Helping U.S. businesses use the unique medium of space to benefit our economy
The Department of Commerce is involved in a wide variety of issues and activities related to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). These include GPS policy and management, GPS modernization, international GPS cooperation, and GPS interference and spectrum management. Learn more about these issues at GPS.gov
The Department’s interest in GPS comes from its multiple roles as a user of GPS, provider of a GPS augmentation service (CORS), representative of commercial GPS manufacturers and users, member of the federal body that coordinates GPS matters, and regulator of GPS-related radio spectrum (NTIA), technology exports (BIS), and intellectual property (USPTO).
During today’s state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, the White House made several U.S.-Japan space cooperation announcements, including the completion of three ground stations for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) on NOAA properties in …
Space Cooperation Highlighted in Japan State Visit Read more »
On March 23-24, 2023, the Office of Space Commerce participated in the 8th U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, along with other delegates from NOAA, the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, FAA, NASA, …
8th U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Space Dialogue Held in Tokyo Read more »
On March 20, 2023, OSC’s Jason Kim participated in the first Technical Working Group meeting between the United States and the Republic of Korea to promote compatibility and interoperability between the Global Positioning System (GPS) …
Joint Announcement on GPS-KPS Technical Working Group Meeting Read more »
Today, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the first National Cislunar Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy to address how U.S. S&T leadership will support responsible, peaceful, and sustainable exploration and use of Cislunar …
White House Releases National Cislunar S&T Strategy Read more »
On May 21, President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol released a joint statement on the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance. Among other things, the statement calls for strengthened U.S.-ROK space cooperation: President …
U.S., Korean Presidents Commit to Strengthening Space Cooperation 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 July 9, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a report titled, “The Spectrum Needs of U.S. Space-Based Operations: An Inventory of Current and Projected Uses.” View report at NTIA.gov The …
Today, President Donald J. Trump issued Space Policy Directive-7 (SPD-7), the United States Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy. Recognizing that space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems are increasingly critical to the American way …
President Trump Issues New Space-Based PNT Policy Read more »
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 President Trump signed Executive Order 13905 on Strengthening National Resilience through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Services. The Executive Order seeks to ensure that the nation’s critical infrastructures build in resilience …
President Issues Executive Order on Responsible Use of PNT Services Read more »
On August 6, the Office of Space Commerce hosted a public briefing to discuss a recently published study of the economic benefits of GPS. The study, sponsored by DOC’s National Institute of Standards and Technology …
The Commerce Department participated in the Sixth U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Space Dialogue, held at the White House on June 24, 2019. The event brought together senior officials from the governments of the United States and Japan …
U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Space Dialogue Held June 24, 2019 Read more »
On June 6, RTI International released a comprehensive study of the economic benefits of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). The study, commissioned by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), estimates …
On March 27, Jason Kim of the Office of Space Commerce delivered a presentation on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) issues at the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit in Munich, Germany. The presentation provides updates on: …
GPS Presentation from Munich Satellite Navigation Summit Read more »
On November 15, the FCC adopted a waiver order allowing GNSS receivers to use Galileo signals within the United States without an FCC license. View the waiver order (PDF) FCC rules require licensing of non-federal, …
FCC Allows U.S. Use of Galileo Navigation Signals Read more »
On October 15, 2018, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross submitted to Congress a legislative proposal to establish a new Bureau of Space Commerce headed by an Assistant Secretary for Space Commerce. Download legislative proposal (PDF) …
Legislative Proposal to Establish Bureau of Space Commerce Read more »
The FCC is inviting public comments on the European Commission’s (EC) request for a waiver of licensing requirements applicable to Galileo receivers in the United States. Comments are due February 21, 2017. View public notice …
FCC Seeks Public Comments on Galileo Waiver Request Read more »
Today, the State Department published a final rule revising Category XII of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). View final rule at federalregister.gov Among other things, the rule …
On July 9, Jason Kim from the Office of Space Commerce spoke at the inaugural Maps Camp conference held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He presented an overview of the Global Positioning …
On March 1, the Office of Space Commerce co-chaired the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Civil Applications (Working Group B) under the GPS-Galileo Agreement of 2004. The meeting took place in Munich, Germany, …
On February 19, the State Department published a proposed export control rule change affecting GPS/GNSS user equipment. Among other things, the rule will move the existing GPS/GNSS receiver controls found in Category XV of the …
Proposed Changes to GPS/GNSS Export Controls Published Read more »
On November 25, President Obama signed the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act. The legislation renamed the Office of Space Commercialization to the Office of Space Commerce (its original designation) and added several functions. The …
Law Restores Original Name of Office of Space Commerce Read more »
Jason Kim of the Office of Space Commercialization gave a presentation on the GPS program during a meeting of the Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) International Information Subcommittee (IISC), held November 16, 2015, in …
The September 2015 issue of GPS World magazine includes an article by economist Irv Leveson on the economic productivity benefits of GPS. The Office of Space Commercialization led the interagency team of federal economists and …