sensing systems (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The commercial market for space-based remote sensing technologies and information has experienced significant growth since the passage of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. (2) It is in the interest of the United States to foster new and novel space-based remote sensing applications and services and to help facilitate their continued domestic growth. (3) Since the passage of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Commercial Remote Sensing has experienced a significant increase in applications for private remote sensing space system licenses as authorized under section 60121 of title 51, United States Code. (4) Many of the applicants for commercial space-based remote sensing licenses have encountered significant delays and unnecessary obstacles in the application process. (5) The current licensing paradigm must be updated as to not discourage the continued growth of the United States space-based remote sensing industry. It must be updated in a way that satisfies the needs of commercial remote sensing market as well as the national security of the United States. (6) In order to protect United States leadership and commercial viability in remote sensing technologies, the Federal Government should not limit commercial entities from providing remote sensing capabilities or data products that are available or reasonably expected to be made available in the next 3 years in the international or domestic marketplace. (b) Policy It is the policy of the United States that, to the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall take steps to protect the national security interests of the United States that do not involve regulating or limiting the freedoms of United States nongovernmental entities to explore and use space. Federal Government agencies shall mitigate any threat to national security posed by the exploration and use of outer space by United States citizens and