Space Regulatory Glossary Regulations

Part 960

noun

1. Title 15 CFR Part 960, the section of the Code of Federal Regulations governing the licensing of private remote sensing space systems by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
2. Part 960 establishes the application requirements, operating conditions, and data distribution rules for commercial Earth observation satellites. The regulation was substantially revised in 2020 to replace the previous tiered licensing system with a simplified framework that reduced processing times and compliance burden for operators.

Read: NOAA Remote Sensing License & Part 960 Explained

Related terms

NOAA The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A U.S. federal agency within the Department of Commerce that… remote sensing license A license issued by NOAA authorizing a private entity to operate a system that collects data about Earth from space. Department of Commerce The U.S. federal executive department responsible for promoting economic growth, trade, and technological innovation.… shutter control The authority of the U.S. government to temporarily restrict a commercial remote sensing satellite operator from…

Mentioned in The Downlink

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  A single satellite mission can require four federal agencies that don't talk to each other. Case studies and reform efforts in multi-agency coordination.

• NOAA Remote Sensing License & Part 960 Explained

  Part 960 governs every U.S. commercial Earth observation satellite. Here's how the tier system works and why CRSRA's capacity is now uncertain.

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