Notice of Availability of the Draft NOAA Commercial Space Policy

As a science-based services agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) strives to understand and predict changes in weather, climate, oceans, and coasts, and to provide critical environmental intelligence to the American public, decision makers, and our partners. NOAA accomplishes this, in part, through the use of observations obtained through a range of systems, including satellites, ships, ground, and in-situ networks. NOAA's space-based Earth observations are both important and challenging to obtain. In recent years, the commercial sector has invested increasing amounts of capital and resources to develop new technologies, and to build, launch, and operate satellites and ground- based systems. In order to respond to an ever-growing demand for environmental information, NOAA seeks to maintain an observing enterprise that is flexible, responsive to evolving technologies, and economically sustainable, while supporting and upholding NOAA's strong commitment to public safety and the international data sharing system upon which NOAA depends for global data. This policy establishes the broad principles for the use of commercial space-based approaches for NOAA's observational requirements, and opens a pathway for new industry to join the space- based Earth observation process. As a part of this effort, and to ensure we examine potential solutions, NOAA is seeking comments, suggestions, and innovative ideas from the public on Draft NOAA Commercial Space Policy. Through www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0109, the public can view the Draft NOAA Commercial Space Policy, submit ideas, review submissions from other parties, and make comments and collaborate on ideas. All comments are welcome. In particular, NOAA would like comments on in the following areas: 1. Does this policy adequately support the continued success of NOAA's public safety mission? 2. Does this policy allow for the development of viable business models for potential providers of commercial data? 3. Does this policy sufficiently consider the impacts to the private weather industry, academia, and other stakeholders? 4. Does this policy appropriately reflect the importance of U.S. data policy and international data sharing commitments?