More from @SpcPlcyOnline

Marcia Smith

@SpcPlcyOnline

16 Jun

Full cmte chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) says he's doesn't want air travel disrupted by billionaires who want to experience 15 minutes of weightlessness. [Because airlines have to avoid launch/reentry area. He's expressed these views before.]

DeFazio also says he's concerned some in industry want another extension to the "learning period" that expires in 2023. It prohibits FAA from promulgating addl passenger safety regulations for cmrcl spaceflight. [Right now companies must only get a customer's informed consent.]

Monteith (FAA/AST): will continue to assess our regulatory framework and work w/Congress and industry to strike appropriate balance and get right regulations with right scope at right time.

Read 14 tweets

Marcia Smith

@SpcPlcyOnline

15 Jun

Van Hollen: Goddard and Wallops (which operates under Goddard's management) have several "shovel ready" projects. Need investment.
Nelson: your bridge is number one on the list. Jobs bill is opportunity for $ for infrastructure and R&D.

Van Hollen: STEM is one of your priorities, yes?
Nelson: yes. FY2022 request is "robust."

Sen Boozman (R-Arkansas): plan for office of STEM Engagement? Continue support for Arkansas Space Grant Consortium?
Nelson: this budget has $20M plus up for STEM, which you in Congress saved after previous attempts to zero it out.

Read 14 tweets

Marcia Smith

@SpcPlcyOnline

15 Jun

Hearing is starting. Sbcmte Chair Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) points out New Hampshire is also a space station. Alan Shepard and Christa McAuliffe were from NH; U of NH has highly regarded heliophysics program; etc.

Shaheen: this budget steps up commitment to Earth science, sustainable aviation, science. Artemis: NASA blaming Congress for need to choose only a contractor "really rings hollow."

Shaheen: a lot on your plate, Mr. Administrator, and we are ready to work with you.

Read 15 tweets

Marcia Smith

@SpcPlcyOnline

5 May

LTG Stephen Whiting tells committee DOD supports shifting non-military space traffic management to Dept of Commerce. [Specifically, Dept of Commerce, not to "civilian agency" as DOD folks often say.]

State Dept's Jonathan Moore (OES): Biden-Harris Admin has charged us to explore the use of outer space to the benefit of humanity and ensure safety, stability and security of outer space activities. Artemis Accords are our commitment to principles of Outer Space Treaty.

Moore: but geopolitical challenges. Some countries will work with us to establish and adhere to standards of safe and responsible behavior, others will not. OES keeping very close eye on Russia and China

Read 13 tweets

Marcia Smith

@SpcPlcyOnline

23 Apr

Future Space Leaders webinar beginning: spacecommerce.tv/events/Future-…
Rep Don Beyer (D-VA), Sen John Hickenlooper (D-CO), chairs of the H and S space subcommittees; Bhavya Lal, NASA Acting Chf of Staff; Ellen Stofan, Under Sec for Sci and Research, Smithsonian

Stofan (who was NASA Chf Sci few yrs ago): re NASA and Earth sci research, need to reflect on how much NASA has done already, but renewed emphasis on climate in Biden Admin. Priorities set out in Decadal Survey. Use data to understand climate change and make us resilient to it.

Stofan: beyond Earth, incredibly exciting how close we are to answering the question of "are we alone." That's why #NASAPerseverance #Ingenuity are there. Europa, Enceladus, Titan, JWST coming up. Not govt v cmrcl, it's "everybody on deck," a global effort.

Read 21 tweets