Commerce Committee Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Improve Commercial Space Policy, Strengthen Industry Competitiveness

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’(MI) bipartisan bill to strengthen commercial space policy and promote industry competitiveness. Peters’ bipartisan legislation – which he reintroduced with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) – would establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee within the Office of Space Commerce. The bill would enable the advisory committee, made up of representatives with extensive experience in the commercial space industry from a variety of fields including space policy, engineering, and research, to share important insights into non-governmental space activity to help inform and shape federal policy and programs. The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

“The importance of the commercial space sector will only continue to grow as it plays a larger role in shaping the future of space exploration,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to provide space industry leaders in Michigan and across the U.S. with a chance to shape federal space policy and provide insight into how to stay competitive on a global scale. I’m going to continue working with my colleagues to see it pass the Senate.” 

The Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee would be comprised of 15 members who make recommendations on various priorities, including: 

• Identifying challenges relating to international obligations and export controls that affect the commercial space sector. 

• Addressing the need to access adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum. 

• Reviewing best practices for U.S. entities to avoid harmful environmental impacts to both earth and space. 

• Providing recommendations on matters related to space sector development and other activities the advisory committee considers necessary. 

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