Resources
Looking to get a leg up on space policy? Let’s walk through the U.S. space policy landscape.
Successful policies need to be backed by funding, and we are always tracking at least three budgets at any one time:
The current year appropriation and current year spending plans;
The President’s budget request for the coming year and Congress’s deliberations of the appropriation; and
The development of the President’s budget request for the following year.
We say “at least” because we commonly have additional budget vehicles like continuing resolutions and supplemental appropriations with important space policy implications. We spend a lot of time with the NASA, NOAA, Space Force, and FAA budget requests. We sometimes celebrate New Year’s on October 1.
Congress
Congress sets the rules of the game not only through appropriations but also through authorizations. The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), FAA authorization, and NASA and NOAA authorizations are examples. Congress also develops individual pieces of legislation that shape the policy environment and is currently considering legislation around commercial space, space spectrum, launch licensing, workforce, critical infrastructure, and much more.
We are also in the midst of a broad policy discussion around the regulation of in-space activities, including on and around the Moon. This discussion on “mission authorization” involves different Congressional and White House approaches. Will the Moon be more like Alaska, with a civilian population and resource utilization, or like Antarctica, with scientific and research uses? These discussions will shape that future.
The Administration
The White House and Federal agencies play a key role in space policy as well, with several important policies coming out of the White House National Space Council. This includes the National Space Policy of 2020, the U.S. Space Priorities Framework, and a series of space policy directives covering the return to the Moon, national security space, space traffic coordination, space cyber issues, nuclear systems, spectrum, and more. We will see if the new Administration retains the National Space Council or employs another model.
Still going? Need some help? Just reach out here.
Federal Agencies
If launch is your business, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) needs to be on your mind. It regulates launch and reentry licenses and is currently examining the launch licensing process. It is also a key partner in working with the broader FAA on airspace integration issues.
If you plan to capture images from space or in space, you need to learn about NOAA’s Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) office. Housed within the Office of Space Commerce (OSC), OSC is a key advocate for the space industry and is developing a civil and commercial space situational awareness capability with lots of business and international implications. OSC also keeps track of key space policies and regulations.
You aren’t going to be able to do much in space without spectrum and you need to pay attention to the key spectrum arbitrator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Space has become such an important issue for the FCC it created a specific Space Bureau. Hot topics include preserving space spectrum, the expansion of LEO-based connectivity, and the role of the FCC in orbital debris mitigation, mission authorization, and broader space sustainability issues.
Space items are often subject to enhanced import and export restrictions under regulations from the Department of State or the Department of Commerce. Space export rules are currently under review and the U.S. government is seeking industry insight into how they should be changed.
We haven’t even gotten into non-US activity, like the pending EU space law, Japan’s multibillion dollar commitment to space, and ESA’s turn to commercial programs. And what is the laser clearing house? Don’t worry, we can help.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more?
Read everything from space policy gurus Marcia Smith, Casey Dreier, Todd Harrison, Kari Bingen, and Clayton Swope.
Digest the great analyses regularly offered by our friends at BCG, BryceTech, and Aerospace’s Center for Policy and Strategy.
Follow the space reporting of Jeff Foust, Jacqueline Feldscher, Sandra Erwin, Michael Sheetz, Christian Davenport, Loren Grush, Theresa Hitchens, Joey Roulette, Irene Koltz, Eric Berger, and Tim Fernholz.
Sign-up for the excellent newsletters from Space News, Payload, CNBC, and the Sadler Report.
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