Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
Op-ed | A Space Force needs spaceships
The U.S. Space Force must acquire responsive, routine, and reliable access to space — starting with launch systems optimize for reaching low Earth orbit (LEO).
Op-ed | What should we call the men and women of Space Force?
Last year, I was invited by the U.S. government to a couple of workshops to help visualize future scenarios and strategies, which triggered a question in my mind: So what do you call members of the Space Force in all their varied roles?
Op-Ed | What the 2010s taught us about women in space
Astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir captured the world’s attention with their historic all-woman spacewalk at the end of 2019. The 2020s is beginning with the duo scheduled to repeat their historic first twice by the end of January. Is the future of spaceflight female?
Study of industry capabilities could reshape national security investments
The National Security Launch Architecture is not a traditional launch market study but a more comprehensive look at what capabilities commercial players could bring to the military for future space operations.
For your next business opportunity, look to the stars
Technology entrepreneur Ben Lamm outlines three space opportunities for budding founders not interested in building hardware.
Op-ed | Why tapping the solar system’s far-flung resources would be better than building new ICBMs
The United States is on the verge of making a profound strategic mistake. The nation is preparing to spend $85 billion replacing working nuclear-armed Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles with a new “Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.” Like the old missiles, the new arsenal will consist of silo-based rockets with nuclear warheads.
U.S. Space Force must inspire the next generation of military space professionals
Today, the military services compete for talent at a disadvantage due to limited public awareness of military space programs.
Foust Forward | How to succeed in spaceports without really launching
For most people, the term “spaceport” conjures up visions of launch pads and gantries, with rockets taking off vertically. But for some, spaceports are becoming a place where businesses, rather than rockets, take off.
Op-Ed | Time to Work on the WRC Process
It is apparent that one area that can be changed is to remove from the WRC process non-mission critical issues, such as the identification of spectrum, especially when there are other global bodies that can achieve similar purposes.
Op-Ed | No, Houston, we do not have a problem
As NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine aptly said: “this is, in fact, why we test.”
On National Security | Government taking steps to better support commercial space industry
Live pitch events are one of several avenues the Air Force is pursuing to attract U.S.-owned startups and commercial businesses that are breaking new ground in space technology.
Op-ed | Envisioning the next 50 years in space
New technologies, decreasing costs, foreign interests and the emergence of the private sector have heralded the forthcoming of the second space race and with it a hopeful future on the horizon.
Foust Forward | Voyager’s stellar achievement: A one-in-many-generations mission beyond the solar system
Given a taste of interstellar space, scientists are looking for ways to follow up on the Voyagers.
Op-ed | Global government space budgets continues multiyear rebound
An expanding U.S. civil space budget is a main force behind recent growth in government space spending, but new civil space expenditures in Asia, the Middle East and Africa also contributed.
Op-ed | Living off the land: Lunar water is key to crewed space exploration
The moon has formed the isolated backdrop for a new era of space exploration. As you read this, there are teams of exploration advocates around the world striving to reach its surface. This new age is one that is being led not by spacefaring superpowers seeking to fly flags and footprints but instead by numerous private companies.
Op-ed | Growth is great but innovation is the real investment
While the physics associated with getting into orbit have not changed, the people, methods and ways we access and enable space have evolved. Credit the fuel of federal policy changes and innovation environments as the real force multipliers.
