The world needs a new convention governing space conduct. Treaties forged in the 1960s and 1970s prohibit 
countries from touching another’s material. An exception for cleaning up trash is in order, along with general rules about orbital cleanliness and garbage disposal 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2024/space-trash-debris-spacex
#Europe’s space sector has started to respond to #SpaceX’s domination of the world space launch market, although progress has been slow 
and uneven. Last month, #ESA selected four companies — #ArianeGroup, #RocketFactory Augsburg (RFA), #IsarAerospace, and The #ExplorationCompany — to help develop reusable 
launch vehicle technology https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/11/esa-arianespace-crossroads
#SpaceX has requested multiple #satellite component manufacturers to produce outside #Taiwan 
because of geopolitical risks https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3285352/spacex-asks-taiwanese-suppliers-move-production-abroad-geopolitical-risks
#America’s course in #SpaceExploration has often veered after an #election with a new #president wanting to put a personal stamp on NASA — or trim the pipe dreams of the outgoing president. The U-turns have wasted money 
on canceled programs and left #NASA in limbo https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/science/kamala-harris-space-nasa-moon.html
Some less sensitive #satellite and #spacecraft parts and components will no longer require licences for shipment to #Canada, #Australia, #Japan, #SouthKorea and most of the #EuropeanUnion (and over 40 countries) https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3282817/us-ease-restrictions-space-related-exports-allies
#Newsom indicated he broadly agreed with the lawsuit and that the independent agency should have confined its debate to the merits of the permit rather than engage in a discussion of #Musk’s political activities. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/18/elon-newsom-musk-california-spacex-00184408
#SpaceX has sued a #California commission in federal court, accusing panel members of #political bias in blocking the space venture company from increasing 
the number of rockets it launches from a U.S. air base in the state. The commission on Wednesday declined to comment. https://www.reuters.com/legal/musks-spacex-sues-california-panel-alleges-political-bias-over-rocket-launches-2024-10-16/
#SpaceForce officials don’t have to obtain a permit or permission from the #California Coastal Commission for rocket launches; they only need to reach an agreement to mitigate the effects.
But commissioners in recent months have questioned whether #SpaceX launches, which carry private #Starlink equipment on up to 87% of their flights, should be considered private activity. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-11/la-me-spacex-coastal-commission
"You are going to have not only a way station for astronauts, you are going to have an ability to do science around the year, even when astronauts are not on the Gateway. And if you want a more detailed answer than that, we'll get you the scientists and talk about the science."
That's the administrator of #NASA, with advance notice, explaining the rationale for the #Gateway https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/heres-how-to-revive-nasas-artemis-moon-program-with-three-simple-tricks/
While the #EU has never had a #SpaceCommissioner, there is a need to zone in on a sector that McKinsey estimates will be worth $1.8 trillion by 
2035. Kubilius' mission letter does not mention any potential big new #SpaceProgram. While #ESA spends billions on #science and exploration projects, the #EuropeanCommission needs extra cash 
to build out #IRIS https://www.politico.eu/article/andrius-kubilius-defense-space-commissioner-budget-european-space-agency-cooperation
#SpaceX proposed revisions including adding a new launch control room at Hangar X and removing the T-2 hour readiness poll from its procedures. Although SpaceX alleged that the necessary paperwork 
for these two revisions was filed with the #FAA as required, neither was approved by the FAA in time for the launches. SpaceX performed them anyway 
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/elon-musk-spacex-sues-faa
What’s the cost of a good suit
these days? At #NASA, apparently, it’s about $500 million. Influential legislators have shown great skill in keeping the agency’s programs funded . The downside to this approach is that it tends to erode accountability, inflate costs and prolong programs that have little #scientific justification. #America’s space entrepreneurs have seemed frustrated with NASA’s #bureaucratic pace. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-08-13/a-500-million-spacesuit-welcome-to-nasa-contracting
“Unfortunately, we continue to be stuck in a reality where it takes longer to do the government #paperwork to license a rocket launch than it does to design and build the actual hardware...the licensing process has been repeatedly derailed by issues ranging from the frivolous to the patently #absurd”. The launch license for #Starship won’t be awarded until late November. https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/spacex-takes-aim-at-faa-after-latest-starship-launch-delay
#India's #SpaceAgency expects a 20%-30% increase in its budget (currently $1.55 billion 
) in the coming years. Their rocket launch prices are on a par with #SpaceX's. #NASA's approved budget stands at $25 billion . The Indian government estimates its share of the market is currently just $8 billion, but it is aiming to increase that to $44 billion over the next decade https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-space-agency-chief-sees-higher-funding-2024-08-27
With #IRIS the #EU is "trying to do something new the old way. Totally new entities are thriving, deploying capabilities at speed and cost that are unthinkable for some of the established prime contractors" https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-space-internet-satellite-rafal-modrzewski-iceye-europe
#France 
and #Germany 
fund the majority of the Ariane 6 rocket's development costs. So, by rule, most of the design and manufacturing of the #Ariane6 rocket must take place in those nations. This strangles #competition among subcontractors and suppliers. https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/europe-seeks-to-emulate-nasas-revolutionary-commercial-cargo-program/2/
Bill Nelson claimed in his opening statement to have always supported commercial space. Nelson was not always as enthusiastic about commercial #spaceflight. In 2010 the then-senator proposed zeroing 
out the commercial crew program https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/550148-bill-nelson-is-a-born-again-supporter-of-commercial-space-at-nasa/
September 2014 The #American orbiter is costing almost 10 times as much. Investment in #science and #technology builds capability and capacity 
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29341850
#Monopolies tend to become less efficient and less innovative over time, becoming "complacent", because they do not have to be efficient or innovative to compete in the marketplace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly#Monopoly_and_efficiency
There are multiple potential futures 
that could arise from a lack of collaboration in #SpaceGovernance. Without further cooperation and agreement among the major and minor #SpacePowers, multiple, competing governance systems may end up being established, further increasing the potential for #conflict 
https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2022/11/governance-in-space-mining-the-moon-and-beyond.html
