House GOP Introduces Commercial Space Bill
House Republicans introduced a bill this week to give the American commercial space sector a boost.
Policy
Stories about space regulations and policy, and what they mean for companies.
Senate Passes Orbital Debris Legislation
The Senate unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday to encourage government investment in tech to clean up space.
Senate Confirms Mike Whitaker as FAA Administrator
The FAA finally has a permanent leader after an 18-month vacancy.
Space Travel Needs More Time to Take Off, Companies Argue
SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic may get to space differently, but they agree on one thing: the industry needs more time in the so-called “learning period” on commercial spaceflight that is set to expire Jan. 1.
Congress Considers Learning Period Extension Alongside CR
Congress is considering a stopgap funding bill that would also buy it more time to figure out whether to extend the moratorium on establishing regulations for commercial spaceflight. The Senate’s continuing resolution introduced Tuesday by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, would keep the government funded through Nov. 17. It would […]
FCC Opens Spectrum For Commercial Launch
The FCC adopted a new rule on Thursday that will ensure commercial launchers have access to the spectrum they need to communicate with the rocket during and after liftoff. The successful vote to approve the rule represents the conclusion of a multi-year push to set aside specific spectrum bands for commercial launch after FCC Chairwoman […]
Exclusive: AIA Argues Critical Infrastructure Designation Would ‘Adversely Affect’ Space Industry
A leading trade group is urging the National Security Council to think twice before classifying the space sector as critical infrastructure. Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association representing 320+ companies, sent a letter on Tuesday to NSC head Jake Sullivan arguing that designating space as critical infrastructure could actually hurt the […]
The DoD Releases a Plan for Protecting Space Assets
The Pentagon is ready and willing to target adversaries’ space assets if conflict spills over into the domain according to an unclassified policy report submitted yesterday to Congress. The report, entitled “Space Policy Review and Strategy on Protection of Satellites,” outlines the Pentagon’s preparations to defend its space assets from attack if war breaks out […]
Exclusive: A New Plan for Space to be Treated Like Other Infrastructure
AIAA will unveil a plan today that would help space organizations get access to a slew of federal economic development resources typically available to other infrastructure services such as airports, seaports, and highways. Project Clarity, which was drafted by AIAA’s Cislunar Ecosystem Task Force, will urge the government to say unequivocally that space projects shouldn’t […]
The FAA Eyes Commercial Crew Regulations
The FAA is working on new rules aimed at ensuring the safety of commercial crew flights. In a notice of proposed rulemaking issued Friday, the FAA suggested a few new regulations to be officially incorporated into the US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (CSLCA), mainly focusing on definitions and safety training for government astronauts. A […]
House Approves FAA Reauthorization Bill
Lawmakers are trying to make sure the growing pace of commercial space launches can peacefully coexist with commercial air travel. The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which addresses the fight over shared airspace, passed the House on Thursday by a 351-69 vote, sending the bill to be considered by the Senate. […]
State Sees a ‘Significant Uptick’ in Global Space Collaboration
The Biden administration’s “very intentional” effort to make space part of its international engagement has boosted the number of partners interested in collaborating with the US in orbit, the State Department’s Valda Vikmanis-Keller told Payload. Last week, Ecuador and India became the 26th and 27th nations to join the Artemis Accords. Just a few months […]