International Affairs
Washington Updates: FCC’s new satellite licensing process
What You Need to Know: The FCC overhauls its satellite licensing process. The department that houses the UK Space Agency is dissolved. Amazon signals its intent to join the direct-to-device market. United States Space Policy Updates The FCC adopts an overhaul of its space and earth station. Described as a “licensing assembly line,” the new…
Washington Updates: Office of Space Commerce mission authorization proposal
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. United States Space Policy Updates The House Science, Space and Technology Committee holds a hearing to review the…
Washington Updates: NASA awards lunar lander contracts
What You Need to Know: NASA awards lunar lander contracts to Astrobotic, Firefly, and Intuitive Machines. Japan renames its air force to the Air and Space Self-Defense Force. Rocket Lab announces plans to acquire Iridium Communications. United States Space Policy Updates NASA awards new lunar lander contracts to Firefly, Astrobotic, and Intuitive Machines for missions…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on October 3, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates Joseph Pelfrey, director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center since February 2024, announced his resignation. (AL.com, September 25) Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy announced that Space Force will require its next generation of space domain awareness satellites to be able to be refueled in…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on September 19, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Dale Strong (R-AL), George Whitesides (D-CA), and Vince Fong (R-CA) reintroduced the Spaceport Project Opportunities for Resilient Transportation (SPACEPORT) Act (Senator John Hickenlooper, September 19) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on September 5, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (CST) held a full committee hearing titled ‘There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise: Why Congress and NASA Must Thwart China in the Space Race.’ (Senate CST, September 3). Read Space Foundation’s summary of the hearing here. NASA selected Amit Kshatriya as the new…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on August 22, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced an intention to move NASA away from earth science efforts. (Payload, August 18) Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced his retirement. (Breaking Defense, August 18) The Federal Aviation Administration has dismissed all members of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). (SpaceNews, August 15) Steven Sinacore will…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on August 8, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy signed a new directive altering the agency’s acquisition strategy for commercial low earth orbit destinations. (Ars Technica, August 6) NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore has retired after 25 years with the agency. (NASA, August 6) Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlined a fast-track plan for the agency…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on July 25, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates Congressmen Gabe Evans, Don Bacon, Glenn Ivey, and George Whitesides created the Advancing Humanity in Space Congressional Caucus (AHSCC). (Congressman Gabe Evans, July 21) Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is set to leave the agency on Friday, August 1. (NASA, July 21) Major General James Smith has…
Biweekly Washington D.C. Updates for the Week Ending on July 11, 2025
United States Space Policy Updates The Senate Committee on Appropriations held a markup hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. (U.S. Senate, July 10). Read Space Foundation’s summary of the markup here. The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (New York Times, July 9)…