Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act

“(21) “space support flight” means a flight in the air that is—

“(A) not a launch or reentry; but

“(B) related to launch or reentry services.

“(22) “space support vehicle” means a vehicle that is—

“(A) a launch vehicle;

“(B) a reentry vehicle; or

“(C) a component of a launch or reentry vehicle.”

“(e) Space support flights

“(1) The Secretary of Transportation may issue or transfer a license for multiple space support flights of a space support vehicle to a citizen of the United States, but only if such citizen holds an operator license issued under this chapter for launch or reentry of such space support vehicle as, or included as a component of, a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle.

“(2) A licensee may only carry out a space support flight of a space support vehicle under a license for carrying a person or property for compensation or hire if such flight lands at the same site from which the vehicle took flight.”

“(d) The Secretary may issue a permit only for—

“(1) reusable suborbital rockets or reusable launch vehicles that will be launched into a suborbital trajectory or reentered under that permit solely for—

“(A) research and development to test design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques;

“(B) showing compliance with requirements as part of the process for obtaining a license for launch or reentry under this chapter; or

“(C) crew training for a launch or reentry using the design of the rocket or vehicle for which the permit would be issued; or

“(2) a space support vehicle, or a vehicle that is in development to become a space support vehicle, operated by a citizen of the United States for space support flights that will be conducted under the permit for, or in support of, the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1).”

“(h) No person may, under a permit, operate a reusable suborbital rocket, reusable launch vehicle, or space support vehicle for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.”