United States Chamber of Commerce’s Space Enterprise Council Calls for Action on Satellite Export Reform, Cites CSIS Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Space Enterprise Council of
the United States Chamber of Commerce today welcomed a report by the
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recommending
government reforms to boost U.S. commercial satellite
exports.

"From cell phone and Internet access, to
weather prediction and strategic military operations, commercial
satellites improve our lives and protect our citizens," said
Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Yet our
satellite industry is losing critical sales to foreign competitors,
facing irreparable damage unless the government acts."

In 2002, the U.S. satellite industry lost out on
six bids for global communications satellites to foreign
competitors. The CSIS report notes that over-regulation of U.S.
satellite exports has fueled foreign proliferation, to the detriment
of U.S. national security and economic interests.

"It is senseless for the government to
subject a struggling industry to arbitrary and burdensome export
controls," said Donohue. "Policymakers must act to
restore the industry’s global leadership and protect our national
security and economic interests."

As a first step toward reform, the Space
Enterprise Council supports legislation to return export-licensing
jurisdiction to the U.S. Department of Commerce, from the U.S.
Department of State. At the same time, the Council recommends a
comprehensive review and overhaul of all space-related export
processes, including commercial high-resolution remote sensing
satellite technology and services. In addition, the Council
advocates integrating the space leadership structure in the
government to more effectively address business concerns.

The Chamber launched the Space Enterprise
Council
(www.uschamber.com/space) in 2000 to advance the
interests of a broad range of space businesses.
The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world’s
largest business federation, representing more than three million
businesses and organizations of every size, sector and
region.