Washington Updates

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…