The National Space Council

This executive order reconstitutes the National Space Council, chaired by the Vice President, with a broad membership of cabinet secretaries and senior officials. It establishes the Council's advisory and coordination functions for national space policy across civil, commercial, and national security sectors, creates a Users' Advisory Group of non-Federal industry representatives, and revokes two Trump-era executive orders on the same body.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 68871

Impact dates

Dec 1, 2022
Council shall meet at least annually (ongoing obligation)

Key directives

Vice President shall serve as Chair of the National Space Council
Council shall meet at least annually
Council shall establish process for developing and coordinating national space policy implementation
Agency heads shall conform space-related activities to President's national space policy and strategy
Council shall convene Users' Advisory Group of non-Federal industry representatives
Office of Administration shall provide administrative support to the Council
Agencies shall provide information on current and planned space activities upon request
Revokes Executive Orders 13803 (2017) and 13906 (2020)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Executive Order takes effect upon signing
Previous EOs 13803 and 13906 revoked
Council membership and structure established

Near term (90d)

Chair to establish procedures and agenda for Council sessions
Executive Secretary appointment process to begin
Agencies to begin conforming space activities to presidential policy

Long term

Annual Council meetings to continue
Users' Advisory Group to provide ongoing recommendations
National space policy planning process to be established
Interagency coordination mechanisms to mature

Risks & tensions

Potential tension between Council coordination and existing agency authorities; text explicitly states Council operations shall not interfere with existing lines of authority
Budget recommendations from Chair/Executive Secretary may conflict with OMB priorities; text notes OMB functions are preserved
Coordination with NSC on national security space matters could create overlapping jurisdiction
Vague: 'to the extent permitted by law' and 'subject to availability of appropriations' qualifiers limit enforceability of agency cooperation requirements
Users' Advisory Group serves without compensation, which may limit participation from senior private sector leaders