President Obama Orders Sweeping National Space Policy Review for Change in 2010

President Barack Obama has issued a presidential orders (Study Directive-2 and 3) to scrutinize existing national space policy as part of a sweeping review that could culminate in a new strategy governing American civil and military space activities, according to SpaceNews.

The space publication noted that sources familiar with the Obama review say it will address a range of topics that fall into several categories, including space protection, international cooperation, acquisition reform and national space strategy to be lead by Peter Marquez, director of space policy for the White House National Security Council. The review will involve several offices and agencies, including the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, State, Treasury and Transportation departments, and U.S. intelligence agencies.

The review could lead to a sweeping revamp of national space policy prior to mid-2010 and several changes to the space policies adopted by the Bush Administration.. Those familiar with the review say American outreach and cooperation with international partners on space activities is an area ripe for study, as is reform of the ITAR export control regime with regard to commercial communications satellites. In June, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would give the administration authority to remove commercial satellites and components from rigorous State Department export licensing requirements.

Other topics on the table include commercial remote sensing, technology industrial base and acquisition reform, the need to maintain two expendable launch vehicles and a review of the Bush administration's stance on weapons in space.