Policy & Politics
President Trump issues order to create U.S. Space Command
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said U.S. Space Command should not be confused with Space Force.
Op-Ed | Striving for security in space
Legislation reforming the national security space enterprise received broad bipartisan support in the House last year, so it will be interesting to see how Democrats treat the issue. Is their support for these reforms predicated on whether or not they’re endorsed by President Trump?
Op-Ed | Space: the new economic frontier
When the world watched Neil Armstrong take that one small step onto the lunar surface almost 50 years ago, no one could have dreamed how space would one day become an integral part of daily life on earth.
U.S. Air Force releasing more data on orbits of military satellites
As the Commerce Department works on plans to take over civilian space traffic management responsibilities, the U.S. Air Force is making more data available on the positions of military satellites.
Committee recommends review of planetary protection policies
The NASA Advisory Council has recommended that NASA review its existing planetary protection guidelines to balance the needs of science and exploration, an effort that could set the stage for a similar revision at the international level.
DARPA’s next project: Design a Space Development Agency
A DARPA team will “inventory the DoD space-based command-and-control capabilities, identify critical gaps, deficiencies and inefficiencies in our existing architectures."
Highly anticipated GPS 3 launch just days away
The U.S. Air Force’s first GPS 3 satellite was encapsulated within a SpaceX payload fairing at Astrotech Space Operations on Dec. 7 in preparation for a Dec. 18 launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Pentagon putting final touches on Space Force proposal
Once lawmakers have a chance to review the proposal, said Shanahan, he will be “happy to take the red pen out."
Air Force Space Command officially takes over as chief buyer of satellite communications for the Defense Department
The shift was mandated by Congress in Section 1601(a) of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.
Satellite industry seeks answers on future direction of military satcom
This year’s satcom workshop comes amid major questions about the Pentagon’s plans — or lack thereof — to buy more satellite communications services from the private sector.
C-Band Alliance members promise to buy American for new satellites under C-band plan
Members of the C-Band Alliance have stipulated that they will only buy U.S.-built satellites to replace any capacity lost through the transfer of some C-band spectrum to cellular operators for 5G, a move that could position their plan more favorably with the White House and Congress.
Incoming HASC Chairman to oppose creating a separate military branch for space
Smith: The difficulties we’ve had with space launch has been a good example of why a different approach is needed to manage military space.
Nelson continues effort to extend space station
With both the current Congress and his political career nearing their ends, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said Dec. 10 he’s continuing to fight to extend operations of the International Space Station through the end of the next decade.
Aerospace Corp. to lay out strategy to ‘outpace the threat’ in space
Aerospace CEO Isakowitz: The government traditionally buys a bus, payload and ground segment as a package, he said. That does not give you flexibility to swap out and change pieces.
Culberson optimistic about 2019 spending bill and Europa mission funding
With a two-week extension of the stopgap spending bill funding much of the federal government enacted, the outgoing chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA says he’s hopeful to get a final spending bill approved before that bill expires.
Griffin: Pentagon ‘scrambling’ to figure out space reorganization
During a Q&A session at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce summit to promote the space industry as an engine of innovation and economic growth, Griffin said he does not know when or how a new military branch will be organized.
