US Has Removed ‘Big Barrier’ to Space Launch Vehicle Exports, Official Says
The U.S. government’s recently revised policy guidance for missile technology exports gives the Bureau of Industry and Security more flexibility to approve export licenses to support space launch vehicle (SLV) programs, a Commerce Department official said March 19.
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Before the guidance was issued, BIS tended to deny the export of many SLV items, including to some close U.S. allies. With that constraint eased, companies whose applications were rejected before the guidance was released should consider resubmitting their applications, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity under a policy for certain career personnel at the BIS annual update conference.
“There was a big barrier before, we were aware of it and we’ve hopefully fixed it,” the official said. “I think this is a big change in policy, and many that were denied before would easily be approved or even approved with a little more extensive review.”
The new policy will allow BIS to review license applications on a case-by-case basis. “It’s not an automatic approval,” the official cautioned. “It’s that we’re reviewing the specific transaction,” such as whether technology could be diverted to a military program.
The Biden administration announced the revised guidance in January, saying it would streamline defense trade with close allies while renewing its commitment to global nonproliferation efforts (see 2501080039). It is unclear whether the Trump administration will retain the guidance (see 2502030047).
BIS, meanwhile, is reviewing public comments on two of the three rules it released in October to reduce licensing requirements for space-related exports, Commerce officials said. The bureau received 27 comments on the interim final rule and 16 comments on the proposed rule. The third rule was final when published.
The interim final rule reduces license requirements on certain less sensitive space-related items to more than 40 countries, while the proposed rule would transfer the export control jurisdiction of certain space-related defense items from the State Department to BIS (see 2410180027). Some of the comments urged BIS to ensure that small space companies, including startups, are aware of these and other export regulations, a Commerce official said.