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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
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 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
 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.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1