Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act
The Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, officially known as H.R. 2262, is a piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress in 2015. Here are key points about this Act:
- Legislative History:
- The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 8, 2015, by Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
- It was passed by the House on May 21, 2015, with a vote of 284-133.
- The Senate passed the bill without amendment on November 10, 2015.
- The Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on November 25, 2015.
- Purpose and Provisions:
- The Act aims to facilitate the development of the Commercial Spaceflight industry by extending the "learning period" during which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is prohibited from issuing new regulations that could impede the industry's growth.
- It extends the moratorium on regulations for commercial human spaceflight until September 30, 2023.
- It also addresses property rights in space by stating that any U.S. citizen engaged in commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or space resource shall be entitled to any asteroid resource or space resource obtained, including to possess, own, transport, use, and sell the asteroid resource or space resource obtained in accordance with applicable law.
- Impact and Controversy:
- The Act has been both praised for promoting the commercialization of space activities and criticized for potentially creating conflicts over space resources and ignoring international space law, particularly the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 which does not recognize national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
- It has spurred discussions on space mining, property rights, and the commercialization of space.
- International Implications:
- There are concerns regarding how this Act might affect international relations, especially with countries like Russia and China, who are also advancing their space programs.
- The Act has implications for how nations might interpret and implement space law in the future.
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