Marcia Smith

Marcia Smith

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Space policy analyst and SpacePolicyOnline editor, covering civil and commercial space policy.

JAXA Schedules QZS-7 Launch for August 7
SocialJun 16, 2026

JAXA Schedules QZS-7 Launch for August 7

Following the successful H3 test launch last Thursday EDT, JAXA is targeting Aug 7, 04:30 JST (Aug 6, 3:30 pm EDT) for the next one. It's launching the QZS-7 navigation satellite.

By Marcia Smith
H3 Test Launch Rescheduled to June 12 Japan Time
SocialJun 9, 2026

H3 Test Launch Rescheduled to June 12 Japan Time

9:53:59-11:52:46 am June 12 Japan Time is new date for H3 test launch (8:53:59-10:52:46 pm June 11 EDT)

By Marcia Smith
NASA Pushes Artemis III Crew Reveal to 11:30 Am ET
SocialJun 8, 2026

NASA Pushes Artemis III Crew Reveal to 11:30 Am ET

NASA just updated the time when it will announce the Artemis III crew tomorrow (June 9): now at 11:30 am ET instead of 11:00 am ET. https://t.co/u9YkZ7dMVe

By Marcia Smith
NASA Reveals Artemis III Crew for Historic Moon Return
SocialJun 7, 2026

NASA Reveals Artemis III Crew for Historic Moon Return

Pick of the week is NASA's announcement of the Artemis III crew on Tuesday. What’s Happening in Space Policy June 7-13, 2026 https://t.co/rXZdH6m2P7

By Marcia Smith
ISS Crew Shelters as Russian Module Air Leak Detected
SocialJun 6, 2026

ISS Crew Shelters as Russian Module Air Leak Detected

Updated with more info from NASA. Five ISS Crew Members Temporarily Take Shelter Due to Russian Segment Air Leak https://t.co/EpmgwwFNKB

By Marcia Smith
NASA Holds Today’s MAVEN Loss Briefing at 2 PM ET
SocialJun 3, 2026

NASA Holds Today’s MAVEN Loss Briefing at 2 PM ET

NASA will have a media bfg TODAY (June 3) at 2:00 pm ET about MAVEN. The Mars orbiter was last heard from on Dec 6 when it didn't reestablish contact after its orbit took it behind Mars. The press...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Abandons Government Module, Defers to Industry
SocialJun 1, 2026

NASA Abandons Government Module, Defers to Industry

NASA is dropping its proposal to build a govt module to dock with ISS as a first step for cmrcl space stations. Industry didn't like it and NASA now agrees: "The industry position will now shape the path forward as...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Releases Draft RFP for Landsat 10
SocialMay 28, 2026

NASA Releases Draft RFP for Landsat 10

NASA said today the "2026-2030 Landsat Science Team" met earlier this month in Sioux Falls to discuss future of Landsat incl Landsat 10. https://t.co/a5EQw1tBnh Ystrdy it released Draft RFP for Landsat 10. https://t.co/AKyiXgJWKy

By Marcia Smith
China Launches Shenzhou-23 Crew, Includes Hong Kong Astronaut
SocialMay 23, 2026

China Launches Shenzhou-23 Crew, Includes Hong Kong Astronaut

It's been so busy (!) I almost missed that China is sending a new crew to Tiangong tmrw, May 24. Shenzhou-23 lifts off at 11:08 pm Beijing Time, which is 11:08 am EDT. https://t.co/dvhX8EgqIr Two men and a woman from...

By Marcia Smith
NASA to Open Competition for JPL Management Contract
SocialMay 22, 2026

NASA to Open Competition for JPL Management Contract

NASA also will compete the contract to manage JPL, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) managed by Caltech since its founding by Caltech rocketeers. (https://t.co/zyxbijHkd1) NASA press release: https://t.co/WBd9Ta3OMq Current contract ends Sept 30, 2028.

By Marcia Smith
SpaceX Reschedules Starship IFT‑12 Launch for Tonight
SocialMay 22, 2026

SpaceX Reschedules Starship IFT‑12 Launch for Tonight

SpaceX's website says they are "preparing to launch" Starship IFT-12 today, Friday, May 22, after yesterday's scrub. Same launch window (6:30-8:00 pm ET). https://t.co/WmDymzCeJd

By Marcia Smith
NASA Opens Cubesat Slots on Artemis, Deadline June 1
SocialMay 21, 2026

NASA Opens Cubesat Slots on Artemis, Deadline June 1

Organizations interested in launching cubesats on any of the next three Artemis missions have until Monday, June 1, to reply to this RFI: https://t.co/q4Npxb5b9r NASA press release: https://t.co/VnqdXPK62d

By Marcia Smith
NASA to Reveal Moon Base Plans on May 26
SocialMay 20, 2026

NASA to Reveal Moon Base Plans on May 26

NASA will have a news conference next Tuesday, May 26, with an update on Moon Base plans. 2:00 pm ET at NASA HQ and online. Watch on NASA+ and Youtube. Isaacman, Glaze, Garcia-Galan. https://t.co/IZ0uMHqdUn

By Marcia Smith
AIAA Releases Third Edition of Orbital Safety Guide
SocialMay 18, 2026

AIAA Releases Third Edition of Orbital Safety Guide

AIAA and partners are out with a third edition of "Orbital Safety Best Practices for Satellite Operators."

By Marcia Smith
Marcia Smith | Pulse