OSC Seeks Input Regarding U.S.-India Space Commerce
Responses are Requested by January 30, 2026
The Office of Space Commerce (OSC) is seeking U.S. stakeholder perspectives and feedback regarding the regulation and competitiveness of U.S. space businesses in the Indian market. This information will support U.S. government preparation for the Civil Space Joint Working Group, Commercial Space Sub-working Group, and other U.S.-India government engagements and coordination aiming to improve U.S. market access and remove barriers to U.S.-India space-related commerce.
This “Call for Input” also takes into account the 2023 India Space policy and its subsequent implementation, with special attention to its effect on Earth observation data goods and services.
The U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), established in 2005, provides an important mechanism for structured collaboration, to address challenges promptly, and to pursue mutual goals. In late 2023, the CSWJG formed a new Commercial Space Sub-Working Group (CSSwG), co-chaired by the U.S. Office of Space Commerce and the India Department of Space (DOS) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
U.S. government members include the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, with support from the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration. Indian government members include the DOS, ISRO, IN-SPACe, NISL, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
This Sub-Working Group’s goal is to strengthen US-India space-related trade, and conditions for that trade. The CSSwG first focused on four areas of mutual interest: market access, export controls, government procurement and foreign direct investment. This “Call for Input” will help the U.S. government identify and prioritize issues to work on in the CSSwG and other US-India government engagements in 2026 and beyond.
The 2023 India Space Policy is forward-leaning and intended to commercialize and privatize space activities in India. The implementation is currently managed via executive guidelines rather than a formal law, though a new Space Activities Bill (originally introduced in 2017) is being reworked and updated to provide a permanent legal foundation.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) published the “Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Indian Space Policy 2023 in respect of Authorization of Space Activities” (NGP) in 2024. It governs how private companies (Non-Governmental Entities or NGEs) are authorized for launches, satellite operations (to include remote sensing), and ground stations.
The Indian remote sensing industry is further regulated by the “Guidelines for acquiring and producing Geospatial Data and Geospatial Data Services including Maps” (DST Guidelines) published by the Indian Department of Science and Technology.
The OSC is interested in better understanding challenges faced by US companies that provide remote sensing-related goods and services to the Indian market. This includes licensing, data access and restrictions, and downstream service provision.
Interested organizations may submit a response via this Google Form.