Washington Updates

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…

On May 12, the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee held a hearing on the proposed FY 2011 Air Force budget. Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) continued to fight against President Barack Obama’s proposed plan to cancel the development of the Ares rocket. Sen. Bennett charged the Obama administration with failing to adequately engage the Department of Defense…

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…

On April 20, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced broad reforms to the U.S. export control system as recommended by President Barack Obama. In his speech, Secretary Gates laid out a blueprint for an export control system where “higher walls are placed around fewer, more critical items.” The administration is seeking a single export-control list,…