Policy & Politics
Chandrayaan-2: India’s lunar maneuvers continue
India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, is scheduled to enter lunar orbit Aug. 20 following a relatively circuitous journey to the moon.
Griffin: Budget, political support top concerns for Space Development Agency
Mike Griffin: "Some elements of Congress are very supportive. Others are skeptical."
FCC’s streamlined licensing rules seen as boon for smallsat industry
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s streamlined licensing rules for small satellites sailed through a vote Aug. 1, establishing a path for companies to secure spectrum rights much faster and cheaper than current regulations allow.
Top SASC Democrat sees momentum building for a space force
Sen. Jack Reed: “I think within a year, next year at this time, we’ll have a Space Force."
Army general poised to become No. 2 at U.S. Space Command
As head of Army Space and Missile Defense Command since 2017, Dickinson has advocated for more training for troops about their dependence on space.
Op-ed | India-China space collaboration is worth a try
For the last two decades, India and China have been engaged in an undeclared space race marked more by regional rivalry than neighborly competition. But that doesn't mean the two nations shouldn't give space cooperation a shot.
Op-ed | Small satellites are big business
With its unique alpha-to-omega regulatory sway over the satellite industry, the FCC plays an outsized role in shaping the nascent commercial space industry.
Senator criticizes cost and schedule issues with NASA programs
The chairman of a key Senate committee said he’s “troubled” by cost and schedule growth on major NASA programs and is asking the agency for more information on their status.
Inhofe credits SASC for moving thousands of Pentagon nominations, expects more in September
In September, SASC plans to consider additional DoD civilian and military nominations.
How NASA’s return to the moon will be different from its first journeys there
NASA’s renewed effort to return humans to the moon draws inescapable parallels to Apollo a half-century ago.
Op-ed | Why Congress must enact commercial remote sensing reforms
Remote sensing is incredibly valuable for environmental, national security and commercial purposes. Unfortunately, it’s governed by an outdated law that’s in desperate need of updating.
Analysts: ’Space Defense Force’ would be a better name, Space Development Agency will not survive
Todd Harrison: Space Defense Force “more accurately emphasizes the primary job of military space forces, which is to defend our assets in space."
In Senate hearing, Hyten denies accusations of sexual misconduct, receives powerful endorsements
SASC Chairman Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said the committee conducted its own probe and concluded the allegations were “unproven.”
Congress reviewing new request to reprogram funds for next-generation OPIR satellites
To fund next-gen OPIR, the Air Force would shift $93.2 million from 2019 accounts and $67.5 million from 2018 accounts.
Northrop’s strong grip on solid rocket motor market crippled Boeing in ICBM competition
Boeing has informed the Air Force that it will not bid Ground Based Strategic Deterrent engineering and manufacturing development.
Key House appropriator still skeptical of NASA’s lunar plans
The chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA said July 24 he’s not yet convinced of the need to accelerate a human return to the moon, citing the cost of doing so.
