Report from Washington, D.C.

Space policymakers and industry executives celebrated United States-Japan space cooperation at a reception Jan. 31 at the Washington, D.C., residence of the Ambassador of Japan to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki. Sponsored by the Space Foundation, the Ambassador and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the event recognized the long and rich history of cooperation…

The U.S. has removed nine Indian space and defense companies, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), from the export control entity list, with the objective of strengthening high technology trade between the two countries. The action ends a 13-year ban on export of high-tech, dual-use items…

The Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee held a hearing on Transition and Implementation in December: The NASA Authorization Act of 2010. The hearing was the first NASA oversight hearing since President Barack Obama signed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 into law. Senators told NASA and the Obama Administration they would take the necessary…

Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham attended the George Washington University Space Policy Institute and Trachtenberg School symposium, From Vision to Execution: Implementing U.S. Space Policy, on Oct. 29. He spoke on the panel, “Implementation Issues and U.S. Industry,” along with fellow panelists: Marion C. Blakey, president and chief executive officer of the Aerospace Industries Association;…

The Space Foundation was right in the middle of a historic gathering of international space agencies Nov. 17 in Washington, D.C. The International Academy of Astronautics Heads of Space Agencies Summit was an unprecedented gathering of more than 300 world leaders, academicians and space experts, including the heads of 30 space agencies from around the world – from…

As a result of the midterm elections in November, there will be at least 93 new Representatives and 16 new Senators in the 112th Congress. Republicans picked up at least 60 seats in the House of Representatives, enough to give them the majority in the 112th Congress. In the Senate, Republicans picked up six seats to…

The Senate Armed Service Committee held a hearing on Nov.18 on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler to lead U.S. Strategic Command, based at Offutt AFB, Neb. During the hearing, Kehler outlined his top four priorities as commander, if confirmed: Provide a safe, secure and effective strategic nuclear force to provide strategic deterrence for…

President Barack Obama signed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 into law last month.  Now, Congressional appropriators must pass the NASA appropriations bill after they return from the 2010 mid-term elections in November. October Washington activity touched on disaster preparation, international outreach, commercial contracts and a critical confirmation : The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy…

Tracking how the upcoming elections could affect space policy is a daunting task. To help companies and individuals keep track of potential impact on committees and positions in Congress that oversee space policy, the Space Foundation has prepared a document that lists all the U.S. House and Senate members running for reelection who sit on…

On a beautiful fall weekend in October nearly 200,000 people crowded The National Mall in Washington, D.C. to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The USA Science & Engineering Festival, hosted by Lockheed Martin, was the country’s first national science festival. It opened Oct. 10 with a concert of science songs…