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HR 3038 113th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Department of Transportation Government studies and investigations Licensing and registrations Space flight and exploration Spacecraft and satellites

SOARS Act

Introduced: August 2, 2013 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 13, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Space.
Aug 2, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Aug 2, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Suborbital and Orbital Advancement and Regulatory Streamlining Act or SOARS Act - Amends commercial space launch licensing requirements.

Revises the definition of "launch services" to include activities involved in the preparation of a launch vehicle (as under current law) or element thereof, including space flight participant training for a launch.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to issue a single license or permit for flight of a launch or reentry vehicle, or element thereof, in support of a launch or reentry, even when the vehicle or element is not being launched or reentered. Requires the Secretary to ensure that all DOT regulations for a licensed or permitted launch or reentry are satisfied under a single license or permit.

Authorizes the issuance of an experimental permit for a particular reusable suborbital rocket (as under current law) or rocket design after a license has been issued for the launch or reentry of a rocket of that design. Declares that any permits already issued shall remain valid for research and development (R&D) and other specified purposes.

Directs the Secretary to establish, under the Office of Commercial Space Transportation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a demonstration project to evaluate the benefits of using experimental aircraft for both the direct and indirect support of commercial space launch and reentry activities.

What's happening now December 13, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Space.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3038: SOARS Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3038/
MLA
"H.R. 3038: SOARS Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3038/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3038, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3038/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3038: SOARS Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3038/)
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