What’s Happening in Space Policy June 12-18, 2022
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of June 12-18, 2022 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.
NASA To Take Scientific Approach to UFO Data
NASA is about to take a look at data on UFOs from a scientific perspective. The 9-month study is not intended to do research on what are formally called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, but to determine what unclassified data is available and what more is needed to figure out what people are seeing. The study is a collaboration between NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate since one motivation for NASA’s involvement is safety of aircraft. Astrophysicist David Spergel will chair the study.
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2022 6:35 am ET
NASA IG Slams Bechtel on Mobile Launcher 2
NASA’s Office of Inspector General issued a harsh assessment of Bechtel’s performance on the contract to build a second Mobile Launcher for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket today. Mobile Launcher 2 is required for the more capable version of SLS NASA needs to execute the Artemis lunar program, but the cost has more than doubled and it will be at least 2.5 years late. The scathing report has been much anticipated since the head of NASA himself excoriated Bechtel in congressional testimony and expressed eagerness to see the OIG’s take on what went wrong.
Last Updated: Jun 09, 2022 6:58 pm ET
2022 John Glenn Public Service Award Goes to Bill Nelson
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was presented with the 2022 John Glenn Excellence in Public Service Award this evening by Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Nelson is the second NASA Administrator to win the award, joining Charlie Bolden who received it in 2012. …
Last Updated: Jun 09, 2022 5:01 am ET
France Joins Artemis Accords
France is now the 20th signatory to the Artemis Accords that set out non-binding governance principles for operations on the Moon. The United States requires countries that want to participate in the U.S.-led Artemis program to agree to the Accords. An initial group of eight signed in October 2020 and 12 more have joined since from Europe, South America, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. …
Last Updated: Jun 08, 2022 11:05 am ET
What’s Happening in Space Policy June 5-12, 2022
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week plus a day of June 5-12, 2022 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.
Last Updated: Jun 06, 2022 7:53 am ET
Shenzhou-14 Crew To Begin New Era of China’s Space Station Program
China launched a new three-person crew to its Tianhe space station core module this evening. The mission marks a new era in China’s space station program as the crew oversees the addition of the other two modules of Tiangong-3 and prepares for the first crew rotation in December. Tiangong-3 will be much smaller than the International Space Station where crew rotations have been routine for more than 20 years, but it is a major step in their human spaceflight aspirations. Launch took place on schedule at 10:44 pm EDT (June 5, 10:44 am Beijing Time).
Last Updated: Jun 04, 2022 11:07 pm ET
Apollo 1 Crew Finally Memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery
The crew of the first Apollo mission, who perished more than 55 years ago, finally have their own memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and others dedicated the Apollo 1 monument on June 2.
Last Updated: Jun 04, 2022 3:14 pm ET
GAO Report Continues USPACECOM HQ Saga
The Government Accountabilty Office released its full report today assessing whether the Air Force followed proper procedures in choosing the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL as the preferred location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. Colorado politicians and many in the national security space community want it to remain in Colorado Springs and believe the selection of Alabama was a political gift by former President Trump in the closing days of his presidency. GAO does not resolve that question because details on what transpired in the White House are classified, but it adds more to the public record on what did happen.
Last Updated: May 07, 2023 11:32 pm ET
Axiom, Collins Win NASA Spacesuit Awards
Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace are the two winners of NASA Public-Private Partnership contracts to build spacesuits to replace those used today on the International Space Station and for Artemis astronauts on the lunar surface. NASA declined to say how much each company would get of the $3.5 billion total through 2034. NASA will purchase services from the companies rather than owning the suits itself so that answer will depend in part on how much they charge and how much NASA buys.