Licensing of Private Land Remote-Sensing Space Systems

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues regulations revising the agency's minimum requirements for the licensing, monitoring and compliance of operators of private Earth remote sensing space systems under Title II of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (the Act). These regulations implement the provisions of the 1992 Act, as amended by the 1998 Commercial Space Act, and the Presidential Policy announced March 10, 1994 (hereinafter PDD 23). They are intended to facilitate the development of the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry and promote the collection and widespread availability of Earth remote sensing data, while preserving essential U.S. national security interests, foreign policy and international obligations.