Policy & Politics
Final defense bill nixes space guard, directs classification review of space programs
The Senate and House Armed Services Committees in a compromise National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 removed language that would have created a Space National Guard, and included a provision directing DoD to identify space programs that could be declassified.
Op-ed | U.S. must stop Russia before space turns into a wasteland
The growth generated from investments will be left unrealized if the government falls short in protecting the space domain.
India, Russia agree to enhance space cooperation
India and Russia agreed Dec. 6 to strengthen cooperation in the space sector, including human spaceflight programs and satellite navigation.
The SpaceNews Awards 2021: Meet the nine winners
In such a remarkable year for commercial, civil and military space, picking winners wasn’t easy. In the end, SpaceNews editors, reporters and trusted advisers agreed on nine individuals, organizations and trends deserving recognition.
Space Council condemns “irresponsible” Russian ASAT test
Administration officials used a National Space Council meeting to issue a new round of criticism of Russia’s antisatellite weapon test and call for a halt to future ASAT tests that create debris.
White House releases space priorities framework
The White House released Dec. 1 a document that outlines its space policy priorities, including addressing growing military threats and supporting “a rules-based international order for space.”
Op-ed | Creating sustainable value from space
As the National Space Council prepares to meet this week, job one is to fully apply space technology to address the most compelling issue of our time — human-induced climate change.
NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of debris
NASA postponed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station by two astronauts just hours before it was scheduled to start after getting a warning that debris would pass close to the station.
Japan, Australia condemn Russia for ‘irresponsible’ anti-satellite missile test
Japan and Australia have joined international condemnation of Russia for testing an anti-satellite weapon Nov. 15 that created over 1,500 pieces of debris in low Earth orbit.
Court ruling describes rejection of Blue Origin HLS lawsuit
A federal judge rejected Blue Origin’s lawsuit again NASA’s Human Landing System procurement on nearly every ground, even after the company offered to further increase its contribution to the program.
China silent, South Korea ‘concerned’ over debris created by Russia’s anti-satellite missile test
South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed concern over the “numerous pieces of debris” created in low Earth orbit when Russia destroyed a Soviet-era satellite with a missile strike earlier this week but stopped short of criticizing Russia.
Nelson and Rogozin talk about ASAT test
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson spoke with his Russian counterpart a day after a Russian antisatellite test, as others in the Russian government dismissed the threat to space sustainability that test created.
Industry looks to simplify policy challenges of orbital debris removal
Policy issues regarding active debris removal are not as difficult to overcome as many believe, industry officials say, but acknowledge that those challenges may hinder efforts to remove the most dangerous pieces of debris in orbit.
Space industry feels varying effects of supply chain disruptions
While space companies are feeling the impacts of supply chain disruptions, traditional space companies are experiencing different effects than newer ones.
U.S. and France agree to expand cooperation on space issues
Vice President Kamala Harris announced the U.S. and France have agreed to expand cooperation on space and cybersecurity issues.
U.S. interagency panel to update R&D strategy to tackle orbital debris
The Biden administration plans to update an existing research-and-development plan aimed at combatting orbital debris.
