Report from Washington, D.C.
D.C. Focuses on Commercial Space Issues
During August, activities in Washington, D.C., focused heavily on space issues commercial. Here are some highlights: NGA Contracts Awarded On Aug. 6, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) awarded new contracts potentially worth a combined $7.3 billion over the next decade to DigitalGlobe and GeoEye under the EnhancedView program. EnhancedView follows up on previous NGA…
NEO Options Discussed
NASA’s Exploration of Near-Earth Objects (NEO) Objectives Workshop, held Aug. 10 in Washington, D.C., was designed to accomplish several objectives: increase the collective understanding of NEOs; solidify what the science community already knows about NEOs; and capture new ideas for future robotic and human missions to NEOs. Several key themes imaged among the many presentations…
Space Foundation to Exhibit in Washington, D.C.
The Space Foundation is demonstrating how astronauts conduct experiments on the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Oct. 23-24 at the inaugural USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. Using gloveboxes similar to the ones used in space to prevent experiments from floating away and to keep scientists and astronauts safe, the Space Foundation will…
Administration Announces Export Reforms
The Obama administration has announced changes to rules governing the export of sensitive military and other technologies, which will streamline export processes and free up U.S. space companies to compete more effectively in the global marketplace. The changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) come after a year-long review by departments of State,…
Space Foundation Amazes Guests
“Wow… “There really is a larger universe out there and bigger things than just what we focus on day-to-day. You really sparked my interest and imagination. Thanks for doing this.” That’s a comment from one of the attendees of a Space Foundation breakfast held July 15 in Washington, D.C., where Dr. Ronald Greeley and Dr.…
Marquez, Panel Address U.S. Space Policy
On July 22, the Space Foundation and the Global Technology Institute held a discussion on the recently released U.S. Space Policy featuring keynote speaker Peter Marquez, director of space policy for the National Security Council. Marquez, who is responsible for development and oversight of the President’s space policies, said the administration is trying to maintain/re-focus…
Space Foundation Compares Space Funding Requests
The Space Foundation has prepared an overview of six current NASA budget proposals, including a comparison of funding levels provided by each. The analysis looks in detail at similarities and differences within the sections covering exploration and space operations for the following documents: Proposed House Authorization Bill Proposed Senate Authorization Bill Proposed House Appropriation Bill Proposed Senate…
Space Bills Occupy D.C.
During July, Congress was focused heavily on the future of the nation’s space policy as space authorization and space appropriation bills came to vote. Authorization bills detail how the various committees believe funds should be spent and generally play a major role in shaping the final allotment of funds. With the controversy in Washington over…
Deterrence, Policy are Space Power Lecture Topics
The United States’ ever-increasing dependence on space and cyber capabilities in a highly “contested environment” was the main topic of discussion when Dr. James Miller, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy, spoke to industry and government space leaders at a Space Power Lecture Breakfast last month on Capitol Hill. The event was hosted…
Budget Dominates June Space Activity in D.C.
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) outlined key elements that will form the bipartisan foundation of his FY 2011 NASA funding authorization bill in a June 14 letter to Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. The letter said the bill will: Outline the logistics and support necessary to…