Industry Praises House Passage of Defense Authorization Bill Easing Satellite Export Controls

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA), the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), and the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) lauded House passage today of the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 4310. As passed, the bill includes an amendment adopted yesterday that could ease export controls on commercial satellites, which the organizations support. CSF has a caveat, however, saying it is unclear if the amendment also covers "the spaceflight participant experience."
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), and co-sponsored by HASC chairman Howard "Buck" McKeon and other influential members, restores to the President the authority to decide whether commercial satellites are governed by the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the dual-use Commerce Control List (CCL). In a press release, SIA President Patricia Cooper called it a "vital step for the U.S. satellite industry." AIA said it welcomed the action by the House and urged the Senate to follow suit.
CSF also commended the easing of export controls on commercial satellites, but cautioned in a press statement that the language "is somewhat unclear on whether the commercial spaceflight participant experience and training are ...