General Policy Issues
National Space Policy
The Obama Administration's National Security Council has established a series of Interagency Policy Committees (IPC's) to manage the development and implementation of national security policies. There is a Space IPC that includes the Department of Commerce as a member to represent the interests of the commercial space sector as well as NOAA's civilian space program.
The five major space policy directives from the previous Administration remain in force today:
- U.S. National Space Policy (2006)
- U.S. Space Transportation Policy (2005)
- U.S. Spaced-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy (2004)
- Vision for U.S. Space Exploration (2004)
- U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Space Policy (2003)
The Office of Space Commercialization actively participated in the development and implementation of these policies, along with other Commerce representatives from NOAA, International Trade Administration, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and Bureau of Industry and Security.
Commercial Space Guidelines
The 2006 National Space Policy states, "It is in the interest of the United States to foster the use of U.S. commercial space capabilities around the globe and to enable a dynamic, domestic commercial space sector."
The policy provides a set of Commercial Space Guidelines directing departments and agencies to:
- Use U.S. commercial space capabilities and services to the maximum practical extent;
- Purchase commercial capabilities and services when they are available in the commercial marketplace and meet U.S. Government requirements;
- Refrain from conducting activities that preclude, deter, or compete with U.S. commercial space activities, unless required by national security or public safety;
- Ensure that U.S. Government space activities, technology, and infrastructure are made available for private use on a reimbursable, non-interference basis to the maximum practical extent, consistent with national security; and
- Maintain a timely and responsive regulatory environment for licensing commercial space activities.
The Office of Space Commercialization has incorporated these guidelines into its strategic plan and is working with other government agencies to ensure their proper implementation.
National Space Council
During the presidential transition, some industry associations and public policy organizations recommended establishing a National Space Council to elevate the White House's attention to space policy issues.
The original National Aeronautics and Space Council was established by the Space Act of 1958 with the President as chairman. It was abolished in 1973 but returned in 1989 as the National Space Council. That body was led by the Vice President and included the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Transportation, the NASA Administrator, and several White House officials.
The National Space Council disbanded in 1993, with its functions absorbed by the National Science and Technology Council. However, the legislation establishing it (42 USC §2471) was never repealed and remains on the books today.
The Obama Administration, including the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, has pledged to reinstate the National Space Council concept in some form. The exact scope and structure of the new organization is still under discussion at this time.
Augustine Committee
In May 2009, the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology commissioned an independent review of U.S. human space flight development plans and programs -- essentially, a re-evaluation of the previous Administration's Vision for Space Exploration. A blue-ribbon committee chaired by former aerospace executive Norm Augustine conducted the 90-day review, convening a rapid series of public meetings to collect information and develop recommendations.
The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee submitted its summary report to the White House and NASA on September 8, 2009. The report recognizes the value that the commercial space industry has to offer to the government and recommends that NASA encourage and use more commercial space services to support future human space missions.
Review the summary report at NASA.gov...
The Augustine committee released its final, full-length report on October 22, 2009.
Download the final report from NASA.gov...Reports & Presentations
- National Academies Report on America's Future in Space, July 2009 -- Calls for closer connection between U.S. space activity and broader national imperatives such as clean energy, environmental protection, and foreign diplomacy
Additional materials may be found in the Library section of this site.
