Space Policy Edition: Space Policy Directive 2—This Time it's Commercial

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: This Planetary Radio space policy segment covers the Planetary Society’s advocacy work, including the launch of a bipartisan Planetary Science Caucus, state-level space outreach in Washington, D.C. and Washington state, NASA Administrator Bridenstine’s evolution on climate science, a strong House NASA budget with major support for planetary science and Mars, and the White House’s Space Policy Directive 2 on commercial space regulation. The hosts stress how aligning space programs with political priorities drives funding and policy success.

Main Topics: Planetary Society advocacy and congressional outreach: The team describes fundraising for its advocacy program and highlights concrete wins from sustained Hill outreach, including a new Planetary Science Caucus and events that connected lawmakers with scientists, engineers, and industry leaders. Bipartisan Planetary Science Caucus launch: A kickoff event at the Library of Congress introduced the caucus, led by Reps. John Culberson and Derek Kilmer, with more than 200 attendees from industry, academia, and NASA-related organizations. State-level space policy outreach: Casey Dreyer reports on a Washington state roundtable on space policy, arguing that states can use space to attract STEM talent, support industry, and position themselves economically. NASA Administrator Bridenstine and climate science: The hosts discuss Bridenstine’s Senate testimony acknowledging human-caused climate change, framing it as an important evolution and a positive sign for his relationship with scientists and Democrats. House FY2019 NASA budget: The House bill is portrayed as highly favorable for NASA, especially for planetary science, Europa missions, planetary defense, Mars 2020, human spaceflight, and lunar infrastructure, while keeping WFIRST alive at reduced funding. Space Policy Directive 2 and commercial regulation: The discussion critiques the White House directive to streamline space-related regulation across agencies, arguing that regulation must balance safety, treaty obligations, and commercial growth rather than simply favoring industry. NASA organizational restructuring and technology funding: The hosts analyze NASA’s internal reorganization and the absorption of Space Technology Mission Directorate functions, warning that technology budgets are often vulnerable when major human exploration programs expand.

Key Arguments: Sustained relationship-building with lawmakers is essential; trust built through repeated meetings makes bipartisan space support possible. Space policy succeeds when it is framed around lawmakers’ priorities—jobs, economic development, national security, education, and local industry impact. Bridenstine’s public acceptance of climate science matters because leaders of science agencies must follow the evidence and support scientific independence. The House NASA budget is unusually strong and likely to shape final appropriations, especially for planetary science and flagship exploration missions. WFIRST should remain alive, but Congress is warning NASA to get serious about cost and schedule control after JWST overruns. Europa lander funding is premature without decadal-survey buy-in; moving too fast risks sidelining other priorities like Uranus and Neptune missions. Space Policy Directive 2 reflects a pro-industry philosophy, but regulatory streamlining can create risk if it weakens safety, insurance, treaty compliance, or agency expertise. Space industry growth is constrained more by market demand and mission economics than by regulation alone. NASA technology development is often cannibalized to cover overruns in flagship missions, which can weaken future exploration capabilities. Commercial crew, SLS, Orion, and the lunar gateway will face rising costs as they move into later development phases, increasing pressure on the rest of NASA.

Data Points: Planetary Science Caucus kickoff attendance: Over 200 people - Attendance at the Library of Congress exhibition/event launching the caucus Caucus leadership: 2 co-chairs - John Culberson (R-TX) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) lead the bipartisan caucus NASA top-line House budget: $21.5 billion - Approximate FY2019 NASA funding in the House bill NASA increase: About 5% - House increase over FY2018 WFIRST funding: $150 million - Kept alive in the House budget at FY2018 level WFIRST request vs. funding gap: $350 million requested vs. $150 million funded - Shows congressional caution and desire for more cost/schedule clarity James Webb Space Telescope funding: Requested level, with disappointment language - Congress keeps funding but reiterates concerns about overruns Planetary Science Division budget: $2.8 billion - Major House increase for planetary science Planetary Science increase: About $500 million - Increase over FY2018 Europa mission funding: About $500 million - Supports Europa Clipper development and 2022 launch path Europa lander funding: $200 million - Early money for a lander concept that is not yet an approved project Combined Europa funding: Roughly $800 million - Europa Clipper plus lander funding in the House bill Planetary defense funding: $160 million - Includes DART, NEOcam continuation, Arecibo, and related activities DART status: Fully funded - Double Asteroid Redirection Test receives full support NEOcam status: Another year of development - Asteroid-hunting telescope continues Mars helicopter: On Mars 2020 rover - House budget supports the small helicopter ride-along Low Earth orbit commercialization money: $150 million - Fully funded White House request Lunar orbiting platform gateway: $500 million - Funds development of the propulsive module Space technology directorate change: Absorbed into human/deep space exploration structures - House-supported NASA reorganization Commercial crew oversight: Quarterly updates requested - House committee expresses concern over schedule delays ISS operating language: Remain operational as long as safe and operable - House committee language suggests no fixed 2025 shutdown State-level roundtable: Washington state meeting with legislature, industry, and academia - Casey’s outreach on state space policy Bridenstine testimony: Yes - He agreed human activity is the dominant cause of global warming

Pivotal Quotes: "I have come to the conclusion that this is a true evolution: that you respect the people with whom you work, you respect the science, you want their respect, and there is no way to move forward if you're going to be undermining the science." — Senator Brian Schatz: Schatz responding to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during Senate testimony on climate science "Think galactically, act locally." — Casey Dreyer: Casual slogan offered to explain how to connect space policy to local and state priorities "The space frontier became a little more open to the American people today." — Eric Stallmer (quoted by Casey): Industry reaction to Space Policy Directive 2 and regulatory streamlining

Implications: Listeners should expect continued bipartisan momentum for NASA, especially planetary science and Mars, but also continued conflict over regulation, budgets, and mission prioritization. Success will depend on tying space goals to jobs, science, and local economic benefits.