General Policy Issues
Satellite Export Controls
To export or reexport satellites and most satellite components to a foreign country, or to launch a satellite on a foreign launch vehicle, one must first attain proper authorization from the U.S. Government. Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Department of State is the licensing authority for most commercial communications satellite exports and reexports, although recent interagency reviews of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) have resulted in the transfer of several categories of space-qualified components to the Department of Commerce's Commerce Control List (CCL).
Review the ITAR rules at state.gov...
In 2008, the Office of Space Commercialization and the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation jointly published an Introduction to U.S. Export Controls for the Commercial Space Industry. This short guidebook provides an introductory overview of the U.S. export control process as it applies to the commercial space industry.
The Office of Space Commercialization remains concerned that the impacts of the export control regime have a disproportional effect on U.S. space companies, particularly those in the lower tiers. In 2007, the Office assisted in the development of a Defense Department report on the U.S. space industrial base that included the associated impacts of U.S. export controls. According to the report, "export control compliance costs grew 37% from 2003-2006 with the burden of compliance significantly higher for firms in the lower tiers."
Read more about the report...On August 13, 2009, the President directed the National Economic Council and National Security Council to initiate an interagency review of the U.S. export control system, including both the dual-use and defense trade processes. The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security has an integral role to play in this review.
Learn more at whitehouse.gov...On April 18, 2012, the Departments of Defense and State released a report on space export control policy reform, recommending that many satellites and satellite components be transferred from the USML to the CCL. The report was mandated by Section 1248 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
Learn more at defense.gov...External References
For additional information, visit any of the following external websites.
- Coalition for Security and Competitiveness: Promoting export control modernization
This page includes references and links to specific private sector organizations, satellites, and/or websites. These are provided for educational purposes and do not constitute a U.S. government endorsement of any private sector products, services, or views.
