Maxar Technologies Applauds the Passage of H.R. 2809, the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act

Maxar Technologies  applauds the U.S. House of Representatives on the passage of a bill that would modernize commercial satellite regulations and strengthen U.S. competitiveness in this vital industry.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act, H.R. 2809, was passed by the House of Representatives on April 24. The bill contains a number of important provisions that would update and streamline licensing for satellite remote sensing systems. If signed into law, it will become the first major U.S. legislation to address the regulation of the commercial remote sensing industry since the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. The U.S. Senate has not yet considered legislation to modernize these regulations.

Maxar’s DigitalGlobe business was granted the first U.S. license to operate a high-resolution commercial imaging satellite in 1993. Technology and the global competitive landscape have changed dramatically in the past quarter-century, and outdated regulations put U.S. firms at a disadvantage in the international marketplace. DigitalGlobe has waited months and in some cases years for government approval of licenses.

The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act would clearly define which technologies and business activities are regulated by the U.S. Government and ensure that licensing decisions are made within 150 days, at most, rather than in many months or years. This legislation would also require the Secretary of Commerce to provide insight into how and why licensing decisions were made, providing a greater degree of predictability and transparency for the industry. Finally, this bill would grant regulatory authority to a new and much-needed Office of Space Commerce at the Deputy Undersecretary level within the Department of Commerce.

“The reforms outlined in the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act would allow U.S. companies to be more competitive, create jobs, spur innovation, and advance U.S. leadership in space,” said Dr. Walter Scott, Maxar CTO and Founder of DigitalGlobe.

“We want to express our deep gratitude to the many proponents of this bill, most notably Chairman Lamar Smith, Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin, Ranking Member Ami Bera, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman — now NASA Administrator — Jim Bridenstine, and Congressman Derek Kilmer,” he said. “They worked tirelessly to ensure this bill was the right one and will keep the United States a leader of remote sensing technology. We hope that the Senate will take action soon and look forward to this becoming law.”