What's Happening in Space Policy January 16-20, 2017
Here is our list of space policy events for the week of January 16-20, 2017 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate will be in session most …
SpaceX Successfully Returns to Flight with Iridium NEXT Launch
SpaceX successfully returned its Falcon 9 rocket to flight status today, launching 10 Iridium NEXT communications satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. It also landed the Falcon 9 first …
Chao Punts on Whether Commercial Space Should be Restored to DOT Secretary's Office
During her confirmation hearing yesterday, Secretary of Transportation-designate Elaine Chao punted on a question from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) about whether the Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) should be …
Lightfoot to be Acting NASA Administrator, CFO Radzanowski to Stay On – UPDATE
Update, January 22, 2017: Contrary to what was stated at the January 12 town hall meeting, Radzanowski did not, in fact, remain at NASA after the end of the Obama …
Progress MS-04 Failure Probably Due to Foreign Particles in Oxidizer Pump
The Russian commission investigating the December 1, 2016 failure of the Progress MS-04 cargo spacecraft launch has concluded that foreign particles in the third stage engine’s oxidizer pump may have …
Satellite Export Controls Get Another Update, JWST No Longer Under ITAR
The Departments of Commerce and State announced more changes to the regulations that govern satellite exports yesterday. The new rules affect a range of activities from commercial remote sensing satellites …
Texas Remains Powerful Space Influence as House Appropriations, Senate Commerce Announce Subcommittee Chairs
The House Appropriations Committee announced the members who will chair its 12 subcommittees today. At the same time, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee announced the Republican members and …
What's Happening in Space Policy January 8-14, 2017 – UPDATE
Here is our list of space policy events for the week of January 8-14, 2017 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate will be in …
SpaceX Gets Ready for Monday Iridium Launch After FAA Grants License – UPDATE
The FAA today approved a launch license for SpaceX following its acceptance of the company’s report on a September 1 incident that destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and the Israeli …
Obama Administration Assesses Its Space Achievements in "Exit Memos"
President Obama directed all of his Cabinet-level appointees to prepare “exit memos” on progress made during his Administration and what needs to come next. NASA is not a cabinet-level agency …