We stand ready to offer and support legislation which would speed up modernization of these ranges. The third area where we believe government action is needed is in the export arena. The U.S. government needs to develop a uniform policy on export licenses which does not adversely affect our space industry. We need a system that firmly protects our national security interests while allowing U.S. industry to fairly do business. In competing with European satellite manufacturers, U.S. industry will likely lose market share in both the satellite and launch services business areas with the current time-consuming licensing process.
Commercial customers are very adaptable.
If our U.S. export system is too slow and cumbersome, they will simply purchase satellites from our competitors. The uncertainty inherent in our current system scares off investment capital and sends potential customers to the perceived safe havens of our European competitors. I was also asked to comment on remote sensing. Three U.S. firms are poised to enter the projected multi-billion dollar market for one meter commercial imaging. It is commonly believed that satellites will eventually replace most aerial photography in such diverse fields as regional and local mapping, utility maintenance and management, wildlife management, and national security.