Title 10 — Armed Forces
Part IV · Chapter 135 — Space Programs
§ 2273a. Space Rapid Capabilities Office
Statutory text
In General.—
There is within the Space Force a program office known as the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (in this section referred to as the “Office”). The facilities of the Office may not be co-located with the headquarters facilities of the Space Force Space Systems Command.
Head of Office.—
The head of the Office shall be the designee of the Secretary of the Air Force. The head of the Office shall report to the Chief of Space Operations.
Mission.—
The mission of the Office shall be—
to contribute to the development of low-cost, rapid reaction payloads, busses, launch, and launch control capabilities in order to fulfill joint military operational requirements for on-demand space support and reconstitution;
to coordinate and execute space rapid capabilities efforts across the Department of Defense with respect to planning, acquisition, and operations; and
to rapidly develop and field new classified space capabilities.
Acquisition Authority.—
The acquisition activities of the Office shall be subject to the following:
The Secretary of the Air Force shall designate the acquisition executive of the Office who shall provide streamlined acquisition authorities for projects of the Office.
The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process shall not apply to acquisitions by the Office.
Required Program Element.—
The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure, within budget program elements for space programs, that—
there are separate, dedicated unclassified and classified program elements for space rapid capabilities; and
the Office executes the responsibilities of the Office through such program elements.
The Office shall manage the program elements required by paragraph (1).
Board of Directors.—
The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish for the Office a Board of Directors (to be known as the “Space Rapid Capabilities Board of Directors”) to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects of the Office.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005
Pub. L. 108–375 div. A title IX § 913(a)(1) · 118 Stat. 1811
Enacted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a
Added Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IX, § 913(a)(1), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2028
Source evidence
Code source credit
Added Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IX, § 913(a)(1), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2028Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Chapter 135 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2273 the following new section: “§ 2273a. Operationally responsive national security payloads and buses: separate program element required “(a) Requirement for Program Element.— The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, within budget program elements for space programs of the Department of Defense, there is a separate, dedicated program element for operationally responsive national security payloads and buses of the Department of Defense for space satellites and that programs and activities for such payloads and buses are planned, programmed, and budgeted for through that program element. “(b) Management Authority.— The Secretary of Defense shall assign management authority for the program element required under subsection (a) to the Director of the Office of Force Transformation of the Department of Defense. “(c) Definition of Operationally Responsive.— In this section, the term ‘operationally responsive’, with respect to a national security payload and bus for a space satellite, means an experimental or operational payload and bus with a weight not in excess of 5,000 pounds that— “(1) can be developed and acquired within 18 months after authority to proceed with development is granted; and “(2) is responsive to requirements for capabilities at the operational and tactical levels of warfare.” .John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
Pub. L. 109–364 div. A title IX § 913(b)(1) · 120 Stat. 2083
Amended · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a
Pub. L. 109–364 amended section catchline and text generally
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a
Pub. L. 109–364 substituting provisions relating to establishment, control, mission, elements, and authority of the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office within the Department of Defense for provisions relating to requirement for a separate, dedicated program element for operationally responsive national security payloads and buses within budget program elements for space programs of the Department of Defense
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 109–364 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to establishment, control, mission, elements, and authority of the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office within the Department of Defense for provisions relating to requirement for a separate, dedicated program element for operationally responsive national security payloads and buses within budget program elements for space programs of the Department of Defense.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Establishment of office.— Section 2273a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “§ 2273a. Operationally Responsive Space Program Office “(a) Establishment.— The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an office to be known as the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’). “(b) Head of Office.— The head of the Office shall be— “(1) the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space; or “(2) the designee of the Secretary of Defense, who shall report to the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space. “(c) Mission.— The mission of the Office shall be— “(1) to contribute to the development of low-cost, rapid reaction payloads, busses, spacelift, and launch control capabilities in order to fulfill joint military operational requirements for on-demand space support and reconstitution; and “(2) to coordinate and execute operationally responsive space efforts across the Department of Defense with respect to planning, acquisition, and operations. “(d) Elements.— The Secretary of Defense shall select the elements of the Department of Defense to be included in the Office so as to contribute to the development of capabilities for operationally responsive space and to achieve a balanced representation of the military departments in the Office to ensure proper acknowledgment of joint considerations in the activities of the Office, except that the Office shall include the following: “(1) A science and technology element that shall pursue innovative approaches to the development of capabilities for operationally responsive space through basic and applied research focused on (but not limited to) payloads, bus, and launch equipment. “(2) An acquisition element that shall undertake the acquisition of systems necessary to integrate, sustain, and launch assets for operationally responsive space. “(3) An operations element that shall— “(A) sustain and maintain assets for operationally responsive space prior to launch; “(B) integrate and launch such assets; and “(C) operate such assets in orbit. “(4) A combatant command support element that shall serve as the primary intermediary between the military departments and the combatant commands in order to— “(A) ascertain the needs of the commanders of the combatant commands; and “(B) integrate operationally responsive space capabilities into— “(i) operations plans of the combatant commands; “(ii) techniques, tactics, and procedures of the military departments; and “(iii) military exercises, demonstrations, and war games. “(5) Such other elements as the Secretary of Defense may consider necessary. “(e) Acquisition Authority.— The acquisition activities of the Office shall be subject to the following: “(1) The Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be the senior acquisition executive of the Office. “(2) The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process shall not apply to acquisitions by the Office for operational experimentation. “(3) The commander of the United States Strategic Command, or the designee of the commander, shall— “(A) validate all system requirements for systems to be acquired by the Office; and “(B) participate in the approval of any acquisition program initiated by the Office. “(4) To the maximum extent practicable, the procurement unit cost of a launch vehicle procured by the Office for launch to low earth orbit should not exceed $20,000,000 (in constant dollars). “(5) To the maximum extent practicable, the procurement unit cost of an integrated satellite procured by the Office should not exceed $40,000,000 (in constant dollars). “(f) Required Program Element.— (1) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, within budget program elements for space programs of the Department of Defense, that— “(A) there is a separate, dedicated program element for operationally responsive space; “(B) to the extent applicable, relevant program elements should be consolidated into the program element required by subparagraph (A); and “(C) the Office executes its responsibilities through this program element. “(2) The Office shall manage the program element required by paragraph (1)(A).” .National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 914(a) · 126 Stat. 1632
Amended · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(a)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an office to be known as the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’).”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an office to be known as the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’).”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) In General.— Subsection (a) of section 2273a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(a) In General.— There is within the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center of the Department of Defense a joint program office known as the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’). The facilities of the Office may not be co-located with the headquarters facilities of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.” .National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 914(b) · 126 Stat. 1632
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(b)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(b), substituted “shall be the designee of the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space. The head of the Office shall report to the Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.” for “shall be—
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(b), substituted “shall be the designee of the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space. The head of the Office shall report to the Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.” for “shall be—“(1) the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space; or “(2) the designee of the Secretary of Defense, who shall report to the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space.”
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) Head of Office.— Subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking “shall be—” and all that follows and inserting “shall be the designee of the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space. The head of the Office shall report to the Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.”.National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 914(c) · 126 Stat. 1632
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(c)(1)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(c), substituted “launch” for “spacelift”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(c), substituted “launch” for “spacelift”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(c) Mission.— Subsection (c)(1) of such section is amended by striking “spacelift” and inserting “launch”.National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 914(d) · 126 Stat. 1632
Amended · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(e)(1)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(d), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be the senior acquisition executive of the Office.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(d), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be the senior acquisition executive of the Office.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(d) Senior Acquisition Executive.— Paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of such section is amended to read as follows: “(1) The Program Executive Officer for Space shall be the Acquisition Executive of the Office and shall provide streamlined acquisition authorities for projects of the Office.” .National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 914(e) · 126 Stat. 1632
Added · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(g)
Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(e), added subsec. (g)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(e), added subsec. (g).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(e) Executive Committee.— Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(g) Executive Committee.— (1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish for the Office an Executive Committee (to be known as the ‘Operationally Responsive Space Executive Committee’) to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects of the Office. “(2) The Executive Committee shall consist of the officials (and their duties) as follows: “(A) The Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space, who shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and provide oversight, prioritization, coordination, and resources for the Office. “(B) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, who shall provide coordination and oversight of the Office and recommend funding sources for programs of the Office that exceed the approved program baseline. “(C) The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, who shall validate requirements for systems to be acquired by the Office and participate in approval of any acquisition program initiated by the Office. “(D) The Commander of the Air Force Space Command, the Commander of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the Commander of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, who shall jointly organize, train, and equip forces to support the acquisition programs of the Office. “(E) Such other officials (and their duties) as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.” .National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(A) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(A), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program” in section catchline
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(A), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program” in section catchline.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) the position, and the office of, the Principal Department of Defense Space Advisor (previously known as the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space) shall be terminated;National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(B) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(a)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(B), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center of the Department of Defense”
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(a)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(B), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(B), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center of the Department of Defense” and “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) the duties, responsibilities, and personnel of such office specified in subparagraph (A) shall be transferred to a single official selected by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, without delegation, except the Deputy Secretary may not select the Secretary of the Air Force nor the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence;National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(C) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(b)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(C), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(C), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(C) any reference in Federal law, regulations, guidance, instructions, or other documents of the Federal Government to the Principal Department of Defense Space Advisor or the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be deemed to be a reference to the official selected by the Deputy Secretary under subparagraph (B);National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(D) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(c)(2)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(D) the position, and the office of, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Space Operations shall be terminated; andNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(E) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(d)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(E), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space” in introductory provisions of par. (4)(B)
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(d)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(E), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “capabilities for operationally responsive space” in introductory provisions of par. (4)(B)
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(d)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(E), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space capabilities” in introductory provisions of par. (4)(B)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(E), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space” in introductory provisions and pars. (2) and (3)(A), “space rapid capabilities” for “capabilities for operationally responsive space” in par. (1), and “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space capabilities” in introductory provisions of par. (4)(B).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(E) the Defense Space Council shall be terminated.National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(D) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(f)(1)(A)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(D) the position, and the office of, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Space Operations shall be terminated; andNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
Pub. L. 115–91 § 1601(b)(1)(F) · 131 Stat. 1283
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(g)(1)
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(F), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(F), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) In general.— Effective 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act— (A) the position, and the office of, the Principal Department of Defense Space Advisor (previously known as the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space) shall be terminated; (B) the duties, responsibilities, and personnel of such office specified in subparagraph (A) shall be transferred to a single official selected by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, without delegation, except the Deputy Secretary may not select the Secretary of the Air Force nor the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; (C) any reference in Federal law, regulations, guidance, instructions, or other documents of the Federal Government to the Principal Department of Defense Space Advisor or the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be deemed to be a reference to the official selected by the Deputy Secretary under subparagraph (B); (D) the position, and the office of, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Space Operations shall be terminated; and (E) the Defense Space Council shall be terminated.John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Pub. L. 115–232 div. A title XVI § 1602 · 132 Stat. 1636
Amended · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a
Pub. L. 115–232 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to: in subsec. (a) the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, in subsec. (b) the head of the Office, in subsec. (c) the mission of the Office, in subsec. (d) elements of the Department of Defense to be included in the Office, in subsec. (e) acquisition activities of the Office, in subsec. (f) required program elements, and in subsec. (g) establishment of an Executive Committee to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–232 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to: in subsec. (a) the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, in subsec. (b) the head of the Office, in subsec. (c) the mission of the Office, in subsec. (d) elements of the Department of Defense to be included in the Office, in subsec. (e) acquisition activities of the Office, in subsec. (f) required program elements, and in subsec. (g) establishment of an Executive Committee to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 1602. MODIFICATIONS TO SPACE RAPID CAPABILITIES OFFICE. Section 2273a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “§ 2273a. Space Rapid Capabilities Office “(a) In General.— There is within the Air Force Space Command a program office known as the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’). The facilities of the Office may not be co-located with the headquarters facilities of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. “(b) Head of Office.— The head of the Office shall be the designee of the Secretary of the Air Force. The head of the Office shall report to the Commander of the Air Force Space Command. “(c) Mission.— The mission of the Office shall be— “(1) to contribute to the development of low-cost, rapid reaction payloads, busses, launch, and launch control capabilities in order to fulfill joint military operational requirements for on-demand space support and reconstitution; “(2) to coordinate and execute space rapid capabilities efforts across the Department of Defense with respect to planning, acquisition, and operations; and “(3) to rapidly develop and field new classified space capabilities. “(d) Acquisition Authority.— The acquisition activities of the Office shall be subject to the following: “(1) The Secretary of the Air Force shall designate the acquisition executive of the Office who shall provide streamlined acquisition authorities for projects of the Office. “(2) The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process shall not apply to acquisitions by the Office. “(3) The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, acting through the United States Space Command, shall— “(A) establish and validate capability requirements; and “(B) recommend priorities as the Commander determines appropriate. “(e) Required Program Element.— (1) The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure, within budget program elements for space programs, that— “(A) there are separate, dedicated unclassified and classified program elements for space rapid capabilities; and “(B) the Office executes the responsibilities of the Office through such program elements. “(2) The Office shall manage the program elements required by paragraph (1). “(f) Board of Directors.— The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish for the Office a Board of Directors (to be known as the ‘Space Rapid Capabilities Board of Directors’) to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects of the Office.” .United States Space Force Act
Pub. L. 116–92 § 958(a)(2)(A) · 133 Stat. 1198
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(a)
Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(A), substituted “Space Force” for “Air Force Space Command”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(A), substituted “Space Force” for “Air Force Space Command”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) in subsection (a), by striking “Air Force Space Command” and inserting “Space Force”; andUnited States Space Force Act
Pub. L. 116–92 § 958(a)(2)(B) · 133 Stat. 1198
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(b)
Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(B), substituted “Chief of Space Operations” for “Commander of the Air Force Space Command”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(B), substituted “Chief of Space Operations” for “Commander of the Air Force Space Command”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) in subsection (b), by striking “Commander of the Air Force Space Command” and inserting “Chief of Space Operations”.National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
Pub. L. 116–92 § 1601(b)(2) · 133 Stat. 1198
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(d)(3)
Pub. L. 116–92, § 1601(b)(2), substituted “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command,” for “The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, acting through the United States Space Command,”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–92, § 1601(b)(2), substituted “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command,” for “The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, acting through the United States Space Command,”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) Section 2273a(d)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, acting through the United States Space Command,” and inserting “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command,”.William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
Pub. L. 116–283 div. A title IX § 924(b)(31) · 134 Stat. 3388
Struck · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(d)(3)
Pub. L. 116–283 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, shall—
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, shall—“(A) establish and validate capability requirements; and “(B) recommend priorities as the Commander determines appropriate.”
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(31) Space rapid capabilities office.— Section 2273a(d) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (3).Pub. L. 119–60 div. A title VI § 601(i) · 139 Stat. 905
Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 2273a(a)
Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “Space Force Space Systems Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “Space Force Space Systems Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”.
23 of 24 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 unresolved
Editorial Notes
Amendments2006–2025 · 7 rounds
2025
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “Space Force Space Systems Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”.
2021
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command, shall—
“(A) establish and validate capability requirements; and
“(B) recommend priorities as the Commander determines appropriate.”
2019
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(A), substituted “Space Force” for “Air Force Space Command”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–92, § 958(a)(2)(B), substituted “Chief of Space Operations” for “Commander of the Air Force Space Command”.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–92, § 1601(b)(2), substituted “The Commander of the United States Space Command, or, if no such command exists, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command,” for “The Commander of the United States Strategic Command, acting through the United States Space Command,”.
2018
Pub. L. 115–232 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to: in subsec. (a) the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, in subsec. (b) the head of the Office, in subsec. (c) the mission of the Office, in subsec. (d) elements of the Department of Defense to be included in the Office, in subsec. (e) acquisition activities of the Office, in subsec. (f) required program elements, and in subsec. (g) establishment of an Executive Committee to provide coordination, oversight, and approval of projects.
2017
Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(A), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(B), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center of the Department of Defense” and “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space Program”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(C), substituted “Air Force Space Command” for “Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center”.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(E), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space” in introductory provisions and pars. (2) and (3)(A), “space rapid capabilities” for “capabilities for operationally responsive space” in par. (1), and “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space capabilities” in introductory provisions of par. (4)(B).
Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(D), substituted “space rapid capabilities” for “operationally responsive space”.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 115–91, § 1601(b)(1)(F), substituted “Space Rapid Capabilities” for “Operationally Responsive Space”.
2013
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense an office to be known as the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office (in this section referred to as the ‘Office’).”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(b), substituted “shall be the designee of the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space. The head of the Office shall report to the Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.” for “shall be—
“(1) the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space; or
“(2) the designee of the Secretary of Defense, who shall report to the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space.”
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(c), substituted “launch” for “spacelift”.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(d), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “The Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space shall be the senior acquisition executive of the Office.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 112–239, § 914(e), added subsec. (g).
2006
Pub. L. 109–364 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to establishment, control, mission, elements, and authority of the Operationally Responsive Space Program Office within the Department of Defense for provisions relating to requirement for a separate, dedicated program element for operationally responsive national security payloads and buses within budget program elements for space programs of the Department of Defense.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IX, § 913(b), , 118 Stat. 2028, provided that: “Subsection (a) of section 2273a of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to fiscal years after fiscal year 2005.”
United States Policy on Operationally Responsive Space
Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 913(a), , 120 Stat. 2355, provided that:
“It is the policy of the United States to demonstrate, acquire, and deploy an effective capability for operationally responsive space to support military users and operations from space, which shall consist of—
“(1) responsive satellite payloads and busses built to common technical standards;
“(2) low-cost space launch vehicles and supporting range operations that facilitate the timely launch and on-orbit operations of satellites;
“(3) responsive command and control capabilities; and
“(4) concepts of operations, tactics, techniques, and procedures that permit the use of responsive space assets for combat and military operations other than war.”
Joint Operationally Responsive Space Payload Technology Organization
Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title IX, § 913(a), , 119 Stat. 3408, which directed the Secretary of Defense to establish or designate an organization in the Department of Defense to coordinate joint operationally responsive space payload technology, was repealed by Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 913(d), , 120 Stat. 2358.
Credits
2004–2025 · 8 acts
- 2004Added Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IX, § 913(a)(1), , 118 Stat. 2028
- 2006amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 913(b)(1), , 120 Stat. 2355
- 2013Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title IX, § 914, , 126 Stat. 1876
- 2017Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVI, § 1601(b)(1), , 131 Stat. 1720
- 2018Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVI, § 1602, , 132 Stat. 2104
- 2019Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 958(a)(2), title XVI, § 1601(b)(2), , 133 Stat. 1567, 1722
- 2021Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(31), , 134 Stat. 3825
- 2025Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, § 601(i), , 139 Stat. 905.
Show as published
(Added Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IX, § 913(a)(1), , 118 Stat. 2028; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 913(b)(1), , 120 Stat. 2355; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title IX, § 914, , 126 Stat. 1876; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVI, § 1601(b)(1), , 131 Stat. 1720; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVI, § 1602, , 132 Stat. 2104; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 958(a)(2), title XVI, § 1601(b)(2), , 133 Stat. 1567, 1722; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(31), , 134 Stat. 3825; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title VI, § 601(i), , 139 Stat. 905.)