NOAA Layoffs Impact Space Traffic Coordination; Senators Question Air Force Nominee's SpaceX Ties

Layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including staff in the Office of Space Commerce, may hinder space traffic coordination efforts. The cuts affect the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), intended to manage orbital object tracking, and the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Division, impacting satellite imaging licensing. The Office of Space Commerce could lose up to a quarter of its staff. Meanwhile, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth have raised concerns about Troy Meink, nominee for Secretary of the Air Force, regarding his past contract decisions at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) favoring SpaceX. They seek clarification on his relationship with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his plans for future Pentagon contracts. The senators' inquiry follows reports suggesting Meink structured an NRO contract to benefit SpaceX. Despite these concerns, analysts believe Meink's confirmation is likely.