Policy
Stories about space regulations and policy, and what they mean for companies.
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.
White House Requests $18.8B FY27 Budget for NASA
The budget proposal includes the same top line as the administration’s fiscal 2026 request, and would make similar cuts to NASA’s science and STEM missions.
Insurance is Commercial Space Nuclear’s Biggest Headache
Lots of challenges face commercial space nuclear missions—but experts at an industry seminar on Thursday only called one a “show stopper”—insurance.
Jared Isaacman Hits 100 Days In Office With a Bang
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has one message: Get in, we’re going to the Moon.
Lawmakers Question NASA’s Shifting Vision for CLDs
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman proposed a new plan for America’s human presence in LEO that left many lawmakers scratching their heads.
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.
SpaceX v. Amazon Heats Up at the FCC
In a world where regulatory filings can feel dull and dry, this case brings the drama—and the snark. Let’s walk through how these two satcom mega constellations are publicly dueling in a governmental arena.
FAA Ends Part 450 Transition Period
The FAA announced Tuesday that US launchers had all transitioned to the five-year-old licensing requirements, leaving no one still operating under legacy regulations.
Q&A With Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity
Jaffart is leading the charge to build up ESA’s defensive posture. Payload chatted with him to hear his plans for the new role.
