International Affairs
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on February 7, 2025
Written by: Molly Prochaska
This Week in Washington
- The House Science Space and Technology Committee announced the subcommittee chairs and ranking members for the 119th Congress.
- The House Science Space and Technology Committee held a full committee hearing entitled ‘The State of U.S. Science and Technology: Ensuring U.S. Global Leadership.’
- The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Science and Technical Subcommittee has convened.
United States Space Policy Updates
- Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) has been named chair of the Senate Armed Services’ subcommittee on Strategic Forces. (Deb Fischer, January 24)
- President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to Build the Iron Dome for America, a next-generation missile defense shield which includes ‘proliferated space-based interceptors’ and ‘proliferated warfighter space architecture’. (The White House, January 27)
- In his confirmation hearing, Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick noted that space and space data are fundamental to U.S. leadership. (Payload, January 30)
- Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) has been named Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. (Mike Haridopolos, January 30)
- The House Science Space and Technology Committee (HSST) Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX) announced the leadership and rosters of each subcommittee for the 119th Congress. (HSST Republicans, January 30)
- Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) indicated a goal of moving NASA headquarters out of Washington D.C., noting Florida, Texas, Alabama, and California as prospective host states. (Payload, January 31)
- NASA has paused the work of several science committees, citing a need to review and ensure compliance with presidential actions. (SpaceNews, February 3)
- William Blauser, deputy director of the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, has been named Acting Director of the Space Development Agency (SDA). (SpaceNews, February 5)
- HSST committee Democrats announced the Ranking Members for each Subcommittee for the 119th Congress. (HSST Democrats, February 5)
- HSST held a full committee hearing entitled ‘The State of U.S. Science and Technology: Ensuring U.S. Global Leadership.’ (HSST, February 5)
International Space Policy Updates
- The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has approved the participation of private company STAR.VISION in its Chang’e-8 mission. This marks the first commercial participation in China’s moon mission. (SpaceNews, January 27)
- United Kingdom Tech Secretary Peter Kyle announced a £20 million government investment in Orbex to build and launch a Rocket from Scottish spaceport SaxaVord. (UK Government, January 29)
- The European Space Agency (ESA) awarded Thales Alenia Space a €862 million contract related to the design, development, and delivery of the Lunar Descent Element (LDE) for ESA’s Argonaut Mission. (Thales Alenia Space, January 30)
- The Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) NVS-02 satellite is currently in elliptical orbit and unable to reach its intended orbit after a thruster failure. (ISRO, February 2)
- The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Science and Technical Subcommittee has convened for its 62nd session. (UNOOSA, February 3)
- The United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre signed a deal with Thales Alenia Space to construct an airlock for the Gateway lunar station. (Thales Alenia Space, February 4)
- An American space domain awareness payload hosted on Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite 6 successfully launched. The launch marks the first American and Japanese bilateral space effort focused on national security. (Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs, February 5)
- Yuri Borisov has been dismissed from his position as the head of Roscosmos. He has been succeeded by Dmitry Bakanov, a deputy transport minister. (Reuters, February 6)
Space Industry Updates
- Firefly’s Vice President of launch vehicles, Adam Oakes, has reaffirmed the company’s plans to begin launches in Virginia and Sweden, noting ongoing congestion at launch sites. (SpaceNews, January 28)
- Alicia Brown, former NASA Associate Administration for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, has joined the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) as an Executive Director focusing on Space Policy and Legislative Affairs. (CSF, January 28)
- SpaceX and Vast are soliciting proposals for science and research ideas to be conducted on the Haven-1 space station and Dragon Spacecraft. (SpaceX, January 28)
- Momentus Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Paul Ney has accepted a position as the Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs and National Security Council Legal Advisor at the White House. (Momentus Inc., January 28)
- ispace has announced that Elizabeth Kryst, current Executive Vice President of Programs, will be appointed as the new CEO of ispace-U.S., while current CEO Ron Garan will be appointed as Chairperson of the Board. (ispace, January 30)
- John Mulholland has returned to the role of Vice President of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program. (Reuters, January 30)
- Apple released the iPhone update IOS 18.3, which included compatibility with the Starlink Satellite Network for T-Mobile beta testers. (Forbes, February 1)
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched its Space Leadership Council, dedicated to maintaining U.S. leadership in space. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, February 4)
- Frank Calvelli, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for True Anomaly. (True Anomaly, February 4)
- Blue Origin successfully completed its 29th New Shepherd mission, with the crew capsule successfully simulating lunar gravity. (Blue Origin, February 4)
Reading Corner
American Foreign Policy Council | Thousand Sails: Why Low Earth Orbit is the Next Frontier for Great Power Competition between the U.S. and China
Researchers at the American Foreign Policy Council analyze geopolitical and security threats posed by Chinese mega-constellations intended to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The piece concludes with a recommendation that the United States must focus on steps such as increased cooperation with allied space initiatives and expanded digital offerings to the Global South to contest China’s growing influence.
Written by Molly Prochaska