The U.S. State and Commerce Departments will begin a process this summer to review and potentially update the export control lists for space systems. This initiative aims to address technological advancements in the space sector since the last review of export controls in the early 2010s.
Chirag Parikh, executive secretary of the National Space Council, announced the review during the 39th Space Symposium on April 9, emphasizing the need to adapt to the rapid evolution of space technologies. “It’s been over a decade since we had the last significant amount of export control review on space technology,” Parikh said, noting the global development of space capabilities.
The process will begin with the release of an advance notification for potential rulemaking by mid-June, inviting public comment on which technologies currently listed on the U.S. Munitions List, managed under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), could be moved to the less restrictive Commercial Control List, governed by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). While the notification does not guarantee any changes, it is intended to gather feedback on which technologies should be considered for reassignment.
Industry stakeholders, including those involved in previous export control reform efforts, have expressed support for the review. Mike Gold, chief growth officer at Redwire, highlighted the importance of evolving export control rules to keep pace with technological advancements. “If we don’t evolve our export control rules to cover what’s happening now, we’re going to find ourselves in the exact same place we were a decade ago,” he said during a panel at the FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference in February.
Parikh acknowledged the importance of maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global space market through updated export controls, ensuring fair competition and fostering international partnerships.
The U.S. government is also focusing on leveraging space technology for international cooperation. Parikh highlighted interagency efforts, such as a delegation that participated in the NewSpace Africa Conference in Angola, to promote the use of space for broader international capacity building.
In addition to export control updates, Parikh reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to helping other nations develop space policies and adopt best practices, including through initiatives like the Artemis Accords. While addressing national security, he noted that there are ongoing initiatives to overcome challenges in this area.
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