Policy & Politics
Putin challenges Roscosmos to “drastically improve” on space and launch
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Roscosmos to meet deadlines for the nation’s future Angara, Soyuz-5 and “super-heavy class” rockets while fixing quality-control issues that have dogged Russian spacecraft and launch vehicles in recent years.
British launch startups optimistic about continued government support
Despite missing out in a U.K. government competition, early-stage launch vehicle developers in the country remain optimistic about their prospects and ability to win future government support.
Advocates cite Morhard’s Senate experience as key strength for NASA post
A week after the White House announced its intent to nominate a Senate aide to the post of NASA deputy administrator, reaction remains muted, but some supporters say his Senate experience will be an asset at the agency.
Ex-Im Bank nominee fairs well in Senate hearing
U.S. satellite manufacturers say they need Ex-Im Bank to have a level playing field with foreign competition. The bank currently lacks enough board members for a quorum, making large satellites, and any other deals over $10 million, bigger than what Ex-Im can finance.
British government to promote space industry exports
The British government announced July 19 a new effort to help space companies in the country win business outside of Europe amid concerns about the effects Brexit will have on the industry.
SN Military.Space | Selling U.S. aerospace overseas amid trade tensions • U.S. Air Force excited about U.K. space • Quantum computing as space weapon
Trump administration officials are at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom this week on a mission to sell American aerospace and weapons.
Bridenstine discusses ISS future, exploration cooperation in Europe
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said July 17 that he’s had good discussions with European officials about potential cooperation on NASA’s plans to return to the moon.
Pentagon sees quantum computing as key weapon for war in space
The military wants to apply quantum computing to secure communications and inertial navigation in GPS denied environments.
Bridenstine visits Israel on first foreign trip
On his first foreign trip since taking office nearly three months ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine traveled to Israel this week to meet with the country’s prime minister and other officials.
FCC votes to open C-band for 5G
“We are going to need a bigger boat,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said July 12, quoting the 1975 movie Jaws as a metaphor for the challenge of handling 5G needs. “Or in our case, more spectrum.”
China Satcom’s LEO, HTS projects driven by desire not to fall behind foreign counterparts
China’s state-owned fleet operator is making forward-leaning investments in high-throughput satellites and low-Earth-orbit constellations without worrying, at least initially, about whether these projects are backed by sound business plans.
Commercial crew delays threaten access to ISS, GAO warns
Amid growing concerns about commercial crew delays, a GAO report recommended NASA share more schedule information with Congress and develop contingency plans to maintain access to the International Space Station.
SN Military.Space | AI race moves to space • China’s heavy rockets a concern for U.S. • Soldiers learn to operate satellites
Using free data from the European Space Agency, a startup in Finland created a geospatial information service that is entirely enabled by artificial intelligence.
Satellite industry wants higher profile on Capitol Hill
Congressional committee staffs turn over quickly so the industry needs to be continuously engaging officials on the Hill.
Op-ed | We’ll need more than Trump’s Space Policy Directive to fix commercial remote-sensing regulations
At the rate the commercial sector is innovating, regulatory practices will need to be agile, evolving quickly while still providing needed order and protections.
Kavandi still waiting on potential NASA deputy administrator nomination
A NASA center director who nearly a month ago was endorsed by the agency’s new administrator to be the deputy administrator said she hasn’t heard more about being nominated to the post.
