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Congress Avoids Government Shutdown Ahead of Midterms
Congress avoided an Oct. 1 government shutdown as the U.S. House approved a continuing resolution (CR) Tuesday. The measure ensures government funding through Dec. 11. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure into law. House members gave bipartisan approval with a 370-48 vote. The Senate approved the agreement last month. The temporary budget…
Washington Updates: New Space Transportation Policy
What You Need to Know: The White House releases a new National Space Transportation Policy. China delays its Chang’e 7 lunar exploration mission to 2027. SpaceX announces a new launch facility in Louisiana. United States Space Policy Updates The White House releases a new National Space Transportation Policy. The policy aims to expand the nation’s capabilities…
Washington Updates: New Chief of Space Operations
What You Need to Know: The Senate confirms Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess as Chief of Space Operations. Europe agrees to expand the planned IRIS² satellite constellation. Rocket Lab unveils a deployable launch system for suborbital and orbital missions. United States Space Policy Updates The Senate confirms Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations.…
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…
FCC Pushes New Satellite Regs, More Bandwidth
October 28, 2025 Introduction | The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is clearing the way for mega constellations with proposals for streamlined licensing rules and more radio bandwidth. The new regulations could take hold as soon as early 2026. Satellite operators got closer to faster licensing and access to new radio bandwidth, which could facilitate broadband…
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…