February 22, 2025

Trump Fires the Country’s Senior Military Officer (Source: New York Times)
President Trump fired the Joint Chiefs chairman, a role that traditionally remains in place as administrations change. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot, was only the second African American to hold the job. The decision reflects the president’s insistence that the military’s leadership is too mired in diversity issues and has lost sight of its combat role. (2/21)

Lawmakers Urge Careful Pentagon Audit to Avoid Disruption (Source: Defense One)
Reps. Don Bacon, R-NE, and Pat Ryan, D-NY, have expressed concern about potential disruptions as the Defense Office of Government Efficiency begins a Pentagon audit. "I welcome the audit. I welcome the transparency," Bacon said. "All I ask is ... don't throw the baby out with the bath waters." They praised the Defense Innovation Unit and urged the Defense Department to emulate its approach to acquisition. (2/20)

Stout Joins Axiom Space (Source: Axiom)
We are excited to announce that Jared Stout has been appointed as the new Chief Government Relations and Communications Officer at Axiom Space. Jared's extensive experience in both disciplines make him a perfect fit for this role as we continue to lead the way in the commercial space industry. He follows in the footsteps of Mary Lynne Ditmar, the previous Chief, who recently retired from the company after a distinguished career. (2/14)

Companies are Planning to Build Space Critical Infrastructure. Can Space Policy Keep Up? (Source: Space News)
Building space policy is hard enough. It’s harder when trying to make a future-focused policy decision based on abstract concepts. That’s really the problem with the space critical infrastructure conversation, isn’t it? Real plans to create the first space infrastructure to enable cislunar and interplanetary travel are underway.

The difference between “space as critical infrastructure” and “space critical infrastructure” is about to go from abstract to real with the recent announcement of the Marslink project and the ongoing work on LunaNet. Space critical infrastructure will soon be built, and the space community needs to start planning for what systems in space, not just LEO, need to be protected as critical infrastructure. (2/20)

Calvert Introduces the Space Infrastructure Act (Source: Rep. Ken Calvert)
Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) introduced the Space Infrastructure Act, H.R. 1154, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate space systems, services and technology as a sector of critical infrastructure. Reps. Lieu (CA-36), Carbajal (CA-24), and Fitzpatrick (PA-1) are original cosponsors of the bill. Reps. Calvert and Lieu are Co-Chairs of the Congressional Aerospace Caucus.

“The Space Infrastructure Act designates our space systems as critical infrastructure and takes appropriate measures to protect them,” said Rep. Calvert. “As our economy and essential communication systems become increasingly reliant on the support of space-based systems and services, we must act accordingly to increase the safeguards that shield them from any potential threats.” (2/10)

NASA Wins Flexibility on Probationary Employees (Source: Space Policy Online)
NASA said that probationary employees will not be subject to the mass firings happening elsewhere in the government. Instead, any decisions to dismiss them will be performance-based or voluntary. Probationary employees were a small subset of the 5 percent of the NASA workforce who chose the Deferred Resignation buyout. All who did are individually deciding when to depart, with September 30 as the deadline. (2/20)

India Launches $58M Space Fund (Source: Payload)
The Indian government office charged with promoting the country’s space industry is investing ₹5B ($57.7M) to accelerate the country’s commercialization of space and drive more homegrown businesses to compete on the world stage. The Technology Adoption Fund, established by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), is focused on providing Indian space startups with the capital to move from early-stage technologies to commercially viable products.

It will cover 60% of projected mission costs for startups and 40% of costs for large industry recipients, in addition to offering technical support and mentoring on the path to commercialization. (2/20)

Beijing District Moves to Boost Commercial Space Development (Source: Space News)
Beijing is scaling up its commercial space ambitions with new policies, infrastructure investments, and potentially record-setting launch targets. The Beijing Commercial Space Industry High-Quality Development Conference opened Feb. 12, which also saw the settling of eight laboratories in the city. The labs focus on areas ranging from the design reusable space transportation system and developing and applying rotating detonation propulsion technology, to satellite internet applications and satellite interconnection and control.

The labs are aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the industry. The district claims that 13 commercial rocket launches by companies settled in Yizhuang took place in 2024, with over 80 satellites placed into orbit. Beijing hosts the headquarters of companies including Landspace, Galactic Energy, iSpace and Space Pioneer. (2/18)

SpaceX Launches Starlink Mission at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
A bright and cold Friday morning saw a SpaceX rocket lift off on the latest Starlink mission from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The Falcon 9 was carrying 23 Starlink internet satellites, 13 which included direct-to-cell capabilities. Eight and a half minutes after the liftoff, the first-stage of the rocket landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship which was waiting out on the Atlantic Ocean. (2/21)

‘No Legitimate Rationale’: Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over What NASA Won’t Say About DOGE (Source: CNN)
House Democratic lawmakers are raising “deep alarm” over DOGE’s interactions with NASA and potential conflicts of interest. “The lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s presence and activities within NASA is ominous and unacceptable,” reads a letter to Janet Petro signed by three Democrats in leadership positions.

The note calls out the space agency for failing to answer a list of questions and concerns from lawmakers they sent in a letter earlier this month. Among the frustrations: NASA has not revealed the name of the DOGE representative that the agency said is embedded at the space agency, described what information that person has had access to, or provided details about what NASA will do to prevent conflicts of interest.

Marc Hone, NASA’s acting associate administrator, revealed that “DOGE has identified an individual who will be employed by NASA.” But Hone did not name the individual, nor did he respond to representatives’ questions about how the space agency would ensure DOGE personnel did not gain access to or share data in a compromising way. The lawmakers say Hone had “no legitimate rationale” not to disclose the name of the DOGE representative, and his response “raises more questions than it provides answers.” (2/21)

Rocket Lab Seeks More Incentives to Expand in Maryland (Source: WBOC)
Rocket Lab is calling on Maryland lawmakers to create a more business-friendly environment to support future development. Rocket Lab Director of State and Local Operations Jennifer Goodrum met the Eastern Shore Delegation during their weekly meeting Friday. "Wallops is perhaps the only U.S. vertical launch spaceport right now with the availability to grow," she said, noting that launch sites in California and Florida are reaching capacity. "It really could be a fantastic opportunity in the region ahead, particularly if the infrastructure could expand."

State Delegate Wayne Hartman said he sees the space flight industry as a priority for the region's economic development. "There are so many private sector jobs that are needed to support what's going on between Goddard and Wallops that there's huge economic opportunity for Maryland right now," Hartman said. He said Maryland can no longer rely on the federal government to provide jobs for the state amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to trim the federal workforce.

Chair of the Eastern Shore Delegation Christopher T. Adams said that the Maryland General Assembly must make policy changes to capitalize on Wallops Island's potential. Rocket Lab currently manufactures some technology in Middle River, Maryland. Goodrum said the company would like to relocate some of its manufacturing to Wallops, eliminating transport logistics before launches. (2/21)

When is Elon Musk Shutting Down Space Force? (Source: Foster's Daily Democrat)
The storied history of the Space Force goes all the way back to 2019, during the first presidential term of Donald J. Trump. Considering we already had the Air Force keeping our skies safe militarily, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in place with six decades of historic exploration, I’ve never understood the necessity of our newest military branch.

The Air Force has a current budget of more than $188 billion, and NASA receives more than $25 billion in federal funding. You have to wonder why we have to send nearly $30 billion more for the duplicative Space Force? (2/21)

Polish Farmer Considers Legal Action for SpaceX Debris Impact (Source: TVP World)
Marek Fagasik from the village of Śliwno, western Poland, said he was exploring options for compensation from the U.S. company after the rocket debris left a crater in one of his fields. He said: “I heard that the country responsible for launching such a rocket should cover the damages. After all, it’s private property.” (2/21)

NASA Moon Plans Take a Hit as Key Officials Leave (Source: China Daily)
NASA is losing four key senior officials close to its flagship moon program, according to people familiar with the changes, adding more uncertainty over the agency's space exploration trajectory as US President Donald Trump and his associate Elon Musk promote missions to Mars. Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator who has been a central voice defending the agency's Artemis moon program, will retire on Saturday, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

In Huntsville, Alabama, three key officials at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center had their retirements announced internally on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the announcement. (2/21)

PLD Space Plans Rocket Launches From Oman Spaceport (Source: Aviation Week)
PLD Space says it has agreed to use Oman's Etlaq spaceport for flights of its Miura launch vehicle family, giving the Spanish rocket startup access to a second launch facility as it also looks for another site. PLD Space, which is already working to launch from the European spaceport in French Guiana. (2/20)

Spaceport America Plans $33.7M Facility (Source: Albuquerque Business First)
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority issued a request for proposals last month seeking a contractor for a $16 million expansion of the “Spaceport Technology and Reception Center” in Truth or Consequences. The total project budget is approximately $33.7 million for the 29,408-square-foot building, according to the project proposal. Phase 1, which includes the central building, is expected to cost approximately $20.8 million. Construction is expected to take 18 months.

The building will house the Agency’s IT server infrastructure, office and conference rooms, media presentation spaces, food preparation and dining areas, virtual experience center and elevated viewing areas. The news comes as Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE), a premier tenant of the Spaceport, has indicated intent to build a second hangar in hopes of increasing spaceflight activity. (2/20)

ESA Moon Ambitions Threatened as US Erodes Collaboration With Allies (Source: Financial Times)
The European Space Agency is preparing for potential cancelation by US President Donald Trump of key elements of the Artemis Moon program, the vehicle for many of Europe’s lunar ambitions. Daniel Neuenschwander, the ESA’s head of robotic and human exploration, said the US was a crucial partner for Europe in space exploration but it was obvious there were “changes taking place on the US side”.

“We will sit with our NASA counterparts and assess what it means for our co-operation . . . I’m aware that these discussions may become more transactional than in the past. Europe will be prepared.” The Lunar Gateway, a space station designed to orbit the Moon and a flagship for international collaboration in Artemis, also looks vulnerable, according to a former NASA official. Many major components on Gateway are being supplied by Europe, Japan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. (2/21)