WASHINGTON — NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says he’s pushing to have a current NASA center director and former astronaut be nominated to be his deputy. At a Space Transportation Association luncheon here June 12, Bridenstine said that Janet Kavandi would be a “great” deputy administrator if nominated by the White House and confirmed by the Senate. His comments were the first time he identified a specific candidate for the job. “That’s the kind of person at this juncture, given how important... Read more

The bumper stickers have made an appearance at many congressional hearings in the last several years.“2033: We can do this,” they say, affirming the year by which some hope humans will set foot on Mars. Lawmakers wave them in front of the scientists, space executives, astronauts in the room, the people they hope can make it happen. But before nasa sends humans to Mars, it’s going to send them to the moon, according to the Trump administration’s space policy. But don’t expect any bumper stickers ... Read more

DENVER -- A $500 fine against a woman who took an apple provided by an airline off her international flight said Wednesday she is thrilled the fine has been dropped and her global entry status has been reinstated. The FOX31 Problem Solvers first reported Crystal Tadlock's story in April and her story went viral around the world. Tadlock was flying back to the U.S. from Paris when a flight attendant handed her an apple. She wasn't hungry at the time so she saved the apple in her bag, thinking she... Read more

It was a busy week for space policy: a new presidential order to reform how the government licenses space ventures; the first congressional testimony of the new NASA chief; and more friction over Congress’ plans to establish new space units in the military. TRUMP ISSUES NEW COMMERCIAL SPACE DIRECTIVE: The document signed Thursday by President Donald Trump sets in motion some of the regulatory changes recommended in February by the White House National Space Council that are aimed at unleashing p... Read more

Attendees of the recent Humans to Mars Summit in Washington got the usual assortment of materials in their registration packet: conference information, a copy of an annual report on Mars exploration efforts by conference organizer Explore Mars, and miscellaneous documents. There was also, though, a bumper sticker tucked away in the folder. It featured an image of Mars and the words “2033: We Can Do This.” It’s familiar to those who follow space policy: Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), a member of the ... Read more

From Congress to NASA to Elon Musk, there’s been a lot of talk about humans going to Mars. Until recently, it’s been fanciful, given budget constraints, the mothballing of the space shuttle and Americans needing Russia to reach the International Space Station. But slowly, the red planet is coming into view. The vehicles necessary are being built, research craft are being sent to survey the landscape and plans are being drawn up for a lunar way station. All that’s needed now is a target date. But... Read more

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a five-year re-authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration Friday with an amendment on helicopter safety proposed by Colorado members of Congress. The amendment — proposed by U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis, both Colorado Democrats — requires newly manufactured helicopters to be built with safer fuel systems approved by an industry group of safety advocates. The amendment was a result of the 2015 Flight for Life helicopter crash in Fri... Read more

In recent years, the Office of Space Commerce had been an almost forgotten part of the federal space bureaucracy, even among those immersed in policy debates. The tiny office lacked the regulatory mandate of the FAA, FCC, or even NOAA, whose Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) office licensed commercial imaging satellites. That has changed remarkably quickly. In February, the National Space Council approved recommendations that would give the office new responsibility for oversi... Read more

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s amendment to require all newly manufactured helicopters be built with safer fuel systems was successfully adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives today. The legislation requires all newly manufactured helicopters comply with the recommendations from the Rotorcraft Occupant Protection Working Group within 18 months. Additionally, the legislation requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expedite certification of retrofit kits to improv... Read more

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives approved legislation April 24 that would reform commercial remote sensing regulation and create a licensing regime for “non-traditional” commercial space activities. The House approved on a voice vote H.R. 2809, the American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act, after about 25 minutes of debate on the House floor during which no members spoke in opposition to the bill. The bill, which cleared the House Science Committee last June, is intended to both strea... Read more