The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced June 20 the launch of a broad-based effort to advance U.S. interests in commericial space development through the formation of a Space Enterprise Council.

“The Space Enterprise Council will allow Banc of America Securities LLC–and other businesses interested in space-related ventures–to promote greater capital formation and sector-specific advances,” said Hector Cuellar, managing director, aerospace/defense for Banc of America Securities.

The chamber expects interested businesses to include not only aerospace companies, but also other industries such as TV broadcast services; credit card and ATM transaction processing; pharmaceuticals; oil and gas exploration; civil planning and mapping.