Marcia Smith

Marcia Smith

Creator
0 followers

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

Artemis II Crew Set to Break Apollo 13 Distance Record
SocialApr 6, 2026

Artemis II Crew Set to Break Apollo 13 Distance Record

10 minutes to when the Artemis II crew passes the Apollo 13 record for furthest distance from Earth for astronauts. Watch on NASA's YouTube at: https://t.co/7JM1ti9vAq

By Marcia Smith
Artemis 2 Completes Key Burn, Stays on Moon Slingshot Track
SocialApr 6, 2026

Artemis 2 Completes Key Burn, Stays on Moon Slingshot Track

Artemis 2 update: the 19 second trajectory correction burn just now was successful per NASA. Two prior burns were deemed unnecessary. On track for their slingshot around the Moon tomorrow (Apr 6).

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Daily News Conference Begins at 3:30 PM ET
SocialApr 3, 2026

Artemis II Daily News Conference Begins at 3:30 PM ET

NASA's Artemis II Daily News conference should be starting soon at 3:30 pm ET. https://t.co/aezEU3Simh

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Captures Earth’s Auroras and Zodiacal Light
SocialApr 3, 2026

Artemis II Captures Earth’s Auroras and Zodiacal Light

Breathtaking view of Earth taken by Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman after the TLI burn yesterday. The NASA post (link below) explains the two auroras and the zodiacal light in the image. https://t.co/jSToocbGT1 https://t.co/7lbb8pErhF

By Marcia Smith
Planetary Society Warns FY2027 NASA Science Cuts
SocialApr 3, 2026

Planetary Society Warns FY2027 NASA Science Cuts

Statement from The Planetary Society about the new FY2027 proposed budget cuts to NASA's science programs: https://t.co/qDYyJ2dGOB

By Marcia Smith
NASA Announces Daily Mission Status Briefings (Schedule Linked)
SocialApr 3, 2026

NASA Announces Daily Mission Status Briefings (Schedule Linked)

NASA will have daily mission status briefings. The list is here, but times are subject to change: https://t.co/CR88eAwACM

By Marcia Smith
Artemis 2 TLI Burn Approaches: Updated Mission Timeline
SocialApr 2, 2026

Artemis 2 TLI Burn Approaches: Updated Mission Timeline

Timeline of Artemis 2 key events (in Mission Elapsed Time) is in NASA's press kit. https://t.co/dKNkKadt10 NASA is posting updates on the Artemis blog. https://t.co/WeDPP3en7T TLI burn is next major event ~7:35 pm ET today (1d1h37s post-launch) https://t.co/kQH3BiJIJG

By Marcia Smith
NASA Shifts Post-Launch Briefing to 8 Pm ET
SocialApr 1, 2026

NASA Shifts Post-Launch Briefing to 8 Pm ET

They've moved the post-launch briefing up. Now at 8:00 pm ET, in just about 5 minutes. On NASA's YouTube channel: https://t.co/3y6Tm3VF4k

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Countdown Continues Despite Flight Termination Issue
SocialApr 1, 2026

Artemis II Countdown Continues Despite Flight Termination Issue

Artemis II update: An issue with the Flight Termination System is being worked, but the countdown is proceeding.

By Marcia Smith
NASA Shares Live Artemis II Updates Alongside Livestream
SocialApr 1, 2026

NASA Shares Live Artemis II Updates Alongside Livestream

In addition to the livestream, NASA is also posting live Artemis II updates here: https://t.co/9gcpALfGtC

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Moon Mission Remains On Track for April 1
SocialMar 31, 2026

Artemis II Moon Mission Remains On Track for April 1

Everything Still on Track for Artemis II Launch to the Moon on April 1 https://t.co/78OHpYtZiS

By Marcia Smith
NASA Confirms April 1 Launch Still On Track
SocialMar 30, 2026

NASA Confirms April 1 Launch Still On Track

NASA post-MMT news conference underway. Amit says everything is still go for launch on April 1. https://t.co/oitmRWMkDe

By Marcia Smith
Virgin Galactic Nears First SpaceShip Completion, Flights $750K
SocialMar 30, 2026

Virgin Galactic Nears First SpaceShip Completion, Flights $750K

Virgin Galactic says assembly of first SpaceShip nearly complete, ground testing begins in April, limited number of Spaceflight Expeditions available at $750,000 each. https://t.co/cGpV1aLh5Z

By Marcia Smith
ESA Director Discusses Key Shifts in Artemis Program
SocialMar 30, 2026

ESA Director Discusses Key Shifts in Artemis Program

Interesting interview with ESA DG Josef Aschbacher by Space News' Emma Gatti about the Artemis changes. https://t.co/NxnFdhnSos

By Marcia Smith
Two Artemis II Live Events Today: Crew Talk & Update
SocialMar 29, 2026

Two Artemis II Live Events Today: Crew Talk & Update

Two Artemis II media events today (Sunday, Mar 28): 11:30 am ET with the crew, 2:00 pm ET status update. Watch on NASA's YouTube channel.

By Marcia Smith
Ula Delays Amazon Leo 5 Launch Due to Weather
SocialMar 28, 2026

Ula Delays Amazon Leo 5 Launch Due to Weather

ULA is postponing the Amazon Leo 5 launch because of weather. New date is pending. https://t.co/MQEPFIZOJC

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Crew Arrives at KSC for Media Q&A
SocialMar 27, 2026

Artemis II Crew Arrives at KSC for Media Q&A

Artemis II crew is enroute to KSC. Expected to land abt 2:30 pm ET. NASA's Jared Isaacman and CSA's Lisa Campbell will be there to greet them. Crew then will answer questions from the media. Full list of public...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Releases “Moonbound” Film, Draws Kids at Greenbelt Cinema
SocialMar 27, 2026

NASA Releases “Moonbound” Film, Draws Kids at Greenbelt Cinema

NASA has a new movie out: Moonbound. https://t.co/mnobQg4EP8 Jake Bleacher mentioned this at USRA/SPI symposium ystrdy. (First I'd heard of it.) Said movie was released earlier this week at Greenbelt Cinema near Goddard. About 200 people were there incl lots of kids.

By Marcia Smith
Senate Commerce Reschedules Satellite Bills After Democratic No‑Show
SocialMar 27, 2026

Senate Commerce Reschedules Satellite Bills After Democratic No‑Show

Senate Commerce will try again tomorrow morning (Mar 27) 10:00 am ET to pass those bills that were to be considered on Wed., incl two satellite related, but couldn’t be bc no Democrats were in attendance. https://t.co/zjaGR3ggpt

By Marcia Smith
NASA to Unveil Under‑Budget Roman Space Telescope April 21
SocialMar 26, 2026

NASA to Unveil Under‑Budget Roman Space Telescope April 21

NASA will unveil the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope -- which Nicky Fox cheers as under budget and ahead of schedule -- at Goddard Space Flight Center on April 21. Press bfg at 4:00 pm ET will be on YouTube....

By Marcia Smith
Administration to Submit FY2027 Budget Request Next Week
SocialMar 26, 2026

Administration to Submit FY2027 Budget Request Next Week

Confirming recent rumors that the Administration will send the FY2027 budget request to Congress next week, Sen Approps Cmte chair Susan Collins tells Politico it's supposed to arrive at the end of next week. https://t.co/eF2p9GpD3K Vought to testify to...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Ignition Site Adds Tuesday PowerPoints, Fact Sheets
SocialMar 26, 2026

NASA Ignition Site Adds Tuesday PowerPoints, Fact Sheets

NASA's new "Ignition" website (https://t.co/hkp5h15SSN) now has the Powerpoints from Tuesday. Keep scrolling down past "media resources" to each topic. Fact sheets and links to the RFIs/RFPs are there too.

By Marcia Smith
NASA Prepares Artemis II Lunar Flyby Launch Next Week
SocialMar 26, 2026

NASA Prepares Artemis II Lunar Flyby Launch Next Week

NASA Gears Up for Artemis II Launch Around the Moon a Week From Now https://t.co/EkQMgSOIZJ

By Marcia Smith
NASA Unveils Vision; NOAA Seeks Input on Mission Authorization
SocialMar 25, 2026

NASA Unveils Vision; NOAA Seeks Input on Mission Authorization

As NASA was laying out its new exploration vision yesterday, NOAA's Office of Space Commerce was releasing an update of its Mission Authorization proposal, seeking stakeholder input. https://t.co/zdjJBR62HO https://t.co/7Ly27Fdunk

By Marcia Smith
NASA Unveils “Ignition” Moon Exploration Roadmap
SocialMar 24, 2026

NASA Unveils “Ignition” Moon Exploration Roadmap

NASA's day-long meeting, starting at 9:00 am ET this morning (Mar 24), is "Ignition: NASA's Plan for the Moon." https://t.co/JDGO8sMTFt

By Marcia Smith
NASA Holds All‑Day Meeting on Trump's Artemis Order
SocialMar 23, 2026

NASA Holds All‑Day Meeting on Trump's Artemis Order

Here's the NASA press release about tomorrow's (Tuesday, Mar 24) all-day meeting at NASA HQ about implementing Trump's Dec 2025 Executive Order re Artemis. https://t.co/fR9uM0P2io Livestreamed. Starts at 9:00 am ET. News conf at 4:45 pm ET.

By Marcia Smith
Space Policy Week Brims with Unmissable Highlights
SocialMar 22, 2026

Space Policy Week Brims with Unmissable Highlights

Impossible to choose just one "pick of the week." SO much going on... What’s Happening in Space Policy March 22-28, 2026 https://t.co/PBNQ87f5RZ

By Marcia Smith
White House Omits Gateway in Trump-Japan Lunar Cooperation Brief
SocialMar 20, 2026

White House Omits Gateway in Trump-Japan Lunar Cooperation Brief

WH fact sheet on Trump’s mtg with Japanese prime minister mentions lunar cooperation on pressurized rover and “the NASA-led Moon base,” but nothing about Gateway.

By Marcia Smith
Balancing Space Benefits with Earth’s Environmental Protection
SocialMar 19, 2026

Balancing Space Benefits with Earth’s Environmental Protection

Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) has a new rpt: “Space for Progress, Earth for Keeps: An Integrated Framework for Space and the Environment" by Mary Guenther and Susie Quinn. On how "to maximize rewards from space and minimize atmospheric effects." https://t.co/jjoRxyItpH

By Marcia Smith
ESA Chief Welcomes NASA's International Artemis Briefing in DC
SocialMar 19, 2026

ESA Chief Welcomes NASA's International Artemis Briefing in DC

At the ESA press briefing this morning, DG Aschbacher said NASA is bringing the international community together here in DC next week. He's looking fwd to learning about the new Artemis architecture incl Gateway. "A welcome opportunity" to see what...

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Rollback to Launch Pad Tomorrow at 8 PM
SocialMar 18, 2026

Artemis II Rollback to Launch Pad Tomorrow at 8 PM

Artemis II SLS/Orion rollback to the launch pad is now set for tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, at 8:00 *pm.* It'll stream on NASA's YouTube channel.

By Marcia Smith
House Hearing Explores LEO's Future: ISS to Commercial Platforms
SocialMar 18, 2026

House Hearing Explores LEO's Future: ISS to Commercial Platforms

House SS&T will hold a hrg on Mar 25 at 10:00 am ET on The Future of LEO: From the ISS to Cmrcl Platforms. NASA's Joel Montalbano (Acting AA for Space Ops Mission Directorate), Dave Cavossa (CSF), Charlie Precourt (mbr,...

By Marcia Smith
SLS/Orion May Return to Pad Thursday, Decision Tomorrow
SocialMar 17, 2026

SLS/Orion May Return to Pad Thursday, Decision Tomorrow

Looks like SLS/Orion MIGHT roll back to pad on Thursday after all. They’ll decide tomorrow (Wed.).

By Marcia Smith
FAA Adopts Part 450 for Commercial Space Launches
SocialMar 17, 2026

FAA Adopts Part 450 for Commercial Space Launches

The FAA has transitioned to the new Part 450 licenses for commercial space launch/reentry. https://t.co/HjK7RLvyJQ

By Marcia Smith
Space Community Unites Behind NASA Authorization Act
SocialMar 13, 2026

Space Community Unites Behind NASA Authorization Act

Senate Commerce "WTAS" (What They are Saying) press release about the broad support in the space community for the NASA authorization act. https://t.co/6F7LmDkbDe

By Marcia Smith
NASA Plans March 18 Spacewalk Before Crew Return
SocialMar 12, 2026

NASA Plans March 18 Spacewalk Before Crew Return

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams will do a spacewalk (#94) on March 18. Spacewalk 95 will be soon after, crew TBA. NASA bfg on March 16, 2:00 pm ET These are the EVAs Crew-11 intended to do before...

By Marcia Smith
Defining a Lunar Base: Landers, Proximity, Night Survival
SocialMar 12, 2026

Defining a Lunar Base: Landers, Proximity, Night Survival

This does get to the question of what is a “lunar base”. Is one CLPS lander the first element of a lunar base? Two, near each other? Do they have to survive the lunar night??

By Marcia Smith
Watch Laura Delgado Lopez's Space Security Webinar on YouTube
SocialMar 10, 2026

Watch Laura Delgado Lopez's Space Security Webinar on YouTube

If you're trying to listen to Laura Delgado Lopez's webinar on Space Security in Latin America and couldn't get a link from the registration website, here's the YouTube link: https://t.co/umexorvqwx

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II No More Wet Dress Rehearsals Post‑FRR
SocialMar 10, 2026

Artemis II No More Wet Dress Rehearsals Post‑FRR

Re Thursday's Artemis II update bfg, which is after the Flight Readiness Review (FRR), I asked if that meant there won't be another Wet Dress Rehearsal. They said that's correct, no more WDRs are planned, but after the FRR will...

By Marcia Smith
Van Allen Probe A to Reenter Earth Ahead of Schedule
SocialMar 9, 2026

Van Allen Probe A to Reenter Earth Ahead of Schedule

NASA's Van Allen Probe A, launched in 2012, is expected to reenter tmrw (Mar 10) ~7:45 pm ET (uncertainty of +/- 24 hrs). Some components may survive. When mission ended in 2019, expected reentry was 2034, but solar activity was higher than...

By Marcia Smith
NASA Schedules Post‑Review Press Conference Amid Artemis II Delays
SocialMar 9, 2026

NASA Schedules Post‑Review Press Conference Amid Artemis II Delays

NASA will hold a news conference on Thursday, March 12, at 3:00 pm ET "after the conclusion of an Artemis II Flight Readiness Review." Watch on YouTube. Isaacman, Glaze, Honeycutt, Quinn, Knight. https://t.co/J4EfWNTiX9 Artemis II is still in the VAB. No date...

By Marcia Smith
Senate Commerce Committee to Vote on NASA Deputy Nominee Thursday
SocialMar 5, 2026

Senate Commerce Committee to Vote on NASA Deputy Nominee Thursday

Following today's nomination hearing for Matt Anderson to be NASA Deputy Admin, the Senate Commerce Cmte will vote on his nomination (and several others) next Thursday, Mar 12, at approx 11:30 am ET. It's in the Capitol (S-216) so likely...

By Marcia Smith
Senate Commerce NASA Bill Revised with New Amendments
SocialMar 4, 2026

Senate Commerce NASA Bill Revised with New Amendments

There were quite a few changes to the Senate Commerce NASA Auth bill compared to the draft that was circulating last week, plus the amendments adopted today. https://t.co/Ad2s6yclcs

By Marcia Smith
NASA Officially Drops EUS and ML‑2 From Roadmap
SocialMar 3, 2026

NASA Officially Drops EUS and ML‑2 From Roadmap

This NASA press release is the first time I've seen them say explicity that EUS and ML-2 are no longer part of the plan. It was implied before, but not stated. https://t.co/dszeLdwLOG https://t.co/M5G9X3Kejl

By Marcia Smith
Artemis II Fixes Helium Blockage, Validates Repairs, Replaces Batteries
SocialMar 3, 2026

Artemis II Fixes Helium Blockage, Validates Repairs, Replaces Batteries

Artemis II update: engineers determined that a quick disconnect seal obstructed the flow of helium in the ICPS upper stage. Repairs have been made and are now being validated. They're also replacing batteries, and a seal on the core stage...

By Marcia Smith
JAXA's HTV‑X1 Leaves ISS Friday, Begins Months‑Long Science
SocialMar 2, 2026

JAXA's HTV‑X1 Leaves ISS Friday, Begins Months‑Long Science

JAXA's HTV-X1 cargo ship will depart ISS on Friday, Mar 6, 12:00 pm ET. Watch starting 11:45 am ET. (Canadarm2 will unberth it the day before. No live coverage of that, only of the release on Friday.) It'll remain in...

By Marcia Smith
Senate Commerce Schedules NASA Deputy Admin Hearing March 5
SocialFeb 26, 2026

Senate Commerce Schedules NASA Deputy Admin Hearing March 5

Senate Commerce will hold a nomination hrg for Matt Anderson to the NASA Deputy Admin (and one other non-NASA nominee) on Thursday, March 5, 10:00 am ET. Webcast.

By Marcia Smith
NASA Announces Artemis II Next Steps in Tomorrow’s Conference
SocialFeb 26, 2026

NASA Announces Artemis II Next Steps in Tomorrow’s Conference

NASA will hold a news conference tomorrow, Friday, Feb 27, at 10:00 am ET at KSC to discuss next steps for the Artemis II campaign. Watch on YouTube. https://t.co/G97rjQNnsk

By Marcia Smith
Bipartisan House Leaders Urge FCC to Drop Overreaching Space Rule
SocialFeb 26, 2026

Bipartisan House Leaders Urge FCC to Drop Overreaching Space Rule

Bipartisan House SS&T leadership has sent a ltr to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asking him to rescind the "Space Modernization" Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) bc it goes beyond the FCC's regulatory authority over radiofrequency licenses. https://t.co/NHrYyotwoH

By Marcia Smith