Washington Updates

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…

Frequent attendees at Congressional hearings, as well as policy presentations and meetings of U.S. government advisory panels, the Space Foundation’s Washington, D.C., staff routinely provides reports and analyses on policy issues to Space Foundation Corporate Members. So far in 2010, more than 20 reports have been sent to Corporate Members as an additional benefit to…

The first and last Americans to walk on the Moon voiced their opposition to the president’s proposed plan for NASA’s exploration program at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing May 12 on The Future of U.S. Human Space Flight. Witnesses included: Dr. John P. Holdren, director, Office of Science and Technology Policy Maj.…

On May 19, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the FY 2011 Defense Authorization Bill. The bill provides detailed policy instructions to the Pentagon on how to proceed with a variety of programs, including space-related programs. The Committee cut $300 million from the Air Force’s $352 million budget request for the National…