Senate
New Worlds 2022
New Worlds is the campfire, debate, and knowledge-sharing forum for Spacers and those who either want to go, want to make it happen or want to understand what is about to happen as we open the High Frontier. Our renaissance lineup of speakers incl…
Congress passes NASA authorization bill
Congress has passed the first NASA authorization bill in more than five years, formally extending operations of the International Space Station and backing NASA’s Artemis exploration effort.
Draft Senate appropriations bill matches overall NASA request for fiscal year 2023
A draft Senate appropriations bill released July 28 would fund NASA at the same overall level the agency requested, but with adjustments to some science, technology and exploration programs.
Senate NDAA directs independent review how the Space Force acquires technologies
In its proposed 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the Senate Armed Services Committee directs the Pentagon’s outside business advisors to review the acquisition process for space programs
NASA sees JWST success helping win agency support and funding
The James Webb Space Telescope, once an albatross around the neck of NASA, has become a symbol of the agency’s capabilities and potentially a tool to win support and funding for other programs.
Senate Armed Services Committee proposes $45 billion funding boost for DoD
The Senate Armed Services Committee on June 16 voted 23-3 to advance its version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
Manchin introduces bipartisan bill to establish Space National Guard
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) on May 12 introduced legislation to create a National Guard for the U.S. Space Force.
Senate rejects effort to strip NASA lunar lander provision from authorization bill
Senators overwhelmingly voted against a motion May 4 that would have dealt a setback in NASA’s efforts to select a second company to develop an Artemis lunar lander.
Nelson criticizes “plague” of cost-plus NASA contracts
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson offered a surprisingly strong endorsement of fixed-price contracts and competition at a congressional hearing May 3, calling traditional cost-plus contracts a “plague” on the agency.
Space Force leaders questioned on their plans to invest in technology and workforce
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee pressed Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond on the Space Force’s plans to acquire next-generation technologies and develop the future workforce.
Senators make new push for NASA authorization bill
Senators used a NASA hearing Feb. 9 to once again advocate for an authorization bill for the agency, arguing it is vital for giving the agency direction and securing funding.
Congress passes the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act
The Senate on Dec. 15 passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 with broad bipartisan support in a 89-10 vote.
NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of debris
NASA postponed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station by two astronauts just hours before it was scheduled to start after getting a warning that debris would pass close to the station.
Senate appropriators frustrated with lack of progress on civil space traffic management
Senate appropriators, frustrated with the lack of progress by the Commerce Department on space traffic management, are threatening to withhold other funding until it gets detailed plans from the agency.
Senate appropriators direct NASA to select second Artemis lunar lander
Senate appropriators want NASA to select a second company for its program to develop crewed lunar landers, but provided the agency with only a small increase in funding to support that.
Moran: two shots to increase NASA funding this year
A key senator said he will work to fund NASA priorities like its Artemis lunar exploration program through both the conventional appropriations process as well as a multi trillion-dollar budget reconciliation package.
Senate confirms NASA CFO
The Senate confirmed the White House’s nominee to be chief financial officer of NASA July 30, rounding out the senior leadership positions at the agency.
Senators push for action on space traffic management
Members of a Senate space subcommittee argued that the Commerce Department was not doing enough to implement policies on space traffic management (STM) or staffing the office responsible for it.
Nelson asks Senate appropriators for more HLS funding
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson asked Senate appropriators to provide additional funding so NASA can support a second lunar lander developer, warning that the agency needed to stay ahead of a “very aggressive” Chinese space program.
Senate passes NASA authorization act
The Senate approved June 8 a wide-ranging competitiveness bill that includes a NASA authorization act with a controversial provision about competition in the Human Landing System program.
