Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $444,009 grant to the Maine Space Grant Consortium in Augusta, Maine, to develop a strategic plan for the Maine SpacePort Complex. The project, to be located in a …

Commerce Awards Matching Grant for Maine Spaceport Planning Read more »

On August 27, the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the STEM Talent Challenge to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future (including space commerce), and other innovation driven businesses …

Commerce Announces $2M STEM Talent Challenge Read more »

On July 23, the National Space Council released “A New Era for Deep Space Exploration and Development,” a strategy paper that supports an ambitious vision for human space exploration and development. “The U.S. vision for space is one in which …

White House Releases Moon-Mars Development Strategy Read more »

On June 26, 2020, NOAA released the summary of the results of Commercial Weather Data Pilot (CWDP) Round 2. In Round 2, NOAA evaluated GNSS radio occultation data from two U.S. commercial space companies: GeoOptics and Spire. NOAA concludes that, based on …

NOAA Releases Results of Commercial Weather Data Pilot Round 2 Read more »

On April 21, 2020, NOAA released a draft Statement of Work (SOW) for public comment to support NOAA’s first acquisition of commercial space-based radio occultation data for operational use in NOAA’s products and services. View draft SOW at SAM.gov The …

NOAA Plans First Operational Data Buy from Commercial RO Firms Read more »

On April 3, 2020, NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) began awarding contracts for satellite mission and instrument design analysis. NESDIS is building on the findings from the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) study. NESDIS will …

NOAA Awards Contracts for Next Generation Weather Satellite Concepts Read more »

On December 3, Office of Space Commerce Director Kevin O’Connell delivered a keynote address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Space Summit, LAUNCH: The Space Economy. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery. Remarks of Kevin M. …

O’Connell Remarks to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Read more »

On October 21, 2019, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross hosted a Space Startup Summit in the Commerce Department auditorium. The event brought together space entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technology accelerators, and federal agencies to explore ways the government can foster and …

Secretary Ross Hosts Space Startup Summit Read more »

(Update to original post of September 26, 2019) The Department of Commerce will host a special event on space startup innovation and financing on Monday, October 21, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., while the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) …

Secretary Ross to Host Space Startup Summit on Oct 21 Read more »

(Update to original post of September 16, 2019) Today, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) released a pair of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) to engage the commercial sector in developing new concepts for instruments, spacecraft, business models …

NOAA to Engage Commercial Sector on Future Space Architecture Elements Read more »

On July 23, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the award of $23 million in grants to 44 organizations to create and expand high-growth entrepreneurship and increase access to capital for communities across America. The grants are made annually under …

Commerce Awards Development Grant to Build Hawaii’s Space Economy Read more »