The State Department is asking industry how it can better support American space startups, and it’s looking to kick off the conversation at Space Symposium next month.
“The space economy is expanding at a rapid rate and so are the number of space objects and space actors, both in the United States and abroad,” the State Department said in a press release. “Fostering a productive discourse between the commercial space sector and government representatives will help inform our international engagements and ensure we advance US foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
State wants YOU: Industry leaders who want to participate must submit their proposed discussion topics and qualifications by March 26. State is looking for execs who tick a couple boxes, including:
- “Extensive” experience in the space industry
- Employment at a US space company or trade association
- Deep knowledge of international space law and regulations
First up: The roundtables with industry are expected to continue throughout the year, but the first set of meetings is scheduled to take place in Colorado Springs the week of April 7. The conversation at Symposium is expected to center around how commercial innovation can drive US leadership in orbit, and how to streamline regulations to allow the US industry to better compete globally.
Context: The roundtables are the result of a notice posted in the Federal Registrar in December that promised industry would have some input in a series of events “promoting the safe and responsible exploration and use of outer space.”
The State Department oversees a number of space-related priorities, from supporting space diplomacy and international frameworks like the Artemis Accords to setting export restrictions for sensitive space tech to promoting the establishment of safe and responsible norms of behavior in orbit.
ICYMI: It seems that DoD is also eager to use Symposium as an opportunity to engage with the commercial space industry. Breaking Defense reported that Space Force Staff Director Maj. Gen. Stephen Whitney sent a memo to troops deeming attendance at the conference “mission essential” for those Guardians who are speaking at the event or have scheduled meetings with industry.
