114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2262 
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 reg-
ulatory conditions, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entre-
preneurship Act of 2015’’ or the ‘‘SPACE Act of 2015’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH 
Sec. 101. Consensus standards. 
Sec. 102. International launch competitiveness. 
Sec. 103. Launch license flexibility. 
Sec. 104. Government astronauts. 
Sec. 105. Indemnification for space flight participants. 
Sec. 106. Independent study of indemnification for space flight participants. 
Sec. 107. Federal jurisdiction. 
Sec. 108. Cross-waivers. 
Sec. 109. Orbital traffic management. 
Sec. 110. State commercial launch facilities. 
Sec. 111. Space support vehicles study. 
Sec. 112. Streamline commercial space launch activities. 
Sec. 113. Space Launch System update. 
TITLE II—SPACE RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION 
Sec. 201. Short title. 
Sec. 202. Title 51 amendment. 
TITLE III—COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING 
Sec. 301. Annual reporting. 
Sec. 302. Statutory update report. 
TITLE IV—OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCE 
Sec. 401. Renaming of Office of Space Commercialization. 
Sec. 402. Functions of the Office of Space Commerce. 
TITLE I—COMMERCIAL SPACE 
LAUNCH 
SEC. 101. CONSENSUS STANDARDS. 
Section 50905(c) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (3); 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para-
graph (8); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) INTERIM
INDUSTRY
VOLUNTARY
CON-
SENSUS
STANDARDS
REPORT.—The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Commercial Space Transpor-
tation Advisory Committee, or its successor organi-
zation, 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 in-
dustry in developing voluntary consensus standards 
or any other construction that promotes best prac-
tices to improve the industry. Such report shall in-
clude, 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 con-
sensus standards or another potential construc-
identified through the reports published under para-
graphs (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 sub-
section 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 ex-
cept as otherwise provided in this section.’’. 
SEC. 102. INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH COMPETITIVENESS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
vide 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 pro-
file approach to provide reasonable maximum probable 
loss values associated with potential third party losses 
from commercially licensed launches. An appropriately up-
dated methodology will help ensure that the Federal Gov-
ernment is not exposed to greater financial risks than in-
tended and that launch companies are not required to pur-
chase 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 Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan to up-
date 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 esti-
mate; 
(2) an evaluation, in consultation with the Ad-
ministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and the heads of other relevant exec-
utive 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 in-
sufficient; 
(3) a schedule of when updates to the method-
ology and calculations for the totality of the Max-
imum Probable Loss will be implemented, and a de-
tailed explanation of any changes to the current cal-
culation; 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 pro-
viding 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 Com-
mittee 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 implementa-
tion; and 
(4) any further actions needed to implement the 
plan or otherwise accomplish the purpose of this sec-
tion. 
(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’’. 
SEC. 103. LAUNCH LICENSE FLEXIBILITY. 
Section 50906 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘that will be 
launched or reentered’’ and inserting ‘‘or reusable 
launch vehicles that will be launched into a sub-
orbital trajectory 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)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘prior to obtaining a li-
cense’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or vehicle’’ after ‘‘design 
of the rocket’’;
(4) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘suborbital 
rocket design’’ and inserting ‘‘suborbital rocket or 
rocket design, or for a particular reusable launch ve-
hicle or reusable launch vehicle design,’’; 
(5) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ‘‘or launch 
vehicle’’ after ‘‘the suborbital rocket’’; 
(6) by amending subsection (g) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(g) The Secretary may issue a permit under this sec-
tion notwithstanding any license issued under this chapter. 
The issuance of a license under this chapter shall not in-
validate a permit under this section.’’; and 
(7) in subsection (h), by inserting ‘‘or reusable 
launch vehicle’’ after ‘‘suborbital rocket’’. 
SEC. 104. 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 fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) ‘government astronaut’ means an indi-
vidual designated as such by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
pursuant requirements established by the Adminis-
trator, 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, Gov-
ernments of Member States of the Euro-
pean Space Agency, the Government of 
Japan, the Government of the Russian 
Federation, and the Government of the 
United States of America Concerning Co-
operation 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 em-
ployment, which may include performance of ac-
tivities directly relating to the launch, reentry, 
or other operation of the launch vehicle or re-
entry vehicle.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘gov-
ernment astronaut,’’ after ‘‘crew,’’;
(4) in paragraph (7)(A), as so redesignated by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘gov-
ernment astronaut,’’ after ‘‘(including crew train-
ing),’’; 
(5) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘gov-
ernment astronauts,’’ after ‘‘crew,’’; 
(6) in paragraph (15)(A), as so redesignated by 
paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘‘gov-
ernment astronaut,’’ after ‘‘(including crew train-
ing),’’; 
(7) by amending paragraph (18), as so redesig-
nated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(18) ‘space flight participant’ means an indi-
vidual, 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 ‘‘, gov-
ernment 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, gov-
ernment astronauts, and space flight participants’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by inserting ‘‘, gov-
ernment astronauts,’’ after ‘‘crew’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, gov-
ernment astronauts,’’ after ‘‘crew’’; 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’’. 
(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 train-
ing’’. 
(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 astro-
nauts, or space flight participants’’.
SEC. 105. INDEMNIFICATION FOR SPACE FLIGHT PARTICI-
PANTS. 
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 in-
serting ‘‘a contractor’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘but not against’’ and in-
serting ‘‘or’’. 
SEC. 106. INDEPENDENT STUDY OF INDEMNIFICATION FOR 
SPACE FLIGHT PARTICIPANTS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall provide to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
detailing the results of a study of the issues associated 
with space flight participants and potential third party 
claims that could arise from a potential accident of a com-
mercial licensed launch vehicle or reentry vehicle that is 
carrying space flight participants. The study shall— 
(1) identify the issues associated with space 
flight participants and third party liability;
(2) identify options for addressing the issues; 
(3) identify any potential unintended con-
sequences and issues associated with each of the op-
tions; and 
(4) identify any potential costs to the Federal 
Government for each of the options. 
SEC. 107. 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.’’. 
SEC. 108. 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 con-
tain a provision requiring the licensee or transferee to 
make a reciprocal waiver of claims with its contractors, 
subcontractors, and customers, the contractors and sub-
contractors of the customers, and any space flight partici-
pants, 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 em-
ployees resulting from an activity carried out under the 
applicable license.’’. 
SEC. 109. ORBITAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress 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, in 
consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration, the 
Federal Communications Commission, the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Depart-
ment of Defense, shall enter into an arrangement with an 
independent, nonprofit, 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, Gov-
ernment best practices, and industry standards that 
apply to space traffic management and orbital debris 
mitigation.
(2) An assessment of current statutory author-
ity granted to the Federal Communications Commis-
sion, 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 inter-
national 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 Govern-
ment assets used to conduct space traffic manage-
ment and space situational awareness. 
(5) An assessment of the risk associated with 
smallsats as well as any necessary Government co-
ordination for their launch and utilization. 
(6) An assessment of existing private sector in-
formation 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 in-
dustry. 
(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 Com-
mittee 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 De-
fense to safeguard the national security. 
SEC. 110. STATE COMMERCIAL LAUNCH FACILITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the Sense of Con-
gress that State involvement, development, ownership, and 
operation of launch facilities can help enable growth of 
the Nation’s commercial suborbital and orbital space en-
deavors 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 sub-
ject to risks if the commercial launch vehicle fails or expe-
riences an anomaly. To ensure the success of the commer-
cial launch industry and the safety of the people and prop-
erty 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. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later 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 Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report on the potential inclusion of all govern-
ment property, including State and municipal property, in 
the existing indemnification regime established under sec-
tion 50914 of title 51, United States Code. 
SEC. 111. SPACE SUPPORT VEHICLES STUDY. 
Not less than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Com-
mittee 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 bar-
riers to the use of such services; and 
(3) recommendations for legislative or regu-
latory 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. 112. STREAMLINE COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH AC-
TIVITIES. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that eliminating duplicative requirements and ap-
provals for commercial launch and reentry operations will 
promote and encourage the development of the commercial 
space sector. 
(b) REAFFIRMATION
OF POLICY.—Congress reaf-
firms that the Secretary of Transportation, in overseeing 
and coordinating commercial launch and reentry oper-
ations, should— 
(1) promote commercial space launches and re-
entries 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 pol-
icy 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 con-
sistent 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 execu-
tive 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 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 
relevant 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 de-
termines no outmoded or duplicative requirements or 
approvals of the Federal Government exist, the Sec-
retary of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
commercial space sector, and the heads of other ex-
ecutive agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives, and the congressional defense committees a re-
port 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 prop-
erty; 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 agen-
cies to define interagency processes and proce-
dures for sharing information, avoiding duplica-
tion of effort, and resolving common agency re-
quirements. 
(C) Recommendations for legislation that 
may further— 
(i) streamline requirements in order 
to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary 
costs, resolve inconsistencies, remove dupli-
cation, and minimize unwarranted con-
straints;
(ii) consolidate or modify require-
ments across affected agencies into a sin-
gle application set that satisfies the re-
quirements identified in paragraph (1)(A); 
(iii) facilitate outreach to minority- 
and women-owned businesses on business 
opportunities in the commercial space in-
dustry; and 
(iv) facilitate the participation of the 
Emerging 
Researchers 
National 
Con-
ference in STEM, American Association 
for the Advancement of Science, Louis 
Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation 
Program (LAMP), Historically Black Col-
leges and Universities Undergraduate Pro-
gram (HBCU–UP) of the National Science 
Foundation, Emerging Researchers Na-
tional Conference in Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Mathematics, the Univer-
sity of Florida’s Institute for African- 
American 
Mentoring 
in 
Computing 
Sciences, the Hispanic Association of Col-
leges and Universities, the National Indian 
Education Association, and other institu-
tions, organizations, or associations as the
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item re-
lating to chapter 701 in the table of chapters of title 
51, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘Space Shuttle’’ and inserting ‘‘Space Launch Sys-
tem’’. 
(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 insert-
ing ‘‘Space Launch System’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item re-
lating 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 in-
serting ‘‘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 Sys-
tem’’; 
(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 author-
ized under section 302 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item re-
lating 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 Sys-
tem’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item re-
lating 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’’.
TITLE II—SPACE RESOURCE EX-
PLORATION 
AND 
UTILIZA-
TION 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Space Resource Explo-
ration and Utilization Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 202. TITLE 51 AMENDMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle V of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new chapter: 
‘‘CHAPTER 513—SPACE RESOURCE 
EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION 
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘51301. Definitions. 
‘‘51302. Commercialization of space resource exploration and utilization. 
‘‘51303. Legal framework. 
‘‘§ 51301. Definitions 
‘‘In this chapter: 
‘‘(1) SPACE RESOURCE.—The term ‘space re-
source’ means a natural resource of any kind found 
in situ in outer space. 
‘‘(2) ASTEROID RESOURCE.—The term ‘asteroid 
resource’ means a space resource found on or within 
a single asteroid. 
‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means any of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and any other common-
wealth, territory, or possession of the United States. 
‘‘(4) UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL SPACE RE-
SOURCE
UTILIZATION
ENTITY.—The term ‘United 
States commercial space resource utilization entity’ 
means an entity providing space resource exploration 
or utilization services, the control of which is held by 
persons other than a Federal, State, local, or foreign 
government, and that is— 
‘‘(A) duly organized under the laws of a 
State; 
‘‘(B) subject to the subject matter and per-
sonal jurisdiction of the courts of the United 
States; or 
‘‘(C) a foreign entity that has voluntarily 
submitted to the subject matter and personal 
jurisdiction of the courts of the United States. 
‘‘§ 51302. Commercialization of space resource explo-
ration and utilization 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through 
appropriate Federal agencies, shall— 
‘‘(1) facilitate the commercial exploration and 
utilization of space resources to meet national needs;
‘‘(2) discourage government barriers to the de-
velopment of economically viable, safe, and stable in-
dustries for the exploration and utilization of space 
resources in manners consistent with the existing 
international obligations of the United States; and 
‘‘(3) promote the right of United States com-
mercial entities to explore outer space and utilize 
space resources, in accordance with the existing 
international obligations of the United States, free 
from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell 
such resources. 
‘‘(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Presi-
dent shall submit to Congress a report that contains rec-
ommendations for— 
‘‘(1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to 
the exploration and utilization of space resources 
among Federal agencies; and 
‘‘(2) any authorities necessary to meet the 
international obligations of the United States with 
respect to the exploration and utilization of space re-
sources. 
‘‘§ 51303. Legal framework 
‘‘(a) PROPERTY RIGHTS.—Any asteroid resources ob-
tained in outer space are the property of the entity that
obtained such resources, which shall be entitled to all 
property rights thereto, consistent with applicable provi-
sions of Federal law and existing international obligations. 
‘‘(b) SAFETY
OF OPERATIONS.—A United States 
commercial space resource utilization entity shall avoid 
causing harmful interference in outer space. 
‘‘(c) CIVIL ACTION FOR RELIEF FROM HARMFUL IN-
TERFERENCE.—A United States commercial space re-
source utilization entity may bring a civil action for appro-
priate legal or equitable relief, or both, under this chapter 
for any action by another entity subject to United States 
jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations 
with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in 
outer space. 
‘‘(d) RULE OF DECISION.—In a civil action brought 
pursuant to subsection (c) with respect to an asteroid re-
source utilization activity in outer space, a court shall 
enter judgment in favor of the plaintiff if the court finds— 
‘‘(1) the plaintiff— 
‘‘(A) acted in accordance with all existing 
international obligations of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(B) was first in time to conduct the activ-
ity; and
‘‘(2) the activity is reasonable for the explo-
ration and utilization of asteroid resources. 
‘‘(e) EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION.—The district courts 
of the United States shall have original jurisdiction over 
an action under this chapter without regard to the amount 
in controversy.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters 
for title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end of the items for subtitle V the following: 
‘‘513. Space resource exploration and utilization ................51301’’. 
TITLE III—COMMERCIAL 
REMOTE SENSING 
SEC. 301. ANNUAL REPORTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 601 of 
title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘§ 60126. Annual reporting 
‘‘The Secretary shall provide a report to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of the SPACE Act 
of 2015 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 approved; 
‘‘(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 over-
due for applications that exceeded such dead-
line, and an explanation for the delay; 
‘‘(2) all notifications and information provided 
to the Secretary pursuant to section 60122; and 
‘‘(3) all actions taken by the Secretary under 
the administrative authority granted by section 
60123(a)(4), (5), and (6). 
Such report may include classified annexes as necessary 
to protect the disclosure of sensitive or classified informa-
tion.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 601 of such title is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 60125 the 
following new item: 
‘‘60126. Annual reporting.’’. 
SEC. 302. STATUTORY UPDATE REPORT. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with other ap-
propriate Federal agencies and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration’s Advisory Committee on 
Commercial Remote Sensing, shall report to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on statutory 
updates necessary to protect national security, protect pri-
vacy (which is not to be taken as altering any condition 
or standards for licensing), protect the United States in-
dustrial base, and reflect the current state of the art of 
remote sensing systems, instruments, or technologies. 
TITLE IV—OFFICE OF SPACE 
COMMERCE 
SEC. 401. RENAMING OF OFFICE OF SPACE COMMER-
CIALIZATION. 
(a) CHAPTER HEADING.— 
(1) AMENDMENT.—The chapter heading for 
chapter 507 of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended 
by 
striking 
‘‘COMMERCIALIZA-
TION’’ and inserting ‘‘Commerce’’.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item re-
lating to chapter 507 in the table chapters for title 
51, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘Commercialization’’ and inserting ‘‘Commerce’’. 
(b) DEFINITION OF OFFICE.— Section 50701 of title 
51, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Commer-
cialization’’ and inserting ‘‘Commerce’’. 
(c) RENAMING.—Section 50702(a) of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Commercialization’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Commerce’’. 
SEC. 402. FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF SPACE COM-
MERCE. 
Section 50702(c) of title 51, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Commerce.’’ and inserting ‘‘Com-
merce, including to— 
‘‘(1) foster the conditions for the economic 
growth and technological advancement of the United 
States space commerce industry; 
‘‘(2) coordinate space commerce policy issues 
and actions within the Department of Commerce; 
‘‘(3) 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) promote the advancement of United States 
geospatial technologies related to space commerce, in 
cooperation 
with 
relevant 
interagency 
working 
groups; and 
‘‘(5) provide support to Federal Government or-
ganizations working on Space-Based Positioning 
Navigation, and Timing policy, including the Na-
tional Coordination Office for Space-Based Position, 
Navigation, and Timing.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2015. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2262 
AN ACT 
To facilitate a pro-growth environment for the de-
veloping commercial space industry by encour-
aging private sector investment and creating 
more stable and predictable regulatory condi-
tions, and for other purposes.