10 U.S.C. § 5537

(a) Production of Satellites and Ground Systems .— The Director of the Missile Defense Agency may not authorize or obligate funding for a program of record for the production of satellites or ground systems associated with the operation of such satellites. (b) Prototype Satellites .— (1) The Director, with the concurrence of the Space Acquisition Council established by section 9021 of this title , may authorize the production of one or more prototype satellites, consistent with the requirements of the Missile Defense Agency. (2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Space Acquisition Council concurs with the Director with respect to authorizing the production of a prototype satellite under paragraph (1), the chair of the Council shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report explaining the reasons for such concurrence. (3) The Director may not obligate funds for the production of a prototype satellite under paragraph (1) before the date on which the Space Acquisition Council submits the report for such prototype satellite under paragraph (2).