OSC Releases Updated Mission Authorization Proposal

In Executive Order 14335, “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,” President Trump directed the Department of Commerce to develop a process to authorize commercial activities in space not clearly or straightforwardly governed by existing regulations – everything from satellite servicing to commercial space stations and manufacturing on the Moon. 

Our proposal expedites and streamlines today’s laborious and sometimes duplicative system for regulating the commercial space industry with a consolidated space commerce certification process. Our new “Space Commerce Certification” can get companies to “yes” with predictability and speed, allowing them to swiftly explore new technologies and missions to bring benefits to the American economy.

The proposal achieves this by bringing together all government agencies with space regulatory authority or space equities into a unified process, featuring a single application and interagency review process. While CRSRA, the FAA, and FCC retain their statutory obligations and applicants may still need separate legal permission from those agencies, the process to obtain those permissions and requirements can be coordinated through this consolidated, whole of government process.

Stakeholder Feedback:

With the release of our proposal, the Office of Space Commerce continues to seek stakeholder input and feedback. Don’t hesitate to contact us via email at Space.Commerce@noaa.gov, with the email title “Feedback – Mission Authorization Proposal.”

Feedback is entirely voluntary.

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Disclaimer:

The Office of Space Commerce prepared this document in response to E.O. 14335’s direction to propose a process for individualized mission authorizations. The Office is releasing this proposal on its website to increase government transparency and to encourage early public input. This document is not meant to be binding on the public or the agency.