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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 5382 (108th)

Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

18 November 2004

Last action

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Status

Became Public Law No: 108-492.

Sponsors

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Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

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Summary

Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends Federal law concerning commercial space transportation to make such law applicable to space flight crews and space flight participants. Instructs the Secretary to ensure that only one license or permit is required from the Department of Transportation to conduct activities involving crew or space flight participants. Prohibits the Secretary from granting waivers that would permit launches without a license or permit if humans will be aboard. Allows the holder of a license or a permit to launch and reenter crews and space flight participants, but only as specified. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations requiring space flight participants to undergo physical examination prior to launch or reentry. Authorizes the Secretary to issue safety regulations governing launch vehicle design or operation. Provides for the issuance of experimental permits (including permits for reusable suborbital rockets) allowing for an unlimited number of launches. Permits suspension of licenses under which a previous launch or reentry resulted in serious or fatal injuries. Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government. Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants. Requires the Secretary to arrange for a study of the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation which assesses how the current system could be eliminated. Requires the Secretary to arrange for a report analyzing safety issues related to launching humans into space.

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Documents

12 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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