HR 2809 RFS 
‘‘(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, 
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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:21 Apr 25, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2809.RFS
H2809
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
HR 2809 RFS 
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 
United States leadership in commercial space activi-
ties. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:21 Apr 25, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2809.RFS
H2809
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
HR 2809 RFS 
SEC. 10. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report on removing the Office 
of Commercial Space Transportation from under the juris-
diction of the Federal Aviation Administration and rees-
tablishing the Office under the jurisdiction of the Sec-
retary of Transportation. Such report shall include— 
(1) the identification of key practices for suc-
cessful organizational transitions; 
(2) the advantages and disadvantages of the re-
moval and reestablishment with respect to the ability 
of the Office to continue to coordinate and commu-
nicate with Federal Aviation Administration on air-
space issues; and 
(3) the identification of any issues that are pre-
venting the Office from fully carrying out its statu-
tory mandate, and if such issues would persist re-
gardless of organizational location of the Office with-
in the Department of Transportation. 
SEC. 11. RADIOFREQUENCY MAPPING REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Di-
rector of National Intelligence, shall complete and submit 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:21 Apr 25, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2809.RFS
H2809
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
HR 2809 RFS 
to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sens-
ing a report on space-based radiofrequency mapping. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) whether there is a need to regulate space- 
based radiofrequency mapping; 
(2) any immitigable impacts of space-based ra-
diofrequency mapping on national security, U.S. 
competitiveness and space leadership, and constitu-
tional freedoms; and 
(3) findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
regarding the costs and benefits of additional regu-
latory authority over space-based radiofrequency 
mapping; and 
(4) an evaluation of— 
(A) whether the development of voluntary 
consensus industry standards in coordination 
with the Department of Defense is more appro-
priate than issuing regulations with respect to 
space-based radiofrequency mapping; and 
(B) how existing authorities, regulations, 
and laws could be applied in a manner that pre-
vents the need for additional regulation of such 
mapping. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:21 Apr 25, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2809.RFS
H2809
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS
HR 2809 RFS 
(c) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL REMOTE 
SENSING REVIEW.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of receipt of the report required under subsection (a), the 
Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing shall 
submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
the report submitted under subsection (a) and the opinion 
of the Advisory Committee with respect to such report, 
including any critiques, concerns, recommendations, and 
endorsements. Such opinion shall be submitted directly 
from the Chair of the Advisory Committee to those Com-
mittees of Congress without any review or change by the 
Administration. 
Passed the House of Representatives April 24, 2018. 
Attest: 
KAREN L. HAAS, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:21 Apr 25, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2809.RFS
H2809
pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS