Got Something To Say?

Commentary Submissions

If you have a space-related issue you would like to address or a viewpoint you would like to share with our readers, you are invited to submit a commentary piece for SpaceNews.

Commentaries should offer an opinion or advance an argument. Preference is given to submissions from authorities — you having standing or expertise or a unique experience related to the subject.  Here are some great examples.

We also encourage you to read Bret Stephens’ “Tips for Aspiring Op-Ed Writers”.

To submit a commentary, please email it to SpaceNews Editor-in-Chief Brian Berger.

Please include a brief description of your space industry background and/or expertise along with your email address and telephone number. Additionally, we ask that commentary contributors disclose any personal or financial interest in the subject at hand.

We will notify you if your submission is chosen for publication, and you will receive an edited version to review if more than minor changes are necessary.

Word Count  Generally speaking, your commentary should be roughly 1,200 to 2,000 words. This is the ideal length to fill two to four pages in the magazine. One-page commentaries need to be 400-750 words.

Title/Headline: Give your op-ed an engaging headline. A declarative headline capturing your key point is preferable to one that’s merely descriptive.

No footnotes: We’re a news site, not an academic journal. Attribute if you must, but keep readability in mind. Hyperlinks are appropriate for web-only op-eds.

Photos, illustrations and other graphics  Every commentary we publish appears with at least one piece of art. This can be a photo, illustration or infographic. We always appreciate help illustrating commentaries.  When you submit art, please let us know who holds the copyright. For print, we look for a resolution of 300 DPI.  For the web, lower resolution is fine, but the art should be at least 900 pixels wide so we have the option of running it full width. Ideal web specs: 879 x 450 pixels. Include descriptive cutline and credit. Providing art improves your chances of being published more swiftly.

Author head shot: For the magazine, we generally publish a thumbnail photo of the author next to their byline. This can be as simple as your LinkedIn photo.

Note that the SpaceNews editorial department does not publish white papers, prospectuses or promotional material in the opinion sections. We do, however, accept such materials for print and web as sponsored content placed through our advertising department.

Letters to the Editor

Readers are encouraged to respond to SpaceNews articles, editorials and commentary pieces in letters to the editor. Letters should be about 400-800 words and may be edited.

To submit a letter, please email our editors directly. Please include your name, mailing address and email address.

Unsigned letters will not be published but authors’ names might be withheld upon request if there are circumstances that warrant doing so.

Letters may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.