The Office of Space Commerce (OSC) within the US Department of Commerce says it is proceeding with plans to create a voluntary mission‑authorization system for novel space activities.
The system is intended to cover activities that are not currently regulated by other federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Examples of such activities include on‑orbit servicing, active debris removal and in‑space manufacturing.
Participation would be voluntary, allowing companies to seek authorization to gain legal clarity and reduce potential liability.
The OSC stresses that the framework is meant to complement, not replace, existing regulations and to fill gaps in the current regulatory landscape.
Further details on the exact procedures and timeline are expected to be released in the coming months.