ABSTRACT
The commercial space sector in the United States of America (USA) is large and vibrant, encompassing a wide diversity of large and small actors conducting a wide array of space activities. The regulation of this sector is correspondingly robust and complex. A number of national regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation, and the Department of Commerce (DoC) Office of Space Commerce all play key roles in the licensing, authorization, and oversight of US national space activities. This chapter provides an overview of the relevant national agencies, as well as the federal laws and implementing regulations governing commercial space activities. Additionally, various recent Space Policy Directives (SPDs) are summarized and placed in context of the current American regulatory framework.
