by Jeffrey Donald and Hartley Lesser

In January of 2006, Edward Morris was appointed Director, Office of Space Commercialization (OSC), within the U.S. Department of Commerce. His office is reponsible for implementing national space policies and promoting the capabilities of the U.S. commercial space industry, all the while acting as a liaison with the Executive Branch to make certain the U.S. Government maximizes its use of commercially available space goods and services, while avodiing legal and regulatory impediments and does not compete, itself, with the U.S. space industry.

Mr. Morris is also the U.S. Government co-chair of the GPS-Galileo Working Group on Trade and Civil Applications. This group is responsible for addressing non-discrimination and other trade related issues concerning civil satellite-based navigation and timing services and their augmentations. The objective of the working group is to ensure equal access to GPS and Galileo capabilities by worldwide government and industry users. We think the conversation with Mr. Morris is most enlightening for our readers...

SatMagazine
Hi, Edward. Your department is a little known entity within NOAA. Would you please inform us about the mission of OSC...

Edward Morris
The Office of Space Commercialization, or OSC, is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is the principal unit for space commerce activities within the U.S. Department of Commerce. We work to create conditions for the economic growth and technological advancement of the U.S. commercial space industry.

We consider “space commerce” to be businesses that use the unique medium of space to benefit our economy. Our website is intended to educate the public about the Commerce Department’s role in promoting U.S. leadership in space commerce through the Office of Space Commercialization and other Commerce organizations.

The Office focuses on key sectors of the space commerce industry, including satellite navigation, commercial remote sensing, space transportation, and entrepreneurial activities or “New Space.” The Office also participates in broad governmental discussions of national space policy and other space-related issues.

SatMagazine
Very interesting… what do you see as the next frontiers for commercial space?

Edward Morris
While the “space age” has been around for about 40 years, it was not until recently that we started to realize the full impact of space on our economy. Today’s “next frontier” will be space as a viable commercial enterprise, both from government sources as well as purely commercial ones. OSC works to identify opportunities within the government for space commerce activities and also helps to promote U.S. leadership in the global marketplace.

Government markets include the military’s procurement of commercial satellite communications services, national security and civil organization procurement of commercial remote sensing data, homeland security personnel using commercial Geographic Information Services (GIS) products developed from space-related data, civil agency’s procuring Earth Observation (EO) and potentially Space Weather data from commercial sources, and a variety of government payloads hosted on commercial satellites. OSC works to ensure that commercial capabilities and services are used within the government to the maximum practical extent, that the government does not itself compete with the space commerce industry, and ensures government assets are available for commercial use.

Commercial markets include telecommunications for voice, video, and data services, user applications such as Google Earth and Yahoo Virtual Earth, satellite radio, GPS user electronics, tourism, commercial public safety devices, and precision farming and construction. OSC works to ensure that the regulatory framework is current and reflects the changing markets, provides public outreach on the benefits of U.S. capabilities, negotiates international agreements for full market access, works within the USG to increase demand for space commerce services to include long-term commitments to attract private capital.

SatMagazine
What are the significant challenges we still have to overcome in the commercial space realm?

Edward Morris
One of the most significant challenges for the commercial market is lowering the costs and the barriers to entry for commercial companies to use space for a particular business venture. Several entrepreneurial firms are currently working to lower the cost of space transportation as well as developing orbital capabilities to accommodate tourism, manufacturing, research, and entertainment.

Government market challenges include a cultural change within the government related to space programs. In the past, the government often directed how a particular program would be conducted. We are moving to a model where government will contract to receive a particular capability, such as data, and will leave the business approach and technical solution to the commercial entity.

SatMagazine
For those of our readers unaware of this division, what government opportunities exist for commercial firms?

Edward Morris
The U.S. Government has already moved toward a more open acceptance of “capability-based” procurements for some key projects. Examples include the National Geospatial Intelligence Agencies’ Clearview and NextView contracts, NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation System, and the emerging Earth Observation and Space Weather requirements at NOAA and other civil operational agencies.

SatMagazine
Government space programs have typically been focused on the larger industry players. How is it possible for smaller, yet just as crucial, firms to compete for government attention?

Edward Morris
While it is true that larger companies have dominated in the past and will continue to provide expertise and capabilities for large complex projects, opportunities exist today for smaller companies to participate in government markets. With “capability based” procurements, innovation suddenly becomes a competitive advantage. This is clearly an area where small firms have excelled historically. In addition, as commercial markets continue to mature and increase demand for various products and services, we expect to see more commercial capabilities crossing over into the government markets providing cost-effective, reliable solutions.

SatMagazine
How do commercial companies proceed if they wish to work with OSC as far as processes, forms, and regulations?

Edward Morris
OSC has an open door policy for all companies seeking assistance. We host and participate in a variety of industry forums around the country. Our OSC website is a terrific resource for firms wishing to learn more about the office and to establish a relationship within the government to identify opportunities and contribute to space commerce.

SatMagazine
Jeff, what are some of the latest projects OSC has been involved with?

Edward Morris
The Office of Space Commercialization Industry Day, held earlier this year, identified opportunities for commercial space companies to fulfill key government mission requirements. Officials from NOAA and other civil agencies presented information about specific, validated operational requirements. U.S. companies were encouraged to submit materials describing commercially available capabilities that could satisfy the government’s requirements.

Prior to the Industry Day, a Sources Sought / Market Survey Request For Information (RFI) was issued in December of 2007 to help identify interested parties capable of providing commercial solutions for space-based Earth and space weather observation requirements. The primary areas of interest include the availability of space and resources on commercial manifested satellite missions; commercial satellite systems that complement or meet government earth observing requirements; and potential commercial Earth and space weather observation data buys.

The Industry Day consequently served as the venue for USG representatives to provide presentations on NOAA and other civil agency goals as they relate to Earth observing capabilities, and to present examples of space-based Earth and space weather observation requirements. Several dozen industry attendees participated, representing large, medium, and small firms. NOAA received 22 separate responses to the RFI.


The information gathered through this process will be used to facilitate future government mission and resource allocation planning. As a follow-on activity, NOAA issued a Request for Quote (RFQ) on August 4, 2008, for additional information associated with the RFI and the January 28, 2008 Industry Day, as well as other interested parties.

The Office of Space Commercialization also promotes the interests of commercial GPS users, manufacturers, and service providers. The Office conducts and disseminates economic studies related to GPS and promotes modernization efforts to improve future civilian and commercial capabilities. The Office participates in discussions with other nations to promote international use of GPS and leads discussions with the European Union (EU) on GPS and Galileo trade issues to ensure full and open industry access to all global satellite navigation systems.

The Administration has proposed the Space Commerce Act to codify several key functions of the office such as promoting U.S. geospatial technologies and providing permanent support to the federal government’s national management of GPS.

SatMagazine
Could you discuss the various relationships between the departments within NOAA and OSC that are involved with space and satellite programs?

Edward Morris
OSC works with all the line offices of NOAA as well as the different bureaus of the Department of Commerce on space-related issues and activities. The OSC director reports to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and provides direct support to Departmental leadership on all space commerce issues.

SatMagazine
What is your background and how did you come to play this important role within OSC?

Edward Morris
I have always been fascinated by how space continues to capture the imagination of the global community. I was assigned to Cape Canaveral, Florida, as a military launch officer early in my career, where I learned about the history of early manned and unmanned space flight. I have also spent time in the private sector working on new space-related business initiatives with NASA and international customers. This job enables me to use my experience to enhance the ability of US business to provide commercial solutions to government challenges and demonstrate its leadership in the global marketplace.

SatMagazine
Thanks for the informative discussion, Mr. Morris. Hopefully, some of our readers will discuss within their companies their potential contributions to NOAA via OSC.