Polaris
Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
How Congress Can Grow the Space Supply Chain
Demand in the space industry is skyrocketing—but the supply chain isn’t keeping up. Luckily, policymakers can speed things up, according to two leading industry groups.
Commercial Space Law Takes Center Stage at DC Moot Court
Future space lawyers will gather in DC this month to debate how far federal jurisdiction extends in regulating commercial megaconstellations.
Senate Tees Up NASA Reauthorization, Deputy Hearings
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is gearing up for a busy week.
Bill Spotlight: Methane Monitoring Science Act
Two lawmakers introduced a bill that would task NASA to improve the nation’s ability to detect cow farts—and all other forms of methane leaks.
Rep. Mike Haridopolos On Cutting Red Tape, Passing NASA Bill
“We don’t have the budgetary ability to do everything and now—unlike 10 years ago—there is a business case to be made.”
Congress is Considering a NASA Authorization Bill—Again
Recently, it’s become an annual exercise for lawmakers, and a stated priority for committee leaders past and present. However, past bills have stalled and failed to codify the space agency’s missions.
Report: How to Better Deter Russia in Orbit
While China is making all the headlines in Space Race 2.0, a DC think tank is cautioning policy makers not to forget about the threat posed by Russia in orbit.
Senators Introduce Bills on Space Workforce, Regulations
The NASA Talent Exchange Program Act would boost collaboration between the space agency and industry—by letting staff from each side walk a mile in the other’s shoes.
NASA Starts 2026 With Budget Plan, Administrator
NASA is starting off the year hot, with a positive budget proposal—as well as a permanent administrator at the helm, after nearly a year of interim leadership.
Build Your Space Policy To-Read List
If you’re looking forward to the holidays to cozy up with a good book, we’ve got you covered.
How Space RCO Wants to Go Faster
The Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) was established in 2018 to buy space tech and get it into troops’ hands as fast as possible—but according to its director, it’s not going fast enough thanks to barriers outside the organization.
NDAA on Golden Dome, Acquisition, Nat Sec Launch
House and Senate negotiators unveiled the compromise fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Bill on Monday, which would codify President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense program into law.
A Preview of Isaacman’s Confirmation Hearing
The fireworks start at 10am ET, when the two-time SpaceX astronaut and billionaire nominee to lead the space agency appears before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. That will be his second appearance this year, after his first nomination for the job was pulled in May.
