New Space Age Act of 2024

“50921. Commercial Space Transportation Administration

“(a) Establishment—There is established within the Department of Transportation a Commercial Space Transportation Administration to—

“(1) accelerate the growth of the commercial space transportation industry of the United States;

“(2) ensure United States technological leadership in space; and

“(3) protect the public health and safety, safety of property, national security interests, and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch and reentry activities.

“(b) Administrator—The Commercial Space Transportation Administration shall be headed by an Administrator who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Administrator shall report directly to the Secretary of Transportation. The Administrator shall have at least 5 years of experience in the space industry or in a government agency or office in the commercial space industry.

“(c) Duties and responsibilities—The Administrator of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration shall—

“(1) exercise the authorities of the Secretary of Transportation with respect to commercial space launch and reentry activities, including the authorities provided under chapter 509 of title 51;

“(2) encourage the development of technologies and capabilities of the commercial space transportation industry of the United States;

“(3) maintain the competitive edge of the United States in commercial space activities;

“(4) coordinate activities with other agencies and departments of the Federal Government, including the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense, to streamline and expedite the approval of licenses necessary for the timely conduct of commercial space launch and reentry activities; and

“(5) issue regulations concerning commercial space launch and reentry activities that appropriately manage—

“(A) commercial requirements for timely approval or denial of license and permit applications or modifications to such applications;

“(B) advantages in technology developed or manufactured in the United States;

“(C) responsiveness and readiness of commercial space launches to meet commercial and national security needs, including by minimizing delays as a result of licensing and authorization processes; and

“(D) public safety concerns.

“(d) Transfer—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the New Space Age Act of 2024, the Secretary shall transfer the authorities to be exercised by the Administrator of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration from the Federal Aviation Administration or any other agency of the Department of Transportation.

“(e) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the activities of the Commercial Space Transportation Administration $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which not less than 75 percent of the amount appropriated—

“(1) shall be reserved only for use in the timely and expeditious processing of applications for licenses and authorizations; and

“(2) may not be used in the development or promulgation of regulations.”