House Minibus Bill Would Kill Mars Sample Return
The dozens of tubes of Martian dust collected so far by the Perseverance rover are waiting for a ride that may never come.
Policy
Stories about space regulations and policy, and what they mean for companies.
Top 5 of 2025: Policy
The year in space policy ended with a bang, with the confirmation of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Trump Signs Space Superiority Executive Order
President Donald Trump laid out a clear vision—and timeline—for America’s next steps in space in an executive order signed Thursday afternoon.
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator
At long last, NASA has a head again. That someone will be Jared Isaacman—now that the Senate has confirmed the billionaire private astronaut and entrepreneur—for whom the second time was the charm. The Senate voted 67–30 in favor of the appointment.
China Could Beat the US to the Moon, Experts Warn
Yesterday, four space industry and China experts appeared before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics testifying that if the US doesn’t step up, it risks ceding space superiority to China. That risk, according to witnesses, comes on all fronts—from the Moon and planetary science, to PNT systems and LEO security.
ESA Keeps the Door Open for More Defense Funding
ESA plans to keep subscriptions for a new defense initiative open for the next year, which usually finalizes funding at the close of each three-year ministerial meeting.
SpaceX Ties Were All Business, Isaacman Says
“In that respect, my relationship is no different than that of NASA,” he said.
ESA Secures Record Funding Levels at 2025 Council of Ministers
ESA member states approved €22.07B in total contributions covering the next three years of ESA operations—up from €16.9B in 2022.
SPACECOM Kicks Off Alabama Move with New Task Force
Defence Secretary Hegseth met with General Stephen Whiting last week to talk about how to fast-track the relocation of Space Command HQ from CO to AL.
A Debate on the Wolf Amendment
Necessary national security safeguard, or out-of-touch barrier to communication with a leading space power? That was the question at the heart of a debate last week on whether the Wolf Amendment is still in America’s best interest, almost 15 years after it became law.
US Echoes European Concerns on The EU Space Act
While the American perspective is often unwelcome in European policy debates, it seems this time may represent a rare exception.
Trump Re-Nominates Jared Isaacman to Lead NASA
“The journey is never easy, but it is time to inspire the world once again to achieve the near-impossible—to undertake and accomplish big, bold endeavors in space…and when we do, we will make life better here at home and challenge the next generation to go even further,” Isaacman wrote on X on Tuesday evening following the nomination announcement.