Commercial Space Transportation Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-1260
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2003-06-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Authorization
Aviation insurance
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Transportation
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Indemnity
Launch vehicles
Law
Space activities
Space commercialization
Subcontractors
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-06-13
text: 
Commercial Space Transportation Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 to the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
 
Extends from December 31, 2004, through December 31, 2009, the commercial space transportation (CST) indemnification program under which the Secretary of Transportation shall pay successful third-party claims against CST licensees, contractors, subcontractors, or transferees for catastrophic losses resulting from licensed space launch activities, to the extent such claims exceed mandatory insurance (including self-insurance) coverage.
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress on the need for a distinct regulatory regime for suborbital vehicles taking into account their unique characteristics and purposes.

action_date: 2003-07-24
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Commercial Space Transportation Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 to the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
 
Extends from December 31, 2004, through December 31, 2009, the commercial space transportation (CST) indemnification program under which the Secretary of Transportation shall pay successful third-party claims against CST licensees, contractors, subcontractors, or transferees for catastrophic losses resulting from licensed space launch activities, to the extent such claims exceed mandatory insurance (including self-insurance) coverage.
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress on the need for a distinct regulatory regime for suborbital vehicles taking into account their unique characteristics and purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.
action_date: 2003-07-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-111.
action_date: 2003-07-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-111.
action_date: 2003-06-19
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2003-06-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2003-06-13
text: Introduced in Senate