Good Afternoon!
Space developments have kept a steady pace these past two weeks. NASA terminated $420 million in contracts to align with DOGE's cost-cutting push. The U.S. Space Force plans to launch 100+ satellites in 2025—nearly doubling its unclassified operational fleet. Meanwhile, UN agencies are sounding the alarm on rising threats of satellite navigation jamming and spoofing.
All this and more in this week's edition of Akin's Space Law, Regulation and Policy newsletter.
Akin Spotlight
Akin's Trump Executive Order Tracker provides a high-level overview of executive orders published by the new administration. These orders cut across dozens of industries and topics. The Tracker is updated as orders and Akin's in-depth analysis of specific orders are published.
Please visit Akin's Trump Executive Order Overview to view a matrix of the orders.
On The Hill
Articles and Quotes
Cuts to Little-Known NOAA Office Could Hamper Space Companies, Put Satellites at Risk, Democrats Warn (CBS)
Leading Democrats on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee are raising concerns over U.S. leadership in space traffic management as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce (OSC) has laid off about 30% of its staff due to budget cuts. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and Emilia Sykes (DOJ) have sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asserting that the cuts could harm national security, commercial remote sensing licensing efficiency and the space economy broadly. The layoffs come amid broader NOAA and federal government reductions, with Democratic lawmakers pushing for OSC staff reinstatement to maintain satellite oversight and public safety.
Congress Continues to Seek Answers on UFOs (The Hill)
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) has invited David Grusch, a former intelligence officer, to testify before the House Oversight Committee on alleged government knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Burlison argues that greater transparency is needed regarding classified UAP programs. Grusch previously claimed the U.S. government possesses recovered non-human spacecraft, but officials have denied the existence of such programs. Burlison's push for a hearing aligns with bipartisan efforts to declassify UAP-related information, but it remains unclear whether House leadership will support the initiative or if new disclosures will result from the testimony.
Introduced Legislation & Legislative Updates
Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) has introduced the Celestial Time Standardization Act (H.R. 2313), which aims to establish a celestial time standardization schema for purposes of exploration interoperability
The DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act (H.R. 1368) has passed the House by voice vote and been received by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Please find our Space Legislation Tracker here.
Recent and Upcoming Congressional Hearings
(Apr 4, 2025 - Apr 18, 2025)
On March 27, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Troy Meink to be Secretary of the Air Force.
On April 1, the House Science, Space, and Technology (HSST) Committee held a hearing titled "Leveraging Commercial Innovation for Lunar Exploration: A Review of NASA's CLPS Initiative."
On April 2, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (CST) held a hearing titled "Safety First: Restoring Boeing's Status as a Great American Manufacturer."
On April 9, the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee will hold its fiscal year (FY) 2026 posture hearing.
In the White House/Executive Branch
Articles and Quotes
NASA Terminating $420 Million in Contracts (SpaceNews)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed that it is terminating $420 million in contracts to align with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-savings initiatives. Per the agency, the canceled contracts were deemed "redundant or misaligned with core mission[']s priorities." Few details on the terminated deals have been released—while DOGE maintains a list of savings from such cuts across the federal government on its website, the NASA cuts it lists only total to $45 million. Uncertainty remains as to specifics on the cuts and potential impacts on agency grants.
Artemis II on Track, but NASA Awaits Starship Milestones for Artemis III (Space Policy Online)
NASA's Artemis II mission remains on track for an April 2026 launch, but Artemis III, slated for 2027, depends on several key milestones for the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) and spacesuit development. NASA has dictated that prior to Artemis III, Starship must demonstrate both uncrewed lunar landing and liftoff capabilities. The Artemis program has previously struggled with delays, with the Artemis II launch delayed two years from 2024 to 2026.
Saltzman Wants 'Fundamental Shift' in Space Force Budget (Air and Space Forces)
Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman is advocating for a significant budget increase for the Space Force, possibly up to 20%, citing the need for new capabilities to counter Chinese and Russian investments. The Biden administration requested $29.4 billion for FY2025, down from $30 billion in FY2024, marking the first proposed cut in the Space Force's history. Saltzman argues that the current funding levels appropriated by Congress' continuing resolution, roughly $28.8 billion, are insufficient. The Trump administration has yet to release its FY2026 budget request.
White House Nominates Autry to Be NASA's Chief Financial Officer (SpaceNews)
The White House has nominated Greg Autry, the current assistant provost for space commercialization and strategy at the University of Central Florida and former NASA White House Liaison, to be chief financial officer (CFO) of the agency. CFO is one of the few roles that requires senate confirmation at NASA. If confirmed, Autry will replace Acting CFO Steve Shinn.
Space Force to Launch 100+ Sats in 2025 (Payload)
Per Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, the Space Force plans to launch over 100 satellites in 2025, nearly doubling its current unclassified operational fleet. The effort aims to enhance resilience in positioning, navigation, timing, missile warning and satellite communications amid increased Russian and Chinese satellite posturing.
Federal Agency Space News
Department of Defense
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Concludes Visit to Japan (March 30, 2025)
Defense Secretary Announces U.S. Forces Japan's Upgrade to Joint Force Command (March 30, 2025)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
ARMD Solicitations (ULI Proposals Invited) (March 31, 2025)
NASA Shares SpaceX Crew-11 Assignments for Space Station Mission (March 27, 2025)
NASA Statement on Nomination of Greg Autry for Agency CFO (March 25, 2025)
U.S. Space Force
SPACECOM Protecting Homeland from Growing Threats (March 28, 2025)
In His Confirmation Hearing, Meink Stresses the Need for Speed, Innovation (March 27, 2025)
International
Articles & Quotes
UN Agencies Warn of Satellite Navigation Jamming and Spoofing (International Telecommunication Union)
The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued a joint statement warning about the increasing threat of satellite navigation jamming and spoofing, which could impact aviation, maritime and land-based transportation. The agencies urge member states to prevent harmful interference, enhance system resilience and maintain backup navigation infrastructure. They also call for improved monitoring, reporting and interagency collaboration to safeguard global positioning, navigation and timing services. The ITU Radiocommunications Bureau has tracked rising interference since 2019, highlighting the growing risks to critical navigation systems.
Check out below for comment opportunities, requests for proposals, notices of proposed rulemaking and a look at the week ahead in space events:
Comment Opportunities (RFIs)
Federal Aviation Administration
Close Date: May 27, 2025
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
5X Mission Assurance Support Services Recompete
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Close Date: April 11, 2025
Evaluations, Assessments, Studies, Services, and Support (EASSS) 4
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Close Date: April 28, 2025
Private Astronaut Missions 5 and 6 Flight Opportunities
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Close Date: May 30, 2025
University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Close Date: June 26, 2025
Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs)
No new proposed rules.
Upcoming Space Events
International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
April 6-11, 2025
Sea-Air-Space Conference and Exhibition
Navy League
April 7-9, 2025
Space Foundation
April 7-10, 2025
LPI, Universities Space Research Association
April 9-10, 2025
Deepening the U.S.-Japan Space Security Relationship
CSIS
April 11, 2025
COSPAR
April 14-16, 2025
AIAA
April 15-18, 2025
Public Meeting on SpaceX Launch Increase Proposal at SLC-40
Federal Aviation Administration
April 16, 2025
Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
NASA
April 17, 2025
China Space Foundation
April 23-26, 2025
Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group
NASA
April 30-May 1, 2025
Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth System Observation
IAA
May 4-8, 2025
IAA
May 5-9, 2025
COPUOS
May 5-16, 2025
Global Space Exploration Conference
IAF
May 7-9, 2025
International Space Development Conference
National Space Society
June 19-22, 2025
United Nations
June 25-July 4, 2025
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
