Satellite Industry Association Applauds FAA for Releasing its Commercial Space Transportation Reforms

Washington, D.C., Oct 19, 2020 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today commended the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) for releasing its commercial space launch reforms, designed to pave the way for continued commercial satellite industry growth and America’s continued space leadership.  Late last week, the FAA announced via a press release the publication of its Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements Final Rule for commercial space transportation launches and reentries.  In the release, the Administration stated that, “the reforms are designed to modernize the way FAA regulates commercial space operations allowing the industry to continue to innovate and grow, while maintaining public safety.”

“SIA is pleased to see the release of the FAA’s commercial space launch and reentry reforms and we applaud both the Administration and National Space Council (NSC) leadership for mandating the streamlining of regulations that will support the commercial satellite industry,” said Tom Stroup, President of the Satellite Industry Association. “The satellite industry is undergoing revolutionary changes and growth thanks to a broad range of tremendous technological innovations and the worldwide demand for satellite communications, broadband, remote sensing and imaging, navigation and other critical services.  In order to safely maintain the industry’s innovation momentum and the country’s space leadership, it was vital for the FAA to modernize its space transportation rules.  SIA and its members look forward to reviewing the rulemaking and to working with both the FAA and NSC on this and other aspects of importance to the commercial satellite industry.”

To view a copy of the FAA press release titled “U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Historic Commercial Space Transportation Reforms” and a link to the FAA’s final order, please click the following:  https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=25401

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About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. For more than two decades, SIA has advocated on behalf of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.

SIA Executive Members include: Amazon; AT&T Services, Inc.; The Boeing Company; EchoStar Corporation; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat Inc. SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.;  ; Amazon Web Services; Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Astranis Space Technologies Corp.; Blue Origin; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Lynk; Omnispace; Satellites; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; Planet; Telesat Canada; and XTAR, LLC. SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; Akash Systems Inc.; AQYR Technologies; COMSAT; Envistacom, LLC; Integrasys LLC, Kaman Precision Products; Kencast; Keysight Technologies, Inc.; Media Broadcast Satellite; NB+C; ; Plexus Corp; Radeus Labs, Inc.; Sheppard Mullin; Skylo Technologies; and Wiley