Space Policy
The big idea: artificial intelligence and space regulation
Artificial intelligence, a combination of powerful computing systems and software that allows electronic brains to learn, will shape the future of the space industry.
Growing consensus calls for cleaning up debris in orbit
Growing commerce in orbit and increasing congestion have led more nations to invest in programs aimed at cleaning up decades of space junk.
Optimism abounds for space industry in 2025
The Space Report convened experts from across the industry to discuss what the year ahead might bring. The section begins with a Q&A from former U.S. Rep. Bob Walker, offers insights from other key influencers, and closes with an insight from two Harvard authors
New U.S. agency to tackle commercial space tracking
The U.S. Department of Commerce has rolled out an early version of its space-tracking system, which is planned to replace U.S. Space Force tracking for commercial space.
The big idea: FCC hikes most satellite fees, low Earth orbit gets big bump
Almost all satellite operators will see much bigger bills this fall from a federal agency that regulates the use of radio frequencies.
The big idea: Pentagon looks to harness speedy space firms
The Pentagon announced a closer relationship to commercial space firms during the 39th Space Symposium in April. Here’s what the new Commercial Space Strategy could deliver.
NASA goes full throttle for Artemis, cuts other programs
Faced with a budget capped at 2023 levels, NASA is striving to save its lunar ambitions, laying off employees and cutting programs in favor of the Moon. It is a pivot for the agency, which had warned budget cuts contemplated by Congress in 2023 could endanger Artemis.
Space Development Agency’s Tournear still has need for speed
Four years into his tenure atop the Pentagon’s Space Development Agency, Derek Tournear saw key goals realized in 2023. The first small, commercially built satellites for missile warning and communications are set to change how the Pentagon detects missile threats
After Russian ASAT leak, superpowers back away from showdown
Growing threats from anti-satellite weapons were spotlighted in February when U.S. officials warned Congress about a Russian weapons development program targeting spacecraft with nuclear weapons.
Iran’s recent space success could advance nuclear aims, retired General says
A Sunday launch that placed three Iranian satellites into orbit could signal the Islamic Republic’s ability to use its launch vehicles to deliver warheads to distant targets, warned retired Air Force Gen. Lance Lord, a former leader of Pentagon space efforts. Announced by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the Sunday launch was the nation’s second successful space mission in the past month and the first to deliver multiple satellites. The three satellites, Mahda, Keyhan-2, and Hatef-1, were described by Iran as research satellites designed to test a variety of technologies including communications.