Washington, D.C., July 11, 2013 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) filed comments on Monday on the Administration’s proposals to reform the U.S. export controls for satellites and related items. The Departments of State and Commerce published draft regulations in May to significantly update the satellite export control system, following the passage of enabling legislation in January. SIA’s comments conveyed support for the Administration’s proposals, citing the importance of efficient, clear, and sensible export control rules in supporting innovation, investment and competitiveness for the nation’s space sector. SIA also identified several areas where the rules could be adjusted to improve clarity or bring them into better alignment with commercial practices and technology.

“SIA and our members welcomed the chance to weigh in on the draft satellite export control regulations, and undertook a very thorough review of the Administration’s proposals,” said Patricia Cooper, President of the Satellite Industry Association. “Our comments reflect the tremendous innovation and growth in the satellite industry over the 15 years since the export control system for satellites was last updated. The U.S. satellite sector is developing and commercializing space technology at an incredible pace, and we look forward to the implementation of export control regulations that will support this leadership and protect U.S. national security.”
With the close of the public comment period on the draft rules, the Executive Branch will next review the comments that have been submitted and develop final rules. SIA’s comments, and a fact sheet detailing the implementation process, are available here: http://www.sia.org/export-controls/

About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing worldwide representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. Since its creation more than eighteen years ago, SIA has advocated for the unified voice of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.
SIA Executive Members include: Artel, LLC; The Boeing Company; The DIRECTV Group; EchoStar Satellite Services LLC; Harris CapRock Communications; Hughes Network Systems, LLC; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; LightSquared; Lockheed Martin Corporation.; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Rockwell Collins Government Systems; SES Americom, Inc.; and SSL. SIA Associate Members include: AIS Engineering, Inc.; Astrium Services Government, Inc.; ATK Inc.; Cisco; Cobham SATCOM Land Systems; Comtech EF Data Corp.; DRS Technologies, Inc.; Encompass Government Solutions; Eutelsat, Inc.; Globecomm Systems, Inc.; Inmarsat, Inc.; ITT Exelis; Marshall Communications Corporation.; MTN Government Services; NewSat America, Inc.; O3b Networks; Orbital Sciences Corporation; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Spacecom, Ltd.; Row 44; Spacenet Inc.; TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.; Telesat Canada; The SI Organization, Inc.; TrustComm, Inc.; Ultisat, Inc.; ViaSat, Inc., and XTAR, LLC.

The full versions of SIA’s comments are available online:

http://www.sia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SIA_Comments_on_USML_Category_XV_2013_07_08.pdf

http://www.sia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SIA_Comments_on_CCL_ECCN_9x515_2013_07_08.pdf