Posted on May 24, 2010, at 11:37 am .
Artist's conception of Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus freighter approaching the International Space Station.
Twin hurdles for commercial human spaceflight
One of hottest areas of debate about the president’s new vision for NASA is its reliance on commercial providers to transport crews to low Earth orbit. Jeff Foust describes the debate about the capabilities of companies to do so safely, and the commercial viability of such ventures.
The view from Austin on commercial space
What are the prospects for greater commercial use of space in the years to come? Jonathan Coopersmith reports on a recent conference in Texas that examined that issue.
Don’t know much about history: setting the record straight on Rocket Men
A book last year provided a fresh look at the race to the Moon, but one that was not with problems. Thomas Frieling examines the problems with the book Rocket Men and the reviews that failed to detect them.
Dealing with Galaxy 15: Zombiesats and on-orbit servicing
A solar storm last month turned a mild-mannered communications satellite into a rogue spacecraft drifting through the GEO belt and threatening to disrupt operations of other satellites there. Brian Weeden reviews the current situation involving Galaxy 15 and its implications for on-orbit servicing and related policy issues.
Flight of a feather: the QUILL radar satellite
Until a few years ago little was known about a secret 1960s mission known as QUILL. Dwayne Day describes the insights a new book provides on a radar satellite two decades ahead of its time.
Posted on July 13, 2009, at 8:23 am .
UK deserves more bang for its buck as minister hints at a British Nasa
The Scotsman
After decades in which successive British governments have considered human spaceflight an expensive distraction, the science minister, Lord Drayson yesterday refused to rule out the creation a British Nasa.
Continue reading ‘British Version of NASA Possible’
Posted on July 11, 2009, at 1:37 pm .
Ares 1-X undergoing assembly
AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey Statement
Aerospace Industries Association is encouraged by recommendations in the recent space policy report from the National Research Council calling for increased coordination and leadership of our nation’s space capabilities. “America’s Future in Space: Aligning the Civil Space Program with National Needs,” adds another influential voice to the debate on renewing and maintaining U.S. leadership in space.
AIA made a similar recommendation, in a report released this January. “The Role of Space in Addressing America’s National Priorities,” calls for the nation’s space capabilities to be coordinated, at the highest level, as a singular enterprise.
Over the past 50 years, space systems and technologies have increasingly become a vital part of our nation’s economic, scientific and national security capabilities. Given our dependence on space assets and increasing international competition, the seamless integration of space activities into national policy is absolutely necessary.
Posted on July 8, 2009, at 11:36 am .
NASA's Ares I rocket lifts off in this artist's conception. (Credit: NASA)
NRC PRESS RELEASE
The U.S. civil space program should be aligned with widely acknowledged national challenges, says a new report from the National Research Council. Aligning the program with pressing issues – environmental, economic, and strategic – is a national imperative, and will continue to grow in importance. Coordination across federal agencies, combined with a competent technical work force, effective infrastructure, and investment in technology and innovation, would lay the foundation for a purposeful, strategic U.S. space program that would serve national interests.
Continue reading ‘NRC: U.S. Should Align Space Goals With Larger National Priorities’
Posted on July 3, 2009, at 11:16 am .
President Orders Sweep U.S. Space Policy Review
Space News
U.S. President Barack Obama has given his administration until Oct. 1 to scrutinize existing national space policy as part of a sweeping review that could culminate in a new strategy governing American civil and military space activities.
Continue reading ‘Obama Orders Sweeping Review of U.S. Space Policy’
Posted on June 25, 2009, at 12:30 pm .
PRESS RELEASE
Government and industry team to look at opportunities in, and barriers to, innovation and growth in the UK Space sector
The future challenges and opportunities for the UK Space industry will be assessed by a new expert group charged with producing a report for Government, Science Minister Lord Drayson announced today.
Continue reading ‘UK Launches Ambitious Review of Space Policy’
Posted on June 15, 2009, at 2:00 pm .
The Space Review looks at military space policy, the Augustine commission, space debris, NASA’s role in diplomacy, the impact of space tourism on the Earth’s ozone layer, and a documentary.
Space policy 101: military space 2009
In the conclusion of a two-part article, Dwayne Day reports on a recent symposium that examined the current state of military space policy.
Monday, June 15, 2009
NASA and soft power, again
Taylor Dinerman discusses how the US can further develop that soft power through enhanced international cooperation.
Space and (or versus) the environment
Jeff Foust discussed the effect of space tourism on the ozone layer.
The gun pointed at the head of the universe
Dwayne Day reports on a recent Capitol Hill event that discussed solutions to the space debris problem. Monday
How to cut budgets and influence policy
s the Augustine committee begins work this week on its review of NASA’s human spaceflight plans, its analysis takes place in the shadow of both near-term and out-year budget cuts. Michael Huang wonders if this is part of a strategy that could imperil the future of human spaceflight at NASA overall.
Preview: Live from the Moon
Jeff Foust reviews an upcoming documentary that recounts the development of the cameras and other technologies needed to provide live television from the surface of the Moon.
Posted on May 11, 2009, at 10:30 am .
The Japan Times has an editorial today in which it discusses the major changes in Japanese space activities that will result under the government’s new space plan: Continue reading ‘Japan Space Plan Calls for Doubling Space Budget, Missile Defense’
Posted on May 4, 2009, at 10:34 pm .
Space policy and law pioneer Eilene Galloway
Space-Law Pioneer Eilene Galloway Dead at 102
Aviation Week
Eilene Marie Galloway, who helped draft the legislation that created NASA and went on to become an internationally recognized expert in space law and policy, died May 2 of cancer. She was 102.
After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 on Oct. 4, 1957, then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson (D-Texas), who chaired the Armed Services preparedness subcommittee, turned to Galloway in her role as a national defense analyst at the Library of Congress, for help in setting up hearings on U.S. preparedness in space. Those hearings led to creation of the Senate Special Committee on Space and Astronautics. Johnson later became President, shepherding much of the U.S. build-up.
Continue reading ‘Noted Space Law Pioneer Passes Away at 102′
Posted on April 12, 2009, at 12:06 am .
A bill that would limit the liability of space tourism operators has been introduced in Texas. The measure would help Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin suborbital rocket company.
Continue reading ‘Limited Liability Space Tourism Bill Introduced in Texas’
Posted on March 14, 2009, at 11:33 am .
Increased funding for NASA would stimulate economy while keeping American industry strong
Op-Ed by Rep. Ralph M. Hall (R-Texas)
The Hill
Former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin recently stated that these technologies contribute an estimated $220 billion per year to the economy. Moreover, according to the Coalition for Space Exploration, NASA programs and the contractors who support them represent approximately a half-million highly skilled and highly paid American jobs.
Continue reading ‘Congressman Urges More NASA Funding to Stimulate Economy’
Posted on March 14, 2009, at 11:28 am .
Space policy made in dark
Daily Yomiuri
It has been six months since the Basic Law on Space came into force. The law was lauded as a major improvement in Japan’s space development policy, but the decision-making process involved has become opaque.
The government should enhance accountability in setting priorities for the nation’s space technology development projects.
Continue reading ‘Japanese Space Policy Process Called Opaque, Unaccountable’
Posted on February 23, 2009, at 9:14 pm .
Nonpartisan Group Urges Obama to Tackle Systemic Space Poblems
Space News
Some 30 leaders from across the U.S. military, intelligence, civil and commercial space arenas have come together to urge U.S. President Barack Obama to address the systemic problems they say are now plaguing the entire U.S. space enterprise.
Continue reading ‘Space Group to Obama: FOCUS! Or We’re in Deep Doo-doo!’
Posted on February 4, 2009, at 10:29 am .
Beijing wants it both ways in space
By Peter J Brown
Asia Times
China has kept the world almost completely in the dark about many of its space activities for far too long. Two years after China conducted its anti-satellite (ASAT) test, fragments of the target, an old Chinese weather satellite, are still out there drifting in space. What is also out there is a lot of lingering doubt and uncertainty about China’s intentions in space.
Continue reading ‘Transparency is Key in U.S., China Relationship in Space’
Posted on January 26, 2009, at 11:32 am .
RML university to set up air & space law centre
The Times of India
The Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University (RMLNLU) would soon start courses on air and space law, which would cater to those
aspiring to become legal experts in various airlines and research organisations like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Continue reading ‘Indian University to Establish Air & Space Law Center’
