Good Afternoon!
It's been a busy couple of weeks in space policy. Although the House Appropriations Committee kept defense funding flat at FY25 levels, it significantly increased funding for Space Force and RDT&E. On the north side of the Capitol, the Senate Commerce Committee designated $10 billion for NASA's Moon to Mars plan and other key projects, Sen. Deb Fischer's Secure Space Act of 2025 seeks to restrict satellite licenses for entities posing national security risks, and Sen. John Cornyn's LAUNCH Act seeks to streamline FAA regulations for commercial space launches.
Across the Atlantic, The European Union is set to introduce its first unified legal framework for space services, the Space Act, by the end the month.
All this and more in this edition of Akin's Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update.
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
House Appropriators Unveil Defense Bill, Boost Space Force Funding (SpaceNews)
The House Appropriations Committee has released its defense spending legislation for fiscal year (FY) 26, which aims to maintain FY25 defense funding at $831.5 billion. The bill, which largely aligns with the President's budget request, makes several departures in terms of the Space Force funding—including by increasing the branch's overall purse by nearly $3 billion. The legislation aims to make small cuts to budgets allocated for personnel and operations, while also giving a small boost to procurement funding and a substantial $3.6 billion boost to research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E).
Senate Committee Wants to Keep Gateway, SLS and Orion (Space Policy Online)
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has released its reconciliation text that designates $10 billion for the space agency. The bill diverges in several ways from the Trumpadministration supported One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1): support for NASA's current Moon to Mars plan, full funding for Gateway, a fourth Orion spacecraft, two more space Launch System (SLS) rockets and increased International Space Station (ISS) funding. Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that the legislation, while bolstering human spaceflight efforts, will still reduce deficits by $40 billion and make cuts to wasteful spending at the agency.
Introduced Legislation & Legislative Updates
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) has introduced the Secure Space Act of 2025 (S. 1962), which aims to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or market access for foreign-licensed satellite systems to any entity affiliated with national security risks.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced the Licensing Aerospace Units to New Commercial Heights (LAUNCH) Act (S. 1961), which aims to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take several steps to streamline the application of regulations for commercial space launches and reentry requirements.
Rep. David Scott (D-GA) has introduced the Rural American Vitalization in Extraterrestrial Space (RAVES) Reporting Act of 2025 (H.R. 3697), which aims to require the Department of Defense (DOD) to report on the potential conversion of abandoned rural sites into space-industry manufacturing hubs.
Please find our Space Legislation Tracker here.
Recent and Upcoming Congressional Hearings
(June 13, 2025 - June 27, 2025)
On June 10, the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee (HAC-D) held a closed markup of the FY26 Defense appropriations bill. On June 12, the full Committee held its markup
On June 11, the House Oversight Military Affairs Subcommittee held a hearing titled "Clearing the Path: Reforming Procurement to Accelerate Defense Innovation."
Also on June 11, the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee (SAC-D) held a hearing on the DOD's FY26 budget request.
Also on June 11, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (CST) held a hearing to consider the nomination of Bryan Bedford to serve as FAA Administrator.
Also on June 11, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (SST) held a markup of the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) Act (H.R. 390).
On June 12, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a hearing to examine the FY26 Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence budget requests, while the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) held a hearing to examine the DOD's FY26 budget request. Also on June 12, the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) FY26 budget request.
Also on June 12, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing titled "Evaluating the Defense Production Act."
On June 17, SAC-D will hold a closed hearing on the intelligence community's FY26 budget request.
In the White House/Executive Branch
Articles and Quotes
Pulled NASA Nomination Blindsides Space Community: 'Major Blunder' (The Hill)
Space industry and policy stakeholders on both sides of the aisle have criticized the recent withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination to be NASA Administrator, questioning the administration's lack of reasoning. After being cleared by the Senate Commerce Committee in a 19-9 vote, the Senate was just days away from a final vote before the withdrawal. Isaacman has since commented on the development, voicing disappointment with the decision. The White House has yet to announce a new nominee for the agency, now at six months without an Administrator.
US Rural Broadband Shift Opens Door Wider for Starlink (SpaceNews)
The Trump administration issued new rules for allocating $42.5 billion in rural broadband funds under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, adopting a "technologyneutral" approach. This change eases program restrictions, making satellite providers like Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper eligible for federal subgrants alongside fiber.
Trump's Budget Boosts USAF, Cuts Space Force Spending (Air and Space Forces)
The Trump administration's FY26 budget proposes $260.8 billion for the Department of the Air Force, including $26.4 billion for the Space Force—a decrease of $600 million from FY25. The Space Force's procurement and R&D budgets would be reduced, with significant cuts to classified programs and certain launch-related activities. Despite the overall funding decrease, Space Force military personnel levels would grow by 3%, while civilian personnel reductions continue. The proposal reflects shifting priorities as the administration emphasizes near-term readiness over some longer-term space acquisition programs.
How Private Space Drives Space Force's Intel Delivery (Payload)
The U.S. Space Force's Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT) program, launched in 2023, enhances intelligence delivery by leveraging private space data for military operations. Practical successes after use by U.S. Africa Command led to a formal agreement with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to streamline space intelligence roles. TacSRT's quick and flexible responses support a variety missions, from disaster response to monitoring satellite launches, emphasizing collaboration with commercial partners. In this article, Payload walks through the ins and outs of TacSRT's history and future with an emphasis on the program's private partnerships.
Federal Agency Space News
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA, Partners Delay Axiom Mission 4, Reviewing Launch Date (June 10, 2025)
ARMD Research Solicitations (June 6, 2025)
NASA Awards Third Crowdsourcing Contract Iteration (June 5, 2025)
NASA's Webb Observations Update Asteroid 2024 YR4's Lunar Impact Odds (June 5, 2025)
Jack Kaye Retires After a Storied Career at NASA (June 5, 2025)
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
DNI Releases FY 2026 Budget Request Figure for the National Intelligence Program (June 4, 2025)
U.S. Space Force
US Space Forces Indo-Pacific Commander Highlights Growing Role of Space in Regional Security at Australian Space Summit (June 2, 2025)
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink Goes on Space Warfighting Immersion Tour (May 30, 2025)
International
Articles & Quotes
Europe's Far-Reaching Space Act Nears Launch (SpaceNews)
The European Union (EU) is set to introduce its first unified legal framework for space services, the Space Act, by the end of June. This legislation aims to create a cohesive single market for space services, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring consistent regulations across member states. While certain details remain unreleased, some experts anticipate a move away from voluntary guidance towards binding obligations in certain space policy areas. The Space Act aligns with the EU's 2023 Space Strategy for Security and Defence, potentially impacting defense procurement and market access for non-EU companies.
In Second Straight Failure, Japanese Probe Makes Mission-Ending 'Hard' Landing on the Moon (CBS)
The Japanese lunar lander Resilience, built by ispace, experienced a mission-ending crash landing on June 5, due to a laser rangefinder malfunction that prevented proper deceleration. Attempts to re-establish communications with the lander were unsuccessful. The lander carried cameras, a rover and several science payloads. The crash marks the second consecutive failure for ispace, one of few companies attempting to provide non-governmental lunar payload services, following a similar incident in 2023.
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)
NASA Beyond the Algorithm Call for Submissions and
Self-Nominations for Judges
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
Close Date: June 20, 2025
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
(DFARS) Part 237, Service Contracting, and Related
Clauses
Department of Defense
Close Date: August 5, 2025
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Artificial Intelligence for Space Professionals
Training Course
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
Close Date: June 16, 2025
Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs)
No new proposed NPRMs.
Upcoming Space Events
Luncheon with Jay Schwarz (FCC)
WSBR
June 16, 2025
MILSATCOM USA
SAE Media Group
June 16-18, 2025
Paris Air Show
SIAE
June 16-22, 2025
Space Threats and Acquisition Forum
NSSA
June 18, 2025
Luncheon with NRO Director Christopher
Scolese
MSBR
June 18, 2025
Workshop on Interoperability and Lunar Activities
Database
LSIC
June 19, 2025
International Space Development
Conference
National Space Society
June 19-22, 2025
International Planetary Probe Workshop
NASA Langley, ESA
June 23-27, 2025
Living Planet Symposium
ESA
June 22, 2025
Geospatial Intelligence - New Data to
Solutions
SpaceNews
June 25, 2025
Smallsat and Space Access Summit
Defense Strategies Institute
June 25-26, 2025
68th COPUOS Session
United Nations
June 25-July 4, 2025
Leadership Dinner with Gen. Michael
Guetlein
INSA
July 2, 2025
Progress in Understanding the Pluto
System
LPI
July 14-18, 2025
Moon Farside Protection Symposium
IAA
July 15-16, 2025
UK Space Conference 2025
UK Space Agency
July 16-17, 2025
Space Investors Symposium
NSSA
July 17, 2025
ASCEND 2025
AIAA
July 22-24, 2025
IAFI Space Policy Conference
IAFI
July 24-25, 2025
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