Tom Young Hones in on JWST Delay at CAA Meeting
The National Academies’ Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) was briefed today on the recently announced 6-9 month delay to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Eric …
Today’s Tidbits: October 23, 2017
Here are our tidbits for October 23, 2017: AIAA chooses Dan Dumbacher as new Executive Director; Tom Stafford laments NASA’s “lost years”; Skylab and shuttle astronaut Paul Weitz dies from cancer at 85. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
What’s Happening in Space Policy October 23-28, 2017
Here is our list of space policy events for the week of October 23-28, 2017 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in session this week.
Today’s Tidbits: October 21, 2017
Here are our tidbits for October 21, 2017: Schriever Wargame 2017 concludes; an update on China’s Tiangong-1 space station’s reentry expected soon; and amazing images from Japan’s Himawari weather satellite of Typhoon Lan. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Zurbuchen Directs Goddard To Downscope WFIRST
In response to an independent, external review of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), NASA Associate Administrator for Science Thomas Zurbuchen is directing that the project be “reduced in scope and complexity.” The review’s findings and Zurbuchen’s conclusions will be discussed at a meeting next week of the National Academies’ Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA).
Today’s Tidbits: October 19, 2017
Here are our tidbits for October 19, 2017: Blue Origin conducts first hot fire BE-4 test; Iridium will use pre-flown SpaceX rockets; and a new NASA Inspector General report on NASA’s IT governance. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
GAO Warns NASA to Avoid Management Mistakes Like Those That Led to Columbia Tragedy
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report today assessing how NASA is integrating the three elements of its human exploration program — the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion crew spacecraft, and associated Exploration Ground Systems (EGS). It is concerned that NASA is dual-hatting individuals to have responsibility both for programmatic and engineering decisions, which could create a conflict of interest as they balance cost and schedule versus safety. GAO notes that the board that investigated the 2003 space shuttle Columbia tragedy identified that as a contributing factor.
Mattis Tells Congress No to Space Corps and CIWO
Secretary of Defense James Mattis has sent a letter to House and Senate negotiators on the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) saying that he opposes both creation of a Space Corps or of a Chief Information Warfare Officer (CIWO). The House-version of the bill requires the former; the Senate version requires the latter. Mattis wants neither.
Today’s Tidbits: October 18, 2017
Here are our tidbits for October 18, 2017: Ben Roberts joins Moon Express; how satellites are helping Puerto Rico recovery efforts; Scott Kelly’s new book is out. Be sure to check our website for feature articles and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Space Law Legend Isabella Diederiks-Verschoor Dies at 102
The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) said today that Prof. Dr. Isabella Diederiks-Verschoor passed away yesterday. She was 102.