NOAA Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) is located within NOAA Satellite and Information Services (NESDIS). CRSRA consists of a Commercial Remote Sensing Licensing activity as well as a Commercial Remote Sensing Compliance and Monitoring activity. CRSRA also handles committee management for the NOAA Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES).
Licensing
Pursuant to the National and Commercial Space Programs Act (NCSPA or Act), 51 U.S.C. § 60101, et seq, responsibilities have been delegated from the Secretary of Commerce to the Assistant Administrator for NOAA Satellite and Information Services (NOAA/NESDIS) for the licensing of the operations of private space-based remote sensing systems.
In accordance with the Act, the regulations 15 CFR Part 960 concerning the licensing of private remote sensing space systems have been promulgated.
NOAA/CRSRA encourages consultation meetings with potential applicants before a license application is submitted. These meetings will be informal and are not considered part of the agency record of an application.
Compliance and Monitoring
The Compliance and Monitoring program works with other U.S. Government agencies striving to preserve essential U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, and international obligations, by assuring compliance by the licensees of the law, regulations, policy and the terms of their NOAA-issued private remote sensing space system license. It is the duty of The Compliance and Monitoring department to preserve, protect, and promote the interests of the United States, and the Department of Commerce in discharging its responsibilities under law and regulations.
Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES), established in 2002, provides information, advice, and recommendations to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters relating to the U.S. satellite commercial remote sensing industry and NOAA's activities to carry out the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Commerce set forth in the National and Commercial Space Programs Act (NCSPA or Act), 51 U.S.C. § 60101, et seq.