Understanding the Commercial Space Ecosystem

• Handbook for New Space Actors (non-USG publication) – The Secure World Foundation developed the Handbook for New Actors in Space, which is intended to provide nations, established satellite operators, start-up companies, universities, and other space actors with a broad overview of the fundamental principles, laws, norms, and best practices for peaceful, safe, and responsible activities in space. The Handbook is the result of a collaborative effort between SWF and experts from governments, satellite operators, academia, and civil society.

• Handbook for Space Capability Development (non-USG publication) – Developed by the Center for Global Development, The Handbook for Space Capability Development is an inclusive, pragmatic, and open-access resource focused on “foundational space capability” development. Its intended audience is the planner or planning team charged with drafting a national space strategy and building a national space program. Among its goals are to make a case for why all governments should establish a foundational space capability, to discuss what such a program might look like in real terms, and to suggest an approach for how to conduct early program design.

• Government Contracts Guide for Space and Satellite Companies (non-USG publication) – Developed by Hogan Lovells, this publication provides a guide for space and satellite companies looking to work with the U.S. government. The guide provides insight into contracting opportunities that are available throughout the government market. It also addresses risk mitigation terms and conditions, as well as compliance obligations, that should be considered as part of a successful contracting strategy.

• U.S. Space Economy Statistics (Bureau of Economy Analysis) – BEA is developing statistics measuring the contributions of space-related industries to the overall U.S. economy. These estimates give business leaders, policymakers, and the public a new tool to analyze the space economy and to inform investment decisions.

• Space Security: Best Practices Guide (NASA) – The Space Security: Best Practices Guide (BPG) provides guidance on mission security implementation in the form of principles coupled with applicable controls that cover both the space vehicle and the ground segment. The BPG leverages security controls as defined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

• Cybersecurity for Space Domain (NIST):  National space assets and operations are critical to the security and economic well-being of the United States. As space becomes a more important to our critical infrastructure, the impact of a cyber attack and the corresponding risk increases. The risk to commercial space operations needs to be understood and managed alongside other risks to ensure safe and successful operations. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) has informed the work within this domain.

• Trade Finance Guide (ITA): A guide that explains the basics of trade finance so that U.S. companies can evaluate appropriate financing options to help ensure they get paid for their export sales.

Please note: the Office of Space Commerce only controls the links on these subpages and cannot guarantee that linked agencies and resources will maintain their content. These pages do not imply OSC nor U.S. Government endorsement of linked materials.