In SatMagazine’s latest article, “Is There Space for Foreign-Owned Launch Service Providers with the Federal Government?,” author attorneys Curt Blake and Tim Cox discuss the regulatory challenges foreign launch service providers face when seeking contracts with the U.S. government. The article explains how the Commercial Space Act of 1998 requires launch services to be provided by U.S. commercial providers, which involves strict ownership and operational criteria. It emphasizes that understanding and meeting the requirements, such as the National Space Transportation Policy’s mandate for U.S.-manufactured launch vehicles—despite the unclear definition of “manufacture” complicating compliance for companies with international supply chains—is crucial to remain eligible for federal contracts.

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