United States 113th Congress Status: Died 1 D cosponsors

S 2140 — A bill to improve the transition between experimental permits and commercial licenses for commercial reusable launch vehicles.

Last action — By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-318.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. Died in session

This bill died with 113th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Revises requirements for experimental permits related to commercial space launch activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue an experimental permit for a particular reusable suborbital vehicle (RSV) for research and development to test design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques, regardless of whether they are new (as under current law) or already existing. Strikes the requirement that crew training for which the permit may be used must occur before a commercial license for launch or reentry is obtained. Allows a permit to authorize an unlimited number of launches and reentries for a particular RSV rocket design (as well as for a particular RSV, as under current law). Repeals the prohibition against issuance of a permit, and the automatic invalidation of an existing permit, after a license has been issued for the launch or reentry of an RSV of a particular design. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit regardless of whether a license has already been issued. Declares that the issuance of a license may not invalidate a permit.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read S 2140 on the official United States source →

Action History

  1. By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-318.

  2. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 612.

  3. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  4. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

Licensing and registrations Spacecraft and satellites Science, technology, communications
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 2140 do?
Revises requirements for experimental permits related to commercial space launch activities. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue an experimental permit for a particular reusable suborbital vehicle (RSV) for research and development to test design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques, regardless of whether they are new (as under current law) or already existing. Strikes the requirement that crew training for which the permit may be used must occur before a commercial license for launch or reentry is obtained. Allows a permit to authorize an unlimited number of launches and reentries for a particular RSV rocket design (as well as for a particular RSV, as under current law). Repeals the prohibition against issuance of a permit, and the automatic invalidation of an existing permit, after a license has been issued for the launch or reentry of an RSV of a particular design. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a permit regardless of whether a license has already been issued. Declares that the issuance of a license may not invalidate a permit.
Who sponsors S 2140?
S 2140 is sponsored by Martin Heinrich (D).
What is the current status of S 2140?
This bill died with 113th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 2140?
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Last checked for changes about 9 hours ago · updated continuously

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