---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 60122"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "60122"
heading: "Conditions for operation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/60122"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Earth Observations"
  - "Chapter 601 — Land Remote Sensing Policy"
  - "Subchapter III — Licensing of Private Remote Sensing Space Systems"
---

# §60122. Conditions for operation

- (a) **License Required for Operation.—** No person that is subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States may, directly or through any subsidiary or affiliate, operate any private remote sensing space system without a license pursuant to [section 60121 of this title](/usc/51/60121.md).
- (b) **Licensing Requirements.—** Any license issued pursuant to this subchapter shall specify that the licensee shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter and shall—
  - (1) operate the system in such manner as to preserve the national security of the United States and to observe the international obligations of the United States in accordance with [section 60146 of this title](/usc/51/60146.md);
  - (2) make available to the government of any country (including the United States) [unenhanced data](/usc/51/60101.md?p=12) collected by the system concerning the territory under the jurisdiction of such government as soon as such data are available and on reasonable terms and conditions;
  - (3) make [unenhanced data](/usc/51/60101.md?p=12) designated by the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) in the license pursuant to [section 60121(e) of this title](/usc/51/60121.md?p=e) available in accordance with [section 60141 of this title](/usc/51/60141.md);
  - (4) upon termination of operations under the license, make disposition of any satellites in space in a manner satisfactory to the President;
  - (5) furnish the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) with complete orbit and data collection characteristics of the system, and inform the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) immediately of any deviation; and
  - (6) notify the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) of any significant or substantial agreement the licensee intends to enter with a foreign nation, entity, or consortium involving foreign nations or entities.
- (c) **Additional Licensing Requirements for Landsat 6 Contractor.—** In addition to the requirements of [subsection (b)](#b), any license issued pursuant to this subchapter to the [Landsat 6 contractor](/usc/51/60101.md?p=7) shall specify that the [Landsat 6 contractor](/usc/51/60101.md?p=7) shall—
  - (1) notify the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) of any value added activities (as defined by the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) by regulation) that will be conducted by the [Landsat 6 contractor](/usc/51/60101.md?p=7) or by a subsidiary or affiliate; and
  - (2) if such activities are to be conducted, provide the [Secretary](/usc/51/60101.md?p=11) with a plan for compliance with [section 60141 of this title](/usc/51/60141.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3415.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 60122 | 15 U.S.C. 5622. | Pub. L. 102–555, title II, § 202, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4172; Pub. L. 105–303, title I, § 107(f)(2), Oct. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 2854. |

In subsection (c), in the matter before paragraph (1), the words “subsection (b)” are substituted for “paragraph (b)” to correct an error in the law.