Report from Washington, D.C.

The Obama administration has announced changes to rules governing the export of sensitive military and other technologies, which will streamline export processes and free up U.S. space companies to compete more effectively in the global marketplace. The changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) come after a year-long review by departments of State,…

During August, activities in Washington, D.C., focused heavily on space issues commercial. Here are some highlights: NGA Contracts Awarded On Aug. 6, the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) awarded new contracts potentially worth a combined $7.3 billion over the next decade to DigitalGlobe and GeoEye under the EnhancedView program. EnhancedView follows up on previous NGA…

During July, Congress was focused heavily on the future of the nation’s space policy as space authorization and space appropriation bills came to vote. Authorization bills detail how the various committees believe funds should be spent and generally play a major role in shaping the final allotment of funds. With the controversy in Washington over…

The United States’ ever-increasing dependence on space and cyber capabilities in a highly “contested environment” was the main topic of discussion when Dr. James Miller, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy, spoke to industry and government space leaders at a Space Power Lecture Breakfast last month on Capitol Hill. The event was hosted…

“Wow… “There really is a larger universe out there and bigger things than just what we focus on day-to-day. You really sparked my interest and imagination. Thanks for doing this.” That’s a comment from one of the attendees of a Space Foundation breakfast held July 15 in Washington, D.C., where Dr. Ronald Greeley and Dr.…

On July 22, the Space Foundation and the Global Technology Institute held a discussion on the recently released U.S. Space Policy featuring keynote speaker Peter Marquez, director of space policy for the National Security Council. Marquez, who is responsible for development and oversight of the President’s space policies, said the administration is trying to maintain/re-focus…

The Space Foundation has prepared an overview of six current NASA budget proposals, including a comparison of funding levels provided by each. The analysis looks in detail at similarities and differences within the sections covering exploration and space operations for the following documents: Proposed House Authorization Bill Proposed Senate Authorization Bill Proposed House Appropriation Bill Proposed Senate…

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) outlined key elements that will form the bipartisan foundation of his FY 2011 NASA funding authorization bill in a June 14 letter to Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. The letter said the bill will: Outline the logistics and support necessary to…

Politicians, civil servants, academics, and private industry came together in Washington, D.C., on June 8 to discuss space applications for weather prediction and management. Panelists at the 2010 Space Weather Forum addressed the challenge of transitioning satellites from conducting pure research to performing operations, advocating a structured approach rather than today’s ad hoc approach to transition. They highlighted…

The Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development has launched an interactive website to encourage public comment on ways to promote economic growth and sustainability in Florida’s Space Coast region as it adapts to changes in America’s space program.  According to NASA, the site offers “information about the work the administration is doing to…