Michael Mineiro

Practice Areas

Space & Satellite

Defense, Aviation & Space

Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Government Contracts

Government Law & Policy

Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Career

Dr. Michael C. Mineiro advises launch providers, satellite operators, space-based service providers, software, communications, and other technology companies and investors on legal and policy issues tied to outer space activities. He works across regulatory counseling, disputes, and compliance, with a focus on satellite remote sensing, satellite communications, and commercial space operations. With more than 15 years in both government and industry, he brings perspective from service on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch, as well as experience leading legal and policy functions inside a space and defense company.

Mike counsels companies on U.S. regulatory frameworks and licensing, including matters before agencies such as the FCC, FAA, and Department of Commerce. He helps clients navigate compliance obligations, address investigations and oversight inquiries, and align business objectives with evolving legislative and regulatory developments affecting commercial space activities and satellite technology.

Mike’s government background includes serving as staff director and senior counsel to the Space Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where he assisted in oversight, prepared for congressional investigations, and drafted and negotiated legislation, including the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 and the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017. He also served as a senior policy analyst and liaison to the National Space Council in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, advising senior leadership and leading interagency policy development. Earlier, he served in the Office of the General Counsel and in the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service at NOAA, and was a member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Before returning to private practice, Mike led the in-house team responsible for policy strategy, government contracts, intellectual property, space regulatory licensing, and compliance at a space and defense company.

Concentrations:

Commercial space activities and satellite technology

Space and satellite legal, regulatory and policy issues

Lunar Mining & Space Resources

Novel Space Operational Licensing

Remote Sensing Satellite Licensing (Department of Commerce)

Launch and Experimental Vehicle Licensing (Department of Transportation & FAA)

Space Payload Determinations (Department of Transportation & FAA)

Spacecraft FCC Licensing (Part 25 and Part 5)

Congressional Lobbying Space and Defense

White House Lobbying Space and Defense

Novel Space Commercial Contracts

Space Government Contracts (Title 10, Title 50, NASA, DOC, NRO, NGA, ODNI, DoD)

85-804, Indemnification

Classified Government Contracting

Professional Memberships

Co-Chair, Satellite Industry Association, Earth Observation Forum, 2019-2023

Chairman, Commercial SmallSat Spectrum Management Association, 2019-2020

U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 2011-2014

Personal

LL.D., magna cum laude, McGill University School of Law, 2011

LL.M., McGill University School of Law, 2008

J.D., cum laude, University of North Carolina School of Law, 2005

Law Certificate, University of Hong Kong, 2004

B.A., North Carolina State University, 2001