
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC14735]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
 CHAPTER 141--COMMERCIAL SPACE OPPORTUNITIES AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 
   SUBCHAPTER II--FEDERAL ACQUISITION OF SPACE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 
Sec. 14735. National launch capability study


(a) Findings

    Congress finds that a robust satellite and launch industry in the 
United States serves the interest of the United States by--
        (1) contributing to the economy of the United States;
        (2) strengthening employment, technological, and scientific 
    interests of the United States; and
        (3) serving the foreign policy and national security interests 
    of the United States.

(b) Definitions

    In this section:

                            (1) Secretary

        The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Defense.

             (2) Total potential national mission model

        The term ``total potential national mission model'' means a 
    model that--
            (A) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Administrator, to assess the total potential space missions to 
        be conducted in the United States during a specified period of 
        time; and
            (B) includes all launches in the United States (including 
        launches conducted on or off a Federal range).

(c) Report

                           (1) In general

        Not later than 180 days after October 28, 1998, the Secretary 
    shall, in consultation with the Administrator and appropriate 
    representatives of the satellite and launch industry and the 
    governments of States and political subdivisions thereof--
            (A) prepare a report that meets the requirements of this 
        subsection; and
            (B) submit that report to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Science of the House of Representatives.

                     (2) Requirements for report

        The report prepared under this subsection shall--
            (A) identify the total potential national mission model for 
        the period beginning on the date of the report and ending on 
        December 31, 2007;
            (B) identify the resources that are necessary or available 
        to carry out the total potential national mission model 
        described in subparagraph (A), including--
                (i) launch property and services of the Department of 
            Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
            and non-Federal facilities; and
                (ii) the ability to support commercial launch-on-demand 
            on short notification, taking into account Federal 
            requirements, at launch sites or test ranges in the United 
            States;

            (C) identify each deficiency in the resources referred to in 
        subparagraph (B); and
            (D) with respect to the deficiencies identified under 
        subparagraph (C), include estimates of the level of funding 
        necessary to address those deficiencies for the period described 
        in subparagraph (A).

(d) Recommendations

    Based on the reports under subsection (c) of this section, the 
Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the 
Secretary of Commerce, and representatives from interested private 
sector entities, States, and local governments, shall--
        (1) identify opportunities for investment by non-Federal 
    entities (including States and political subdivisions thereof and 
    private sector entities) to assist the Federal Government in 
    providing launch capabilities for the commercial space industry in 
    the United States;
        (2) identify one or more methods by which, if sufficient 
    resources referred to in subsection (c)(2)(D) of this section are 
    not available to the Department of Defense and the National 
    Aeronautics and Space Administration, the control of the launch 
    property and launch services of the Department of Defense and the 
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration may be transferred 
    from the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and 
    Space Administration to--
            (A) one or more other Federal agencies;
            (B) one or more States (or subdivisions thereof);
            (C) one or more private sector entities; or
            (D) any combination of the entities described in 
        subparagraphs (A) through (C); and

        (3) identify the technical, structural, and legal impediments 
    associated with making launch sites or test ranges in the United 
    States viable and competitive.

(Pub. L. 105-303, title II, Sec. 206, Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2857.)
