Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on September 20, 2024

Written by: Molly Prochaska

This Week in Washington

• The HSST Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing on “Encouraging Commercial Space Innovation While Maintaining Public Safety” which addressed challenges related to the FAA’s Part 450 launch and reentry licensing requirements. Read Space Foundation’s summary of the hearing here.
• Congress voted to pass the Launch Communications Act which would modernize the FCC’s process for licensing spectrum for commercial space launches.
• The Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission crew completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk and successfully returned to Earth following its five-day mission.

United States Space Policy Updates

•  Bipartisan leadership of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (HSST) requested information from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson regarding the agency’s decision to cancel the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission. (HSST, September 6)
• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled “Delays Continue in Delivering More Secure Capability for the Warfighter” which highlighted ongoing challenges in the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) GPS modernization efforts, noting potential delays in the space segment’s satellite delivery. (GAO, September 9)
• The HSST Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing entitled “Encouraging Commercial Space Innovation While Maintaining Public Safety,” during which lawmakers and witnesses discussed challenges related to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 450 launch and reentry licensing requirements. Read Space Foundation’s summary of the hearing here. (HSST, September 10)
• The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a report entitled “NASA at a Crossroads,” highlighting challenges in infrastructure, workforce, and technology development. The report recommended that NASA, along with the Administration and Congress, reinvest in the agency’s infrastructure and improve long-term planning to reverse issues stemming from prioritizing near-term concerns. (NASEM, September 10)
• Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced the formation of the bipartisan Senate Defense Modernization Caucus to promote defense investments and innovative capabilities, including space-based capabilities and missions, to counter foreign adversaries. (Sen. Cramer, September 11)
• HSST passed nine bipartisan bills to ensure U.S. leadership in AI, including increased support for AI research and development, education, and workforce training programs. (HSST, September 11)
• The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) held a hearing titled “Fielding Technology and Innovation: Industry Views on Department of Defense Acquisition,” highlighting the need to increase the speed of innovation to outpace American adversaries. (HASC, September 16)
• The FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) met to discuss recommendations regarding the current and upcoming publication of advisory circulars (ACs) and ongoing rulemaking activities. (FAA, September 16)
• The FAA proposed over $633,000 in civil penalties against SpaceX for allegedly failing to follow licensing requirements for two launches in 2023. (FAA, September 17)
• Congress passed the Launch Communications Act (S.1648), by voice vote, which would modernize the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) process for licensing spectrum for commercial space launches. The bill now advances to the President to be signed into law. (S.1648, September 18)  
• Congress held a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony to honor Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Dr. Christine Darden, and all the women who served as computers, mathematicians, and engineers at NASA for their contributions to the U.S. during the Space Race. (NASA, September 18)

International Space Policy Updates

•  ICEYE signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide radar imagery and support the development of a Greek Observation System for the Government of Greece. (ICEYE, September 8)
• Orbital Space from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a collaboration agreement with China’s Deep Exploration Lab to develop lunar exploration technologies, potentially launching as part of the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program. (The National News, September 8)
• The European Commission (EC) released a report entitled “The Future of European Competitiveness” detailing challenges within the European defense and space industries and providing recommendations to strengthen cooperation and consolidate resources. (EC, September 9)
• Neuraspace, in partnership with the Portuguese Air Force, installed its first optical telescope in Portugal to enhance the country’s space situational awareness (SSA) and space surveillance and tracking (SST) capabilities. (Neuraspace, September 10)
• The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded the first contract under the Global Commercially Contracted SATCOM Support Partnership to SES for the development of medium Earth orbit (MEO) Global Services (MGS). (SSC, September 10)
• South Korea announced plans to develop a reusable rocket, aiming to lower the cost of space transport to low Earth orbit (LEO) to less than $1000 per kilogram.  (SpaceNews, September 10)
• French technology firms, sponsored by the French Defence Innovation Agency, successfully used laser technology to establish communication between a low-orbit nanosatellite and a commercial ground station. (DefenseNews, September 13)
• Planet Labs signed a three-year contract with the German Space Agency at German Aerospace Center (DLR) to provide Earth observation data products and services. (Planet, September 16)
• Eva Portier, space deputy in the French armament agency, stated that France seeks to expand its SSA capabilities and to defend against potential attacks on its space systems. (SpaceNews, September 17)
• The Indian Union Cabinet has approved the advancement of several space missions, including the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), the Chandrayaan-4 moon sample return mission, the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), and plans to launch the first Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) module by 2028. (SpaceNews, September 18)

Space Industry Updates

•  Boeing announced the planned 2026 launch of its Q4S satellite, designed to demonstrate quantum entanglement swapping capabilities in orbit. (PR Newswire, September 10)
• Rocket Lab USA announced the appointment of Frank Klein as its new Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective September 16. (Rocket Lab, September 10)
• The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) announced the promotion of Steve Jordan Tomaszewski from Senior Director of National Security Space to Vice President of Space Systems, effective immediately. (AIA, September 11)
• The UK Space Agency (UKSA) awarded Astroscale a £1.95 million contract to further develop its Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture (COSMIC) spacecraft, designed to remove two inactive British satellites as part of a national active debris removal mission. (Astroscale, September 11)
• The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has selected 10 companies, including Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, BlueHalo, Maxar Intelligence, and Booz Allen Hamilton, to compete for up to $290 million in contracts over the next five years as part of the Luno A program to enhance global monitoring and intelligence capabilities. (Sam.gov, September 12)
• The Polaris Dawn crew successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, concluding a five-day private astronaut mission that featured the first commercial spacewalk. (Polaris Program, September 15) 
• NASA awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to Intuitive Machines, with a maximum potential value of $4.82 billion, to support the agency’s lunar relay systems as part of the Near Space Network operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center. (NASA, September 17)
• NASA, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), awarded a $297.1 million cost-plus contract to Lockheed Martin to develop a lightning mapping instrument for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program. (NASA, September 17)
• United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced that the Vulcan VC2S rocket will launch its second certification mission (Cert-2) from Cape Canaveral no earlier than October 4. The Cert-2 mission serves as the second of two certification flights required for the USSF certification process. (ULA, September 17)
• Eutelsat Group and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed an agreement for MHI to launch Eutelsat payloads on the H3 vehicle beginning in 2027. (Eutelsat, September 18)

Space Leader Spotlight

Dorothy Vaughan

This week’s space leader is Dorothy Vaughan (1910 – 2008), a pioneering mathematician and trailblazer within the space industry. On September 18, 2024, a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honored her contributions, along with Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Mary Jackson, and all the women at NASA, for their pivotal contributions to the space race and the Apollo program.

In 1929, at the age of 19, Vaughan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Wilberforce University in Ohio on a full-tuition scholarship. Following graduation, she accepted a position as a high school mathematics teacher in Farmville, Virginia. Later in 1943, Vaughan was hired by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Laboratory as a “computer,” where she provided critical calculation support for engineers conducting aeronautical experiments to aid World War II efforts.

In 1949, Vaughan was promoted to become the first Black supervisor at NACA, overseeing the West Area Computers division. She held this position until 1958, when NACA transitioned to NASA. At NASA, Vaughan was then assigned to the Analysis and Computation Division, where she contributed to programs like the Scout Launch Vehicle Program and became an expert in FORTRAN coding. Throughout her career, she consistently championed a diverse and skilled workforce at NASA, playing a vital role in shaping the agency into what it is today.

After 28 years of service with NACA and NASA, Dorothy Vaughan retired in 1971. Throughout her career, she championed the advancement of women in the workplace. Earlier this year, in July, the NASA Johnson Space Center honored her legacy by naming a building the “Dorothy Vaughan Center in Honor of the Women of Apollo,” commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

We extend our appreciation and recognition to Dorothy Vaughan for her invaluable contributions to the success of the American spaceflight program and the lasting legacy of NASA.

Reading Corner

NASA | Reinventing the Clock: NASA’s New Tech for Space Timekeeping

NASA Goddard Flight Center is advancing space timekeeping through the development of the Optical Atomic Strontium Ion Clock (OASIC), a highly precise atomic clock designed for spacecraft. This initiative includes teams focused on quantum clock synchronization techniques to improve spacecraft navigation and enable telescopes to work together as a larger observatory. The enhanced precision of OASIC, which operates on optical frequencies, promises to unlock new scientific discoveries by allowing for more accurate measurements in space.

Written by Molly Prochaska, Chantal Li, and Amanda Nguyen.

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