Polaris
Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
NASA’s Launch Director Pick Turns Political
Brian Hughes, who will serve as NASA’s first senior launch operations director, was the space agency’s chief of staff from May to December, departing the agency once Administrator Jared Isaacman took over.
Commerce Aiming to Open Novel Space Applications This Summer
In March, the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) unveiled its plan to serve as a one-stop shop for licensing novel space missions.
Dems Slam Trump Over NSF Board Cuts
“This is the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said in a statement.
Payload Field Guide: Golden Dome
When Golden Dome was first announced (under a different moniker) in January 2025, companies immediately got to work, positioning themselves to compete for the ambitious missile defense program aiming to protect the US.
CLD Companies Say NASA Is Wrong. NASA Says Prove It.
“I’m not surprised that CLD providers didn’t like what we had to say,” Isaacman told Payload on the sidelines of the Space Symposium. “So, prove we got it wrong.”
Advocates Ready For NASA Science Funding Fight, Part II
Once again, the Trump administration has proposed an $18.8B NASA budget that would make large cuts to science and STEM missions. And—once again—advocates and lawmakers are saying they won’t stand idly by while programs are gutted.
Top Space Lawmaker on Moon Base, Artemis Plans
“What I have heard from colleagues is they’re really rallying behind the idea of going to the Moon,” he told Payload. “Once we establish a base there…that might be the best place to launch to Mars.”
Commerce Unveils One-Stop Licensing Proposal For Novel Space Missions
The plan is the latest step in the years-long saga surrounding mission authorization—or which agencies have regulatory authority over novel space missions that don’t fit into the existing framework.
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.”
