Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
Op-ed | Trump’s most unhelpful moon tweet
Trump’s recent tweet will only sow confusion and complicate the already herculean task of building a permanent, manned American presence in the space beyond Earth orb
As it plans LEO constellations, DoD must prepare to deal with congestion
The buzzword in military space these days is “proliferated LEO,” which is Pentagon-speak for large numbers of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
Poll: What are the must-see movies for anyone serious about space?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, SpaceNews will be publishing in July a definitive guide to 11 must-see movies for space professionals and hardcore enthusiasts alike. To prepare for liftoff, we're asking you to weigh in on your picks for must-see movies for anyone serious about space.
Op-ed | Only a separate service can create a space culture
If the culture issue is not addressed, the current organization will fail to develop the human capital required to preserve U.S. dominance.
Op-ed | American leadership in space begins in California
"As the Space Force takes shape, it must focus on innovation and it must be nimble if we are to retain our dominance in space and remain ahead of emerging threats," writes House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Bringing Banking to African Customers
What would your life be like if there were no banks? Where would you put your savings? Who would give you a credit card? Who would loan you money to make a big purchase?
That’s what daily life is like for almost 800 million people living …
Op-ed | ISS doesn’t have to be an FFRDC; It has to be done right
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers have re-entered the space policy conversation once again, this time in connection to the International Space Station.
Op-ed | India needs its own space force
Now that India has demonstrated an anti-satellite weapon, it needs to leapfrog from a Defence Space Agency to an Indian Space Force.
On National Security | Congress says ‘not so fast’ to speed-obsessed Space Development Agency
Congress’ review of the 2020 defense budget is just getting underway and already House appropriators have sent a strong signal to the Pentagon that they are not going to rubber stamp funding requests for the Space Development Agency.
Foust Forward | Can racing back to the moon speed up a human mission to Mars?
Mars advocates have a conflicted relationship with the moon, which they consider something of a frenemy. The moon could serve as a proving ground to test technologies needed for Mars missions just three days from Earth.
Op-Ed | Time to go back to the moon, to truly stay
Fifty-eight years ago, almost to the day, President Kennedy declared what was, at the time, a bold national goal: To send a man to the moon within a decade, and “return him safely to Earth.” The greatest challenge of Apollo was not the former, but the latter.
Op-Ed | Preserving NewSpace innovation while championing M&A in our ecosystem
The NewSpace sector is expected to grow from a $350 billion global industry in 2018 to a trillion dollar one by 2040, according to a Morgan Stanley report. Given these forecasts it is not clear how the market will expand, will there be more mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, initial coin offerings or just companies remaining private?
Safety last: Reckless behavior provides China with economic competitive advantages in space launch
China has recently made it clear it intends to contend aggressively over this important industry and it is worth noting that extremely lax regulation has often played a critical role that nation’s ability to undercut other U.S. industries.
Achieving Bezos’ bold vision of space settlement requires bold policy direction
Just as Jeff Bezos, and others like him, are pushing the envelope of technology and business models, there is a similar need to push the limits of space policy such that it will support a space settlement agenda.
The new frontier of national security and exploration is in the heavens
Fifty years after man’s first steps on the moon, the future of human exploration in the final frontier is at a critical turning point, ULA CEO Tory Bruno writes.
Op-ed | Accelerating the U.S. space program requires measured risks
America must continue to be a leader, willing to invest real and intellectual capital, to develop a balanced space exploration program.
