Policy & Politics
Industry looks to decentralized approaches to space sustainability
As governments make slow progress on space traffic management systems, companies may be able work together more quickly to develop processes to support space sustainability.
Quad nations unveil satellite-based maritime monitoring initiative
Leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia have agreed to launch a satellite-based initiative to help countries in the Indo-Pacific region track illegal fishing and other suspicious maritime activities.
Biden vows to expand space cooperation with South Korea, Japan
U.S. President Joe Biden promised to expand space cooperation with Japan and South Korea during back-to-back summits with the leaders of two East Asian allies.
Industry pushes for NASA reauthorization
As House and Senate conferees begin work to reconcile competitiveness bills, industry groups are pushing Congress to either include a NASA authorization bill in that legislation or pass a standalone bill.
ISS partnership feeling some effects of sanctions on Russia
While operations of the International Space Station continue without “serious interruptions,” sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine are starting to have an effect on some activities, NASA’s safety advisers said.
Op-ed | U.S. Antisatellite Test Ban Reveals a New Approach for Security and Sustainability in Space
Vice President Harris’s ASAT test ban, specifically designed to address the concerns of hawks and doves alike, suggests a new approach to space security and sustainability.
Op-ed | Space Safety Concerns Put Economic Growth at Risk
Rapidly growing congestion of the space environment demands heightened Executive and Legislative Branch attention to protect the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, billions of dollars of U.S. investment, and the expected growth of the space economy.
Op-ed | Herding rockets: Improved Space Traffic Management will accelerate industry growth
A market ecosystem that incentivizes the rapid development and fielding of advanced Space Traffic Management (STM) technologies will be a key enabler to the sustainable growth of the space economy.
Colombia signs Artemis Accords
Colombia signed the Artemis Accords for responsible space exploration May 10, continuing a steady stream of countries that have acceded to the agreement.
India, France agree to cooperate on secure access to outer space, space-based challenges
India and France have agreed to cooperate to tackle “contemporary challenges that have arisen in space,” including secure access to outer space.
Canada joins U.S. in ASAT testing ban
The Canadian government announced May 9 that it is joining the United States in banning tests of destructive direct-ascent antisatellite weapons as a step toward norms of responsible behavior in space.
South Korea’s new president seeks independent space agency, deeper US space cooperation
South Korea’s newly elected president Yoon Suk-yeol will take office May 10 with a set of ambitious space projects aimed at making the country a major space power by 2035.
FAA and NTSB discussing roles in commercial spaceflight investigations
Two federal agencies in a turf battle over commercial spaceflight investigations say they are now talking with each other to better define their roles and responsibilities.
Senate rejects effort to strip NASA lunar lander provision from authorization bill
Senators overwhelmingly voted against a motion May 4 that would have dealt a setback in NASA’s efforts to select a second company to develop an Artemis lunar lander.
Nelson criticizes “plague” of cost-plus NASA contracts
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson offered a surprisingly strong endorsement of fixed-price contracts and competition at a congressional hearing May 3, calling traditional cost-plus contracts a “plague” on the agency.
Space Force leaders questioned on their plans to invest in technology and workforce
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee pressed Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond on the Space Force’s plans to acquire next-generation technologies and develop the future workforce.
