NASA, Commerce Department to Study Civil Space Industrial Base

NASA has joined with the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a comprehensive survey and assessment of a critical industrial sector that supports U.S. space missions and programs.

The survey of the U.S. Civil Space Industrial Base, which will be undertaken by BIS, aims to better understand potential weaknesses in the sector’s supply chain and how they may impact NASA’s major missions related to Exploration, Space Operations, Science, Space Technology and Aeronautics. The Civil Space Industrial Base consists of contractors, companies, federally funded research and development centers, universities, and laboratories that support non-defense, space-related work at NASA, NOAA, and other agencies.

NASA and NOAA requested the BIS survey.

“For decades NASA’s work with the Civil Space Industrial Base has allowed the agency to explore the unknown and achieve technological breakthroughs,” said Bhavya Lal, NASA associate administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy. “Now, in a period of such rapid development – including our return to the Moon and planned advancement to Mars and our support of the development of a low-Earth orbit economy – those relationships will be more important than ever. We need to know as much as we can about this important industrial sector.”

The survey is a one-time data collection through which BIS will require data from organizations that support NASA or NOAA missions and their related supply chains. The data collected will help identify the structure and interdependencies of those organizations, providing NASA and NOAA with information about any possible supply chain deficiencies or disruptions. Such supply chain issues could be related to materials shortages or diminished manufacturing capabilities, foreign sourcing, cybersecurity issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, or other challenges.

Data and analysis from the survey will allow government officials and industry to better monitor trends and industry performance and raise awareness on potential concerns. BIS will release aggregate data and more information is available on the project website For questions related to the overall scope if the industrial base survey and assessment, contact BIS at: CSIBsurvey@bis.doc.gov.

Find out more about NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy at: https://www.nasa.gov/offices/otps/home/index.html