The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) has expressed its support of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, now being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. Among other elements, H.R. 2410, includes a provision — Section 826 — which would restore authority to the Executive Branch to determine the appropriate export licensing treatment for satellites and related components.

“This legislation will allow U.S. export policies to adapt to changes in satellite manufacturing technology, and focus on items that merit control– those products that are critical to our nation’s security or competitiveness ,” noted Patricia Cooper, President of SIA. “This legislation will enable even stronger U.S. satellite exports, reinforcing the American industrial position in the global marketplace and at home, and safeguarding both jobs and critical space technology for the nation.” Satellites are the only commodities on the U.S. Munitions List (USML) for which export licensing jurisdiction is mandated by law, rather than regulation. The Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 mandated that satellites and related components be placed on the USML, transferring export licensing authority for satellites and related components to the U.S. State Department. SIA has advocated for a return of Executive Branch authority over satellites, in order to offset the overly broad regulation that has disadvantaged U.S. spacecraft and component manufacturers in the global marketplace, without necessarily having accomplished the desired intent. The HFAC language was also prompted by widely-voiced concerns about the unintended consequences of satellite export policies on health of the underlying space industrial base supporting the defense, intelligence and civil space communities. The new legislation does not alter existing provisions for China.