September 17, 2017

Gay Rights Groups Oppose Bridenstine for NASA (Source: Politico)
Gay rights groups are expressing their opposition to the nomination of Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) as NASA administrator. The groups say that Bridenstine's views on issues like same-sex marriage make him unsuited to lead the space agency. Some insiders, though, say Bridenstine's comments mentioned in the article were taken out of context and don't accurately reflect his views. Bridenstine's nomination continues to have strong support within the space community, across the political spectrum, citing his expertise on space issues. (9/15)

Russia Plans $6 Billion Spaceport Investment (Source: Tass)
Russia plans to spend nearly $6 billion through 2025 developing spaceport infrastructure. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday that current plans called for spending $5.9 billion from 2017 to 2025 on spaceport facilities. He did not elaborate on the spending plans other than to say that the investment will support "the entire range of rockets of the future." (9/15)

Idaho Wants to Create a 1,400-Square-Mile Reserve for the Stars (Source: The Week)
Idaho is moving forward with plans to establish the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States, a designation for a location so remote from light pollution that you can even see the "interstellar dust clouds" of the Milky Way in the night sky.

Proponents of the reserve plan to file an application this fall to designate 1,400 square miles of central Idaho as part of the dark sky territory. Locals, who would voluntarily take measures to reduce light pollution, are almost unanimously behind the decision in part because they enjoy the celestial splendor as well. (9/15)

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