Streamlining licensing of private remote sensing space systems

(a) Clarification of remote sensing regulatory authority over certain imaging systems Section 60121(a)(2) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Instruments determined by the Secretary in writing to be used primarily for mission assurance or other technical purposes shall not be considered to be conducting remote sensing. Instruments used primarily for mission assurance or other technical purposes are instruments used to support the health of the launch vehicle or the operator’s spacecraft or the safety of the operator’s space operations, including instruments used to support on-board self-monitoring for technical assurance, flight reliability, spaceflight safety, navigation, attitude control, separation events, payload deployments, or instruments collecting self-images.. (b) Facilitation of license applications and assistance to applicants (1) In general Section 60121 of title 51, United States Code, is amended— (A) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Assignment of dedicated licensing officer The Secretary shall assign a licensing officer to oversee the application of the applicant for a license under subsection (a). The licensing officer shall assist the applicant by facilitating the application process, minimizing license conditions, and expediting the review and approval of the application, to the extent authorized by law.. (2) Conforming amendment Section 60122(b)(3) of title 51, United States Code, is amended by striking section 60121(e) and inserting section 60121(f). (c) Transparency and expeditious review of licenses In carrying out the authorities under subchapter III of chapter 601 of title 51, United States Code, the Secretary shall— (1) provide transparency to and engagement with applicants throughout the licensing process, including by stating with specificity to the applicant or licensee what basis caused the tiering determination of the license; (2) minimize the timelines for review of commercial remote sensing licensing applications; and (3) not less frequently than annually, reevaluate the criteria for the tiering of satellite systems, with a goal of expeditiously recategorizing Tier 3 systems to a lower tier without temporary license conditions.