Helping U.S. businesses use the unique medium of space to benefit our economy
The term “hosted payloads” refers to the utilization of available capacity on commercial satellites to accommodate additional transponders, instruments, or other spacebound items. By “hitchhiking” on commercial spacecraft already scheduled for launch, government agencies can send sensors and other equipment into space on a timely and cost-effective basis.
The National Space Transportation Policy directs federal agencies to actively explore hosted payloads and other ride-sharing arrangements when planning space missions.
On November 10, 2021, NOAA released a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting information on existing or planned commercial space-based space weather data and related capabilities that will be available in the timeframe of 2022 through …
On September 13, 2021, NOAA released a Solar Coronagraph Development and Related Capabilities request for information (RFI) seeking industry interest and capabilities to produce space-based coronagraphs which would be deployed on satellites in near-Earth and …
Today, the White House released President Donald Trump’s National Space Policy providing direction for all United States space activities. View policy at archives.gov (1.3 MB PDF) View White House fact sheet View statement from the President …
President Trump Issues New National Space Policy Read more »
Today, NOAA released a draft of the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture Study for public comments. The study looks at the choices, alternatives, and tradeoffs that NOAA is considering as it plans for its future …
NOAA Seeks Public Comments on Future Satellite Architecture, Announces Industry Day Read more »
On April 18, President Trump signed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. Section 302 authorizes the Commerce Department to enter into agreements for commercial weather data purchases and hosted payload arrangements. The …
Weather Act Addresses Commercial Satellite Data and Hosted Payloads Read more »
Today, NOAA issued its Commercial Space Policy, which sets a broad framework for use of commercial space-based approaches for the agency. The document, NOAA Administrative Order 217-109, establishes critical components for engaging with the commercial sector. Learn …
On September 1, NOAA published its draft Commercial Space Policy for public review and comment. NOAA is developing the policy to establish the broad principles for the use of commercial space-based approaches for NOAA’s observational requirements, and to …
Here are the presentations from yesterday’s NOAA/NESDIS workshop on “Consideration of commercial data to address our priority data needs”: Next Generation Satellites – Plan (500 KB PDF) Thomas Burns, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Systems NOAA Observing Requirements, Observing Systems …
On July 10, the U.S. Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) program. The multiple-award HoPS IDIQ contract provides a rapid and …
Air Force Awards IDIQ Contract for Hosted Payload Solutions Read more »
On December 6, 2013, the Air Force decommissioned its Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) mission after 27 months of successful operation. CHIRP launched in 2011 as a hosted payload on a commercial communications satellite and …
On November 21, President Obama signed an updated National Space Transportation Policy providing guidance to federal departments and agencies on the development and use of commercial and governmental space transportation systems. The goal of the …
President Issues New Space Transportation Policy Read more »
Today, Colorado-based Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC (SST-US) announced that NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has selected SST-US for the flight of the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) payload. Under the agreement, SST-US will provide a …
NASA Awards Hosted Payload Contract for Deep Space Atomic Clock Demo Read more »
NASA has selected a proposal from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to build the first space-based instrument to monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent hourly during daytime. The instrument, to …
In April 2012, NASA announced a $3 million contract with Space Systems/Loral to initiate the process of hosting the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) payload aboard a Loral commercial satellite. The agreement marks the first …
NASA Awards Hosted Payload Contract for Laser Communications Demo Read more »
On September 21, 2011, the Air Force’s Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) was successfully launched into orbit on an Ariane V rocket as part of the SES-2 communications satellite. CHIRP is a pathfinder for commercially …
Today NASA announced its selection of three Technology Demonstration Missions, including the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) and the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) project that will both fly as hosted payloads on commercial communications …
New NASA Flight Demos Include Two Hosted Payload Missions Read more »
He updated last year’s presentation with information about the National Space Policy and the government’s challenges in pursuing hosted payloads. View PDF (219 KB)
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker spoke at an October 29 symposium on the National Space Policy hosted by the George Washington University (GWU). His presentation highlighted the commercial space guidelines of the policy and …
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker gave a presentation on hosted payloads at the Satellite and Content Delivery Conference & Expo (SATCON) conference in New York City. His presentation highlighted the commercial space guidelines within …
In March 2010, the Department of Commerce submitted a report to Congress titled, “Acquisition of Space-based Scientific Data from Commercial Sources to Supplement NOAA’s Weather and Climate Observation Requirements.” The report summarizes NOAA’s plans to …
Report to Congress on NOAA Use of Commercial Satellites Read more »
NOAA Deputy Assistant Administrator Charles Baker spoke about hosted payloads at the Satellite 2010 conference in Washington, D.C. His presentation highlighted five specific NOAA data sets that potentially could be fulfilled through hosted payload arrangements …
Satellite 2010 Presentation on Hosted Payloads for NOAA Read more »
On August 25, 2009, the Office of Space Commercialization, FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, and Futron organized a government-industry workshop on hosted payloads to share lessons learned and develop a common approach to facilitate …
On April 8, 2009, the U.S. Air Force issued a Request for Information (RFI) on cost-effective ways to fulfill its requirements for space weather observations and other space environmental data. According to the RFI, “The …
Info Sought on Commercial Space Weather Data Sources Read more »
To facilitate the preparation of responses to the NOAA RFI by interested parties, NOAA hosted an Industry Day at the Department of Commerce. Several dozen industry attendees participated, representing large, medium, and small firms. The …