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51 U.S.C. § 70103 — Commercial payloads on space launch system
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Definitions.—** In this section:
(1) **Launch vehicle.—** — The term “launch vehicle” means any vehicle constructed for the purpose of operating in, or placing a payload in, outer space.
(2) **Payload.—** — The term “payload” means an object which a person undertakes to place in outer space by means of a launch vehicle, and includes subcomponents of the launch vehicle specifically designed or adapted for that object.
**(b) In General.—** Commercial payloads may not be accepted for launch as primary payloads on the space launch system unless the Administrator determines that—
(1) the payload requires the unique capabilities of the space launch system; or
(2) launching of the payload on the space launch system is important for either national security or foreign policy purposes.
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Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-51/section-70103-commercial-payloads-on-space-launch-system--7d2f91318e.md
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Source location: Title 51, Chapter 701, § 70103; chapter-701-use-of-space-launch-system-or-alternatives.md
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**(a) Definitions.—** In this section:
(1) **Launch vehicle.—** — The term “launch vehicle” means any vehicle constructed for the purpose of operating in, or placing a payload in, outer space.
(2) **Payload.—** — The term “payload” means an object which a person undertakes to place in outer space by means of a launch vehicle, and includes subcomponents of the launch vehicle specifically designed or adapted for that object.
**(b) In General.—** Commercial payloads may not be accepted for launch as primary payloads on the space launch system unless the Administrator determines that—
(1) the payload requires the unique capabilities of the space launch system; or
(2) launching of the payload on the space launch system is important for either national security or foreign policy purposes.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
### Statutory Notes
Section, Pub. L. 101–611, title II, § 203, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3206; Pub. L. 105–303, title II, § 203(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2855, defined “launch vehicle” and “payload”. See [section 70103(a) of Title 51](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title51-section70103/a&num=0&edition=prelim), National and Commercial Space Programs.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) General.—** The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out this chapter.
**(b) Facilitating Commercial Launches and Reentries.—** In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall—
(1) encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector, including those involving space flight participants; and
(2) take actions to facilitate private sector involvement in commercial space transportation activity, and to promote public-private partnerships involving the United States Government, State governments, and the private sector to build, expand, modernize, or operate a space launch and reentry infrastructure.
**(c) Safety.—** In carrying out the responsibilities under subsection (b), the Secretary shall encourage, facilitate, and promote the continuous improvement of the safety of launch vehicles designed to carry humans, and the Secretary may, consistent with this chapter, promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
**(d) Executive Agency Assistance.—** When necessary, the head of an executive agency shall assist the Secretary in carrying out this chapter.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 170
TITLE 51—NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
§ 70103
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2015—Pub. L. 114–90 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, section related to space shuttle use pol-
icy.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES
Pub. L. 115–10, title VIII, § 826, Mar. 21, 2017, 131 Stat.
65, provided that:
‘‘(a) DEVELOPMENT OF PAYLOADS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to conduct necessary re-
search, the Administrator [of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration] shall continue
and, as the Administrator considers appropriate, ex-
pand the development of technology payloads for—
‘‘(A) scientific research; and
‘‘(B) investigating new or improved capabilities.
‘‘(2) FUNDS.—For the purpose of carrying out para-
graph (1), the Administrator shall make funds avail-
able for—
‘‘(A) flight testing;
‘‘(B) payload development; and
‘‘(C) hardware related to subparagraphs (A) and
(B).
‘‘(b) REAFFIRMATION OF POLICY.—Congress reaffirms
that the Administrator should provide flight opportuni-
ties for payloads to microgravity environments and
suborbital altitudes as authorized by section 907 of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Au-
thorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 18405).’’
SECONDARY PAYLOAD CAPABILITY
Pub. L. 109–155, title VI, § 602, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat.
2931, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to provide more routine
and affordable access to space for a broad range of sci-
entific payloads, the Administrator is encouraged to
provide the capabilities to support secondary payload
flight opportunities on United States launch vehicles,
or free flyers, for satellites or scientific payloads
weighing less than 500 kilograms.
‘‘(b) FEASIBILITY
STUDY.—The Administrator shall
initiate a feasi
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