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NOAA Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) is located within NOAA Satellite and Information Services (NESDIS). CRSRA consists of a Commercial Remote Sensing Licensing activity as well as a Commercial Remote Sensing Compliance and Monitoring activity. CRSRA also handles committee management for the NOAA Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES).

Background

The National and Commercial Space Programs Act (NCSPA or Act), 51 U.S.C. § 60101, et seq as amended (the Act), provides no person who is subject to the jurisdiction or control of the U.S. may operate any private remote sensing space system without a license, and authorized the Secretary of Commerce to license private sector parties to operate private remote sensing space systems. By law, the Secretary can grant a license only upon determining, in writing that the applicant (licensee) will comply with the requirements of the Act, any regulations issued pursuant to the Act and any applicable international obligations and national security concerns of the United States.

Information on applying for a license can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 15 CFR Part 960, specifically, Appendix A.