Report from Washington, D.C.

Participants at the 2nd Global Space Development Summit, organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in partnership with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Space Foundation and the Chinese Society for Astronautics, will examine critical developments on issues of space exploration and Earth observations. Scheduled for Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C., the…

Some of the solutions to many developing nations’ social and economic woes might just come from the most unlikely place – outer space. Solutions from Space: Space Applications for International Development, a Space Foundation white paper released last month, says that the ability of space-based technology to overcome infrastructure and access issues might help solve previously…

As we proceed into the autumn, much of the focus of the space policy community in Washington, D.C., has been absorbing and digesting the recently released Executive Summary report from the committee on the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans. Both the House of Representatives and Senate have already held oversight hearings on the…

NASA has signed a number of agreements to facilitate cooperation between the United States and Europe on matters relating to space. A memorandum of understanding with the European Space Agency (ESA) signed last month allows NASA and ESA to exchange technical information and personnel, which will aid the eventual development of new space transportation systems.…

Creating a locally grown space program could be a key to development and growth for low-income countries, according to one of two papers being presented this month by Space Foundation Research Analyst Mariel John at the 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Daejeon, South Korea. Using the Nigerian space program as a case study, John looked at the…

One of two papers presented by Space Foundation Research Analyst Mariel John this month at the 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Daejeon, South Korea, examines the technical, programmatic, and political requirements for implementing an operational program to use remote sensing for disease prevention in Nigeria. With a fast-growing economy and a population of more…

Tommy Sanford has joined the Space Foundation as a government affairs associate, working out of the Washington, D.C., office.  Sanford has held internships with the House of Representatives Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commercialization. “I’m a strong believer in opportunities in space improving life on Earth,” said Sanford. In…

August is traditionally a very quiet time in Washington, D.C., when Congress goes out of session for the month to spend time in their home states to meet with constituents. Therefore, the various NASA and the Department of Defense spending bills are paused until Congress reconvenes. There are several space policy reviews that have been…

The following was reported in Russian newspaper, RIA Novosti, on Aug. 18: Despite the current economic crisis, the Russian government has allocated about 80 billion rubles ($2.5 billion) in 2009 for the development of the aerospace industry. According to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, “We are planning to continue investing heavily in these branches of…

Space Foundation’s Mariel John has been selected to present two papers at the 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), being held this October 12-16 in Daejeon, South Korea. Hosted by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the IAC is a well-established and well-respected conference that attracts an average of 1,500 participants each year, including members of the global…