The U.S. National Defence Authorisation Act, 2013 gives the authority to to bring the export controls applicable to commercial satellites and related components and technology, which had been administered by the DoS since 1999, under the jurisdiction of the DoC. the new rules transfer commercial satellites and related components from the U.S. Munitions List (USML) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) of the DoS to the Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) of the DoC. This implies that commercial satellites and related items and technologies will no longer be treated as weapons or defence articles and defence services but as “dual-use” items. previously that old rule had significantly affected its international competitiveness.
Singificance For India
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Relaxed controls on spacecraft components and subsystems, which ISRO has until now been sourcing from Europe and Japan could lead to the organisation looking at U.S. sources as well. ISRO/Antrix would do well to go over their international shopping lists carefully to see how U.S. companies can now be a source for specific subsystems and components in terms of cost and performance advantages.But, most importantly, ISRO can now explore new opportunities for joint fabrication of satellites in association with U.S. companies.
