Space Policy

NASA has laid out plans for a permanent moon base costing an estimated $20 billion, according to ABC News. The strategy would establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface, building on the Artemis program. Details of the timeline, funding and partners remain under scrutiny as observers weigh what the ambitious proposal would require.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can approve massive spaceflight projects on its own, even ones that could permanently change how the night sky looks for everyone on Earth. Space law experts note that despite protests from astronomers and dark-sky advocates, the agency is effectively the only gatekeeper, leaving little room for other authorities to block or shape such projects.

India's space sector is undergoing its biggest transformation yet, with private companies increasingly taking on rocket development and launches while ISRO shifts its focus toward more advanced missions and research. The restructuring follows policy changes opening the sector to private players. Observers say the move positions India's space economy for rapid growth, though questions remain about oversight and the pace of private readiness.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, opening a new front in debates over commercial use of orbit and the environmental review of space-based ventures.

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the White House's decision to bar a news outlet from press access, telling reporters that covering the president is 'a privilege, not a right'. His remarks came as legal challenges over the ban move through the courts. Press freedom groups and other news organizations have criticized the policy, arguing it restricts the public's access to information about the administration.

Several US states are competing to be chosen as the location for a proposed US Space Academy. The Hill reports that state officials are actively lobbying and positioning themselves to win the facility, which would train personnel and support the growing commercial and military space sector. The competition reflects how states see space industry investment as an economic opportunity.

Experts, including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, warn that while a person is still more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space debris, the odds are shifting as more objects re-enter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on re-entry to reduce the risk.

ISRO is opening up to India's private space sector, according to Dr M G Suresh Kumar speaking in Malayalam on the topic. The discussion highlights how private companies are being allowed a bigger role in India's space programme, a shift tied to recent government reforms encouraging private participation in launches, satellites and space services. Viewers are engaging heavily with the conversation about what this means for India's space ambitions.

The Crew-13 astronauts have arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of their scheduled launch to the International Space Station on October 1. The crew's arrival marks the final stages of prelaunch preparations, including training reviews and rehearsals, as NASA and its commercial partner finalize the mission to rotate personnel aboard the orbiting laboratory.

A report argues that Iran's strategy of building influence beyond its borders through allied militias and partners in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has become a central pillar of the regime's survival, but that this so-called strategic depth is now coming under serious pressure from military setbacks, economic strain and regional pushback. Analysts warn that weakening this external network could threaten Tehran's grip on power at home.

Oman has drafted a national law dedicated to the space economy, according to Oman Observer. The legislation is intended to regulate and support space-related activities as the country works to diversify its economy beyond oil. Details of the draft's provisions and timeline for approval have not yet been released.

More than 800 objections have been filed against draft parking regulations proposed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, prompting officials to order a fresh review of the rules. The volume of public feedback has stalled the rollout, with critics pushing for changes before any notification. Residents and civic groups are watching how far the authority reworks the proposals.

Florida Tech students are living like astronauts on a simulated 'Mars' mission, operating under the principle that, as the mission motto puts it, 'You're on your own'. Participants isolate themselves in a habitat-style setting to test how crews might handle communication delays, limited resources and self-sufficiency during a real trip to the Red Planet. The project highlights growing university involvement in preparing the next generation of space explorers.

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut nominated to lead NASA, spoke about the agency's direction at a Wall Street Journal event, discussing what he calls a new era for the space agency. The remarks drew wide attention amid debate over commercial space partnerships, lunar and Mars ambitions, and the future of NASA's leadership under his potential tenure.

The U.S. Space Force has scheduled on-orbit servicing missions for 2027 with Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space, contracting two commercial companies to service satellites in orbit. The move marks a step toward relying on private industry for refueling, repair and debris management, capabilities seen as key to keeping military spacecraft operational longer. It also signals growing government backing for the emerging in-space servicing sector.