Report from Washington, D.C.
Forum Addresses Space Weather Issues
Politicians, civil servants, academics, and private industry came together in Washington, D.C., on June 8 to discuss space applications for weather prediction and management. Panelists at the 2010 Space Weather Forum addressed the challenge of transitioning satellites from conducting pure research to performing operations, advocating a structured approach rather than today’s ad hoc approach to transition. They highlighted…
Task Force Website Seeks Comments
The Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development has launched an interactive website to encourage public comment on ways to promote economic growth and sustainability in Florida’s Space Coast region as it adapts to changes in America’s space program. According to NASA, the site offers “information about the work the administration is doing to…
Corporate Members Get Policy Updates
Frequent attendees at Congressional hearings, as well as policy presentations and meetings of U.S. government advisory panels, the Space Foundation’s Washington, D.C., staff routinely provides reports and analyses on policy issues to Space Foundation Corporate Members. So far in 2010, more than 20 reports have been sent to Corporate Members as an additional benefit to…
Bennett Fights Ares Cancellation
On May 12, the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee held a hearing on the proposed FY 2011 Air Force budget. Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) continued to fight against President Barack Obama’s proposed plan to cancel the development of the Ares rocket. Sen. Bennett charged the Obama administration with failing to adequately engage the Department of Defense…
Moon-Walkers Voice Opposition to NASA Budget
The first and last Americans to walk on the Moon voiced their opposition to the president’s proposed plan for NASA’s exploration program at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing May 12 on The Future of U.S. Human Space Flight. Witnesses included: Dr. John P. Holdren, director, Office of Science and Technology Policy Maj.…
Defense Authorization Bill Passes Committee
On May 19, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the FY 2011 Defense Authorization Bill. The bill provides detailed policy instructions to the Pentagon on how to proceed with a variety of programs, including space-related programs. The Committee cut $300 million from the Air Force’s $352 million budget request for the National…
Gates Announces Export Reform
On April 20, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced broad reforms to the U.S. export control system as recommended by President Barack Obama. In his speech, Secretary Gates laid out a blueprint for an export control system where “higher walls are placed around fewer, more critical items.” The administration is seeking a single export-control list,…
Senate Budget Proposal Includes $726M for Ares I
On April 21, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, unveiled the Senate’s version of the 2011 budget with an added $726 million for continued testing of the Ares I rocket. If appropriated, NASA’s budget would be increased to $19.7 billion from $19 billion in the president’s FY2011 budget request. Senator Conrad…
Space Posture Review Hearing Points Out Vulnerability
The Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Service Committee held a hearing on the Space Posture Review on April 21. Witnesses included: General C. Robert Kehler, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command Robert J. Butler, deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber and space policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense Betty Sapp, principle deputy…
Report from Washington, D.C.
NASA’s proposed FY 2011 budget came under close scrutiny by both House and Senate lawmakers in March. During several hearings, lawmakers and aerospace industry veterans cited astronaut safety, commercial viability, workforce impacts, and a lack of program details as their most pressing concerns. On March 3, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) introduced S. 3068, a…