1. Office of Space Commercialization
The Importance of Commercial Remote Sensing to Economic and National Security
Eve Douglas
Office of Space Commercialization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

2. Office of Space Commercialization
Principal unit for commercial space policy issues within DOC and NOAA
Vision: A Robust and Responsive U.S. Industry that is the World Leader in Space Commerce
Mission: Foster the conditions for the economic growth and technological advancement of the U.S. commercial space industry
Advocate within the federal government for the U.S. commercial remote sensing (CRS) industry
In order to discharge these responsibilities under the Act, the Secretary delegated authority to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA delegated authority to the Assistant Administrator to the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) 2

3. U.S. National Policies U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Policy, 2003
Goal: Advance and protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by maintaining the nation’s leadership in remote sensing space activities, and by sustaining and enhancing the U.S. CRS industry. Doing so will also foster economic growth, contribute to environmental stewardship, and enable scientific and technological excellence
Rely to the maximum practical extent on U.S. commercial remote sensing space capabilities for filling imagery and geospatial needs for military, intelligence, foreign policy, homeland security, and civil users
Provide a timely and responsive regulatory environment for licensing the operations and exports of commercial remote sensing space systems
Companies are encouraged to build and operate commercial remote sensing space systems whose operational capabilities, products, and services are superior to any current or planned foreign commercial systems 3

4. U.S. National Policies U.S. National Space Policy, 2010
Energize competitive domestic industries to participate in global markets and advance the development of: satellite manufacturing; satellite-based services; space launch; terrestrial applications; and increased entrepreneurship
Purchase and use commercial space capabilities and services to the maximum practical extent when such capabilities and services are available in the marketplace and meet United States Government requirements
Develop governmental space systems only when it is in the national interest and there is no suitable, cost-effective U.S. commercial or, as appropriate, foreign commercial service or system that is or will be available 4

5. Foreign Competition
If the U.S. fails to maintain leadership, it is likely the U.S. will lose a
significant number of high paying, highly technical jobs with critical skill sets
that are difficult to grow or recapture if lost
Satellite
Capability
Country
Status
Pleiades-1
0.7m re-sampled to 0.5m
France
Launched
Dec 2011
ASNARO
<0.5m
Japan
Late 2012
Pleides-2
2013
Cartosat-3
India
unknown
EROS C
Between 0.5m & 0.7m
Israel 5

6. Contact information
Eve Douglas
Office of Space Commercialization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce 5