The Institute of Space Commerce stands as a pivotal non-partisan think tank driving the intellectual foundation of America’s rapidly expanding commercial space economy. Founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Institute has emerged as a critical voice in space commercialization policy and research, positioning itself at the intersection of economics, policy, and technological advancement. Unlike government agencies or industry lobbying groups, the Institute operates with scholarly independence, focusing on rigorous analysis of space commerce dynamics that affect both industry stakeholders and society at large. Through its fellowship programs, research initiatives, and policy advocacy, the organization has carved out a unique niche as the intellectual home for studying the economics of space, contributing significantly to the broader U.S. space ecosystem through evidence-based research and strategic thought leadership. The Institute’s work has become increasingly relevant as the United States navigates transformational policy changes and budgetary challenges that will shape commercial space development for decades to come.
Organizational Mission and Structure
The Institute of Space Commerce operates under a clear mandate to study the economics and policy of commercial space activities while maintaining strict non-partisan principles. The organization’s mission centers on the belief that access to space fundamentally transforms human potential, with space science and technology advancements tangibly improving quality of life for all. This philosophy drives their commitment to elevating discussions on space commercialization to address challenges affecting both industry and society.
The Institute’s organizational structure revolves around a sophisticated fellowship program that serves as its primary mechanism for generating research and policy insights. The program operates on a tiered system, appointing fellows, junior fellows, and senior fellows to conduct research, author publications, and present findings on space commercialization topics. Fellows and junior fellows commit to producing at least one publication annually in industry trade publications, academic journals, or similar media, while senior fellows provide mentoring and subject matter expertise. The selection process draws from an annual application pool, with appointments based on enthusiasm for space commercialization, writing quality, and relevant experience. Junior fellows typically possess fewer than ten years of experience, fellows have ten or more years, and senior fellows bring at least twenty years of expertise.
The Institute supports its fellows through multiple mechanisms, including connections with senior fellows and industry leaders, assistance in shaping research proposals, facilitation of peer review processes, and annual financial grants. This comprehensive support structure ensures that research outputs maintain high academic standards while addressing practical industry needs. The organization’s Austin, Texas headquarters provides a strategic base of operations, positioning it within a growing regional space industry cluster while maintaining proximity to both academic institutions and commercial space companies.
Research Focus Areas and Contributions
The Institute’s research portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of space commerce topics, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the modern space economy. Primary research areas include space exploration and technology development, domestic and foreign policy implications, finance and economics of space ventures, workforce and industrial base considerations, and space sustainability challenges. The organization also dedicates significant attention to space applications supporting terrestrial needs, including climate change mitigation, medical research, and agricultural advancement.
The Institute’s approach to research emphasizes practical applications that benefit both commercial stakeholders and broader society. By focusing on the economics of space activities, the organization fills a critical gap in space policy discourse, which has traditionally emphasized technical and security considerations over commercial viability and economic impact. This economic focus proves increasingly relevant as the space industry transitions from government-dominated activities to commercially-driven ventures, with the commercial satellite industry supporting over $400 billion in annual economic activity.
Through its fellowship program, the Institute generates a steady stream of publications addressing contemporary space commerce challenges. These publications appear in industry trade journals, academic publications, and policy forums, ensuring that research findings reach diverse audiences including entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, policymakers, and academic researchers. The organization’s commitment to rigorous peer review and senior fellow oversight maintains publication quality while ensuring that research addresses real-world challenges facing the commercial space sector.
The Institute’s research contributions extend beyond individual publications to broader policy discussions. By providing non-partisan analysis of space commerce issues, the organization offers policymakers and industry leaders objective assessments of emerging trends, regulatory challenges, and economic opportunities. This analytical foundation proves essential as government agencies and private companies navigate the complex landscape of commercial space development, particularly as launch activity has surged to record levels with 148 FAA-licensed commercial space operations in fiscal year 2024, representing a 30 percent increase from the prior year.
Policy Environment and Recent Developments
The commercial space policy landscape experienced dramatic transformation in August 2025 with the signing of Executive Order 14335, “Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry,” representing one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent U.S. space commerce history. Signed by President Trump on August 13, 2025, this executive order directly addresses many of the policy areas that the Institute of Space Commerce researches, establishing commercial space as a national competitiveness priority with ambitious goals to substantially increase commercial space launch cadence and novel space activities by 2030.
Executive Order 14335 takes a comprehensive whole-of-government approach across four key areas. First, it directs the Secretary of Transportation, through the FAA Administrator, to streamline commercial launch and reentry licensing by eliminating or expediting environmental reviews not legally required, enabling the use of categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act for routine launch activities, and modernizing Part 450 regulations to reduce regulatory burdens on launch vehicles equipped with modern safety systems. The order explicitly directs agencies to use regulatory authority to exempt permits from requirements “not necessary to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the United States”.
Second, the executive order addresses spaceport infrastructure development through a coordinated interagency framework for permitting new commercial spaceport sites, with goals to avoid bureaucratic delays where multiple federal and state agencies conduct separate reviews. This initiative responds to projected demand that could more than double launch activity by 2028, requiring additional launch capacity beyond current facilities.
Third, and perhaps most significantly for novel commercial ventures, the order directs the Secretary of Commerce to propose within 150 days a new process for individualized mission authorizations for “novel space activities” that fall outside existing regulatory frameworks. These activities, including on-orbit satellite servicing, private space stations, lunar resource extraction, active debris removal, and space manufacturing, are covered by Article VI of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty requiring U.S. government authorization and supervision, but lack clear regulatory pathways. The proposed authorization process must include interagency coordination, definitive timelines for grant or denial decisions, and clear requirements for applicants, though full implementation will likely require congressional action.
Fourth, Executive Order 14335 elevates the Office of Space Commerce directly into the Secretary of Commerce’s office, significantly increasing its institutional authority and reflecting longstanding industry preference for stronger OSC leadership in space traffic coordination. This elevation occurs as OSC approaches the January 2026 production release of its Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), which now provides spaceflight safety screening services for operators managing more than 8,000 spacecraft, safeguarding nearly 80 percent of all active space objects worldwide. Major satellite operators including Amazon Kuiper, Iridium, OneWeb, SpaceX, Maxar, Planet, and Intelsat have joined as pilot users.
However, these policy advances confront significant budgetary challenges that directly impact the Institute’s research areas. In September 2025, the Office of Management and Budget cut the Office of Space Commerce’s fiscal year 2025 budget to $37 million, down from $65 million, representing a 47 percent reduction that eliminated the two-year funding authority Congress provided for purchasing commercial space situational awareness data. This budget cut undermines OSC’s ability to provide spaceflight safety services comparable to how the Federal Aviation Administration ensures air traffic safety, forcing greater reliance on Department of Defense data that lacks the precision demanded by commercial operators.
The funding reduction comes at a critical juncture as the number of active satellites has grown from approximately 5,500 in 2022 to more than 9,000 in 2024, with projections exceeding 60,000 to 100,000 satellites by 2030. China’s Thousand Sails constellation alone aims to deploy over 15,000 satellites by decade’s end. Without adequate funding, OSC cannot integrate commercial data sources essential for tracking satellites, monitoring debris, and issuing timely conjunction warnings for the more than 10,000 U.S. commercial satellites supporting the $400 billion annual economic activity. The budget constraints risk shifting spaceflight safety responsibilities back to DoD, diverting resources from space warfighting priorities while diminishing U.S. influence in shaping international space traffic management frameworks as China integrates commercial providers into state-directed systems.
These policy developments and budgetary tensions create precisely the complex environment where the Institute of Space Commerce’s non-partisan economic analysis becomes invaluable for policymakers navigating competing priorities of regulatory streamlining, safety assurance, and international competitiveness.
Policy Advocacy and Industry Engagement
The Institute of Space Commerce occupies a unique position in the space policy ecosystem, serving as an independent voice that bridges academic research and practical industry needs. Unlike lobbying organizations that represent specific industry interests or government agencies that implement policy, the Institute provides objective analysis designed to inform better decision-making across the space commerce spectrum. This positioning allows the organization to address complex policy challenges without the constraints of institutional bias or commercial pressures.
The Institute’s policy contributions focus on creating frameworks for sustainable commercial space development while ensuring safety and environmental responsibility. The organization advocates for policies that accelerate growth of a commercially viable space economy while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight. This balanced approach recognizes that excessive regulation can stifle innovation and entrepreneurship, while insufficient oversight can create safety risks and unsustainable practices, a tension now prominently featured in debates surrounding Executive Order 14335’s deregulatory initiatives.
Through its research and publications, the Institute influences policy discussions at multiple levels, from federal regulatory frameworks to international cooperation agreements. The organization’s non-partisan status enables it to work with policymakers across political divides, focusing on evidence-based solutions rather than ideological positions. This approach proves particularly valuable in space policy, where long-term thinking and bipartisan cooperation are essential for success, especially as regulatory changes proposed in Executive Order 14335 will require sustained implementation efforts potentially spanning multiple administrations.
The Institute’s engagement with industry stakeholders occurs through multiple channels, including conferences, workshops, and collaborative research projects. By connecting fellows with industry leaders and facilitating knowledge exchange, the organization creates networks that enhance both research quality and practical application of findings. These connections ensure that Institute research addresses real industry challenges while maintaining academic rigor and independence, particularly important as the industry grapples with operational realities of increased launch cadence and novel space activities targeted for 2030.
Educational Programs and Workforce Development
Beyond research and policy advocacy, the Institute of Space Commerce contributes to space ecosystem development through educational initiatives and workforce development programs. The fellowship program itself serves as a professional development mechanism, providing emerging and established professionals with opportunities to deepen their expertise in space commerce while contributing to the broader knowledge base. Fellows gain experience in research, writing, and policy analysis while building professional networks within the space industry.
The Institute’s scholarship programs extend educational opportunities to students and early-career professionals interested in space commerce. These programs help develop the next generation of space industry leaders by providing financial support and mentoring opportunities. By investing in human capital development, the Institute addresses one of the space industry’s most significant challenges: the need for professionals who understand both technical and commercial aspects of space activities.
The organization’s educational contributions extend to professional development within the existing workforce. Through publications, presentations, and workshops, Institute fellows share knowledge that helps industry professionals stay current with evolving space commerce trends and challenges. This continuing education function proves increasingly important as the space industry rapidly evolves and traditional aerospace professionals adapt to commercial space realities, particularly as new regulatory frameworks for novel space activities create demands for expertise spanning engineering, business, and regulatory compliance.
The Institute’s educational philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking that combines technical knowledge with business acumen and policy understanding. This approach reflects the reality that successful space commerce requires integration across multiple disciplines, from engineering and science to finance and regulatory compliance. By fostering this integrated thinking, the Institute helps prepare professionals for the complex challenges of commercial space development, including emerging areas such as mission authorization for novel space activities, space traffic coordination, and international regulatory harmonization.
Future Outlook and Strategic Positioning
As the commercial space economy continues its rapid expansion, the Institute of Space Commerce is positioned to play an increasingly important role in shaping industry development and policy frameworks. The organization’s focus on economics and policy analysis addresses critical needs as the space industry matures from experimental ventures to established commercial operations. The Institute’s research and advocacy will likely prove essential in addressing emerging challenges such as space traffic management, orbital debris mitigation, in-space manufacturing, and lunar commerce development, all areas directly affected by Executive Order 14335’s regulatory reforms.
The Institute’s strategic positioning as a non-partisan research organization provides unique value in an increasingly complex policy environment. Executive Order 14335’s ambitious deregulatory agenda creates both opportunities and risks that require careful economic analysis. The order’s goal to substantially increase commercial space launch cadence and novel space activities by 2030 raises fundamental questions about optimal regulatory frameworks that balance innovation incentives with safety assurance and environmental protection. The Institute’s objective research capabilities enable it to evaluate these trade-offs without ideological bias, providing policymakers evidence-based assessments of regulatory effectiveness.
The budgetary challenges facing the Office of Space Commerce create additional research opportunities for the Institute. The tension between ambitious policy goals in Executive Order 14335 and constrained resources for space traffic coordination raises critical questions about sustainable funding models for civil space infrastructure. The Institute can contribute valuable analysis comparing alternative funding mechanisms, evaluating public-private partnership models, and assessing economic implications of various space traffic management approaches. As international competitors, particularly China, invest heavily in integrated space traffic systems, the Institute’s research on competitive positioning and international standard-setting becomes increasingly relevant.
Looking forward, the Institute faces opportunities to expand its influence through enhanced partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and international organizations. The global nature of space commerce requires coordination across borders and sectors, creating opportunities for the Institute to contribute to international policy development and best practice sharing. The organization’s research capabilities and fellowship network provide foundations for expanded international engagement, particularly as the United States seeks to shape global norms for novel space activities and space traffic coordination.
The proposed mission authorization framework for novel space activities represents a particularly significant area for Institute research. The Secretary of Commerce’s directive to develop authorization processes within 150 days creates immediate demand for economic analysis of regulatory design options, evaluation of international precedents, and assessment of competitive implications for U.S. companies relative to foreign competitors operating under different regulatory regimes. The Institute’s interdisciplinary approach, combining legal, economic, and technical expertise through its fellowship network, positions it to contribute meaningfully to these policy discussions.
The Institute’s future success will likely depend on its ability to maintain research relevance while expanding its reach and influence. As space commerce evolves rapidly with regulatory reforms, the organization must continue adapting its research focus to address emerging challenges and opportunities. The fellowship program provides flexibility to pursue diverse research topics while maintaining consistency in research quality and policy relevance. The organization’s commitment to evidence-based analysis becomes increasingly valuable as space policy debates intensify around questions of regulatory burden, safety assurance, international competitiveness, and sustainable funding for civil space infrastructure.
The convergence of Executive Order 14335’s deregulatory agenda with OSC’s budgetary constraints creates a natural laboratory for studying relationships between regulatory design, public investment, and commercial space industry development. The Institute’s research examining these dynamics can inform not only U.S. policy but also serve as a model for other nations developing their commercial space sectors. As global launch activity increases and novel space activities proliferate, the Institute’s contributions to understanding commercial space economics will likely prove increasingly valuable for maintaining American leadership while ensuring safe, sustainable, and economically viable space operations.
Conclusion
The Institute of Space Commerce has established itself as a vital intellectual resource for America’s commercial space ecosystem through its commitment to rigorous research, objective policy analysis, and workforce development. By maintaining non-partisan independence while addressing real industry challenges, the organization fills a critical niche in space policy discourse that benefits entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, and policymakers alike. The Institute’s fellowship program generates valuable research outputs while developing the next generation of space commerce leaders, creating compound benefits for the broader space economy.
The transformational policy changes embodied in Executive Order 14335 and the budgetary challenges confronting the Office of Space Commerce underscore the increasing relevance of the Institute’s mission. As the United States pursues ambitious goals to substantially increase commercial space launch cadence and novel space activities by 2030 while navigating resource constraints and international competition, objective economic analysis becomes essential for informed policymaking. The Institute’s research on regulatory effectiveness, funding models, and competitive positioning will likely prove increasingly valuable for maintaining American leadership in the global space economy while ensuring sustainable development of space commerce.
Editorial Notes
Sources: Research for this article relied on publicly available information from the Institute of Space Commerce website, Federal Register documents, government agency materials including the Office of Space Commerce, legal analysis from multiple law firms, and industry publications. The Space Foundation provided additional context about the broader space commerce ecosystem.
Verification Limitations: Due to the specialized nature of space commerce research and limited public disclosure requirements for non-profit organizations, some operational details and specific program outcomes could not be independently verified. The Institute’s recent establishment means historical performance data remains limited. Implementation details for Executive Order 14335 remain under development across multiple agencies, with final regulatory changes requiring future congressional action in some areas.
Research Gaps: Specific fellowship outcomes, detailed financial information, and comprehensive publication lists were not publicly accessible. Industry impact assessments and comparative analysis with similar organizations require additional investigation. Long-term implementation outcomes for Executive Order 14335 cannot yet be assessed given recent signing date.
Fact-Check Summary:
Institute of Space Commerce:
Institute status as 501(c)(3) non-profit: Verified
Austin, Texas headquarters: Verified
Fellowship program structure: Verified
Research focus areas: Verified
Website verification: Verified -
https://change.space
accessible
Policy Developments:
Executive Order 14335 signing date (August 13, 2025): Verified
EO goals and provisions: Verified through Federal Register and multiple legal analyses
OSC budget reduction to $37 million: Verified
TraCSS pilot users and 8,000+ spacecraft coverage: Verified
FAA commercial space operations statistics: Verified
Satellite population growth projections: Verified
Overall Confidence Rating: 85% - Core organizational facts verified, recent policy developments verified through multiple authoritative sources, specific program outcomes require additional longitudinal research
Entity Website Verification:
Institute of Space Commerce: Verified
Office of Space Commerce: Verified
Space Foundation: Verified
Federal Aviation Administration: Verified
Department of Defense: Verified
SpaceX: Verified
Amazon: Verified (Kuiper division)
Iridium: Verified
OneWeb: Verified
Maxar: Verified
Planet: Verified
Intelsat: Verified
Sources:
Institute of Space Commerce About Page - https://change.space/about/
Institute of Space Commerce Fellowships Page - https://change.space/fellowships/
Federal Register - Executive Order 14335 - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/19/2025-15822/enabling-competition-in-the-commercial-space-industry
White House - Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry - https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-14335-enabling-competition-the-commercial-space-industry
Greenberg Traurig Legal Analysis - Executive Order 14335 -
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. The information presented is based on publicly available data and should not be relied upon for making investment decisions. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. Readers should conduct their own research and consult with qualified financial advisors before making any investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The authors and publishers are not licensed financial advisors and assume no liability for any financial losses that may result from the use of this information.
For all disclaimers applicable to this post and all content posted on this site goto Disclaimers page.
This article was produced with the assistance of A.I.