Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, has announced the appointment of Taylor Jordan as Director of the Office of Space Commerce (OSC). This move is intended to reinforce the Trump Administration’s focus on expanding U.S. leadership in space commerce. Jordan will also maintain his current role as assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Jordan brings over 15 years of experience in space policy and operations. His background includes nearly ten years with the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where he was recognized as a subject-matter expert on NOAA, environmental satellites, and civil space programs. He played a leading role in drafting the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.
During President Trump’s first term, Jordan served as a senior policy advisor at NOAA. In this position, he contributed to satellite program management and oversaw major acquisitions for space systems. Most recently, he worked at Innovative Federal Strategies advising commercial space and technology companies about legislative processes and executive-branch engagement.
“I am deeply honored to lead the nation’s principal office dedicated to promoting commercial space activity,” said Jordan. “Strengthening America’s leadership in space is a top priority of this Administration, and I look forward to working with industry and government partners to advance U.S. commercial interests in the space domain.”
The Office of Space Commerce operates as the Department of Commerce’s main agency for policies related to commercial space activities. The Department is following President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at increasing competition within the commercial space sector by placing OSC within the Office of the Secretary. The mission of OSC is to encourage economic growth, promote technological progress, and improve international competitiveness for U.S.-based commercial space businesses.
