Report from Washington, D.C.
Basla Talks about Cyber Security
In October, the Space Foundation held a senior executive luncheon focused on cyber security featuring Air Force Space Command Vice Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Basla, USAF. Attended by 26 Space Foundation corporate member executives, the event was hosted by Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham and Vice President – Washington Operations Brendan Curry. Basla…
Subcommittee Looks into ISS Crew Safety
The House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on Oct. 12 entitled The International Space Station (ISS): Lessons from the Soyuz Rocket Failure and Return to Flight. In establishing the purpose of the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-MS) said the recent Progress launch failure caused “NASA to contemplate…
Republicans Recommend NASA Cuts
Republicans on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee recently sent a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction recommending “over $1.5 billion in savings in FY 2012,” including cutting $177 million from the NASA budget by taking the following actions: • Cancel the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2 missions • Reduce the Other…
Commercial Acquisition Clarified
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report last month on the proposed Department of Defense (DoD) block buy acquisition strategy for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELVs), recommending that the DoD “assess engine costs and mission assurance activities, reassess the length of the proposed block buy and consider how to address broader launch acquisition and…
Minibus Bill Includes NASA, NOAA Funding
The Senate has begun a debate on a “minibus” appropriations bill, H.R. 2112, that combines the bills for Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Commerce-Justice-Science. The Commerce-Justice-Science bill includes funds for both NASA and NOAA. Although subject to numerous amendments, the package has not affected funding levels for NASA or NOAA space programs. The…
NASA Consolidates Human Spaceflight
NASA has officially consolidated its human spaceflight activities, including the International Space Station (ISS), deep space exploration and commercial cargo- and crew-transport operations, into the new Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. Previously NASA’s human spaceflight activities were spread between the Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Former NASA Space Operations Associate…
Congress to Resume Funding Discussions
Congress is out of session for the month of August, but is returning at the beginning of this month to continue work on many unfinished appropriation bills, including some that fund the Department of Defense, NASA and NOAA. When Congress returns in September it will take up several appropriation bills, including some that fund NASA, NOAA and…
OMB Guidance Would Cut 2013 NASA Budget
August 17, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent out its annual budget guidance memorandum to all federal agencies as they begin to build their FY 2013 budget plan submissions.This year’s memorandum directs agencies to submit their budget requests at 5 percent less than what they received for FY2011. For NASA, that…
Space Acquisition Session Draws a Capacity Crowd
Last month, the Space Foundation and the Washington, D.C., consulting group GS3 hosted a lunch and discussion session on space acquisition. The keynote speaker was Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton, who spoke about administration efforts to address acquisition and industrial base efforts and conducted a lively Q&A session. Conaton was followed by two in-depth panels…
DoD Announces Cyberspace Strategy
The growing importance of cyberspace in our everyday lives was highlighted when the Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled its first strategy for operating in cyberspace. The opening phrase, “Cyberspace is a defining feature of modern life,” ties together the military, economic and social aspects of cyberspace in this new roadmap. During his announcement of this new…