Washington Updates

NASA’s proposed FY 2011 budget came under close scrutiny by both House and Senate lawmakers in March. During several hearings, lawmakers and aerospace industry veterans cited astronaut safety, commercial viability, workforce impacts, and a lack of program details as their most pressing concerns. On March 3, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) introduced S. 3068, a…

On March 4, Dr. Ed Weiler, NASA associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), spoke with reporters at a Space Foundation Correspondents Group breakfast in Washington, D.C. Weiler began by saying that for the SMD, the president’s budget proposal provides both “good news and great news.” He said the “good news” is for heliophysics,…

Early last month, President Barack Obama released his proposed $3.8 trillion budget for the 2011 fiscal year, which gives NASA a proposed boost of $1.3 billion next year and a $6 billion increase over the next five years. To see the budget proposal, click here. The President’s plan zeroes out funding for the Constellation Program…

The Space Foundation’s Solutions from Space: Faster, Safer, Greener Commercial Aviation details how space technology is dramatically improving air traffic management. According to the paper, the advanced positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities offered by satellite systems can: Reduce air traffic congestion Lower fuel consumption Reduce noise pollution Lessen environmental impact Provide clearer, more accurate, real-time…

Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs, Gary Payton, spoke to reporters Feb. 4 at a Space Foundation Correspondents Group gathering in Washington, D.C. He talked about the new Air Force budget, including plans for space protection, operationally responsive space (ORS), and satellite programs, including five Air Force satellite launches scheduled for…

In January, President Barack Obama’s administration continued to move forward on efforts to review and reform policies in civil, commercial, and defense space. On Dec. 21, Obama signed Presidential Study Directive 8, directing his administration to recommend steps leading to an overhaul of the United States export control regime by no later than Jan. 29.…