49 U.S.C. § 70120 : US Code - Section 70120: Regulations

Search 49 U.S.C. § 70120 : US Code - Section 70120: Regulations

(a) In General. - The Secretary of Transportation, within 9
months after the date of the enactment of this section, shall issue
regulations to carry out this chapter that include -
(1) guidelines for industry and State governments to obtain
sufficient insurance coverage for potential damages to third
parties;
(2) procedures for requesting and obtaining licenses to launch
a commercial launch vehicle;
(3) procedures for requesting and obtaining operator licenses
for launch;
(4) procedures for requesting and obtaining launch site
operator licenses; and
(5) procedures for the application of government
indemnification.
(b) Reentry. - The Secretary of Transportation, within 6 months
after the date of the enactment of this section, shall issue a
notice of proposed rulemaking to carry out this chapter that
includes -
(1) procedures for requesting and obtaining licenses to reenter
a reentry vehicle;
(2) procedures for requesting and obtaining operator licenses
for reentry; and
(3) procedures for requesting and obtaining reentry site
operator licenses.
(c) Amendments. - (1) Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004,
the Secretary shall publish proposed regulations to carry out that
Act, including regulations relating to crew, space flight
participants, and permits for launch or reentry of reusable
suborbital rockets. Not later than 18 months after such date of
enactment, the Secretary shall issue final regulations.
(2)(A) Starting 3 years after the date of enactment of the
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary may
issue final regulations changing the definition of suborbital
rocket under this chapter. No such regulation may take effect until
180 days after the Secretary has submitted the regulation to the
Congress.
(B) The Secretary may issue regulations under this paragraph only
if the Secretary has determined that the definition in section
70102 does not describe, or will not continue to describe, all
appropriate vehicles and only those vehicles. In making that
determination, the Secretary shall take into account the evolving
nature of the commercial space launch industry.
(d) Effective Date. - (1) Licenses for the launch or reentry of
launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human beings on board and
permits may be issued by the Secretary prior to the issuance of the
regulations described in subsection (c).
(2) As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary shall
issue guidelines or advisory circulars to guide the implementation
of that Act until regulations are issued.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), no licenses for the
launch or reentry of launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human
beings on board or permits may be issued starting three years after
the date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act
of 2004 unless the final regulations described in subsection (c)
have been issued.