Report from Washington, D.C.
Notes From Rosetta-Philae Briefing
In December, the Space Foundation and the European Space Agency (ESA) hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill titled “To Catch a Comet.” Professor Mark McCaughrean, Senior Science Advisor, ESA, gave a briefing and update for the very successful Rosetta-Philae mission. He spoke for almost 90 minutes on the history of mankind’s understanding of comets throughout…
December Activities on Capitol Hill
Dec. 2: House and Senate Armed Services leadership reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2015 (S. 1847). This annual bill funds the Department of Defense (DoD), including key military space and cyber-security programs. The bill: Instructs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report assessing the ability of the…
New Government Affairs Associate Joins Washington, D.C., Office
In November, Jillianne Pierce joined the Space Foundation’s Washington Operations team as a Government Affairs Associate. A native Floridian, Jillianne has a life-long passion for all things space. She brings with her a wealth of experience from working for Walt Disney World Government Relations, as well as previous positions working on public policy issues. Jillianne…
Mid-term Update
by Space Foundation Vice President – Washington Operations Brendan Curry Due to the mid-term elections, there can be expected some impact to U.S. space policy in the coming 114th Congress, which will be seated early next calendar year. And due to a number of Members of Congress either being defeated or retiring, the various committees…
House Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee on Space Hearing
On Sept. 10, the House Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee on Space held a hearing entitled “Exploring Our Solar System: The ASTEROIDS Act as a Key Step.” The American Space Technology for Exploring Resource Opportunities in Deep Space (ASTEROIDS) Act of 2014 would establish and protect rights for commercial space exploration and utilization of asteroid…
U.S. Government Updates
Sept. 11David Radzanowski was confirmed by the Senate to become NASA’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Radzanowski served previously as Chief of Staff to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Sept. 18 The Senate passed the FY 2015 Continuing Resolution (CR), funding the Federal government through December 11, 2014, avoiding a government shutdown. CongressCongressional members have adjourned to…
Congress Returns from Recess to Prepare for 2014 Fiscal Year End
Legislative activity in Washington, D.C., slowed down in August as Congress recessed for the month to return home to their families and constituents. Congress adjourning for a summer break has long been a tradition going back to 1791, but it was not until Congress passed the Legislative Reorganization Act in 1970 that August officially became…
Read Space Foundation Reports and Analysis
Through our Washington, D.C. office, the Space Foundation educates, facilitates and coordinates with officials from government, industry, academia and the international space community. We serve as a trusted source of information and data for these constituents and promote the message that space and investment in space capabilities benefits all people. By our charter, we are…
Space Foundation Holds NRO Briefing for Congressional Staffers
Because much of U.S. activity in space is decided by officials in Washington, D.C., the Space Foundation has a dedicated office in our nation’s capital. In Washington, the Space Foundation serves as a trusted source of information and promotes the message that space and investment in space capabilities benefits all peoples, and that America must…
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Bill to Fund Military Space Programs
On July 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its FY 2015 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The bill includes funding for military space programs. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the FY 2015 Department of Defense Appropriations bill in late June. With only a few legislative days remaining on the calendar before…