Policy Blog

The AAS Public Policy team uses the Policy Blog to communicate with the membership about current events in the science policy world. Most policy blog posts are written by the John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow.

Policy Update (8 April 2026)

8 Apr 2026
The Fiscal Year 2027 President’s Budget Request was released. NASA announced major changes to its programs and released RFIs related to science at its Ignition event. The AAS responded to Reflect Orbital’s opposition to...

Policy Update (26 March 2026)

26 Mar 2026
The Department of Energy Office of Science has been reorganized. SpaceX and Reflect Orbital submitted responses to petitions to deny their recent Federal Communications Commission applications. AAS submitted a response...

Policy Update (11 March 2026)

11 Mar 2026
The White House has been slowing release of science funds. The NASA Authorization Act has passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. AAS has submitted petitions to deny FCC application filings on Reflect Orbital and on...

Policy Update (24 February 2026)

24 Feb 2026
NASA has been directed to pause work on a variety of science missions. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened the comment period on recent filings from SpaceX and Reflect Orbital. AAS has submitted reply...

Policy Update (28 January 2026)

28 Jan 2026
Congress is working on a path forward for the remaining FY26 spending bills. NASA is no longer supporting planetary science analysis/assessment groups. AAS submitted two public comments to the FCC. CVD applications are...

Policy Update (17 December 2025)

17 Dec 2025
It is unlikely that any more appropriations bills will pass by the end of the year. Jared Isaacman has been confirmed as NASA Administrator. There are a variety of policy sessions coming up at AAS 247.