Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
Op-ed | To deter attacks on satellites, U.S. needs a strategy to identify bad actors
A trusted attribution process underpins a credible deterrence strategy.
Op-ed | Space Force should bring in expertise from other military services
The Space Force should leverage the infrastructure and accessions pipeline from the Army and the Navy.
Foust Forward | Tom Cruise, the ISS, and the challenges of making movies in space
The entertainment publication Deadline reported Tom Cruise was in talks with both NASA and SpaceX to film an action adventure movie on the International Space Station. The article suggested that Cruise, known for doing many of his own stunts, would go to the station.
Op-ed | An unexpected effect: the industry’s recent challenges prove the importance of space
Rationalization of the startup landscape and the right sizing of company balance sheets is inevitable, paving the way for “Space 3.0,” which will see the profitable and sustainable exploitation of entirely new market opportunities, backed by a growing base of enlightened stakeholders.
Op-ed | Toward a coherent Artemis plan
NASA should forget about using Starship as a lunar lander (at least for now) and instead use it as an in-orbit refueling station for much smaller landing and ascent vehicles.
Op-ed | What the government should or should not do to help space industry
One way to help the industry is for the government to communicate what problems it needs solved and commit funding for the right solutions.
Op-ed | Taking stock of NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services progress
With the countdown on, it is a good time to reflect on the progress made by the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and think about what is to come in the near future.
Op-ed | Maintaining healthy orbital neighborhoods
As orbits become more densely populated, and conjunctions and near misses more likely, we need to act now to protect space assets and their orbital neighborhoods.
Op-ed | Securing America’s small business space sector
The most recent data from the Small Business Administration reveals that NASA provides $2.8 billion per year directly to small businesses, with another $3 billion subcontracted through larger companies.
Foust Forward | Rethinking what space activities are essential
One reason space companies have weathered the pandemic so far is that the federal government considers it an essential industry.
On National Security | Latest reorganization gives Space Force a big R&D boost
The leaders of the Space Force have insisted that technological innovation that can be quickly adapted into military programs is central to staying ahead of adversaries. Projects like those developed by AFRL could get more attention and resources under the Space Force.
Op-ed | Space startups, Darwin and the coronavirus
For many smaller space startups and entrepreneurial enterprises, COVID-19 is a potential deathblow. As in many other industries, the hard fact is that many space startups are simply going to go away in the next few months.
Op-ed | A U.S. return to the moon is about preserving the rule of law
Two recent op-eds in SpaceNews expound on a U.S. return to the moon but both miss the mark of why a U.S. return is essential: it will reinforce and preserve the rule of law.
Op-ed | The FCC’s space safety order: we all need to mitigate collision risk
What a tragic irony if continued access to space is lost as a consequence of lower launch and spacecraft costs. The U.S. is the global space leader and has more to lose than any other nation from diminished access. That’s why the FCC on April 23 is about to adopt new space safety rules for non-geosynchronous orbit (NGSO) satellites that minimize that possibility. The Commission should be applauded for their thorough work and conclusions.
Op-ed | U.S. should think about the space economy as a single entity
Government and industry leaders have to bridge the gap between government and commercial space.
Op-ed | How the INTELSAT model would make active debris removal commercially feasible
There are major legal, political and financial challenges that hinder the conduct of active debris removal (ADR) activities.
