Navigating the policy compliance roadmap for small satellites

Abstract

This paper explores U.S. space policies and how they apply to satellite missions that may not fit the typical satellite mission mold. It presents a policy compliance “roadmap” for satellites from diverse agencies and identifies areas where further work is underway to address the challenges posed by the evolution of the space industry. Also, it lays out a coherent way forward for all small satellites navigating the approval quagmire and for mission managers of multi-payload rideshares who wish to smooth the path to launch approval.