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2017-2021 ARCHIVED CONTENT

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Extremely detailed and realistic high resolution 3D image of ISS - international space station orbiting Earth. Shot from outer space. Elements of this image are furnished by NASA. - Illustration [Shutterstock]
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

Office of Space Affairs

Science

Our Mission

The Office of Space Affairs carries out diplomatic and public diplomacy efforts to strengthen American leadership in space exploration, applications, and commercialization by increasing understanding of, and support for, U.S. national space policies and programs and to encourage the foreign use of U.S. space capabilities, systems, and services.

Key Topics

Space Diplomacy

The President’s National Strategy for Space establishes forthrightly that securing the scientific, commercial, and national security benefits of space is a top priority for this Administration.

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Exploration & Commercialization

The International Space Station is an unprecedented achievement in global human endeavors to plan, build, operate, and utilize a research platform in space, providing over 17 years of continuous human presence in space.

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Preserving Outer Space

Our society depends on space technologies and space-based capabilities for communications, navigation, weather forecasting, and much more.

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Global Navigation Satellite Systems

The enormous scientific, economic and national security benefits provided by the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) has encouraged other countries to pursue regional or global navigation satellite systems, e.g., Europe (Galileo), Japan (QZSS), India (NAVIC), China (Beidou), and Russia (GLONASS).

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Satellite-Based Earth Observation

Orbital satellites are revolutionizing our understanding of many critical earth system processes, including disaster warning and relief, agricultural productivity, epidemic outbreaks, climate, and weather.

Learn More Satellite-Based Earth Observation

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future