National Space Council
Space council’s “think tank” starts work
An advisory group dubbed the “think tank” for the National Space Council formally kicked off its work June 19 with a broad but vague mandate to study space policy issues.
Former astronaut criticizes lunar gateway plans
A former NASA astronaut used an appearance at a National Space Council meeting June 18 to argue that a key element of NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon should be reconsidered.
President to sign space traffic management policy
President Trump will sign a new space policy directive June 18 addressing space traffic management issues, closely following the proposed policy that Vice President Pence announced in April.
National Space Council wins industry praise as it prepares for next meeting
As the National Space Council prepares for its third public meeting, its activities to date have won widespread praise in the space community, even as there is some skepticism about the effectiveness of the council’s advisory group that will soon meet for the first time.
Bridenstine weighs in on national space policy
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine used a recent speech to lay out not just the recent space policy changes that directly affect NASA activities but other administration efforts that focus more on commercial space.
Congress considering space traffic management legislation
As the White House puts the finishing touches on a new space policy dealing with space traffic management issues, the House is considering legislation of its own on the topic.
Senate bill increases funding for FAA commercial space office but seeks regulatory reform
Senate appropriators offered a budget increase to the Federal Aviation Administration office that licenses commercial launches, while also calling on the office to streamline its regulatory processes.
New policy directive implements commercial space regulatory reforms
A new policy President Trump will sign May 24 will implement a series of regulatory reforms to support commercial space recommended by the National Space Council earlier this year.
Space Council seeking to protect satellite spectrum
The National Space Council is studying better coordination of radiofrequency spectrum to protect satellite communications from terrestrial interference, the council’s executive secretary said April 30.
FCC commissioner questions regulator’s omission from National Space Council
An FCC commissioner said Tuesday she was astonished the White House did not give the telecom regulatory agency a seat on the National Space Council.
Op-ed | The importance of thinking internationally on space collaborations
In October 2017, the National Space Council started off its first meeting since re-establishment setting an important tone – that international partners bring value to the U.S. space program.
Op-ed | Dear National Space Council: Please keep doing what you’re doing
For the first time, NASA is planning to leverage commercial spacecraft for exploration missions, extending the proven public-private partnership model beyond Earth’s orbit.
Pence to make space policy speech at Space Symposium
With Vice President Pence expected to make another space policy announcement April 16, industry and government officials offered their endorsement of the work the National Space Council has done since it was reconstituted last year.
In the Trump administration, deep mistrust of Chinese, Russian motives in space
National Space Council Executive Secretary Scott Pace said China and Russia are to blame for space no longer being a sanctuary.
New National Space Strategy emphasizes “America first” policies
A new National Space Strategy announced by the White House March 23 fits into an “America First” theme of the Trump administration, seeking to protect American interests in space through revised military space approaches and commercial regulatory reform.
Omnibus bill increases funding for NOAA weather satellite and space weather programs
A final fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill released March 21 fully funds two key weather satellite programs at NOAA while increasing funding for future weather satellites and space weather efforts.
