Leading figures in the space industry have urged Congressional leaders to preserve funding for preventing space collisions. Proposed budget cuts for FY 2026 suggest reducing the Office of Space Commerce's budget from $65 million to $10 million by eliminating the Traffic Coordination System for Space program. Industry representatives stress the importance of safe space operations for services like broadband and national security missions, advocating for the retention of the OSC's full funding and maintaining its oversight within the Department of Commerce.
One of OSC's most important functions is to provide space traffic coordination support to US satellite operators, similar to the Federal Aviation Administration's role in air traffic control.
Safe space operations in an increasingly congested space domain are critical for modern services like broadband satellite internet and weather forecasting.
Likewise, a safe space operating environment is vital for continuity of national security space missions such as early warning of missile attacks on deployed US military forces.
Industry trade groups sent letters to the Democratic and Republican leadership of the House and Senate budget subcommittees for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.
#space-industry #budget-cuts #space-traffic-coordination #national-security #office-of-space-commerce
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