Here are our tidbits for today, October 12, 2017: reaction to the Myers nomination for NOAA Administrator; and the House appoints conferees for the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Be sure to check our website for feature articles, and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
The launch of Russia’s Progress MS-07 cargo ship to the International Space Station (ISS) was aborted just before liftoff this morning Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) when engine ignition did not occur. Troubleshooting is underway. The next opportunity is early Saturday morning EDT if the problem can be diagnosed and remedied by then. [UPDATE, October 14: Liftoff was successful this morning. The abort on October 12 occurred when an electrical connector did not retract from the Soyuz rocket 12 seconds before launch. The computer terminated the countdown.]
President Trump announced tonight his intent to nominate Accuweather CEO Barry Myers to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, which would also make him Administrator of NOAA. The nomination has been expected for some time.
Here are our tidbits for today, October 11, 2017: the Moon once had an atmosphere; Moon Express teams with NanoRacks; SpaceX scores another launch and landing success. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Here are our tidbits for today, October 10, 2017: Pence visits Mojave Air and Space Port, the Outer Space Treaty’s 50th birthday, The Verge asks where the money for the Moon base will come from, and astronauts complete spacewalk two of three. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Here are our tidbits for today, October 9, 2017: Mike Griffin reportedly in the running to be USD (R&E), and key points from the UN Space for Women expert meeting. Be sure to check our website for feature stories (like today’s summary of the national security space discussions at the National Space Council meeting last week) and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Much of the public attention to the National Space Council meeting last week centered on Vice President Pence’s restatement of the goal to send people back to the Moon and on to Mars. A significant portion of the meeting, however, was devoted to national security space issues, especially the vulnerability of U.S. satellite systems, including their ground segments.
Here are our tidbits for today, October 8, 2017: send in your abstracts for COSPAR 2018; Scott Kelly’s compelling new book; and a gorgeous photo of Jupiter and its moons Io and Europa. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.
Here is our list of space policy events for the week of October 9-13, 2017 and any insight we can offer about them. The House is in session this week; the Senate is in recess (except for pro forma sessions).
Here are our tidbits for October 7, 2017: apply for NASA internships by October 17; what the CIA really knew about Sputnik; and the third time was NOT the charm for ULA. Be sure to check our website for feature stories and follow us on Twitter (@SpcPlcyOnline) for more news and live tweeting of events.