The U.S. Department of Commerce plays a significant role in the space industry through its Office of Space Commerce (OSC). The OSC is responsible for fostering the economic growth and technological advancement of the U.S. commercial space industry by coordinating policy, streamlining regulations, and providing space situational awareness services, including the development of the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). The Department also works to promote U.S. space products and services internationally, supporting companies like SpaceX in securing contracts and modernizing space-related export controls through the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Key partners include NASA, NOAA, and various international entities.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Executive Order 14335 directed the Department of Commerce to develop a process to authorize commercial activities in space that are not clearly or straightforwardly governed by current rules.
The Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce has opened National Government Account access for the Traffic Coordination System for Space.
The Department of Commerce’s Space Commerce Certification proposal was released on March 24, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Commerce released a March 24, 2026 proposal for a voluntary Space Commerce Certification process.
The Department of Commerce is developing a framework for novel space activities covering on-orbit refueling, satellite repair, and proximity operations.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s April 2026 Space Commerce Certification proposal covers in-space assembly, servicing, and manufacturing, debris removal, and space situational awareness.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce launched a public Ideas Inbox for the commercial space industry.
The House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee's bill provides $10.15 billion for the Department of Commerce.
U.S. companies interested in presenting their technology must register through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s international trade portal.
Gabriel Swiney leads policy, advocacy, and international division work for the Office of Space Commerce in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce expects further private capital investments in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City corridors by the end of 2026.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appointed Taylor Jordan as director of the U.S. Office of Space Commerce in December.
The Commerce Department aims to issue a Space Commerce Certification within 120 days of application submission.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in August directing the Commerce Department to establish a licensing regime for space missions not covered by existing regulations.
The U.S. Commerce Department proposed a streamlined licensing process that would require a single application for missions reaching orbit.
The Commerce Department would have authority over non-human space operations, including in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing, debris removal, and space situational awareness under the Biden administration's 2023 proposal.
Under the Commerce Department's proposal, agencies would have 30 days to raise objections to a space mission application, and no response would count as approval.
The Commerce Department would lead an interagency review process for space missions under the proposed licensing regime.
The Commerce Department's proposal would create a new Space Commerce Certification for missions ranging from in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing to lunar manufacturing.
The Department of Commerce refined its playbooks for buying commercial space-derived data as a service through NOAA’s Commercial Data Program.