Satellite Export Control Policy to be Reviewed by US House Subcommittee

The United States House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade has scheduled a hearing Thusrday, April 2, 2009 on Export Controls on Satellite Technology to be held in Room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building with at least three witnesses being called to testify.

The potential loss of jobs among U.S. satellite component providers is an argument in favor of relaxing at least some elements of the current licensing regime says Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who chairs the subcommittee set to hold the hearing.

Aerospace companies and U.S. intelligence officials have told members of Congress that the U.S. aerospace industrial base has been weakened by controls on exports of satellites and satellite components. The current export control regime, known as ITAR, or International Traffic in Arms Regulations, treats satellites as weapons and has made it more difficult for builders of satellite parts to win business abroad.