What Happened
New Regulatory Framework May Bring Uncertainty To US Space Economy
The Office of Space Commerce has announced a voluntary mission authorization process, aimed at streamlining regulatory mechanisms and ensuring government review of private sector space activities. However, the framework’s ambiguity and broad remit may create uncertainty and risk for space companies. The administration should focus on developing targeted regulations for specific outcomes, such as space safety and third-party liability, rather than pursuing a broad and voluntary mission authorization mandate. This was reported by Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project, in a commentary published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.