Policy And Politics News

The latest policy and politics stories, summarized by AI

FCC preserves incumbent MSS rights as US D2D spectrum race grows

The FCC dismissed SpaceX, Iridium, Kepler, Sateliot, and AST SpaceMobile bids to access or expand use of Mobile Satellite Service bands in the Big LEO and 2 GHz spectrum, citing harmful interference risks and the need to protect current MSS licensees. The decision preserves incumbent rights for MSS users (including EchoStar and Globalstar) and aims to provide market certainty, even as Amazon moves to acquire Globalstar to enter the D2D market and AST SpaceMobile advances its US D2D plans with partner cellular frequencies.

1 month ago•Source: SpaceNews

Senators push for bigger NASA Mars funding to safeguard U.S. leadership

policy-and-politics

15.26 min•1 month ago

Senators push for bigger NASA Mars funding to safeguard U.S. leadership

A group of four senators urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to allocate at least $400 million in FY2027 for NASA’s Mars Future Missions, arguing current funding levels (about $110 million in FY2026 and the same proposed for FY2027) are insufficient to advance critical Mars-tech like precision landing, sample retrieval, and surface launches. They warn that underfunding could erode U.S. leadership in Mars exploration and allow China to close the gap. The article also notes NASA’s budget plan favors cheaper, science-driven missions over MSR-linked work, and industry officials say a practical Mars Sample Return approach could be achievable for under $3 billion."

via SpaceNews