Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
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.
Op-ed | Launching commercial space industry takes team effort
The former chairman of the House aviation subcommittee and adviser to United Launch Alliance argues that all commercial spaceflight companies should support, rather than disrupt, the FAA's ongoing effort to streamline existing launch licensing processes.
Military enthusiastic about commercial LEO satcom but wants proof that vendors can deliver
The Army is not ready to sign contracts with any LEO broadband providers quite yet, but it’s scoping the market.
Op-ed | NASA should shed lesser priorities to achieve a 2024 moon landing
A former NASA associate administrator for exploration argues that the lunar Gateway should be deferred if NASA is serious about achieving the White House goal of landing humans on the moon by 2024.
Foust Forward | Curb your enthusiasm: Star-struck SpaceX fans are in a league of their own
The company and its founder have attracted people, many of whom are outside the space industry, who are zealous supporters and staunch defenders of whatever SpaceX does, a following unlike that of any other company or organization in the industry.
On National Security | New blood wants a real chance to challenge DoD’s big space primes
Big-money satellite procurements remain firmly in the clutch of the big primes. Nowhere is this more apparent than in missile defense satellite programs.
Foust Forward | ISPCS finishes 14-year run as New Mexico prepares to reap benefits of Spaceport investment
At the end of this year’s ISPCS Oct. 10, longtime conference manager Pat Hynes announced to the surprise of everyone that this year would be the last ISPCS, after nearly 15 years.
Op-ed | How to increase the intelligence community’s geospatial innovation
Until the intelligence community defines cost and value by measuring geospatial information, it has to rely on one measurement—six inches. The length of an American dollar.
Op-ed | The space industry: A closer look at the new ecosystem
Since Sputnik first launched and man set foot on the moon, the changes, evolution and expansion of human activities in space has been rapid and momentous. It is important to understand the trajectory we are on as we tackle the challenges in front of us and create our future.
Op-ed | Priority-one for space policy should be to protect U.S. satellites
Should dominance be our immediate space security priority? The short answer is no.
Letter to the Editor: CSF’s position on launch and reentry licensing regulations mischaracterized
CSF and our member companies strongly support regulations that protect the lives and property of the uninvolved public.
