Time to Declare Space Critical Infrastructure: Space Foundation

Increasing reliance on and commercial interest in outer space means space "demands a new status" and should be designated critical infrastructure, Space Foundation CEO Tom Zelibor said Thursday in a webinar. Such a declaration would allow mobilizing policy and programs that better integrate it into resilience planning and coordination, helping safeguard the growing space economy, he said. There might have been a premature rush by space companies to go public via special purpose acquisition companies, said Jeffrey Manber, Voyager Space president-international and space stations. As many are falling short of expectations in their performance, their stock prices are down, and that could turn off a generation of investors to space, he said. He said there needs to be attention about whether sanctions on Russia could hinder its ability to maintain its International Space Station commitments. Congress is leaning toward keeping the ISS operational at least through 2030, but "I don't believe it's up to Congress," he said. U.S. export policy is unduly hampering commercial space operators, said Kari Bingen, Center for Strategic and International Studies senior fellow. She said operators will need access to international markets to help ensure commercial space isn't overly reliant on government contracts.