A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here):
- Schedule:
- NASA programs:
- NASA management:
- Congressional space:
- Commercial human space flight:
- NASA to allow reuse of Crew Dragon spacecraft and boosters – SpaceNews.com
- Virgin Galactic Signs Space Act Agreement with NASA for Private Orbital Spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) – Virgin Galactic
- Virgin Galactic to work with NASA on private orbital spaceflight experiences – SpaceNews.com
- Commercial space:
- Jim Bridenstine on Twitter: “BREAKING: @NASA is developing the process to fly astronauts on commercial suborbital spacecraft. Whether it’s suborbital, orbital, or deep space, NASA will utilize our nation’s innovative commercial capabilities. RFI will be released next week.” – June.19.2020
- Opinion | ‘Use NASA as a never-ending Lewis and Clark expedition’ – POLITICO
- Remote sensing:
- Space and global economics:
- Regulation:
- Spectrum:
- Space traffic:
- How the White House agenda for managing space traffic got jammed up – POLITICO
- Commerce Department hopes study will free up funding for space traffic management work – SpaceNews.com
- #SpaceWatchGL Column: ESPI Brief 38 – In-Orbit Servicing: Challenges and Implications of an Emerging Capability – SpaceWatch.Global
- How has traffic been managed in the sky, on waterways, and on the road? Comparisons for space situational awareness (part 2) – The Space Review
- US states space:
- NOAA satellites:
- Space weather:
- Planetary protection:
- US national security:
- Launch:
- Space Force on Track to Award Launch Service Contracts This Summer – Via Satellite
- SMC commander impressed by ‘technical maturity’ of newly developed U.S. rockets – SpaceNews.com
- Six small launch companies to receive DoD contracts under Defense Production Act – SpaceNews.com
- Space Force invokes Defense Production Act to prop up small launch market – crisrnet.com
- Rocket Lab wins NRO contracts for back-to-back launches – SpaceNews.com
- Satellites:
- Space strategy:
- Tech development
- HASC strategic forces draft bill presses DoD on space procurements, use of commercial tech – SpaceNews.com
- The Navy is Testing Beaming Solar Power in Space – Universe Today
- Op-ed | The Space Development Agency must be a constructive disruptor – SpaceNews.com
- America must build critical national security foundation for Space Force | TheHill
- Planting the seeds of technology for the future Space Force – SpaceNews.com
- Launch:
International space
- Australia:
- Canberra-built satellite a huge step forward for Australia’s space industry – The Canberra Times
- Australia’s first Mission Control Centre contracted to Saber Astronautics – SpaceWatch.Global
- WA [Western Australia] space project to drive industry growth | Ministers for the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
- Canada:
- China:
- China reveals details of next-gen crew spacecraft’s 1st test flight | Space.com
- Chang’e-4 returns new images of the lunar surface – ecns.cn
- China’s province monitors rice farming with satellite – Xinhua
- China launches third Gaofen-9 satellite, postpones Beidou mission – SpaceNews.com
- China delays launch to complete GPS-like Beidou network – ABC News
- Europe:
- India:
- Japan:
- Russia:
- Russia ready to discuss space activities as part of dialogue with US — ministry – TASS
- Roscosmos urges Pentagon to prevent potential space arms race – TASS
- Peresvet: a Russian mobile laser system to dazzle enemy satellites – The Space Review
- Russia set for launch of Gonets telecoms satellites from Plesetsk spaceport in September – TASS
- UK:
- Space Hub Sutherland recommended for approval – BBC News
- Mhoine group concerned at ‘one-sided’ view of spaceport project – John O’Groat
- Space – one giant misstep for Scotland. Opinion: Struan Stevenson | HeraldScotland
- Campaign group says it’s time to ‘clear up the confusion’ over the Sutherland Space Hub project – Northern Times
- Op-ed | UK-U.S. space cooperation soars to new heights – SpaceNews.com
Webcasts:
In this Space Cafe Special, Michelle Hanlon, co-founder of For All Moonkind and Co-Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, discusses “Race in Space” A Conversation about Equality and Civil Rights. The panel talked about race with diverse perspectives from within and outside the US space community. It was our pleasure to host this incredible panel which included:
Jarard Williams: a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law who shared his research in a presentation entitled “The Dark Star: Black Representation in Space.”
Yvette Butler: who is joining the law faculty at the University of Mississippi this summer. She discussed recent events, how we got here, and how to engage to both ensure a more equal future and prevent the extension of racism with humans into space.
Kevin Myrick: Co-Founder of Synergy Moon, an official Google Lunar Xprize team, shared how space can help race relations and promote equality and justice.
and Jose Ocasio-Christian from Caelus Partners.
** 77- Global Intelligence, SAR Satellites and New Insights
On this episode of Constellations, we discuss how Satellite Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites are changing the space industry and how this new technology is impacting markets across the globe. Adam Maher is the CEO of Ursa Space Systems, a start-up company that uses SAR satellite to provide insights into many industries such as energy, oil and gas. Listen as we discuss how Ursa bridges the gap between information-rich data and those companies that are breaking new ground in global intelligence with their vision to “turn data into impact”.
In this week’s Space Cafe Web Talk, Dr. Regina Peldszus and Marc Becker, of DLR Space Administration discussed the concept of ‘dual-use’: how space technologies enable both civilian and military applications. The discussion highlighted key issues at this complex intersection for both domains and addressed policy discourse on the future of applicability for space situational awareness, security, on-orbit servicing, and the possibility of space neutrality.
They provided insight to the post-Cold War space environment and how dual-use has evolved from arms control non-proliferation to an opportunity to cultivate technology for multipurpose systems. It was an encouraging perspective on exploring commonalities and synergies amongst military and non-military stakeholders. The conversation inspires much consideration about how space actors are diversifying use of the same systems and how this is altering the regulatory approach.
** Christopher Newman – Environmental Protection In Space Law – Cold Star Project S02E43
Dr. Christopher Newman is Professor of Space Law and Policy at Northumbria University. We’re talking about an important but not oft-seen issue in space, which is a part of many areas such as space situational awareness: environmental protection. The first thing you’re likely to notice is that phrase, like many things in space, does not quite mean what you first thought. It is farther reaching and more broadly applied. Dr. Newman and Cold Star Project host Jason Kanigan discuss:
– Why we should care about environmental protection in space
– What capabilities exist for environmental protection to be included or executed through space law
– The issues with enforcement of any agreements
– Christopher’s experience with implementing environmental protection though space law
– What the good doctor would download directly into his students’ skulls, “Matrix-style”, if he could and more.
** Webinar Replay | Sowing the Seeds for Future Space Technologies – SpaceNews.com (See also Planting the seeds of technology for the future Space Force – SpaceNews.com)
SpaceNews talked with the colonel leading AFRL’s effort to keep the U.S. military “one step ahead in space” by fostering key enabling technologies.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate in New Mexico is one of 23 space-related organizations set to transfer to the U.S. Space Force under plans unveiled last month.
As the Department of the Air Force’s “Center of Excellence” for space technology R&D, the Space Vehicles Directorate develops, demonstrates and transitions critical technologies for the entire gamut of military space missions, including communications; positioning, navigation and timing, missile warning, space situational awareness, and defensive space control.
Col. Eric Felt, the Air Force officer who leads the Space Vehicles Directorate and its team of 1,000 military, civilian, and on-site contractors, will talk with SpaceNews Staff Writer Sandra Erwin and Editor-in-Chief Brian Berger about the R&D investments the directorate is making to help the U.S. military maintain a technological advantage in the space domain.
– How can the U.S build more resilient space technology in the face of anti-satellite threats?
– What is the role of the private sector in bringing innovation into military programs?
– How does the standup of the U.S. Space Force change the thinking about R&D investments?
Also joining the conversation will be Paul Jaffe, a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory engineer and principal investigator for a space-based solar power experiment flying on the X-37B autonomous spaceplane the Space Force launched May 17.
Jaffe will discuss the experiment and what it could mean for future capabilities to harvest power from space.
** The Space Show – Fri. June/20/2020 – Andrew Chanin of ProcureAM, an exchange traded fund, talked about “space commerce, policy, defense and related investments on a global basis and more”:
** June 16, 2020 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast | Behind The Black
** June 19, 2020 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast | Behind The Black
** India’s space ambitions include the Moon but its program must modernize – SpaceQ – Interview with Dr. Chaitanya Giri from Gateway House, Indian Council on Global Relations.
** Virtual Summit on Geospatial and Earth Observation Industrial Policy for India – Geospatial World
With an intent to have consultation and engagement with larger section of leadership across commercial industry, government institutions, and civil society, Geospatial Media in partnership with World Geospatial Industry Council is organizing a virtual summit on ‘Geospatial and Earth Observation Industrial Development Strategy for India
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