Latest News

Presentation on U.S. Space Export Controls

Posted 4/30/2009

Here is the presentation that Michael Beavin gave at yesterday's forum on Entrepreneurial Space and Export Control.

Beavin to Speak at Space Export Control Event

Posted 4/21/2009

Michael Beavin from the Office of Space Commercialization will participate in a panel discussion during the AIAA forum on Entrepreneurial Space and Export Control: Red Tape in the Final Frontier, April 29 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

Microgravity Research Competition Prize Awarded

Posted 4/20/2009

On April 18, the Heinlein Prize Trust announced the winner of its Microgravity Research Competition. The prize went to a team from the University of Texas for nanotechnology research that may be applicable to drug delivery and other commercial applications.

Comments Sought on Galileo Equipment Market Access

Posted 4/15/2009

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is collecting public comments on U.S. industry access to Galileo markets, to assess compliance with the GPS-Galileo Agreement of 2004. The comments will help USTR prepare a report on the subject, as directed by congressional language.

Comments are due May 13, 2009.

Info Sought on Commercial Space Weather Data Sources

Posted 4/13/2009

On April 8, the U.S. Air Force issued a Request for Information (RFI) on cost-effective ways to fulfill its requirements for space environmental data. According to the RFI, "The Air Force is evaluating all possible solutions sets, including the employment of commercial systems as a data provider with sensors already on-orbit or hosting sensors on future platforms." Due date for response is May 7, 2009.

The Air Force RFI is similar to the RFQ issued by NOAA on March 23.

Read about NOAA's interest in commercial data sources...

Third Civil GPS Signal Activated

Posted 4/10/2009

The Air Force has successfully activated the experimental L5 transmitter on the newest GPS satellite. Here is the official media release.

L5 is the third civilian GPS signal, broadcast in a radio band reserved exclusively for aviation safety services. The Commerce Department was one of the earliest proponents of a third civil GPS frequency.

Small Payload Rideshare Workshop

Posted 4/7/2009

The National Reconnaissance Office and NASA have announced their annual Small Payload Rideshare Workshop, to be held May 19-20, 2009, at the NASA Ames Research Center. The workshop agenda focuses on investigating concepts and technologies that will enable the small payload community to meet future launch needs and provide the best possible launch capabilities in a cost-effective manner. Options to be explored include co-manifested, secondary, and hosted payloads.

Solicitation Revised from RFP to RFQ

Posted 3/25/2009

NOAA has reposted its solicitation with some technical corrections. The solicitation is now called a Request for Quote (RFQ) instead of a Request for Proposals (RFP). The deadline has also shifted from April 10 to April 14. Here is a link to the revised RFQ.

RFP Issued to Study Commercial Sources of NOAA Observations

Posted 3/23/2009

NOAA has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for additional feasibility studies concerning its potential use of commercially available space-based and space weather observations. The technical and cost studies cover the following observation requirements: Total and Clear Sky Radiative Flux; Sea Surface Height/Topography; Geostationary High Spectral Atmospheric Profiles; and Ocean Color.

The proposal deadline is April 10, 2009. The RFP is the second in a three-part series of solicitations on this topic.

Space Commerce Website Redesigned

Posted 3/13/2009

The Office of Space Commercialization has redesigned its website to include an RSS feed of latest news and a new, pop-up navigation tool based on popular keywords. Feedback is welcome on the new interface.

View 2009 news archive

This website is intended to educate the public about the Commerce Department's role in promoting U.S. leadership in space commerce through the Office of Space Commercialization and other Commerce organizations. More...

We redesigned our website! To navigate, use the new "FIND IT FAST!" button on the menu bar. We welcome your feedback on the new design and interface.

RFQ on Commercial Sources of NOAA Observations Intro to Space Export Controls News Archive