Will 2010 Be the Year of Space Policy?
On the morning of Christmas Eve, the Senate finally adjourned after passing its version of the health care reform bill, wrapping up the first session of the 111th Congress. As …
A Blue Moon to Ring in the New Year
As 2009 gives way to 2010 tomorrow night, the world will be treated to a Blue Moon. No, it won’t change color. A Blue Moon refers to the unusual circumstance …
President Signs Commercial Launch Liability Bill; SpacePolicyOnline.com Fact Sheet Updated
President Obama yesterday signed into law the Commmercial Space Launch Liability Indemnification extension. That was the last space-related law waiting for signature from the first session of the 111th Congress. …
Russia Planning International Asteroid Deflection Mission
Russian space agency head Anatoly Perminov reportedly is leading an effort to plan an international asteroid deflection mission. Voice of Russia and other news sources quote Perminov as saying that …
Three New Commercial Satellite SAR Contracts Awarded by NGA
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded three 5-year contracts for commercial satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, data products, and direct downlink services. Each is an IDIQ (“indefinite delivery …
NASA Narrows Choices for Next "New Frontiers" Mission
NASA has selected three missions as candidates for the next spacecraft to fly as part of its “New Frontiers” program. One would send a probe to descend through Venus’ atmosphere …
South Korea Plans Second Orbital Launch Attempt by June; Lunar Probes in Future
South Korea will try again to launch a satellite into Earth orbit using its KSLV-1 rocket by June 2010 according to the head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). …
DOD Has Mixed Record on Implementing GAO Space Program Recommendations
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that the Department of Defense (DOD) has a mixed record of implementing GAO’s recommendations over the past eight years regarding …
S. Neil Hosenball, Former NASA General Counsel and Moon Treaty Negotiator
S. Neil Hosenball, who served as NASA’s General Counsel from 1975-1985, passed away on December 23. His obituary appears in today’s Washington Post. He succumbed to cancer. Editor’s Note: Among …
NASA TV Needs to "Liven Up" Says LA Times
The LA Times wants NASA TV to “Liven Up.” “Coverage of topics like space exploration and the Earth should be mesmerizing. Instead, there’s too much technical detail and silence,” complains …