Space Law: The Law of Outer Space

In addition to the NASA, which is responsible for the U.S. civilian space program and for aeronautical and space-related research, many other U.S. federal agencies are involved in the development of space policy and in the regulation of space-related activities.  Listed below are links to the websites of selected federal agencies that play a significant role in formulating and implementing U.S. space policy, particularly as it relates to national security and to the emerging commercial space industry.

• U.S. Department of Commerce
  The Commerce Department helps to promote economic growth by gathering economic and demographic data to facilitate decision making by government agencies and private industry, and by helping to establish uniform scientific and industrial standards.
   
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    NOAA is a scientific agency within the Department of Commerce.
     
    • Office of Space Commerce
      This NOAA office coordinates the development of commercial space policy within the Department of Commerce.  Its mission is to facilitate the development of emerging space-related industries.
       
    • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
      The NESDIS manages data and information collected by meteorological satellites.
       
    • Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs
      The CRSRA licenses the commercial use of remote sensing satellite technologies, which collect images of the Earth's surface and related data, by individuals and entities who are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S.
       
  • National Telecommunications and Information Administration
    The NTIA is a scientific agency within the Department of Commerce.  Along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent agency, the NTIA is jointly responsible for allocating the radio spectrum used by telecommunications satellites operated by the federal government and by private industry. 
    
     
• U.S. Department of Defense
  The Defense Department coordinates U.S. national security policy and overseas all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
   
  • Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy
    The ASD for Space Policy is responsible for formulating national security strategy for outer space.
     
  • U.S. Space Command
    U.S. Space Command coordinates the space-related units of each branch of the U.S. armed forces (Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Air Force Space Forces, Marine Corps Forces Space Command, Navy Space Command, and the U.S. Space Force) 
     
  • U.S. Space Force
    The newest branch of the U.S. armed forces was established on December 19, 2019, with the signing of the U.S. Space Forces Act, part of the Defense Authorization Act of 2020.  It is organized as a military service branch within the Department of the Air Force and is directed by the Chief of Space Operations.
     
  • Space Development Agency
    The Space Development Agency is responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining a constellation of small satellites that perform essential tasks, including data transfer, missile tracking and targeting, and space-based battle management. 
     
  • Department of Defense Publications
    • Space-related DoD publications (sorted by date most recent)
    • Space Policy Review & Strategy for Protection of Satellites (September 2023) (most recent unclassified version).
      
       
• U.S. Department of State
  The State Department is responsible for U.S. foreign policy and international relations.
   
  • Office of Emerging Security Challenges
    This office works cooperatively with U.S. allies on issues of space security and missile defense.
     
  • Office of Space Affairs
    This office helps to formulates policy on a wide range of topics, including space diplomacy, the commercial development of space resources, and the regulation of artificial satellites, satellite navigation systems, and satellite-based earth observation systems.
    
     
• U.S. Department of Transportation -- Federal Aviation Administration
  The FAA is a regulatory body within the Department of Transportation.
   
  • Office of Commercial Space Transportation
    This FAA office is responsible for regulating the emerging commercial space transportation industry, ensuring its compliance with U.S. international space law obligations, as well as safeguarding public health and safety.  It also recommends changes to applicable federal statutes and regulations.