American firms have begun to operate their own imaging satellite systems, aiming to become an important part of the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry. To succeed over the long run, these new U.S. commercial remote sensing satellite firms need a combination of reliable technologies, government policies that encourage U.S. industry competitiveness, a strong international presence, and sound business plans to ensure their competitiveness in both the domestic and international marketplaces. The greatest risks for the these firms come from the challenge of transforming themselves from imagery data providers to strong competitors as information age companies; the need to master the technical risks of building and operating sophisticated imaging satellite systems; and the requirement to operate effectively in a complex international business environment. In addition, the government1s policymaking process has yet to achieve the degree of predictability, timeliness, and transparency that the firms need if they are expected to operate effectively in a highly competitive and rapidly changing global marketplace. The authors conclude with six recommendations that the U.S. Department of Commerce should adopt to best fulfill its responsibilities for promoting the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry and for encouraging the competitiveness of new private imaging satellite firms.
From the Publisher
This report assesses the key risks facing the emerging U.S.commercial remote sensing satellite firms against the backdrop of trendsunderlying the larger remote sensing industry and geospatial technologymarketplace. These risks are defined broadly to include technical,market, as well as policy and regulatory factors that could affect theprospects for commercial success of the U.S. private remote sensingsatellite firms. The report also examines the opportunities andconstraints on U.S. imaging satellite firms that must both competeagainst and seek partnerships with foreign remote sensing enterprises.The analysis presented in this RAND report should be of interestto U.S. government decisionmakers who deal with policy and regulatoryissues concerning the U.S. commercial remote sensing industry,particularly commercial imaging satellite systems, as well as thoseanalysts concerned with understanding the international context forcommercial remote sensing. In addition, the report is relevant to thework of corporate managers, planners, and market analysts involved inthe commercial remote sensing satellite industry.The U.S. Department of Commerce supported this research with theaim of better understanding the role that U.S. government policies andregulations play in shaping the prospects for the emerging commercialremote sensing satellite firms. It was specifically sponsored by theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which haslicensing and enforcement responsibilities for U.S. private remotesensing satellites, as well as the International Trade Administration(ITA), which is responsible for promoting the growth and internationalcompetitiveness of the U.S. remote sensing industry.This research was conducted for NOAA within the InternationalSecurity and Defense Policy Center of RAND's National Security ResearchDivision which conducts research and analysis for the Office of theSecretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Commands, the defenseagencies, the Department of the Navy, allied foreign governments, andfoundations.
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