---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 50909"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "50909"
heading: "Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/50909"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities"
  - "Chapter 509 — Commercial Space Launch Activities"
---

# §50909. Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries

- (a) **General Authority.—** The [Secretary](/usc/51/50301.md?p=5) of Transportation may prohibit, suspend, or end immediately the [launch](/usc/51/50501.md?p=5) of a [launch vehicle](/usc/51/50501.md?p=8) or the operation of a [launch site](/usc/51/50902.md?p=10) or [reentry site](/usc/51/50902.md?p=18), or reentry of a [reentry vehicle](/usc/51/50902.md?p=19), licensed under this chapter if the [Secretary](/usc/51/50301.md?p=5) decides the [launch](/usc/51/50501.md?p=5) or operation or reentry is detrimental to the public health and safety, the safety of property, or a national security or foreign policy interest of the [United States](/usc/51/50501.md?p=14).
- (b) **Effective Periods of Orders.—** An order under this section takes effect immediately and remains in effect during a review under [section 50912 of this title](/usc/51/50912.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1334, § 70108 of title 49; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 102(a)(8), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2848; renumbered § 70108 then § 50909 of title 51 and amended Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(I), (5)(L), Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3440–3442.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 70108(a) | 49 App.:2610(a). | Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–575, § 11, 98 Stat. 3059. |
| 70108(b) | 49 App.:2610(b). |  |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(2), (3)(I), successively renumbered section 70108 of title 49 and section 70108 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–314, § 4(d)(5)(L), substituted “section 50912” for “section 70110”.

1998—Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(A), substituted “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches, operation of launch sites and reentry sites, and reentries” for “Prohibition, suspension, and end of launches and operation of launch sites” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–303, § 102(a)(8)(B), inserted “or reentry site, or reentry of a reentry vehicle,” after “operation of a launch site” and “or reentry” after “launch or operation”.