NOAA | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE | USA.GOV

OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION

SATELLITE NAVIGATION

COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING

SPACE TRANSPORTATION

ENTREPRENEURIAL NEW SPACE

GENERAL POLICY ISSUES

SPEECHES, REPORTS, WORKSHOPS

ABOUT THE OFFICE

HOT ITEMS

Intro to Space Export Controls

GPS-Galileo Joint Statement

OSC Legislation

Remarks From "A Day Without Space"

Commercial Satellite Data Feasibility Study Contracts Awarded

Frequently Asked Questions

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN

OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

AND

OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA, AND INFORMATION SERVICE
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

1. PURPOSE

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a strategic partnership between the Office of Space Commercialization (OSC), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation, with respect to the promotion of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.

2. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

As international competition increases and the U.S. commercial space transportation industry continues to expand, providing capabilities as diverse as satellite launches, human space flight, spaceport infrastructure, and other transportation services for commercial and government missions, greatly impacting our national interests, so does the need for promotion and advocacy within the United States and internationally.

49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX, Chapter 701 (formerly the Commercial Space Launch Act) directs the FAA, by delegation, to license, regulate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation activity. This includes launches, reentries and non-federal launch sites (spaceports). As the principal unit for space commerce policy activities within the Department of Commerce, the OSC is responsible for acting as an industry advocate within the executive branch of the Federal Government to promote the commercial space industry. In addition, the 2004 U.S. Space Transportation Policy (Section IV, 3) states the "Secretaries of Commerce and Transportation shall encourage, facilitate, and promote U.S. commercial space transportation activities, including commercial human space flight."

3. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

The objective of this MOU is to establish an expanded working relationship between OSC and AST to provide the most effective use of resources in promoting the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.

Joint promotional activities will be consistent with 2004 U.S. Space Transportation Policy and the 2006 National Space Policy and shall include, but not be limited to:

• Interagency Coordination:
  • Encourage and facilitate a growing and entrepreneurial U.S. commercial space sector including applicable assistance on export controls.
  • Encourage the U.S. Government to: use and purchase U.S. commercial space capabilities and services to the maximum practical extent and; refrain from conducting activities that preclude, deter, or compete with U.S. commercial space activities, unless required by national security.
  • Encourage respective industry advisory committees to exchange information.
• Annual Event:
  • The parties may coordinate an annual workshop, seminar, or conference to facilitate the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
• Activity Coordination:
  • Promotional activity will be coordinated by the AST's Associate Administrator and the OSC's Director (or their designated representative) at semi-annual meetings.

4. AUTHORITIES

AST has the authority to participate in this activity under 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX, Chapter 701 (formerly the Commercial Space Launch Act) and Executive Order 12465.

OSC has the authority to participate in this activity under Section 1511e(c) of Title 15 U.S.C. and Departmental Organizational Order 25-5.

5. EFFECTIVE DATE

This MOU shall become effective upon the signing of the last approving party and shall remain in effect until superseded or terminated. Any party may unilaterally terminate this agreement by giving written notice to the other party. The termination notice will be dated 180 days before the intended termination date and will explain the reasons for the termination.

This MOU does not limit or otherwise affect either party's ability to undertake promotional activities of the U.S. commercial space industry.

6. APPROVALS

By our signatures below, we hereby indicate our agreement as outlined in this MOU between AST and OSC.

OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION

(202) 482-6125 · space.commerce@noaa.gov