Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/3422

 124 STAT. 3396 PUBLIC LAW 111–314—DEC. 18, 2010 (I) providing comparable opportunities for companies described in subparagraph (A) to participate in Government-sponsored research and development similar to that authorized under this chapter; (II) providing no barriers, to companies described in subparagraph (A) with respect to local invest- ment opportunities, that are not provided to for- eign companies in the United States; and (III) providing adequate and effective protection for the intellectual property rights of companies described in subparagraph (A). SUBCHAPTER II—PROMOTION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE OPPORTUNITIES § 50111. Commercialization of Space Station (a) POLICY.—Congress declares that a priority goal of constructing the International Space Station is the economic development of Earth orbital space. Congress further declares that free and competitive markets create the most efficient conditions for pro- moting economic development, and should therefore govern the economic development of Earth orbital space. Congress further declares that the use of free market principles in operating, serv- icing, allocating the use of, and adding capabilities to the Space Station, and the resulting fullest possible engagement of commercial providers and participation of commercial users, will reduce Space Station operational costs for all partners and the Federal Govern- ment’s share of the United States burden to fund operations. (b) USE OF UNITED STATES COMMERCIALLY PROVIDED SERVICES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—In order to stimulate commercial use of space, help maximize the utility and productivity of the Inter- national Space Station, and enable a commercial means of providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the Inter- national Space Station, the Administration shall— (A) make use of United States commercially provided International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue services to the maximum extent practicable, if those commercial services have demonstrated the capability to meet Administration-specified ascent, entry, and Inter- national Space Station proximity operations safety require- ments; (B) limit, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of the Crew Exploration Vehicle to missions carrying astro- nauts beyond low Earth orbit once commercial crew transfer and crew rescue services that meet safety require- ments become operational; (C) facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the transfer of Administration-developed technologies to poten- tial United States commercial crew transfer and rescue service providers, consistent with United States law; and (D) issue a notice of intent, not later than 180 days after October 15, 2008, to enter into a funded, competitively awarded Space Act Agreement with 2 or more commercial entities for a Phase 1 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services crewed vehicle demonstration program.