---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 U.S.C. § 3239"
title: "50"
title_heading: "War and National Defense"
number: "3239"
heading: "Requirement to buy certain satellite component from American sources"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/50/3239"
units:
  - "Chapter 44 — National Security"
  - "Subchapter IX — Additional Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §3239. Requirement to buy certain satellite component from American sources

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Covered element of the intelligence community—** The term “covered element of the intelligence community” means an element of the [intelligence community](/usc/50/3003.md?p=4) that is not an element of the [Department of Defense](/usc/50/3075.md?p=b).
  - (2) **National security satellite—** The term “national security satellite” means a satellite weighing over 400 pounds whose principle purpose is to support the national security or [intelligence](/usc/50/3003.md?p=1) needs of the [United States](#a-3) Government.
  - (3) **United States—** The term “United States” means the several [States](/usc/50/1841.md?p=1), the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
- (b) **Requirement—** Beginning January 1, 2021, except as provided in [subsection (c)](#c), a [covered element of the intelligence community](#a-1) may not award a contract for a [national security satellite](#a-2) if the satellite uses a star tracker that is not produced in the [United States](#a-3), including with respect to both the software and the hardware of the star tracker.
- (c) **Exception—** The head of a [covered element of the intelligence community](#a-1) may waive the requirement under [subsection (b)](#b) if, on a case-by-case basis, the head certifies in writing to the [congressional intelligence committees](/usc/50/3003.md?p=7) that—
  - (1) there is no available star tracker produced in the [United States](#a-3) that meets the mission and design requirements of the [national security satellite](#a-2) for which the star tracker will be used;
  - (2) the cost of a star tracker produced in the [United States](#a-3) is unreasonable, based on a market survey; or
  - (3) such waiver is necessary for the national security interests of the [United States](#a-3) based on an urgent and compelling need.

## Source credit

(July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title XI, § 1109, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. W, title III, § 308(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2368.)