Defense bill removes barrier to satellite exports

The 2013 defense authorization bill signed into law by President Obama on Jan. 3 will give U.S. satellite companies a more even playing field when competing in the international market by removing long-standing regulations that had hindered growth and innovation, according to the Satellite Industry Association.

Satellite items have been lumped together since 1999 under the category of munitions and regulated in a stringent fashion that harmed U.S. satellite manufacturers’ international standing, dampened investment and stifled innovation, the group said. This resulted in the gradual erosion of the U.S. share of the global satellite manufacturing industry.

The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2013 remedies what the satellite industry regarded as the negative effect of those regulations.

“The provision passed in the NDAA will remove the legislative mandate that required one-size-fits-all regulation for satellite trade,” said SIA President Patricia Cooper. “The mandate caused unintended harm to the health of the U.S. space industry and our nation’s security.”