News
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending September 24, 2021
This week in Washington, the House passed the 61st consecutive National Defense Authorization Act, General Jay Raymond revealed the new Space Force Uniforms as well as the “Guardian Ideal,” and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Jim Free as the first lead of a new Mission Directorate overseeing the Artemis Mission. Symposium 365 Upcoming Event World…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending September 10, 2021
The 36th annual Space Symposium took place in Colorado Springs and on the virtual Symposium 365 platform from August 23-26. Thousands of individuals participated in the in-person programming and more joined us virtually. Thank you to all of our distinguished speakers, sponsors and industry partners, exhibition participants, and attendees. Rosh Hashanah began earlier this week,…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending August 13, 2021
This week, the $3.5 trillion spending package passed the Senate. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the House will return from recess early to take up the budget resolution and infrastructure bill during the week of Aug. 23. 36th Space Symposium You can still register for the Virtual Experience at Space Symposium. Join us to…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending July 30, 2021
This week, the Senate confirmed Frank Kendall III to be the 26th Air Force secretary in a voice vote. The Senate moved forward through procedural votes on the major infrastructure bill. President Biden nominated John Plumb, chief of government relations at the Aerospace Corporation, to be assistant secretary of defense for space policy. The Space…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending July 16, 2021
This week, Richard Branson and the Unity 22 crew, comprised of Sirisha Bandla, Beth Moses, Coplin Bennet, and pilots Michael Masucci and Dave Mackay, successfully completed the first fully crewed flight for Virgin Galactic and made a giant leap towards commercial suborbital spaceflight. Next week, Blue Origin will fly the oldest and youngest people ever…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending July 2, 2021
The week the Senate is out of session while the House Appropriations Defense Committee held closed markup sessions. Over 50 years in the making, Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk will fly to space. Richard Branson announced July 11 as the new spaceflight date. Additionally, the space community remembers the Soyuz 11 crew, the only spacefarers to…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending June 18, 2021
This week the House and Senate held hearings for FY2022 budget requests. Juneteenth becomes first new U.S. National Holiday in nearly 40 years. Pam Melroy was confirmed as NASA Deputy Administrator and Rick Spinrad also passed on voice vote to become NOAA Administrator. Sign Up for Space Symposium 365 Register here to access key events…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending June 4, 2021
This week, Eric Lander was sworn in as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). NASA announced two new exciting missions, DAVINCI+ and VERITAS, to Venus at the State of NASA event. Register for the 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs this August Confirmed Speakers for Space Symposium include: Senator…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending May 21, 2021
The space community celebrated National Space Day last week. This week, the House voted on a bundle of STEM bills and held a hearing with Administrator Nelson on the FY2022 Budget for NASA. The Senate held a nomination hearing for Pam Melroy to be Deputy Administrator of NASA, and Rick Spinrad to be Under Secretary…
Biweekly Washington, D.C., Update for the Week Ending May 7, 2021
This week, Vice President Harris swore in former Senator Bill Nelson as the 14th NASA Administrator. The space community celebrated May the Fourth. Register for the 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs this August This year Space Symposium will be a hybrid event, providing both live programming for in-person attendees, as well as digital access…