by The second Trump government started a series of rapid changes in the way the federal government works. This is what the president introduced last week and what it could mean for the space community.
Distress diversity, fairness and inclusion -initiatives
The news: President Donald Trump gave two executive orders UIT-eo 14151 and EO 14173-Kort after his inauguration, which inaugurate federal agencies to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (dei) initiatives and to terminate diversity-oriented hirings programs. In response, NASA began to close its Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (Odeo) and similar offices in its field centers. Reports also indicate that NASA employees were instructed to remove references to diversity of websites from agencies. In addition, NASA sent memos to his scientific advisory groups that order them to pause all meetings and activities, while the agency assessed his compliance with these new guidelines. The immediate effect was the cancellation of the first personal meeting of the Mercury Exploration Assessment Group (Mexag), with other groups, such as the Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG), who put events. Historical diversity -related content was also removed from the NASA website.
Why it matters for the space community: These executive orders can have a permanent impact on the workforce of NASA and research priorities. Dei programs at NASA are designed to broaden access to voice fields. Proponents of such a policy say that their disposal risks limit the possibilities for under -represented groups. The advisory groups were planning to cover mission planning and scientific cooperation, as well as important research discussions with regard to missions such as ESA/Jaxa’s Bepicolombo Mercury Mission.
What is the following: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D -Calif.), The top democrat in the House Science Committee, has formally asked NASA and other science agencies to give detailed accounts on how they implement the executive orders, including information about office closures, staff placed on administrative leave and website – Changes. NASA has to respond until February 14. In the meantime, scientific advisory groups are waiting for more guidance about whether their activities can resume. If no direction is given on 7 February, OPAG and other groups can cancel the upcoming meetings.
Astronauts return from the ISS
The news: Trump publicly called on SpaceX to immediately return two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, from the International Space Station (ISS), claiming that they were ‘almost abandoned’. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, said the company would be satisfactory. NASA, however, soon clarified that its existing plan was already intended to return the crew-9 astronauts at the beginning of April after the Crew-10 mission arrives, whereby the right ISS staff and operations are guaranteed.
Why it matters for the space community: The ISS is based on carefully planned crew rotations to maintain functionality. The return of the crew-9 without replacing crew-9 can have the ISS-Onderstated Scientific Research and Routinematd maintenance limited. Moreover, the launch of the crew-10 has already had to deal with delays due to the concerns of space tractors, and the accelerating of the timeline could introduce the safety risks.
What is the following: NASA continues to work for its original schedule, where CREW-10 launches at the end of March and CREW-9 returns at the beginning of April. However, current problems with the readiness of the crew can postpone the crew-10, so that NASA may have to use another Dragon Capsule that is intended for the private astronaut mission of Axiom Space.
A tar of 25% placesIFF on Canadian import
The news: Trump delayed a planned 25% rate for most Canadian imports by at least 30 days, so that Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford paused his own retaliation measures, including a threat to cancel a StarLink contract of $ 68 million for national broadband. Ford has also a presented ban for American companies that offer provincial contracts. The relocation followed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to combat organized crime and fentanyl trade – issues Trump linked to the rates.
Why it matters for the space community: Ontario’s decision to cancel the Starlink contract, retains an important broadband initiative aimed at offering internet access to 15,000 disadvantaged houses and companies. However, the broader trade conflict evokes concern about possible disturbances of the supply chain for the American space industry. If Trump restores the rates, American companies that trust in Canadian and EU suppliers can face satellite production and launch activities with higher costs and delays.
What is the following: For the time being, Starlink’s contract remains intact, but fate depends on how commercial conversations in the US canada will unfold in the coming weeks. When the rates return, Ontario can restore its ban on American companies in provincial contracts. In the meantime, satellite operators such as Telesat and Oneweb can look for new Canadian government contracts as alternatives to Starlink.
