Polaris
Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
NASA, Agriculture Department Partner On Space Data Sharing
The MoU is the second this month signed by the space agency to boost collaboration among government agencies.
Congress Seeks Answers On Starlink Disruptions in Ukraine
“The United States government has a fundamental obligation to protect American personnel serving overseas,” the senators wrote. “The possibility that American personnel were endangered by preventable disruptions, inadequate coordination, or decisions made by their own government demands immediate scrutiny and accountability.”
Velos’ Election Day Tracker for Space
Space may not be top of mind when voters head to the ballot box, but Election Day outcomes still have a big impact on US policy and funding above the Kármán line.
Colorado Springs, Huntsville Team Up on Golden Dome
“It’s a transformed relationship between Colorado Springs and Huntsville,” Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO) told Payload. “When I took office, I don’t think it was a bad relationship, but it was one where both communities were kind of looking over their shoulder at the other. That wasn’t good for America, and I don’t think it was good for Colorado Springs or Huntsville either.”
Artemis Accords To Meet on Lunar Debris, Emerging Space Help
The Artemis Accords Principals’ Meeting in Turkey will be led by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Maj. Gen. Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency.
FCC to Vote on Waiving NEPA Review for Space Ops
The FCC will vote Sept. 30 on whether to narrow which commission activities face environmental review, and streamline the process for the ones that require assessment.
State Department Launches New Space-Diplomacy Effort
Alongside the announcement, Rubio also unveiled the SCP’s first project—a two-year, $6.5M effort to bring satellite internet to rural southern Peru.
Schiess Becomes CSO Amid Space Workforce Shortages
Gen. Douglas Schiess became the chief of space operations on Sept. 3, following the retirement of Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, who led the almost-seven-year-old service for nearly four years.
Trump Orders Study To Establish US Space Academy
Is the US about to add a new service-academy rivalry to college football Saturdays?
White House Wants 1,000 Annual Launches and Reentries by 2030
The new National Space Transportation Policy, signed Aug. 20, which replaces the 2013 edition, asks what it would take to get to 1,000 annual launches.
Deep Dive: FY27 Defense Space Budget
The Space Force’s FY27 budget request made headlines earlier this year at a record-breaking $71.3B.
Bill Spotlight: Space Superiority Readiness Act
A bipartisan pair of senators introduced a bill last week aiming to ensure the US military is prepared for conflict with Beijing in orbit.
FL Governor Candidate Launches Space Race Policy
“Right now, other states and other countries are competing for the launches, the investments, and the high-paying jobs that belong to our workers, our graduates, and our families. We are going to change that,” Donalds said at a press event.
