Policy
Stories about space regulations and policy, and what they mean for companies.
TraCSS Looms Large Over Mission Authorization Hearing
A hearing to review the Office of Space Commerce’s (OSC’s) proposed framework for novel mission authorization became a referendum on whether the office can afford to run it.
NatSec Space Policy Nominees Face Questions from Senators
The Pentagon’s nominee to lead space acquisition said the military’s legacy space programs weren’t built for the modern acquisition reforms now reshaping the Space Force.
Reflect Orbital Cleared to Fly In-Orbit Mirror by FCC
The FCC said concerns about how the spacecraft will impact the environment and astronomy are outside of the Commission’s scope.
US Government Studying Offshore Launch Opportunities
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published an RFI on Wednesday seeking information, to consider building or repurposing infrastructure on the Outer Continental Shelf, for space launch and reentry.
ISS Risk Margin ‘Alarming’ As NASA Nears 2030 Extension Date
Time is running out to keep the ISS in orbit, as the chair of a NASA advisory committee warned last week that risk margin for regular operations “is now reduced to an alarming level.”
Satellite Operators Launch Trade Association
Amazon, Globalstar, Iridium, and Canada’s Telesat joined together to establish the SpaceConnect Association for NGSO operators.
ESA Chief Calls on Europe to Double Funds for Space
Europe has made huge strides increasing public funds to grow its space economy, but to some in the industry, enough is not enough.
Dems Warn Golden Dome Will Accelerate the Nuclear Arms Race
The Golden Dome missile defense system is intended to protect America—but Democratic lawmakers argue that it would have the opposite effect.
CBO Puts $1.2T Price Tag on Golden Dome
The estimate is an order of magnitude larger than the $185B figure proposed by Golden Dome chief Gen. Michael Guetlein in March
Space Nuclear Execs Cheer the FY27 Budget Proposal
More than just money, NASA is throwing its full weight behind what Administrator Isaacman sees as the agency’s “logical evolution.”
House Subcommittee Approves $24.4B NASA Budget
Lawmakers have spent the past week telling NASA that they don’t support the administration’s FY27 budget request for the agency. Now, House appropriators have taken the first legislative step to formally reject the spending plan.
Isaacman Continues to Defend Budget Cuts to Congress
The hearing also gave Isaacman a chance to provide more detail on the agency’s top objective: accelerate the US return to the Moon.
Lawmakers Promise to Reject Proposed NASA Cuts—Again
“I simply do not believe that this budget proposal is capable of supporting what President [Donald] Trump himself has directed the agency to accomplish,” Babin said.
