President Donald Trump released his first U.S. National Security Strategy today. It is broadly scoped and space is not the focus, but it does promise to defend U.S. space assets, promote space commerce, and maintain American leadership in space. Trump rolled out the strategy with a speech at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. this afternoon (December 18, 2017).
Here are our tidbits for December 17, 2017: DOD, UFOs, and Robert Bigelow; DMSP-20 now on display; National Academies releases mid-term review of Decadal Survey on life and physical sciences in space. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter for more news and live tweeting of events.
The December 18, 2017 Federal Register (distributed electronically yesterday) explains the procedure for nominating members for the White House National Space Council’s Users’ Advisory Group (UAG). NASA is administering the UAG for the Space Council.
Here is our list of space policy events for December 18-31, 2017. Congress will be in session at least part of this week, but will be in recess next week (between Christmas and New Year’s) assuming they reach agreement on funding the government.
Here are our tidbits for December 14, 2017: Space Policy Directive 1 published in Federal Register; Blue Origin flies New Shepard with “Mannequin Skywalker.” Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter for more news and live tweeting of events.
Here are our tidbits for December 13, 2017: another short-term Continuing Resolution for everyone, except defense; Barry Myers nomination takes another step forward. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter for more news and live tweeting of events.
Scott Pace, Executive Secretary of the White House National Space Council, today outlined the Trump Administration’s approach to space development and law, which includes “bringing American values to space.” Other features are creating programs and frameworks that lead other countries to align with the United States and striving to be an attractive place for private sector investment and innovation.
Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot expressed excitement today about implementing the new space policy announced by President Trump yesterday. It directs NASA to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program. Implementation details will be provided as part of the Trump Administration’s FY2019 budget request, Lightfoot said.
Here are our tidbits for December 12, 2017: SpaceX’s SpX-13 cargo mission to the ISS slips again; new GAO report on GPS III and OCX. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter for more news and live tweeting of events.
President Trump signed his Space Policy Directive 1 today, December 11, the 45th anniversary of when Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt landed on the Moon — the last humans to do so. Surrounded by administration officials, commercial space industry representatives, and current and former astronauts, including Schmitt, the only surviving member of the Apollo 17 crew, Trump promised to return astronauts to the Moon and go on to Mars and beyond. The words echo those of his two Republican predecessors, who did not achieve those goals. The question is whether the third time will be the charm.