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.
The Department of Commerce and NOAA are building a systematic approach to buying commercial environmental observations and other data products under Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts.
TraCSS Phase 1.0, the Commerce Department’s civil Space Traffic Coordination and Safety System, began providing initial space debris safety alerts in late 2024.
The Office of Space Commerce’s Deputy Director Janice Starzyk and International Affairs Specialist Rose Croshier participated in the Department of Commerce delegation organizing the mission.
Planet Labs participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
Kayhan Space participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
Park Aerospace participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
Elve participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
Resecurity participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
Amazon participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce commercial space trade mission to India.
The U.S. Department of Commerce handles civil space traffic coordination while the Department of Defense and its commercial partners focus on high-fidelity tracking for defense requirements.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Space Commerce and the U.S. Space Force Joint Commercial Operations cell jointly licensed access to LeoLabs’ Object Catalog in September 2025.
Executive Order 14335 elevated the Office of Space Commerce within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Commercial Space Act of 2026 aims to establish the Department of Commerce as a one-stop regulatory shop for novel space activities not currently under FAA or FCC jurisdiction.
The SAT Streamlining Act requires coordination between the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Commerce’s Assistant Secretary to streamline the license review process.
U.S. government members of the U.S.-India working groups include the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Transportation with support from the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Peter Davidson has held positions such as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce and SVP of Government Affairs at Verizon Communications.
The Commerce Department must complete a 120-day review on reallocating radio frequency spectrum by April 17, 2026.
The Department of Commerce is expected to release the TraCSS Fee Schedule and Service Level Agreement draft for public comment in March 2026.
The Department of Commerce will manage the new fee-based model for space safety.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Space Commerce is seeking input from industry stakeholders on its initial draft concept for regulatory authorization of novel space activities.