Space Foundation Applauds House Passage of Modernization of Space-Related Export Laws

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 21, 2012) – The Space Foundation, an independent non-profit space advocacy organization, applauds yesterday’s House of Representatives passage of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes language that significantly modernizes space-related language provisions within the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) law, paving the way for the United States to become more competitive in the global space arena.

“For years, we have watched the U.S. lose ground against global competitors because of the largely unintentional consequences of onerous regulations on space technology for export,” said Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham. “Now, thanks to the hard work of a number of individuals — most especially Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) — our nation may soon be able to once again vigorously compete in an industry we helped invent.”

The language gives the administration discretion to transfer certain less sensitive satellites and satellite components from the restrictive United States Munitions List to the less restrictive Commerce Control List, thus allowing U.S. space businesses to sell more space products and services outside the U.S. and to enter into more business relationships with global partners.

“While this achievement has been a long time coming, important steps remain in order to implement this change. We look forward to working with the administration in 2013 to ensure American Space competitiveness is maximized while keeping sensitive technologies out of the wrong hands,” said Pulham.

The Defense Authorization Act now needs to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President.

About the Space Foundation
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification™ and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Its world headquarters features a public Visitors Center with two main areas – the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®. The Space Foundation also conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

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