POLICY TO ENSURE LAUNCH OF SMALL-CLASS PAYLOADS.

SEC. 1608. [10 U.S.C. 2273 note] POLICY TO ENSURE LAUNCH OF SMALL-CLASS PAYLOADS. (a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish a small launch and satellite policy to ensure responsive and reliable access to space through the processing and launch of Department of Defense small-class payloads. (b) Policy.—The policy under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, providing resources and policy guidance to sustain— (1) the availability of small-class payload launch service providers using launch vehicles capable of delivering into space small payloads designated by the Secretary of Defense as a national security payload; (2) a robust small-class payload space launch infrastructure and industrial base, including small launch systems and small satellite rideshare opportunities; (3) the availability of rapid, responsive, and reliable space launches for national security space programs to— (A) improve the responsiveness and flexibility of a national security space system; (B) lower the costs of launching a national security space system; and (C) maintain risks to mission success at acceptable levels; (4) a minimum number of dedicated launches each year; and (5) full and open competition, including small launch providers and rideshare opportunities.