Feds Launch Pilot to Greenlight Wild Commercial Space Shenanigans Nationwide
Published Date: 8/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 14335, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) seeks to implement a streamlined, unified, whole-of- government mission authorization framework for novel in-space activities. To refine this proposed Space Commerce Certification (SCC) framework, OSC is inviting expressions of interest from U.S. entities in participating in a pilot phase.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
SCC could inform FCC/FAA streamlining
OSC intends the SCC process to speed up and simplify authorizations for novel in-space activities; information submitted through the SCC process could potentially be used as a basis for satisfaction or waiver of FCC rules (for example, strategies for mitigating orbital debris) and could serve as an alternative for certain portions of the FAA's payload reviews. The FAA and FCC retain discretion in whether and how to use SCC in their regulatory processes.
Voluntary pilot open to U.S. operators
U.S. entities and U.S. citizens may submit expressions of interest to participate in a pilot of the Space Commerce Certification (SCC) framework. Interested operators must submit their expressions of interest by October 5, 2026 and provide specified information (ownership evidence, mission concept and timeline, contact information, and a commitment to collaborate with OSC).
Pilot SCC has no direct legal effect
Grant of an SCC during this pilot phase, on its own, will have no direct legal effect. Participants are still required to independently satisfy all existing regulatory requirements for licensing by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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