All articles tagged with #space policy
The race to mine the moon is accelerating with new technological developments and international players, but the legal framework remains outdated and fragmented, raising concerns about equitable benefit-sharing, environmental impact, and potential conflicts. Urgent international cooperation and updated governance are needed to ensure responsible and sustainable lunar resource exploitation.
In 2025, NASA faced significant challenges including budget cuts, personnel layoffs, and potential loss of science missions, leading to concerns about its long-term stability and impact on space science and exploration, with bipartisan support emerging for increased funding in 2026.
President Trump has issued an executive order prioritizing the return of Americans to the moon by 2028, with plans for a nuclear lunar outpost by 2030, and NASA, under new leadership, aims to accelerate the timeline, including a crewed lunar mission in 2028 and establishing a lunar base, amidst international competition and commercial sector involvement.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining a bold American space strategy, including returning to the Moon by 2028, establishing a lunar outpost by 2030, deploying nuclear reactors in space, and promoting private sector investment, all aimed at maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration, security, and commerce.
The order outlines a comprehensive U.S. space policy focusing on leading space exploration with plans to return Americans to the Moon by 2028, establish a lunar outpost, enhance space security, grow the commercial space sector, and develop advanced space capabilities, all supported by coordinated agency reforms and international cooperation.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is suspected of leaking a private astronaut Jared Isaacman's detailed NASA plan, 'Athena,' possibly to undermine Isaacman's nomination and secure his position as interim NASA Administrator amid political and industry tensions.
An executive order redefines NASA's primary function to focus on intelligence and national security, erasing its traditional science and exploration roles, and potentially restricting employees' ability to speak out, aligning NASA more closely with space and defense agencies.
NASA plans to invest up to $1.5 billion in a new phase of its Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, supporting at least two companies to develop crew-tended space stations with the goal of demonstrating capabilities by 2030, shifting from fixed contracts to Space Act Agreements to foster more flexible development and competition.
The UK government is dissolving the UK Space Agency after 15 years and integrating it into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, a move driven by cost-cutting and strategic realignment concerns, which raises questions about the UK's future role and influence within the European Space Agency and its domestic space ambitions.
Comments by NASA’s acting administrator have raised concerns about the future of Earth science programs, including the potential termination of missions like the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, amid the 2026 budget proposals.
NASA is revising its plans to support the development of commercial space stations, which may lead to the end of its permanent human presence in low Earth orbit, signaling a shift in space policy and commercial collaboration.
The White House has ordered NASA to destroy two key satellites used for monitoring greenhouse gases and crop health, raising concerns among scientists about the impact on climate research and US leadership in space. The satellites, part of the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, are highly valuable and cost only $15 million annually to operate, yet their destruction is reportedly driven by political motives, despite opposition from NASA scientists and lawmakers.
The article discusses the possibility of NASA Wallops transitioning to a GOCO (Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated) model, with insights from Keith Cowing, a space journalist and former NASA employee.
Senator Jerry Moran, chair of the Senate appropriations subcommittee for NASA, advocates for quickly passing a spending bill to fund NASA and prevent delays in the agency's appropriations process.
Joel Graham has been appointed as NASA's new associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, bringing over 15 years of experience in government and private sector policy, and will oversee communications with Congress and advise on legislative matters.