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12h ago

Industry Coalition Urges Congress to Restore Funding for NOAA’s Civil Space Traffic Program

Industry groups warn that cutting TraCSS funding would shift space traffic coordination back to the Pentagon, increase collision risks, undermine U.S. leadership in space safety standards.

A bird flies in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, US, November 10, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo
Background showing the Earth planet viewed from space with satellite , the element of this image are provided by Nasa and 3d generated

Overview

  • The White House’s FY2026 budget proposal cuts NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce funding from $65 million to $10 million, which would terminate the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS).
  • Seven industry associations representing 450 space, satellite and defense companies sent letters to House and Senate appropriations leaders ahead of Commerce-Justice-Science markups seeking to maintain the office’s $65 million budget.
  • TraCSS was launched under President Donald Trump’s 2018 directive to provide civilian space situational awareness data and help operators avoid satellite collisions.
  • Industry groups caution that eliminating civilian coordination would revert traffic management to the Department of Defense, conflating safety services with military priorities.
  • Congress faces a decision this week on whether to restore full OSC funding and preserve U.S. leadership in shaping global space traffic norms.