Space Firms Warn Against Deep Space Commerce Cuts

Over 450 U.S. space and satellite companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Amazon's Project Kuiper, have urged Congress to maintain funding for the Office of Space Commerce (OSC), which faces a proposed cut from $65 million to $10 million. The budget reduction would effectively terminate the OSC's Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), a civilian system critical for satellite collision prevention amid rapidly increasing orbital congestion. Industry leaders warn that the cuts would heighten operational risks and costs, jeopardize vital services like broadband and weather forecasting, and potentially drive U.S. companies overseas. The loss of TraCSS could also result in space traffic oversight reverting to the Department of Defense, conflating space safety with military operations and limiting civil involvement. This development comes as the number of satellites, especially from mega-constellations like Starlink, continues to surge. The industry is urging Congress to restore full OSC funding and preserve civilian oversight to safeguard U.S. leadership in space traffic management.