Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
Op-ed | Satellite industry consolidation: is the tail wagging the dog?
Recent weeks and months have seen growing activity among satellite network operators keen to integrate the soon-to-be-available LEO-derived bandwidth with existing GEO services.
Op-ed | Taking the Number 8 Wire Mindset to Space: New Zealand’s Approach to the Space Economy
No other country does space quite like New Zealand.
Op-ed | Preparing for Maneuver Warfare in Space – The Next Battleground
A historical warfare perspective on enhancing satellite survivability and ensuring commercial satellites are more agile in today’s threat environment.
On National Security | SmallSat Alliance steps up push for a military comms ‘outernet’
A legislative proposal in the 2023 defense spending bill calling on DoD to leverage commercial space networks marks a victory of sorts for the SmallSat Alliance.
Op-ed | DoD falling short on responsive space capabilities
While there have been successful projects demonstrating readily available industry capability, the Department of Defense has not yet successfully institutionalized the imperative of responsive space
Op-ed | Why a ‘hybrid’ space architecture makes sense for economic and national security
Once-in-a-generation advances in commercial technology will fundamentally strengthen the U.S. economic and security posture in space
Op-ed | Sealing the ISS Airlock Behind Putin
While the Western world and much of the global space industry severed ties with Russia over the war, NASA’s administrator and key managers for the International Space Station have continued to embrace the pariah state as a valued partner.
Connecting the Dots | Wildfires are advancing, but so is satellite technology
Satellite technology is racing to get ahead of increasingly prevalent wildfires that risk lives, destroy property and create pollution that causes long-term health issues.
Op-ed | Today’s space race as a catalyst for regulatory reform
Space is a blank canvas on which reform can be tested, adapted and used to demonstrate success
Foust Forward | For JWST, celebrating the future while remembering the past
The technical achievements of deploying JWST and the anticipation about its first images have overcome what JWST had been known for: billions of dollars in cost overruns and years of schedule delays.
Op-ed | Don’t Let Recession Fears Threaten Space Sustainability Gains
The space industry must think long term, unify around big problems and tap into defense as key funding partner
Op-ed | No Borders in Space
As the Sun becomes more active after a nearly three-year activity slumber, the massive solar storms that lie ahead of us for the upcoming several sunspot-cycle years will not respect any geographic boundaries or political borders.
Escaping Gravity and the struggle to reshape NASA
Former NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver has written a book about her time at the agency. Rand Simberg reviews the book with a focus on Garver’s efforts to put NASA on a new course that leveraged commercial capabilities.
Op-ed | NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate is More Important Now Than Ever
Congress should fully fund NASA’s $25.97 billion FY23 budget request, including the full requested amount for STMD, as it drafts and advances the FY23 appropriations bills.
Spectrolab electrifies space through advanced solar cell technology
For six decades, Spectrolab has been building the long-lasting solar cells that power satellites and spaceships. Next up: compact, ultra-powerful new solar arrays for the ISS.
Op-ed | There’s no perfect Space Traffic Management framework
Space traffic management should be about mitigating risk, not eliminating it.
