A selection of space policy/politics links:

• Full Committee Hearing – Astrobiology: Search for Biosignatures in our Solar System and Beyond | Committee on Science – U.S. House of Representatives
  • Archived Webcast (wvx)
  • House panel ponders extraterrestrial life – The Washington Post
  • Lawmakers want NASA to keep looking for life in space – Texas on the Potomac/Houston Chronicle
• NASA Plans Major Restructuring of NASA Advisory Council
• Rep. Mo Brooks sponsors bill to shift $500 million to SLS, other NASA programs – AL.com
• NASA Might Stop Exploring the Planets: Here’s Why That’s Terrible – Robinson Meyer/The Atlantic
• To launch Australia into space, we need inspiration – The Conversation
• PLA dreams of turning moon into Death Star, says expert – WantChinaTimes.com

Update:

• SpaceX Makes Its Point – Space KSC
• Commercial Space Race Revolutionizing Business Off Planet Earth – Space.com
• A House hearing on astrobiology seems alien to some – Space Politics
• Robert (Bob) Zimmerman, Tuesday, 12-3-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog
• NASA Advisory Council Reorganizes for Greater Effectiveness – NASA

Bob Zimmerman will discuss space policy and politics on The Space Show this evening at 7-8:30 PM PST (9-10:30 PM CST, 10-11:30 PM EST) : Exciting Times in Space – Behind The Black.

Last Sunday space law expert Michael Listner was on the program: Michael Listner, Sunday, 12-1-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog.

And last Friday, space historian Roger Launius talked about his new book on the Shuttle program: Dr. Roger Launius, Friday, 11-29-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog

On the most recent Hotel Mars segment of the John Batchelor Show,  Mars advocate Robert Zubrin discussed manned missions to Mars with Russian participation: John Batchelor Hotel Mars, Wednesday, 11-27-13 – Thespaceshow’s Blog

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Some of today’s space policy/politics items:

• SEDS Joins the Space Exploration Alliance in Legislative Blitz to Prioritize Space Exploration – PR.com/SEDS
• House passes indemnification extension bill – Space Politics
• House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Extend Liability Protection for Commercial Space Launches | Democrats -Committee on Science, Space and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives
• Mo Brooks’ First Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Kill (Programs in My State) – Parabolic Arc
• EU: Industry Committee approves Copernicus, the EU’s new Earth Observation System – Res Communis
• Harris CapRock Nabs $46 Million FAA Satellite Contract – SpaceNews.com
• Italian Defense Officials Fight To Restore Slashed Space Funding – SpaceNews.com
• Exclusive interview: China´s Chang´e-3 is useful for future space exploration CCTV News (incl. video)

Today’s selection of space policy/politics related items:

• Why Monday’s SpaceX launch is a big deal – Michael Belfiore
• Space Policy Events for the Week of December 2-6, 2013 – SpacePolicyOnline.com
  • Launch Liability Bill… UPDATE
• Launch Liability Bill on House Calendar for Monday – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• House to take up commercial launch indemnification regime extension bill Monday – Space Politics
• NASA Talks Astronauts On Lunar Far Side By 2028 – Forbes
• Reality Check – Aviation Week
• Darpa Targets Lower Launch Costs With XS-1 Spaceplane – Aviation Week
• Industry Minister James Moore Announces New Measures to Build on Canada’s Proud History in Space – Canada News Centre
• China hopes for international cooperation in development and uses of space resources – Lunar Networks
• China Ready For Space Cooperation With India – Bernama

Update:

• Trashing Space – SpaceNews.com
• Editorial | Another Technology Program Goes by the Wayside – SpaceNews.com
• United Rocket-Space Corporation Has Been Established in Russia – Space Digest
• The Space Review:
  • As China goes to the Moon, prize teams stay in the race
  • Red Moon, Blue Moon
  • Aligning forces to reawaken the American Dream

Update 2:

• The Space Shuttle Isn’t Racist, It’s a Work of Art – Motherboard
• Industry Minister Responds to Emerson “Space” Recommendations – The Commercial Space Blog
• Putin Signs Decree to Establish New Space Corporation – RIA Novosti
• Commercial Spaceflight | NASA, Commercial Participants See Future for COTS Model, but ‘Not for Everything’ – SpaceNews.com

A new selection of space policy/politics related items

• “Interpretation Concerning Involvement of NASA Astronauts During a Licensed Launch or Reentry” – Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 231 (Monday, December 2, 2013) – Bottom line:

  In conclusion, Chapter 509 and the FAA’s regulations impose no operational constraints on NASA astronauts for the scenarios envisioned here.

• Hands Off Our Lunar Landing Sites? Not So Fast – TIME.com
• Congressman wants to know if NASA has too much infrastructure – Space Politics
• Congress Deflates, Bigelow Inflates – Space KSC
• What is NewSpace? – Space KSC
• ‘India can partner Ethiopia in space technology’ – IANS Live
• In the footsteps of the US: Why next man on Moon will be Chinese – The Independent
• BBC News – Why China is fixated on the Moon
• Argentina on the Way to Have Its Own Small Launch Vehicle – Space Digest

Another collection of space policy/politics related items:

• Senator asks for another study on use of Russian engines – Space Politics
• Kennedy Space Center assets sale may get congressional hearing – Orlando Sentinel
• U.S. Intellectual Property Rules Hinder Space Station Research – SpaceNews.com
• Commercial space prospects – Hot? Or Not? – doctorlinda
• Russia Postpones Space Lab Launch Again – International Space Fellowship
•  The Space Review
  • Burning thunder
  • “The Obligation” and the vision of space settlement
  • Inspiration Mars: from nonprofit venture to space policy adventure
  • Review: To Orbit and Back Again

Update:

• New spaceport in the East is almost back on target – The Siberian Times
• European Space Agency sets a path for big space science – Bbc
• Space sector calls for action to keep Britain ahead in the global race – BIS – Nov.15.13