About CSF
At CSF, we promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Our Mission
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s (CSF) mission is to promote the development and maturation of the commercial space industry, pursue ever higher levels of safety, provide value to the American taxpayer, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. CSF educates and engages with policy makers regarding its member companies’ efforts to create thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide; advance American leadership in space through innovation, commercial practices, and private investment; and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and related professions.
CSF works closely with the White House, including the National Space Council and the Office of Management and Budget, to help inform the development and implementation of policy priorities, including budget requests and Space Policy Directives. CSF President Karina Drees is currently the Co-Chair of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) COMSTAC, and CSF staff members also serve on other advisory committees for the FAA and NASA.
CSF continues to work with the U.S. Congress to get commercial space policy and programmatic priorities authorized and funded in authorization and appropriations bills. Members of Congress trust CSF’s expertise and have called CSF Presidents to testify at a total of four hearings in the last
three years. CSF’s most recent testimony was before the Subcommittee on Space and Science of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding “Space Situational Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Orbital Debris: Examining Solutions for Emerging Threats.”
CSF educates congressional players on commercial space issues that will impact the industry both today and in the long-term. We continuously work with congressional offices to develop, shape, and advance legislation that helps the commercial space industry and promotes competition. CSF is committed to educating incoming members about commercial space policies and proposed laws, as well as sharing information about legislation being considered by Congress.
In addition, CSF regularly engages with government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Departments of State and Commerce, to promote regulatory frameworks which ensure safety and efficiency while providing for industry innovation. CSF’s comments on proposed rulemakings and requests for information have been critical to shaping regulatory products across the federal government.
Our member companies continue to achieve ever higher safety standards. CSF is currently formalizing industry standards through working with the standard development organization ASTM International. Through ASTM, CSF and its member companies published two industry-consensus, performance-based standards and expect to publish many more in the coming years.
Industry Work
We have expanded our membership to 90 commercial space companies and education institutions, thus giving each of those organizations a unified presence under CSF. Through smart expansion, CSF empowers the industry’s voice without dulling its message.
CSF hosts the annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference in conjunction with the FAA and the Office of Space Commerce. The two-day event consists of panels, speakers, and networking events that work to inform and discuss the most pressing issues within the commercial space industry. CSF also works with members and other trade associations to hold events on a regular basis, including the Executive Leadership Forum, a quarterly breakfast featuring members of Congress and leaders in industry.
We promote the commercial spaceflight industry through traditional media and an active social media presence. The organization is a recognized and trusted resource for media and a well-respected thought leader. CSF is consistently quoted in a wide range of media including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, MSNBC, Orlando Sentinel, Florida Today, Space News, Aviation Week, and many other international, national, and trade publications.
CSF increases awareness of the potential of suborbital vehicles through the Space Applications Research Group (SARG). Members of SARG convene with both congressional staff members and NASA officials to discuss topics such as space science, suborbital human-tended research, STEM education engagement, and technology development on new platforms.
CSF works to engage students and young professionals in the commercial space industry. In memory of Patti Grace Smith, CSF has established the Patti Grace Smith Scholarship Program to honor her legacy and encourage recipients to become future leaders in the commercial space industry. We do this by providing top-executive mentorship awards, all-inclusive industry conference passes, premier educational advancement scholarships, hands-on commercial spaceflight training, and real-world commercial spaceflight VIP experiences.
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Image courtesy: SpaceX