NOAA's Office of Space Commerce Faces Layoffs, Impacting Space Traffic Coordination and Remote Sensing Licensing

Layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have affected its Office of Space Commerce, potentially impacting space traffic coordination and commercial remote sensing licensing. The layoffs, which occurred on February 27, included civil servants working on the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) and the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Division. TraCSS aims to take over the Defense Department's work in tracking objects in orbit and warning satellite operators of potential collisions. Staff reductions in the commercial remote sensing division could slow down the processing of license applications. The layoffs are part of broader cuts at NOAA, primarily affecting recently hired or reassigned "probationary" civil servants. The Office of Space Commerce also canceled an advisory committee meeting scheduled for March 5, which was to discuss commercial remote sensing licensing and mission authorization.