OSC Releases SCC “Call For Interest,” Launches Pilot Phase

The Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce (OSC) has officially released a “Call for Interest” inviting industry participation in the “Space Commerce Certification” (SCC) framework.

This newly released framework serves as a major milestone in the mission to strengthen American commercial space leadership through streamlined regulatory processes.

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By establishing a transparent pathway to secure government approval for new and innovative commercial space missions, the SCC aims to boost investor confidence, accelerate the industry’s technological advancement and ensure that American space entrepreneurship remains the gold standard in the global space market.

The Call for Interest may be accessed through the Federal Register. Submissions of interest are requested no later than October 5, 2026.

“The Department of Commerce is in the business of enabling big ideas, and OSC’s framework mirrors that mission,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce Taylor Jordan, Director of the Office of Space Commerce. “The President directed us to build a pathway to “yes” for American entrepreneurs, and that’s exactly what we are doing. We encourage the American space industry to partner with us in bringing the next generation of big ideas to life, both on the final frontier and here at home.”

“America’s space industry is at the forefront of innovation,” said Gabriel Swiney, OSC’s Acting Deputy Director and Director of OSC’s Policy, Advocacy, and International Division. “OSC’s goal is to build a framework that fosters and encourages this innovation, and we look forward to working with industry to continue improving our certification process.”

This Call for Interest kicks off a “Pilot Phase” for the Space Commerce Certification. In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Communications Commission, Department of War, Department of State, NASA, and other relevant agencies as needed, OSC will use this pilot phase to test and further develop its SCC process through practical engagement with participating entities, industry stakeholders, and the public. 

Participants selected for the Pilot Phase will be requested to complete an SCC application. OSC, in coordination with other agency partners, will review this application to identify areas of interagency concern. Together with the participant, OSC will then seek adjustments and practices that address those areas of interagency concern. Once complete, OSC intends to issue an SCC, which could be used to accelerate other regulatory requirements. 

Throughout the pilot, participants will have the opportunity to provide the agencies with observations and feedback about the process. This input is expected to inform future regulatory approaches to expedite and streamline authorizations for novel in-space activities.

Any United States entity interested in participating is invited to submit summaries of planned missions seeking certification. OSC will review submissions and notify those who are selected to participate. OSC will be highly selective during this initial pilot phase; submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee selection for the pilot phase evaluation cohort. 

OSC will prioritize missions that are critical to industry advancement, are sufficiently likely to occur, and represent high-utility use cases. OSC recognizes that demonstrating a clear pathway to approval may also help companies secure private investment and intends to take such considerations into account in selecting early applicants. 

Specific submission requirements and additional information are detailed within the Federal Register notice.

For questions regarding this Call for Interest or the SCC Pilot Phase, contact the Office of Space Commerce’s Space Commerce Certification team at space.certification@noaa.gov.

Learn more about the Space Commerce Certification on OSC’s website.