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November Space Council Meetings Could Shape Commercial Regulations

The National Space Council asked for comment on new commercial space systems and how the commercial space sector could be regulated during a pair of online meetings set for November. The council wants input from industry and the public. The move is part of a Biden Administration push to deal with issues including crowded orbits and the safety of space tourists.

NASA’s EMIT Instrument Detects Massive Methane Emitters

One of NASA’s newest instruments on the International Space Station (ISS) is proving to be a multipurpose climate research tool as it demonstrated a secondary capability to detect methane gas emissions. The Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission seeks to better understand varieties of dust and the effects on the climate. The instrument, launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in July 2022, is an imaging spectrometer that gathers data to determine the mineral compositions of arid regions on Earth.

U.S. Defense Strategy Document Pledges Commercial Space Protection

In a first-of-its-kind shift in stated strategy, the Biden Administration pledged, in a document that outlines Pentagon plans, to protect growing American commercial interests in space while advancing military space capabilities and international cooperation in orbit. Military space has returned to the spotlight in recent years after a slump that accompanied the end of the Cold War.

Earth Observation Satellites Contribute to Hurricane Ian Tracking Effort

As Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, people around the world were viewing images and videos of the destruction the storm was causing. But arguably the people with the best view of the storm were the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) who could see the entire system outside their window.

Alongside astronauts, Earth observation (EO) satellites have been watching the storm develop, relaying data to operators like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who can then share predictions with the public.

First Images, Data from James Webb Space Telescope Reveal Early Universe

The James Webb Space Telescope’s first images delivered a look at the universe as it appeared 13.1 billion years ago. Among the results: evidence of water vapor in the atmosphere of a planet 1,000 light years from Earth.

Blue Origin Enters the “Roaring Twenties” with First Space Tourist Launch of 2022

The six NS-20 crew members stand on the launch tower during their training. Credit: Blue Origin By Zoe Hobbs zhobbs@spacefoundation.org Dubbed the “Roaring Twenties” mission, Blue Origin completed its 20th successful launch of New Shepard on Thursday, flying six tourists on a brief trip to space after a two-day weather delay. The vehicle lifted off…

Proposed U.S. Budget Includes nearly $9 Billion Boost in Space Spending

By Tom Roeder troeder@SpaceFoundation.org Space programs would get an $8.9 billion boost under a budget proposal offered by the Biden Administration on Monday, with an extra $1.9 billion for NASA programs and a $7 billion increase for the Space Force, including a $4 billion hike in research and development. The plan covering the fiscal year…

Active Space Telescopes

At the end of 2021, the highly anticipated James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) became the latest telescope to make its way to space. Including JWST, there are 29 currently active spacecraft with telescopes.

U.S. Joins Allies in Space Operations ‘Vision’

By Tom Roeder troeder@spacefoundation.org A shared space operations vision accord now binds the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand, the Pentagon announced Tuesday. The Combined Space Operations Vision 2031 accord commits the seven nations to a code of conduct in space, including a mission to “generate and improve cooperation, coordination,…

State of Space 2022: Industry Enters ‘Era of Access and Opportunity’

By Tom Roeder troeder@spacefoundation.org The space industry has entered what Space Foundation CEO retired Navy Rear Adm. Tom Zelibor dubbed “the era of access and opportunity,” during an annual “State of Space” presentation this month on the foundation’s Symposium 365 online platform. Zelibor was joined by several industry leaders during the presentation, highlighting how satellites…