Opinion
Opinion section includes op-eds, columns, commentaries and editorials on all things related to the global space business enterprise.
Op-Ed | Time to go back to the moon, to truly stay
Fifty-eight years ago, almost to the day, President Kennedy declared what was, at the time, a bold national goal: To send a man to the moon within a decade, and “return him safely to Earth.” The greatest challenge of Apollo was not the former, but the latter.
Op-Ed | Preserving NewSpace innovation while championing M&A in our ecosystem
The NewSpace sector is expected to grow from a $350 billion global industry in 2018 to a trillion dollar one by 2040, according to a Morgan Stanley report. Given these forecasts it is not clear how the market will expand, will there be more mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, initial coin offerings or just companies remaining private?
Safety last: Reckless behavior provides China with economic competitive advantages in space launch
China has recently made it clear it intends to contend aggressively over this important industry and it is worth noting that extremely lax regulation has often played a critical role that nation’s ability to undercut other U.S. industries.
Achieving Bezos’ bold vision of space settlement requires bold policy direction
Just as Jeff Bezos, and others like him, are pushing the envelope of technology and business models, there is a similar need to push the limits of space policy such that it will support a space settlement agenda.
The new frontier of national security and exploration is in the heavens
Fifty years after man’s first steps on the moon, the future of human exploration in the final frontier is at a critical turning point, ULA CEO Tory Bruno writes.
Op-ed | Accelerating the U.S. space program requires measured risks
America must continue to be a leader, willing to invest real and intellectual capital, to develop a balanced space exploration program.
Foust Forward | Selling a fuzzy vision of going back to the moon
It’s been nearly six weeks since Vice President Mike Pence charged NASA with landing humans on the moon by 2024. Since then, the space industry, as well as members of Congress, have been seeking answers to two questions: how will NASA carry this out, and for how much?
Op-ed | Satellite communications are an essential link for a connected world
There is no slowdown in the pace of satellite innovations: reading the press, it seems that every week brings another new example of how satellite industry could have profound impact on improving people’s lives.
Op-ed | A military service is measured by its impact, not the size of its bombs
The AFA would have us believe that space professionals are nothing but a cast of supporting characters.
Op-ed | Two changes Congress can make to speed space acquisition
Moore’s Law has come home to roost in the space business. Taking seven to 10 years to develop and deploy operational space systems is no longer efficient nor acceptable.
Op-Ed | Reestablishing U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is the only serious option
Colorado Springs was the home of U.S. Space Command from the day it was activated in 1985 until Secretary Rumsfeld reorganized it under Strategic Command in 2002. Today, Colorado Springs remains the epicenter of the U.S. national security space enterprise.
Op-ed | Ensuring peaceful use of space an important goal for U.S. and allies
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Goldfein: 'Our goal is to prevent and deter conflict'
Foust Forward | Expanding budgets for an expanding universe
There’s little doubt, though, that JWST will eventually launch, even if the March 2021 date slips. The same isn’t the case for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), NASA’s next flagship astrophysics mission.
On National Security | Trump’s Space Force at a critical juncture
Whether it’s a Space Force or a Space Corps, if either one is ever to come to fruition, its advocates had better figure out how to make the politics work.
Op-ed | Lunar Gateway or Moon Direct?
NASA has proposed to build a lunar orbiting space station, called the lunar Gateway, to use as a base for lunar exploration. This plan is severely defective.
AI for Earth observation and numerical weather prediction
Machine learning and other artificial intelligence techniques could help forecasters get more out of these data by improving accuracy and speed in almost every step of turning satellite observations into actionable forecasts.
