International Affairs
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on August 23, 2024
Written by: Amanda Nguyen
This Week in Washington
- NASA announced a media event on August 24 with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to discuss the Boeing Crew Test Flight.
- John Hill assumed the role of Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.
- The FAA postponed public hearings on the environmental review for increased SpaceX Starship launches from Texas.
United States Space Policy Updates
- The Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported delays in Office of Space Commerce’s (OSC) space situational awareness (SSA) services and proposed five recommendations, including expediting processes and setting realistic goals for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). (OIG, July 30)
- NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported significant quality control issues with Boeing’s Block 1B Space Launch System (SLS) work, citing poor management and an inexperienced workforce. (OIG, August 8)
- The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy announced that John Hill assumed the role of Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy as of August 10, following Dr. Vipin Narang departure. (DOD, August 9)
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has postponed public hearings on the environmental review of SpaceX’s proposal to increase Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas. The hearings will be rescheduled for a later date. (FAA, August 12)
- AT&T and Verizon filed petitions with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging denial of SpaceX’s request for a waiver regarding out-of-band emission limits, citing concerns about potential interference with terrestrial cellular broadband networks. (Ars Technica, August 15)
- NASA is evaluating plans to continue the On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM-1) mission following its cancellation in March, as requested by Congress. (SpaceNews, August 15)
- Gen. Stephen Whiting, U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Commander, voiced support for U.S. Army efforts to expand its space expertise, emphasizing that space knowledge is crucial across all military branches (SpaceNews, August 16)
- The FCC modified SpaceX’s license to upgrade its first-generation Starlink satellites, allowing for larger spacecraft and increased broadband capacity. (SpaceNews, August 20)
- NASA may delay stacking the SLS rocket for Artemis II next month pending the results of ongoing investigations into the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield. (Ars Technica, August 21)
- NASA announced a media advisory on August 24 with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to discuss the Boeing Crew Test Flight. A decision on the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams is expected in late August. (NASA, August 22)
International Space Policy Updates
- H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, met with Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation within the framework of the Egyptian-Chinese partnership. (Zawya, August 6)
- Azercosmos and the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana have announced a partnership to provide satellite data services to Botswana with the Azerspace-1 telecommunication satellite. (Azercosmos, August 12)
- Space Norway’s two-satellite Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), carrying USSF payloads, has launched, marking the first time an operational U.S. military payload has been hosted on an international commercial space mission. (Northrop Grumman, August 12)
- The USSF, in collaboration with international allies, is developing a strategy to strengthen the space supply chain, with plans to finalize by FY25. (DefenseNew, August 14)
- Andrei Yelchaninov, Roscosmos’ First Deputy Director, disclosed that the Russian space industry is facing financial difficulties from contract cancellations totaling 180 billion rubles ($2.1 billion), resulting in losses that may continue until 2025. (Ars Technica, August 15)
- Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of the National Space Science Agency (NSSA) in Bahrain, met with Elizabeth Hattingh, Political and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, to discuss futher space cooperation. (BNA, August 15)
- Iran is reportedly pursuing partnerships with Chinese satellite companies Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. and MinoSpace Technology Co. to enhance its satellite reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities. (Washington Post, August 16)
- The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) is developing a new “positioning paper” to be released this year, building on its May policy paper and focusing on strengthening the private sector’s role in Korea’s space development. (SpaceNews, August 19)
- S. Somanath, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, announced plans for over 70 launches, including more than 50 satellite launches, in the next five years, as well as completed designs for future Chandrayaan missions and India’s 5-module Space Station, set to launch in 2028. (Times of India, August 21)
Space Industry Updates
- Airbus and Astroscale UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in on-orbit servicing and space debris removal. (Astroscale, August 13)
- Redwire announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Hera Systems, a spacecraft developer specializing in national security space missions. (Redwire, August 14)
- Northrop Grumman filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN) indicating plans to lay off 550 employees from its space facilities in Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach, CA. (SpaceNews, August 14)
- Lockheed Martin announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Terran Orbital for approximately $450 million. (Lockheed Martin, August 15)
- Boeing and Lockheed Martin are reportedly negotiating the sale of their joint venture United Launch Alliance (ULA) to Sierra Space. (Reuters, August 16)
- Planet Labs has signed a contract with NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to provide high-resolution satellite imagery as part of the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) program. (Planet, August 19)
- SpaceX has secured a contract with KASA to launch the GEO-KOMPSAT-3 multipurpose communications satellite to geostationary orbit (GEO) in the second half of 2027. (SpaceNews, August 19)
- Astroscale Japan announced a 13-billion-yen ($89 billion), five-year contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for Phase II of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) program. (Astroscale, August 20)
- Axiom Space and Nokia have partnered to develop the Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), which will integrate 4G/LTE communication capabilities into Artemis III spacesuits. (Axiom, August 21)
Space Leader Spotlight
Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth
This week’s space leader is Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Throughout his naval career, Vice Admiral Whitworth has held several key positions, including Commanding Officer of the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center and Commander of the Joint Intelligence Center Central. He has also served in various operational roles, such as Director of Intelligence for the Joint Staff and Director of Intelligence for a Special Operations Task Force during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In addtion, his shore-based assignments have included roles in the White House Situation Room, the Office of Naval Intelligence, the National Military Joint Intelligence Center, and the National Security Agency.
Vice Admiral Whitworth’s service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Intelligence Agency Director’s Award, the Republic of France’s Médaille de la Défense nationale (Gold), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
He is a graduate of Duke University, where he earned a degree in Political Science in 1989, and he also holds a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, as well as a diploma from the Naval War College.
Space Foundation is honored to have Vice Admiral Whitworth as a speaker at our upcoming FAGA Forum in October and look forward to his valuable insights on space intelligence.
Reading Corner
The Aerospace Corporation | Charting a Path Through the Space Arms Control Verification Challenge
The Aerospace Corporation published a new paper that examines the challenges of arms control in space, emphasizing that verification challenges should not deter efforts in this area. The paper presents a framework suggesting that advancements in technology, the involvement of new stakeholders, and improved information-sharing can overcome verification obstacles.