Secretary Wilbur Ross addressed the second meeting of the reconstituted National Space Council today, where he outlined Commerce-led initiatives to advance American leadership in space commerce.

“Since the Council’s first meeting last October, the Department of Commerce has identified regulatory barriers to commercial space activity and developed a vision for the future of space commerce.

“Commerce’s review of the outdated regulatory framework, discussions with an ambitious but frustrated space industry, and meetings within the Administration have made one thing clear: The rate of regulatory change must match the rate of technological change!

“The government must not stand in the way of this progress, as it so often does.

“It is time to unshackle business activity in space.

“That is how we will ensure that businesses choose the United States as their flag of choice for space activity.

“We must create a regulatory framework that best enables space commerce.”

Read more of Secretary Ross’s remarks at the National Space Council meeting.

Expanding commercial space activities is a key objective in the Department’s recently released strategic plan for 2018-2022.

The scientific discoveries resulting from space exploration have created new industries and technologies that improve our lives, our economy, and our national security. While the technological advancement of commercial space activities has created profitable opportunities, current government regulations are an impediment to the commercial space sector.

As Secretary Ross outlined earlier today, Commerce will be leading efforts to cut red tape that hinders the American commercial space sector.