International Affairs
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on September 6, 2024
Written by: Molly Prochaska
This Week in Washington
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics will hold a hearing next week on commercial space activities.
- NASA announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will undock from the ISS on Friday evening and return to Earth early Saturday.
- At the U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration and noted progress on negotiations for a Technology Safeguards Agreement.
- Senegal signed onto the China-led International Lunar Research Station.
United States Space Policy Updates
- NASA is requesting public input on its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Microgravity Strategy, which outlines 42 key points across six areas, including science, commercial infrastructure, and international cooperation. (NASA, August 26)
- Former President Donald Trump announced plans to establish a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) if re-elected. (MilitaryTimes, August 26)
- Benjamin Alvin Drew has been announced as the lead for NASA Space Sustainability at NASA Headquarters, responsible for designing and implementing an empowered entity to coordinate and oversee the agency’s sustainability efforts. (NASA, August 27)
- Gen. Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations of the USSF, emphasized the need for increased funding as the USSF has maxed out its current budget and faces a projected flat budget over the next five years. (Breaking Defense, August 27)
- NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) raised concerns about the Mobile Launcher-2 (ML-2) for the Artemis IV Program, finding significant cost overruns and a delayed launch date until Spring 2029. (OIG, August 27)
- NASA announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday evening and return to Earth early Saturday. (NASA, August 30)
- NASA Astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been selected for the two-member crew flight aboard the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the ISS. The two open seats are reserved for the return of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, while NASA Astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously announced as crewmates, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission. (NASA, August 30)
- Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), announced that the agency will issue a $700 million data labeling request to train AI-driven computer systems, making it the largest such request in the U.S. government. (Breaking Defense, September 3)
- The House Science, Space, and Technology (HSST) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics will hold a hearing on “Risks and Rewards: Encouraging Commercial Space Innovation While Maintaining Public Safety” on September 10. (HSST, September 3)
- Dr. Derek Tournear, Director of the Space Development Agency (SDA), announced that the agency has successfully demonstrated its optical communications terminals’ ability to link satellites, a key capability for its planned mesh network of data transport and missile warning/tracking satellites. (Breaking Defense, September 4)
- NASA reaffirmed its decision to discontinue the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) mission, after assessing a proposal for a 2026 launch date, and has released a Request for Information (RFI) to determine the future use of the project hardware. (NASA, September 5)
International Space Policy Updates
- Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the agency’s budget is expected to increase 20 to 30 percent in the upcoming years. (Reuters, August 27)
- During the U.S.-Japan Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening space security cooperation, advancing commercial and civil space collaboration, and noted progress on negotiations for a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA). (DOS, August 27)
- Thaicom and Hughes signed a capacity agreement for India, where IPSTAR India will provide satellite capacity services through Thaicom’s satellite network, enabling Hughes Communications India (HCI) to enhance satellite broadband and services in the country. (Via Satellite, August 28)
- Spaceport Cornwall, Cornwall Airport Newquay, and Wholeship Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on positioning the UK as a global leader in crewed and uncrewed flight technology and influencing future airspace regulation. (Spaceport Cornwall, August 29)
- The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) have signed a 50-year contract to construct a space center in New Clark City, Philippines. (The Manila Times, August 31)
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Agency plans to launch the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) in 2028, which will conduct flybys of six asteroids. (Space.com, September 4)
- Senegal signed onto the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) during the Deep Space Exploration Conference in Anhui, China. (SpaceNews, September 5)
- China announced plans to launch the Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission in 2028, consisting of two Long March 5 rockets carrying a lander and ascent vehicle, and an orbiter and return module, respectively. (SpaceNews, September 5)
- The European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Service Module for the Artemis III mission has arrived at the NASA Kennedy Space Center from Germany. (NASA, September 5)
- China’s experimental reusable spaceplane returned to Earth after 267 in orbit, completing its third orbital mission and demonstrating the growing maturity of China’s reusable spacecraft technologies. (SpaceNews, September 6)
Space Industry Updates
- The supervisory board of Mynaric and CEO Mustafa Veziroglu have mutually decided to end his tenure, with Andreas Reif appointed as Chief Restructuring Officer. (Mynaric, August 26)
- UP42 and Planet have announced a partnership to deliver high-resolution satellite imagery and solutions. (UP42, August 27)
- Astrobotic published its Post-Mission Report on Peregrine Mission 1, detailing an overview of the mission, anomaly findings, and corrective actions for future missions. (Astrobotic, August 27)
- Jason Kim, former CEO of Millennium Space Systems, has been appointed CEO of Firefly Aerospace, effective October 1. (Firefly Aerospace, August 29)
- NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a $116.9 million contract to deliver six payloads to the lunar South Pole in 2027 under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. (NASA, August 29)
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved SpaceX’s request to return the Falcon 9 rocket to flight while the agency continues its investigation into the failed landing of the Starlink Group 8-6 mission. (FAA, August 30)
- Harry O’Hanley, CEO of ABL Space Systems, announced a round of layoffs in part due to market slowdown in recent years. (LinkedIn, August 30)
- Lt. Gen. John Shaw (Ret.) joined ThinkOrbital as an advisor. (ThinkOrbital, August 30)
- John Deere is testing new agriculture connectivity solutions through an early access program using a Starlink terminal and modem connected to farm management systems. (Via Satellite, August 30)
- The Department of Defense (DOD) awarded General Dynamics a $491.6 million contract modification, raising the total contract value for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Ground Management and Integration project to over $887.7 million. (DOD, August 30)
- Clay Mowry has been appointed as the new CEO of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), effective October 1. (AIAA, September 3)
- KBR announced it has completed the acquisition of LinQuest Corporation, strengthening its capabilities in space, air dominance, and connected battlespace missions. (KBR, September 3)
- Evolution Space, in partnership with The Spaceport Company, successfully launched a sub-scale hypersonic test rocket from the Gulf of Mexico, as part of ongoing services for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). (PR Newswire, September 3)
Space Leader Spotlight
The Honorable Frank Calvelli
This week’s space leader is the Honorable Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ). He is responsible for all architecture and integration with respect to acquisition of space systems and programs for the armed forces, chairing the Space Acquisition Council, and overseeing and directing the space acquisition centers in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). In addition, he also serves as the DAF Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs.
Hon. Calvelli has served as the first Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration since 2022. He brings with him a distinguished federal career spanning over 34 years, including roles at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). From 2012 to 2020, he also served as the Principal Deputy Director of the NRO, where he oversaw the agency’s personnel and operations.
Throughout his career, Hon. Calvelli has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, and the NRO Distinguished Performance Medal. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland.
Space Foundation is honored to have Hon. Calvelli as a speaker at our upcoming FAGA Forum in October and look forward to his valuable insights on space acquisition and intelligence.
Reading Corner
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report on the U.S.-Japan security alliance, examining the evolution of the U.S.-Japan relationship and Japanese space policy, within the Indo-Pacific security context. The report offers recommendations for strengthening the U.S.-Japan partnership in space security, focusing advancing human development, improving data sharing, and leading international policy efforts.
Written by Molly Prochaska, Chantal Li, Amanda Nguyen, and Jennie Anderson