Policy & Politics
Senators press Defense Secretary Austin to keep Space Command in Colorado
Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Jan. 26 and urged him to reverse the Air Force’s decision to relocate U.S. Space Command headquarters
Lamborn named chair of House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee
Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican representing Colorado Springs, was named chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subcommittee.
Canadian government to establish commercial launch licensing regulations
The Canadian government announced plans Jan. 20 to set up a regulatory framework to allow commercial launches from the country as part of an effort to expand Canada’s space industry.
Europe’s investment arm loans SES 300 million euros to bolster space industry
The European Investment Bank said Jan. 11 it is lending SES 300 million euros ($323 million) as part of efforts to increase the competitiveness of Europe’s space industry.
Rep. Mike Rogers named chairman of House Armed Services Committee
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) on Jan. 10 was officially selected to serve as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee in the 118th Congress.
Senators seek funding boost for NASA and NSF astrophysics programs
Five senators are asking the White House to add at least $300 million in the next budget proposal for NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support priorities from the astrophysics decadal survey.
Senate passes orbit debris cleanup bill
The Senate passed legislation that would direct NASA to establish a program to remove orbital debris, but supporters of the bill will have to try again in the next Congress to enact it.
The Rest of 2022’s Notable Nine
Ukraine and Elon Musk weren't the only big stories of 2022. These seven commanded our attention with actions that will reverberate well into 2023.
Dark clouds, silver linings: Five ways war in Ukraine is transforming the space domain
Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was the biggest story of 2022. Aside from reviving Cold War fears of nuclear war and playing havoc with energy markets, it’s been a black swan event for a space industry still adjusting to a black swan called COVID.
China sets out clear and independent long-term vision for space
China’s main space contractor is working towards making the country a leading space power with a focus on developing capabilities, space infrastructure and self-reliance.
Omnibus includes budget increases for Office of Space Commerce and FAA commercial space office
The fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending bill provides two agencies with much, but not all, of the budget increases they requested to take on new or expanding commercial space work.
Fiscal year 2023 omnibus bill provides $25.4 billion for NASA
A fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending bill will provide NASA with nearly $25.4 billion, an increase of more than 5% from 2022 but less than what the agency requested.
White House revamps membership of National Space Council advisory group
The White House announced the new membership of an advisory group of the National Space Council Dec. 16 with wholesale changes in the roster reflecting a new emphasis on climate change and workforce issues.
U.S. space internet companies fear competitive threat from China
U.S. government should “enact policies and incentives to keep U.S. LEO broadband companies competitive internationally," says a new CSIS report.
First African nations sign Artemis Accords
Two African countries became the first from the continent to join the Artemis Accords as the United States works to bring more emerging space nations into the agreement.
United Nations General Assembly approves ASAT test ban resolution
The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution calling for a halt to one type of anti-satellite (ASAT) testing, a largely symbolic move intended to support broader space sustainability initiatives.
