Keith’s note: according to this NSF press release “From distant stars and galaxies to asteroids whizzing through the solar system, this next-generation facility unveils its first imagery and brings the night sky to life like never before.” This amazing instrument will be used by NASA astronomers as well as people around the world. Yet another example of American leadership in space science and technology. But does NASA.gov mention it? No. @NASA? No. OSTP director Kratsios was at the event today and made comments about the importance of science and technology while OSTP simultaneously endorses cuts across the Federal government. He also referred to this as an “all of government” instrument. Yet NASA seems to be ignoring it. WTF NASA OCOMM?

Keith’s note: According to this memo: “As directed by President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14303, “Restoring Gold Standard Science” (May 23, 2025), this memorandum provides guidance to Federal departments and agencies (agencies) on implementing Gold Standard Science in the conduct and management of all aspects of their scientific activities, from research design to public communication. By adopting these standards, agencies will strengthen scientific inquiry, rebuild public trust, and ensure the United States continues as the global leader in rigorous, evidence-based science. As directed by the EO, each agency shall report to me the actions they are taking to implement this Guidance within 60 days (by August 22, 2025). More details on the contents of this required report are outlined in Section 3 of this memorandum.” Full memo below.

Keith’s note: As the Administration seeks to gut funding of all government science agencies, they have issued another word salad executive order – one that could have been expressed in vastly simpler language. Indeed it calls for a process of conducting science in a transparent and reproducible fashion that has already been in place for nearly a century. Of course, this wordiness is a fig leaf for some specific political issues. e.g. “Actions taken by the prior Administration further politicized science, for example, by encouraging agencies to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations into all aspects of science planning, execution, and communication.” And the response of this Administration is to simply politicize science even more.

Keith’s note: According to this OSTP Fact Sheet: Biden-⁠Harris Administration to Kick off Fourth Investing in America Tour to Highlight How the President Is Delivering for Communities in Every Corner of America: “Throughout the Investing in America tour, President Biden, Vice President Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Cabinet members, and Senior Administration Officials will visit communities across the country where the President is cutting costs for American families, growing our clean energy economy, rebuilding our infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs along the way. To date, the Administration has now launched over 50,000 infrastructure and clean energy projects and mobilized over $640 billion in private sector clean energy and manufacturing investments.” Alas, NASA is mentioned nowhere in this fact sheet. The fact sheet points to a Brookings Institution report – which also makes no mention of NASA or space. Remember the early days of this Administration when the President pointed out a Moon rock in the oval office? Looks like NASA has lost its mojo. As for the National Space Council – which is supposed to worry about these sort of things – nothing but crickets.

Keith’s note: According to NASA “As NASA builds a blueprint for human exploration throughout the solar system for the benefit of humanity, the agency released Tuesday the outcomes from its first Architecture Concept Review, a robust analysis process designed to align NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration strategy and codify the supporting architecture.” There are no firm dates for this “Blueprint” In the new Strategy and Objectives document issued a week or so ago the budget for this whole Moon to Mars thing, when mentioned, is discussed as more of an irritant that NASA cannot fix or something it simply works around i.e. “Financial resilience: In the face of inevitable budgetary constraints, rather than abandon the rigorously defined plan to accommodate a reduced budget, the architecture assists with maximizing potential. The strategy and resulting wireframe help prioritize efforts, as well as identify opportunities when the resource environment improves‘. (page 14) This is government double-speak at its finest. The Blueprint goes on to spend 90% of its time patting itself on the back for all of the previous notional plans that NASA has released with large portions of the latest docuent simply repeating what was published elsewhere i.e. In its earlier Moon to Mars Objectives document issued in September 2022. And there are more jargon-laden things to be found here. Of course this committee-drafted consensus document (as is the case with the earlier ones) begs the question: who is the audience for these reports? Certainly not the general public. In this most recent case, it is for an audience of one (the Vice President) and to check off an action item for the sleepy National Space Council folks. Nowhere has NASA ever bothered to come up with a “where are we going and why are we going” synopsis – one that rationalizes the billions already spent – and the billions yet to be spent; why all of the cost overruns and launch schedule slips are unimportant such that you can just let them be forgotten; and what the end result to an actual taxpayer will be when all is said and done. But why start now?

Keith’s note: According to NASA “To help guide NASA’s efforts over the next decade, the agency today released its Planetary Defense Strategy and Action Plan.” This is kinda important, right? NASA PAO tweeted about it and posted a thing on NASA.gov but did not bother to issue a media advisory or press release to the news media. No mention is made on the White House website, by OSTP, the National Space Council, the Users Advisory Group, or the Vice President’s office. Or Space Force, DHS, NOAA etc. No one really bothers to try and coordinate this stuff across the government anymore since it is really not much of a priority – unless there is a photo-op with the VP. More info.

Keith’s note: On 31 March 2023 The White House issued a policy document “Maintaining U.S. Preeminence in Low Earth Orbit“ which seeks to guide ongoing and future ISS research as well as possible commercial platforms that NASA or the private sector may soon sponsor. It has been 4 days. No mention is made at NASA.gov, NASA space station page, ISS National Lab page, @Space_Station, or @ISS_Reseach. Outgoing HEOMD AA @KathyLueders did mention this in a tweet on Friday (after business hours – and after a @NASAWatch tweet prompt. You have to wonder if NASA is really in synch with what the White House is directing the agency to do if they cannot even bother to mention a policy document – one that will serve to guide billions in future investments in space. Just sayin’.

Keith’s note: According to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s new report on Low Earth Orbit research: “The United States holds the preeminent global position in space thanks to steadfast investments in space research and technology development, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. As we work to further explore the Moon and Mars, the use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) grows, and the International Space Station begins its phased retirement, it is crucial that we maintain preeminence in space research. That’s why today the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is releasing the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision for U.S. leadership in the future research and development (R&D) in LEO.” Summary and full report

“The ISAM Implementation Plan implements the strategic vision established in the April 2022 ISAM National Strategy. Both policy documents were developed by the National Science and Technology Council’s Interagency Working Group on In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing.” Full report

Keith’s note: It is June July 2022. The last time the National Space Council poked its head out through the curtains was December 2021. Six months. Does anyone know what they are doing? If you go to the official National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group (NSpC UAG) page at NASA you are greeted with banner image of the Trump Administration’s UAG. If you go to the membership roster page it […]