period ‘‘, which shall be located in the prin-
cipal physical location of the Office of the Secretary 
of Commerce’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘a senior exec-
utive and shall be compensated at a level in the Sen-
ior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5 
as determined by the Secretary of Commerce’’ and 
inserting ‘‘appointed by the President and confirmed 
by the Senate. The Director shall be the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Space Commerce and 
shall report directly to the Secretary of Commerce.’’; 
and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the pe-
riod at the end; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(6) to authorize and supervise the operations 
of United States nongovernmental entities in outer 
space, pursuant to chapter 801 of this title; 
‘‘(7) to authorize and supervise the operations 
of space-based remote sensing systems pursuant to 
chapter 802 of this title; and 
‘‘(8) to facilitate and promote the development 
of best practices among operators of space objects 
and space-based remote sensing systems under this 
subtitle to address substantial risks to the physical 
safety of Federal Government space objects, includ-
ing the risk of on-orbit collisions.’’. 
SEC. 8. RESTRICTION ON PREVENTING LAUNCHES AND RE-
ENTRIES OF CERTIFIED SPACE OBJECTS. 
Section 50904(c) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘No launch 
or reentry may be prevented under this authority on the 
basis of national security, foreign policy, or international 
obligations of the United States, including under the cov-
ered treaties on outer space (as defined in section 80101) 
if the payload has received a certification to operate as 
a space object under chapter 801.’’. 
SEC. 9. REPORT ON REGISTRATION OF SPACE OBJECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, 
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acting through the Office of Space Commerce and in con-
sultation with the Private Space Activity Advisory Com-
mittee established under section 80109 of title 51, United 
States Code, shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the implementation of 
the space object registration obligations of the United 
States and other countries under Article VIII of the Outer 
Space Treaty and the Convention on Registration of Space 
Objects. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report required 
under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) an identification of the practices and proce-
dures among countries that are members of the 
Outer Space Treaty and the Convention on Registra-
tion of Space Objects in implementing and com-
plying with the registration obligations contained in 
the treaties; 
(2) a description of any existing practices and 
procedures of the Federal Government for the reg-
istration of nongovernmental space objects; and 
(3) recommendations on how the registration of 
space objects in the United States could be improved 
to benefit the United States, including enabling 
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United States leadership in commercial space activi-
ties. 
Æ 
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