White House nears plan to assign regulatory authorities for ‘new’ space activities

White House nears plan to assign regulatory authorities for ‘new’ space activities
White House nears plan to assign regulatory authorities for ‘new’ space activities

The ongoing White House-level review of what is often called “mission authorization and supervision” responsibilities has not been simple, according to several government officials involved, with the key agencies with current legal say over space regulations jockeying for a piece of the regulatory pie.

China tops US in defense-related satellites orbited in 2022: Report

China tops US in defense-related satellites orbited in 2022: Report
China tops US in defense-related satellites orbited in 2022: Report

“China is replacing Russia as the No. 2 space power,” Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass., told Breaking Defense.

Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how

Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how
Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how

The National Space Council recently heard suggestions ranging from establishing a licensing “clearinghouse” to temporarily doing away with licensing altogether.

Kayhan Space building momentum, and DoD interest, with collision avoidance software

Kayhan Space building momentum, and DoD interest, with collision avoidance software
Kayhan Space building momentum, and DoD interest, with collision avoidance software

Kayhan Space is providing its baseline collision avoidance service, Pathfinder Essentials, for free “to keep space safe,” said company co-founder Araz Feyzi.

Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup

Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup
Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup

“Orbital debris remediation is one of the main areas where the US is falling behind other countries, and this bill would help put America back in a leadership position on making space more sustainable for all to use,” enthused Secure World Foundation’s Brian Weeden.

White House crafting rules framework for emerging space activities

White House crafting rules framework for emerging space activities
White House crafting rules framework for emerging space activities

The White House announcement comes after the FCC indicated it was wading into the murky regulatory waters of space-space services like satellite repair and refueling.

White House calls for review of 25-year deadline for de-orbiting dead satellites

White House calls for review of 25-year deadline for de-orbiting dead satellites
White House calls for review of 25-year deadline for de-orbiting dead satellites

The “National Orbital Debris Implementation Plan” issued by the Office of Science and Technology Policy assigns DoD the lead for some 17 tasks.

UK startup to test tiny engine for (relatively) high-speed space maneuvers

UK startup to test tiny engine for (relatively) high-speed space maneuvers
UK startup to test tiny engine for (relatively) high-speed space maneuvers

“Magdrive’s future is American, 100%,” said Mark Stokes, CEO of the Oxford, England-based startup.

Space gas stations: DIU to prototype commercial on-orbit satellite refueling

Space gas stations: DIU to prototype commercial on-orbit satellite refueling
Space gas stations: DIU to prototype commercial on-orbit satellite refueling

DIU is seeking companies with the “capability for bulk storage of liquid (>5,000 kg) and gaseous propellants on orbit,” including hydrazine, liquid oxygen and others.

Space Force Calls For ‘Trash Trucks’ For All The Orbiting Junk

Space Force Calls For ‘Trash Trucks’ For All The Orbiting Junk
Space Force Calls For ‘Trash Trucks’ For All The Orbiting Junk

Active debris removal is “definitely a need, and I think there is a use case for industry to get after that as a service-based opportunity,” said Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt.

Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions

Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions
Space Force Ponders NSSL Revamp For New Missions

“I don’t think we’re at the position to know both what the demand is, but also where industry is going, what’s the viable way to consider other orbits if we were asked to do,” says Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of SMC’s Space Vehicles Directorate.

US Needs New Policies With Move To Cislunar: Aerospace Corp.

US Needs New Policies With Move To Cislunar: Aerospace Corp.
US Needs New Policies With Move To Cislunar: Aerospace Corp.

“Failure to conduct sustainable and transparent operations in an environment with a growing number of players may lead to conflict if careless behavior or unannounced proximity operations are interpreted as hostile acts,” says Aerospace Corp.’s James Vedda.