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An official website of the United States government.
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
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 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 →