Washington Updates

United States Space Policy Updates Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy signed a new directive altering the agency’s acquisition strategy for commercial low earth orbit destinations. (Ars Technica, August 6) NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore has retired after 25 years with the agency. (NASA, August 6) Interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlined a fast-track plan for the agency…

United States Space Policy Updates  Congressmen Gabe Evans, Don Bacon, Glenn Ivey, and George Whitesides created the Advancing Humanity in Space Congressional Caucus (AHSCC). (Congressman Gabe Evans, July 21) Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is set to leave the agency on Friday, August 1. (NASA, July 21) Major General James Smith has…

United States Space Policy Updates  The Senate Committee on Appropriations held a markup hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. (U.S. Senate, July 10). Read Space Foundation’s summary of the markup here. The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (New York Times, July 9)…

United States Space Policy Updates Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN) announced the introduction of the the Ground and Orbital Launched Defeat of Emergent Nuclear Destruction and Other Missile Engagements (GOLDEN DOME) Act. (Senator Dan Sullivan, June 24) President Trump officially nominated Space Force General Michael Guetlein to lead the Golden…

United States Space Policy Updates Representative Jeff Crank (R-CO) announced the creation of the House Golden Dome Caucus in partnership with Representative Dale Strong (R-AL) to promote support for space-based missile defenses.  (Breaking Defense,  June 10) The House Appropriations Committee released its draft Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026, which boosts U.S. Space Force (USSF)…

United States Space Policy Updates The U.S. House Committee on Science Space and Technology (HSST) Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “From Detection to Deflection: Evaluating NASA’s Planetary Defense Strategy.” (HSST, May 15) The U.S. Senate confirmed Troy Meink as the 27th Secretary of the Air Force. (USAF, May 13) The U.S. Senate formed a…