Monday, March 4, 2013

U.S. Space Law

     We previously explored the international framework for space law. Today I am going to introduce the primary source of space law in the United States. The laws of the United States regarding outer space are codified in Title 51 of the United States Code. Signed into law December 18, 2010 when President Barak Obama signed PL 111-314 into law. Introduced as H.R. 3237 by Rep. John Conyers and titled National and Commercial Space Programs, Title 51 brought together (did not modify or repeal) a number of statutes regarding space law into one easier to find place. Some of these previous statutes were in Title 15, Commerce and Trade, Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare and Title 49, Transportation.
     A quick look at this Title will show that it echoes many of the sentiments embodied in the Outer Space Treaty. The seven subtitles of Title 51 are:

Subtitle I—General
Chap. Sec.
101. Definitions ................................................................................................... 10101
Subtitle II—General Program and Policy Provisions
201. National Aeronautics and Space Program ................................................ 20101
203. Responsibilities and Vision ........................................................................ 20301
Subtitle III—Administrative Provisions
301. Appropriations, Budgets, and Accounting ................................................ 30101
303. Contracting and Procurement ................................................................... 30301
305. Management and Review ........................................................................... 30501
307. International Cooperation and Competition ............................................. 30701
309. Awards ......................................................................................................... 30901
311. Safety ........................................................................................................... 31101
313. Healthcare ................................................................................................... 31301
315. Miscellaneous .............................................................................................. 31501
Subtitle IV—Aeronautics and Space Research and Education 
401. Aeronautics ................................................................................................. 40101
403. National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program ......................... 40301
405. Biomedical Research in Space ................................................................... 40501
407. Environmentally Friendly Aircraft ........................................................... 40701
409. Miscellaneous .............................................................................................. 40901
Subtitle V—Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities
501. Space Commerce ......................................................................................... 50101
503. Commercial Reusable In-Space Transportation ....................................... 50301
505. Commercial Space Competitiveness .......................................................... 50501
507. Office of Space Commercialization ............................................................ 50701
Subtitle VI—Earth Observations
601. Land Remote Sensing Policy ..................................................................... 60101
603. Remote Sensing .......................................................................................... 60301
605. Earth Science .............................................................................................. 60501
Subtitle VII—Access to Space
701. Use of Space Shuttle or Alternatives ........................................................ 70101
703. Shuttle Pricing Policy for Commercial and Foreign Users ..................... 70301
705. Exploration Initiatives ............................................................................... 70501
707. Human Space Flight Independent Investigation Commission ................ 70701
709. International Space Station ....................................................................... 70901
711. Near-Earth Objects ..................................................................................... 71101
713. Cooperation for Safety Among Spacefaring Nations ................................ 71301

Sections 4, 5, and 6 of PL 111-314 describe conforming amendments to other laws, transitional and savings provisions, and repeals respectively. Overall Title 51 is comprehensive and informative. Like the international framework, the U.S. framework may not answer all of the questions that may arise, but it is detailed enough to provide direction to guide the discussion.












 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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