DTSA Space Monitoring

A collage of images with space, launch, and rocket prep.

The purpose of the Export Control Directorate (ECD) space monitoring function under the Missiles, UAVs, and Space Division (MUS) is to preserve critical U.S. space-related technological advantages and prevent the diversion or proliferation of critical spacecraft and missile technology detrimental to U.S. national security. MUS provides responsive monitoring services that support export requests under the jurisdiction of the Department of State (DoS) and the Department of Commerce (DoC). MUS maintains a professionally qualified and highly skilled workforce that can respond quickly to industry’s demands for monitoring services.

One of MUS’s core missions is to review technical data and monitor defense services and/or technology associated with launches of U.S. spacecraft by non-U.S. launch vehicles, and other rocket-related programs, to prevent unauthorized transfers of critical U.S. space-related technology.

MUS monitoring may apply to spacecraft technology transfers under DoC licenses; see the DoC, Bureau of Industry and Security website. It also applies when the DoS Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) imposes special export controls (SECs) on space related export authorizations (i.e., licenses and Technical Assistance Agreements). SECs consist of:

  1. Technology Transfer Control Plans (TTCPs) defining the procedures, controls, and processes a company intends to implement to satisfy the controls and limitations imposed by provisos on the export authorization.
  2. Technical Data Reviews of technical data by MUS prior to export.
  3. Monitoring of Technical Interchanges where a MUS monitor attends meetings and interactions to ensure that defense services/technical assistance remain within the scope of the export authorization.

Industry is required to interact with MUS through Spacelink if any of these SECs are applied to a DoS USXPORTS-approved export authorization. Spacelink is a web-based secured-communications interface used between MUS and industry to facilitate interactions on export authorizations, TTCPs, technical data reviews, and technical assistance/defense services. Once a company has established a Spacelink account, both the DDTC export approval and the company submitted export authorization request must be loaded into Spacelink by the company after acceptance by MUS. Subsequently, a Draft TTCP can be uploaded for MUS review. Once MUS approves the draft TTCP, the company can upload the Final TTCP into Spacelink and is authorized to export technical data and defense services. For questions or issues on TTCPs email DTSA/MUS.

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