Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
The long-promised trillion-dollar space economy, space-based internet for the world, ambitious science missions, and a long-term human presence in orbit all have one thing in common—space needs to be safe and clear of debris for them to thrive.
“Where commerce goes and wealth is created, crime and piracy follow.”
More than 2,000 supporters ranging from engineers to space enthusiasts signed a letter last week led by the Planetary Society asking lawmakers to add the program back into NASA’s budget.
“We had one clear objective on this plan: make Artemis uncancelable.”
The Trump administration’s top priority, according to Autry, is likely to be “kicking Artemis into high gear” and ensuring Artemis III—the first crewed mission to the lunar surface since Apollo—remains on track to avoid getting beaten by the Chinese.
“It’s been far too long since the last comprehensive NASA authorization and we’re overdue for Congressional guidance and direction,” Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, told Payload in a statement, adding that his top priorities in the markup include the Moon to Mars pipeline, operations in LEO after the ISS, and balancing the science portfolio.
The Space Force should boost its use of venture capital funding to have more influence over where private entities are focusing their science and tech investments, according to a RAND report.
It marks the first time NOAA has approved a hosted payload—a milestone that could open the door for other companies to seek approval from the agency for platforms that can hitch a ride aboard satellites manufactured by other entities.
The House passed the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill last week, but not before adding a few space-focused updates during debate on the floor.
Surrounded by the relics of space exploration, officials met at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center last week to discuss how to preserve the history of humankind’s farthest incursions into the cosmos 239,000 miles away.
“For us, it’s very important to become a part of international cooperation platforms and international initiatives,” Neringa Morozaitė-Rasmussen, Lithuania’s vice-minister of the economy and innovation, told Payload. “We see it as an important agreement that…emphasizes peaceful exploration, which is the essence for us.”
The rare public back-and-forth between Congress and the White House that led to the reveal of Russia’s nuclear ASAT plans is getting a review under an amendment to the NDAA introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).
