Polaris
Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
2024 Year in Review: Space Policy
Let’s take a look back at the year in space policy, which included the finish lines for some initiatives—and the reopening of previously closed cases for others.
CSF Rebrands To Represent Whole Commercial Space Industry
The trade association formerly known as the Commercial Spaceflight Federation is getting a new name, a concise mandate, and a way to support the politicians who support space.
Isakowitz Fellowship Turns to Space Policy Training
The prestigious Matthew Isakowitz Foundation is pivoting in 2025 to train up the next generation of space policy professionals.
How Trump’s Nominees Approach Space
Incoming President Donald Trump has already tapped a number to lead federal departments and agencies, including a few who will have a hand in the next administration’s space policy.
Meet the Space Coast’s New Congressional Rep
“We are in a de facto Cold War, and this is something we cannot lose,” he said. “My goal is literally nothing short of space dominance.”
Election Day 2024: Space Races to Watch
As you’re watching election results come in Tuesday after polls close, here are a handful of down-ballot races to watch that could have a big impact on space policy in 2025 and beyond.
Biden Administration’s Space Legacy By the Numbers
The Biden administration’s legacy in space is one of global reach and using space as a soft power tool, as evidenced by its leadership on initiatives such as banning destructive ASAT testing and promoting the responsible use of space internationally through the Artemis Accords.
Artemis Accords Celebrate Four Years and 45 Signatories
Launched at the tail end of the Trump administration and grown substantially during the Biden administration, the Artemis Accords have proven that there is bipartisan support for ensuring that conversations about the future of space operations are global
MITRE’s Space Plan For the New Administration
The next president must make space more resilient by boosting cooperation with the private sector, protecting the domestic supply chain, and increasing government investment in promising tech, according to a memo released Monday by MITRE.
EO Providers Defend Their Spectrum Access
Commercial EO providers contribute to sectors ranging from agriculture to climate monitoring to defense—and now they’re banding together to make sure policymakers know the results of an administration-ordered study could put all of that in jeopardy.
A Roundup From The Space Capitol Forum
The space community gathered at Payload’s first Space Capitol Forum on Tuesday to talk about ways for policy to adapt and better support the rapid advancements in space tech.
Space Foundation Looks to Boost DC Presence
“I don’t care what way you look at this,” she told Payload. “Farming, national security, commercial—whatever angle you take, space affects us every day.”
The Road to the Forum: the CLPS Era
Over the next several months, traffic is expected to ramp up on the Moon, but unlike the first race to the Moon, it will be commercial vehicles leaving their tracks behind. NASA’s decision to tap commercial partners to deliver scientific payloads to the Moon is the latest in a broader space agency move toward boosting…
