Commerce secretary nominee says he will protect work of NOAA climate scientists http://ift.tt/2jZW6cf The nominee to be the next U.S. commerce secretary has said he would protect the work of climate scientists at NOAA. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said at a Senate Commerce Committee meeting prior to voting in favor of the nomination of Wilbur [...]
No changes to NASA research or communications under new administration http://ift.tt/2ksNVlo SEATTLE — As reports filter out about restrictions on research and public communications at other federal agencies since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a NASA official said Jan. 24 there have been no changes to the agency’s programs or policies. Speaking at a [...]
Google Lunar X Prize field narrowed to five http://ift.tt/2jp2eKa SEATTLE — The X Prize Foundation announced Jan. 24 that five of the 16 teams in the Google Lunar X Prize competition have verified launch contracts and can continue in the $20 million race to the moon. The announcement, made in a statement by the foundation [...]
Trump’s FCC chairman favors simpler satellite licensing rules http://ift.tt/2k0iB0V WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 23 named Ajit Pai, a Republican member of the Federal Communications Commission who favors simplifying satellite licensing rules, as the nation’s top telecom regulator. Pai, 44, replaces Tom Wheeler, who stepped down Jan. 20 as FCC chairman. Pai’s [...]
Space weather efforts find stability despite presidential transition http://ift.tt/2kqrGg5 SEATTLE — As a Senate committee approved a new version of a space weather research bill Jan. 24, officials at government agencies said they have seen little sign of changes to ongoing efforts in this field despite the transition in administrations. The Senate Commerce Committee reported [...]
Japan launches first military communications satellite http://ift.tt/2kpia0U TOKYO (Reuters) — Japan on Tuesday launched its first military communications satellite to boost the broadband capacity of its Self Defence Forces as they reinforce an island chain stretching along the southern edge of the East China Sea. Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the military is operating further from [...]
Trump’s pick for Air Force secretary has a record of backing the NRO and ORS http://ift.tt/2kdNKeF WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump will nominate Heather Wilson to be the next Secretary of the Air Force, his administration announced Monday. Wilson served in the Air Force from 1982 to 1989, retiring as a captain, and attended the [...]
exactEarth revenues reflect impact of Canada’s AIS contract upset http://ift.tt/2kdO25c WASHINGTON — Canada’s exactEarth is urging investor patience, saying the sharply lower earnings it saw during its first year as a standalone company will improve as government customers warm to using satellites to track ships. For the 12 months ended Oct. 31, exactEarth revenue fell [...]
Elon Musk meets with Donald Trump http://ift.tt/2knGeBf The chief executives of Lockheed Martin and SpaceX met with President Trump Monday. Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were among a dozen business leaders who met with the president to discuss manufacturing and related issues. Trump said he would seek to keep manufacturing [...]
Budget issues could delay space weather mission http://ift.tt/2jYjmHX SEATTLE — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could be forced to delay plans for a space weather satellite if Congress decides to extend a stopgap spending bill currently funding the agency for the full year. NOAA, like other federal agencies, is operating under a continuing resolution [...]