On September 18, 2023, Eric Fanning, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), sent a letter to Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor, urging the National Security Council (NSC) to more specifically assess how designating “space” as critical infrastructure would affect space systems and the space industry. The NSC is currently evaluating the nation’s critical infrastructure under Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21): Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience to determine if any changes should be made to the current list of 16 sectors classified as such. The letter requests that, in the course of this review, the NSC conduct a more focused cost-benefit analysis to understand the impacts of such a designation on specific space capabilities. A more focused analysis will better assess whether a change in designation will bring additional government regulation, constrain resources, and affect growth and development, especially for small businesses.
