Today’s selection of space policy/politics links:

• SpaceX vs ULA:
  • Why I Feel Bad for the United Launch Alliance (Sort Of) – Popular Mechanics
• RD-180 replacement:
  • The porksters arrive! – Behind The Black
  • Lawmakers propose U.S. alternative to Russian engine – Spaceflight Now
• Russia:
  • If Buying Russian Engines is So Important, Why Did ULA Try to Prevent OSC From Doing So Too? – Innerspace.net
  • Senators fear Russia could leave astronauts stranded in space – The Hill
  • NASA chief tries to reassure Congress amid rift with Russia over Ukraine – Washington Times
  • U.S. Sanctions against Russia Sowing Confusion, Caution among Space Firms – SpaceNews.com
• China:
  • First Joint Rehearsal of CZ-7 Rocket and “Tianzhou” Cargo Vehicle Will Begin Later This Year – China Manned Space Engineering
• General:
  • How Much Of The U.S. Public Supports Space Spending? Depends On How You Read The Stats – Universe Today
  • TEXAS VIEW: Space program lacks direction – Texas Opinion – Odessa

Update:

• The Danger of E.T. to the Private Space Industry – The Space Economy
• With Lawsuits and Mergers, US Space Market Primed for Changes – Defense News
• SpaceX: Resusable rocket flight and a lawsuit against the government – Phil Plait/Slate.com
• The House Proposes an Extra $435 million for NASA next year – The Planetary Society
• NASA seeks help to save Earth from killer asteroids – San Jose Mercury News
• Shoestring theory: India’s pioneering budget space probe is halfway to Mars: If the £46m ‘Mangalyaan’ orbiter mission succeeds in reaching the red planet, it will be a triumph of ingenuity over big spending – The Guardian

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