International Affairs
Washington Updates: Office of Space Commerce mission authorization proposal
Written by: Jeff Gardner
What You Need to Know:
- The House Science, Space and Technology Committee reviews the Office of Space Commerce’s mission authorization proposal.
- ESA announces plans for a security center in Poland.
- Reditus Space completes its first reentry vehicle.
The Office of Space Commerce’s proposed mission authorization process would streamline paths to orbit for novel technologies. Credit: NASA
United States Space Policy Updates
- The House Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing to review the Office of Space Commerce’s mission authorization proposal. The new mission authorization would expedite the approval process for space operations, particularly for novel technologies that don’t fit into existing regulations. The proposal, issued in March, aims to streamline the process for commercial in-space activities. (Committee on Science, Space and Technology, July 15)
- The FCC approves Reflect Orbital’s license to launch and operate a mirror satellite. (Space.com, July 13)
- The Space Development Agency awards L3Harris and Sierra Space $1.75 billion in contracts for Golden Dome satellites. (Breaking Defense, July 14)
- The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Erich Hernandez-Baquero to be the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. (Senate Armed Services Committee, July 14)
- The Space Force begins a $25,000 bonus program to incentivize new Guardians. (Military Times, July 14)
Poland and Central Europe as seen from the International Space Station. European nations are increasingly focusing on space as a security domain. Credit: NASA
International Space Policy Updates
- The European Space Agency and Polish government announce plans for a civil security center in Warsaw, with “pre-operational activities” to begin 2027. The announcement comes as several European nations increase defense and space spending. The center will support the coordinated development of European capabilities in space and security. (ESA, July 13)
- The Republic of Serbia will sign the Artemis Accords later today. (NASA, July 16)
- The European Space Agency releases its Space Economy Report for 2026.
(ESA, July 13) - Russia launches a NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts to the International Space Station. (Reuters, July 14)
- German technology company Rheinmetall and Space Norway sign an MoU to cooperate on maritime surveillance. (Rheinmetall, July 15)
- The Philippines announces plans for a space center by 2028.
(Aviation Week, July 8)
Space Industry Updates
- U.S. space startup Reditus Space completes its ENOS reentry spacecraft. The reentry vehicle, aiming to make space transit more economical as the ISS faces retirement, is scheduled for its debut flight this fall. ENOS is capable of staying in orbit for days to years. (Reditus, July 13)
- Texas-based propulsion startup Venus Aerospace raises $91 million in a series B funding round to boost development of its rocket engines. (SpaceNews, July 8)
- Lockheed Martin contracts Beyond Gravity to provide PNT capabilities for two NOAA satellites. (Beyond Gravity, July 9)
- ElevationSpace and Space Cargo Unlimited signed a memorandum to integrate their hardware for commercial research and manufacturing in orbit. (ElevationSpace, July 8)
- Axiom Space announces Zach Gitomer as CFO. (Axiom, July 15)