Policy & Politics
Op-ed | U.S. satellites increasingly vulnerable to China’s ground-based lasers
Of the world’s 50 satellite laser ranging stations, five fixed stations are in Shanghai, Changchun, Beijing, Wuhan and Kuming
House Republicans criticize NASA spending bill
As the head of NASA emphasized what he saw as bipartisan support for the agency in Congress, several Republican members of the House criticized colleagues for a fiscal year 2021 spending bill they believe inadequately funds the agency.
House bill offers flat funding for NASA
A House appropriations bill released July 7 rejected the administration’s proposed major budget increase for NASA, instead offering the agency a flat budget for 2021 that takes particular aim at the agency’s efforts to develop lunar landers.
British government and Bharti Global buy OneWeb, plan $1 billion investment to revive company
The British government and Indian mobile network operator Bharti Global placed a winning bid to acquire OneWeb, a broadband megaconstellation startup that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March after running out of funding, OneWeb said July 3.
HASC amendments question space acquisition reforms, challenge DoD plans to procure new systems
The committee is concerned that the Air Force’s recommendations “risk undermining congressional oversight of major space acquisition programs.”
GPS committee calls FCC Ligado order a “grave error”
A committee charged with giving the U.S. government advice on space-based navigation services concluded that the FCC’s approval of Ligado’s 5G network is a “high-risk” decision that jeopardizes GPS services.
Smith encouraged by Senate NDAA proposal to increase funding for space launch technology
HASC Chairman Adam Smith: . “I want to make sure there’s competition.”
Hughes, Inmarsat urge FCC restrictions on subsidized C-band satellites
Hughes Network Systems and Inmarsat are asking the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to amend its C-band auction plans to avoid giving Intelsat and SES an unfair competitive advantage in other spectrum bands and neighboring markets.
House, Senate continue work on space-related legislation
Key members of the House and Senate say they continue to work on space-related legislation, including a NASA authorization bill, but the two branches of Congress appear to remain far apart on their bills.
Attention shifts to implementation of new commercial remote sensing regulations
As revised commercial remote sensing regulations win widespread approval, the industry is turning its attention to how those new rules will be implemented.
ESA starts search for next director general
The European Space Agency formally started the search for its next leader June 25, with the current head of the agency recommending it select a “dynamic young successor.”
Op-ed | Satellites are data companies, too
Satellite network operators will soon be saddled with the same regulatory responsibilities as terrestrial network players.
HASC Chairman adds $150 million in NDAA for space launch technology development
The $150 million addition is for investments focused on the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 competition.
Griffin’s departure stirs questions about the future of the Space Development Agency
Griffin’s resignation leaves the SDA without a major advocate inside the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
SASC NDAA authorizes $250 million for Air Force R&D partnerships with launch industry
The Air Force must fund three-year R&D partnerships with companies to help them prepare to meet the requirements of the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 competition.
Coalition of GPS user groups joins fight against FCC’s Ligado decision
Five associations representing users of the Global Positioning System will be joining forces against the FCC.
