Tag: Space Policy
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Commerce Dept Launches Space Commerce Certification Push
Does the U.S. Finally Have a Path to Authorize Novel Space Activities? The Department of Commerce is moving forward without Congress. On July 23, 2026, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Office of Space Commerce (OSC) Director Taylor Jordan announced that OSC will publish a "call for interest" in the Federal Register within coming weeks,…
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A Million Satellites Could Create a Visible Ring Around Earth
Will Orbital Data Centers Create a Permanent Artificial Ring Around Earth? More than a million data center satellites and 50,000 space mirrors, if launched as currently proposed, would concentrate into a single orbital plane visible as a luminous band spanning the entire sky — brighter than any star or planet, and according to researchers, potentially…
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Russia Extends ISS Commitment to 2030 in Isaacman Deal
Will Russia Stay on ISS Until 2030? Bakanov Says Yes After Baikonur Talks Russia has formally committed to International Space Station operations through 2030 — closing a two-year gap in partner alignment that had persisted since other ISS partners locked in that date years ago. Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov made the commitment directly to…
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Botswana to Join Artemis Accords as 68th Signatory
Botswana is set to become the 68th country to sign the Artemis Accords, joining the U.S.-led international framework that promotes peaceful and responsible civil space exploration. The signing ceremony will take place at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., with Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, joining NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and U.S.…
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NASA Plans Headquarters Relocation as Agency Reorganization Moves Forward
NASA is preparing to relocate its headquarters as part of a broader organizational restructuring effort, with agency officials aiming to identify a new location by the end of 2026. The move comes as the lease on NASA’s current headquarters complex in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to expire in 2028. The agency has occupied the leased…
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Norway Arctic Launch Sites Face EU Regulatory Delays
Will Arctic Launch Sites Transform European Space Access? Northern Norway’s Arctic spaceports face regulatory uncertainty as the European Commission delays its updated Arctic policy until autumn 2026. The infrastructure is ready – but the legal framework for commercial launches from polar latitudes remains undefined, potentially constraining Europe’s access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits that are…
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ESA Chief Calls for Independent European Human Spaceflight Capability
European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher has called for Europe to establish its own independent human spaceflight capability, arguing that the continent has become overly dependent on decisions made by foreign partners. In an opinion article published on May 18, Aschbacher said recent changes to the United States’ Artemis programme architecture and Europe’s reduced…
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Matt Anderson Confirmed as NASA Deputy Administrator
What Does Matt Anderson’s Confirmation Mean for NASA’s Commercial Space Strategy? The U.S. Senate confirmed Matt Anderson as NASA’s deputy administrator on May 18, 2026, installing the agency’s second-in-command at a critical juncture for American space policy. Anderson steps into the role as NASA manages a $25 billion annual budget while accelerating the Artemis Program,…
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House Panel Advances $24.4 Billion NASA Budget, Rejecting Administration Proposal
U.S. lawmakers have taken an initial step to reject the administration’s proposed budget for NASA, with a House subcommittee advancing a funding bill that would significantly increase spending for the agency in fiscal year 2027. The House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee approved a bill allocating $24.4 billion to NASA, above the administration’s $18.8…
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FCC Seeks Input on Satellite Market Access Amid Concerns Over EU Space Act
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a public comment period on international satellite market access, as U.S. regulators examine whether American operators face growing barriers overseas. The notice, issued on March 3, invites feedback on the current state of foreign market access for U.S. satellite companies and how regulatory policies abroad could affect future…