Charting New Orbits: New U.S. Space Export Reforms
On November 14, 2024, as part of Meridian’s Space Diplomacy Initiative, the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement convened members of the foreign diplomatic corps for a comprehensive review of the National Space Council's latest export control reforms. The event featured senior officials from the White House, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Commerce, and detailed four significant regulatory changes aimed at modernizing U.S. space commerce while preserving essential security frameworks.
Featured Speakers Included:
- Jason Kim, Chief of Staff, Office of Space Commerce, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Tim Mooney, Senior Export Policy Analyst, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Chirag Parikh, Deputy Assistant to the President, Executive Secretary, National Space Council, The White House
- Christopher Weil, Chief of Technology and Jurisdiction Analysis, DDTC, U.S. Department of State
Frank Justice, Vice President of Meridian’s Center for Diplomatic Engagement and the Space Diplomacy Initiative lead, delivered introductory and closing remarks.
Here are some top takeaways from the program:
As the space sector continues to act as a critical driver of technological innovation and economic growth, with expanding opportunities for both private industry and government space programs, new regulations represent a significant development in U.S. space export controls since their last major update a decade ago in 2014. Of the four new rules, only Space One Final Rule is immediately effective without a comment period, while the remaining three rules, Space Two Interim Final Rule, Commerce's Space Three Proposed Rule, and the State Department's Proposed Rule, are open for international feedback and comments. Key changes include new exemptions for NASA programs, space tourism activities, and specific spacecraft components. The reforms also reduce licensing requirements for allied nations including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, and other strategic partners, while maintaining necessary security protocols.
The framework creates opportunities for international collaboration and cooperation by establishing clearer pathways for joint research programs, commercial partnerships, and technological collaboration while maintaining appropriate security measures. These reforms create significant opportunities for enhanced bilateral and multilateral space cooperation.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of and desire for specific, and actionable international feedback on the proposed reforms. Foreign governments and diplomatic representatives are encouraged to provide feedback on technical specifications, implementation challenges, and suggestions for improvement through established diplomatic channels by December 23, 2024.*
International engagement and feedback on American space export control policy reflects the U.S.’s commitment to creating a more inclusive global space economy.
*The original date was November 22; however, it was extended to allow for commenters to have additional time to review the interim final rule and to be informed by the public outreach that the Bureau of Industry and Security is conducting on the rule in preparing their comments.
Meridian’s Space Diplomacy Initiative fosters relationships between the U.S. and other nations and increases knowledge on space and international affairs in order to advance international norms for government and industry, democratize space for pre-emerging and emerging spacefaring nations, and accelerate the global space economy for the United States and ally nations through professional exchanges, cross-sectoral convening, and diplomacy and geopolitical training.
Project summary
| Charting New Orbits: New U.S. Space Export Reforms | November 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Number of Attendees: | 45 |
| Regions: | Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, Near East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Western Hemisphere |
| Impact Areas: | Business and Trade, Foreign Policy |
| Program Areas: | Diplomatic Engagement |
| Partners: | Diplomatic Corps |
