Helping U.S. businesses use the unique medium of space to benefit our economy
Under Space Policy Directive 2, “Streamlining Regulations on Commercial Use of Space,” the Department of Commerce is engaged in a range of regulatory reform activities intended to improve U.S. industry competitiveness and ensure the United States remains the flag of choice for businesses operating in space.
On January 17, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves published an opinion piece in Space News citing the Commerce Department’s accomplishments to advance U.S. leadership in the commercial space industry. The op-ed also notes further …
On January 14, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves released a report on the Commerce Department’s commercial space accomplishments during his and Secretary Raimondo’s tenure. The report covers many achievements across multiple bureaus of the …
On Wednesday, November 6, the Department of Commerce (DOC) hosted a public meeting to discuss the four space export control rulemakings released by DOC and the State Department on October 17, 2024. The meeting featured …
Public Meeting on October 2024 Space Export Control Rulemakings Read more »
On October 17, the Departments of Commerce (DOC) and State released a series of space export control rulemakings intended to enable a globally competitive U.S. industrial base while protecting national security and foreign policy interests: …
New Space Export Control Rules Offer Regulatory Relief Read more »
On Thursday, July 25, at 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, OSC’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) division will hold a virtual listening session to gather input regarding 15 C.F.R. part 960, Licensing of Private Remote Sensing …
Listening Session on Licensing of Private Remote Sensing Space Systems Read more »
Today, Vice President Kamala Harris convened the third meeting of the National Space Council under the Biden-Harris Administration. Representing the Department of Commerce, Deputy Secretary Don Graves spoke about the Department’s key roles in weather …
Vice President Harris Convenes Third National Space Council Meeting Read more »
Licensing change fulfills regulatory commitment to impose conditions only on a temporary basis Today, NOAA’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) office — a division of the Office of Space Commerce — announced the modification of …
Today, President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol commemorated the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance, calling for deeper ties across a number of areas, including space: Our Alliance also …
Presidents Biden, Yoon Emphasize U.S.-Korea Space Cooperation Read more »
On March 15, 2023, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves delivered the Wednesday luncheon keynote speech at the SATELLITE 2023 conference in Washington, D.C. He provided an update on the Commerce Department’s progress in implementing …
Today, the Department of Commerce released its updated Strategic Plan for 2022-2026. Strategic Objective 1.7 of the plan is to “Advance U.S. leadership in the global commercial space industry.” View the strategic plan (16 MB …
Space Commerce in DOC’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 Read more »
On March 18, 2022, Jason Kim of the Office of Space Commerce, along with experts from DOC’s Bureau of Industry and Security, gave a presentation to a working group of the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, …
On March 1, 2021, the Secretary of State determined pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 that the Government of Russia used chemical weapons in violation of international …
New Russian Sanctions Include Commercial Space Launch Activities Read more »
View report as PDF (1.8 MB)Today, the Office of Space Commerce published a report on the Commerce Department’s space commerce accomplishments under Secretary Wilbur Ross and the Trump Administration. The report recaps the Department’s success in …
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, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross participated in the eighth meeting of the National Space Council, held at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. He delivered an update on the Administration’s efforts to foster the growth of …
Secretary Ross Remarks from 8th National Space Council Meeting Read more »
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced the publication of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements Final Rule for commercial space transportation launches and reentries. “This historic, comprehensive …
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 …
White House Releases Moon-Mars Development Strategy Read more »
On July 21, the Commerce Department published a Federal Register notice announcing its finding, pursuant to the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment, that satellite imagery of Israel is readily and consistently available from non-U.S. commercial sources at a …
On June 25, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross delivered remarks to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES), an independent advisory body to NOAA’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs office (CRSRA). Secretary Ross spoke …
Secretary Ross Addresses ACCRES on Final Remote Sensing Rule Read more »
On June 24, Office of Space Commerce Director Kevin O’Connell spoke about the new commercial remote sensing rule at the 27th meeting of NOAA’s Federal Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES). Below are his …
On May 19, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross participated in the seventh meeting of the National Space Council, held at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Secretary Ross announced the release of the …
Secretary Ross Remarks to National Space Council, May 2020 Read more »
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce released new regulations to improve the licensing process for private U.S. satellite remote sensing operations, helping ensure continued U.S. leadership in a critical commercial space industry. View final rule …
On January 6, 2020, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published an interim final rule to make certain items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and to impose a license requirement …
Comments Requested on New Export Licensing Rule Affecting Imagery Analysis Software 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 …