HR 656: To amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance the safety of the commercial human space flight industry. (Introduced in House)
HR 656 IH
February 8, 2005
Mr. OBERSTAR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science
- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCHES.
- (a) Applications- Section 70105(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended–
- (1) in paragraph (1) by striking `subsection (b)(2)(D)’ each place it appears and inserting `subsection (b)(2)(E)’; and
- (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
- `(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that each license approved includes minimum standards to protect the health and safety of crews and space flight participants, taking into account the inherently risky nature of human flight.
- `(3) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may establish procedures for safety approvals of launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, safety systems, processes, services, or personnel that may be used in conducting licensed commercial space launch or reentry activities.’.
- (b) Requirements- Section 70105(b)(2)(D) of such title is amended by striking `, only if’ and all that follows before the semicolon.
- (c) Safety Regulations- Section 70105(c) of such title is amended–
- (1) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and
- (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).
- (d) Experimental Permits- Section 70105a of such title is amended–
- (1) in subsection (a)–
- (A) in the second sentence by striking `120 days’ and inserting `180 days’; and
- (B) in the third sentence by striking `90 days’ and inserting `120 days’; and
- (2) in subsection (h) by inserting before the period at the end the following: `or a human being not involved in any activity identified in subsection (d)’.
- (e) Regulations- Section 70120 of such title is amended by striking subsection (d).
