Emerging Tech
NASA Hands Elon Musk a Reality Check
A shared effort to deliver NASA astronauts to space recently got a little awkward.
Acquisition
GWACs see steady spending season
The end of the fiscal year saw continued growth at governmentwide acquisition contracts, according to managers.
Modernization
5G advocates look to spectrum sharing
Federal agencies see increasing opportunity and value in sharing their spectrum, rather than holding on to it.
Emerging Tech
How an Autonomous Self-Assembling Space Robot Could Transform NASA’s Future Missions
The Archinaut One could support NASA’s efforts to reach the moon and Mars—and one day, potentially defend itself in outer space.
Acquisition
GWACs anticipate bump in year end spending over FY2018
One big contract manager said the raised micropurchase limit will likely contribute to a rise in the dollar amount of year-end spending by agencies as fiscal year 2019 draws to a close.
Acquisition
Why GSA buys tech from NASA SEWP
The General Services Administration is the government's hub acquisition, so the agency's IG is wondering why it's buying tech from NASA's big IT contract.
Emerging Tech
IG: NOAA, NASA Launched Next-Gen Satellite With Known Issues, Scrubbed Performance Metrics from Contract
The main instrument of the GOES-R next-generation satellite constellation wasn’t working before launch but officials sent it into space anyway.
Emerging Tech
The Great NASA Bake-Off
High-tech agriculture would keep far-flung astronauts alive, but making something delicious would keep them happy.
Modernization
NASA’s Moon Plans Rely Heavily on Mobile Tech
CIO Renee Wynn weighed in on how America’s space agency embraces mobility.
Ideas
NASA May Bring a Laser-Based Internet to Space for Mars Missions
NASA will need to boost its comms to support human space travel.
Emerging Tech
We Were Promised Moon Cities
It’s been 50 years since Apollo 11 put humans on the surface of the moon. Why didn’t we stay and build a more permanent lunar base? Lots of reasons.
Emerging Tech
Your Smart Toaster Can’t Hold a Candle to the Apollo Computer
Despite what everyone says about the power of modern devices, they’re nowhere near as capable as the landmark early NASA system.
Digital Government
The Watch That Went to the Moon
Fifty years ago, Buzz Aldrin wore his Omega Speedmaster Professional on the lunar surface. It’s been an icon—and a bestseller—ever since.
Modernization
Panel Dems say spectrum process is 'broken'
A squabble over protecting incumbent federal users in the recently auctioned 24 GHz spectrum points to breakdown in collaborative process, Democrats on the House spectrum panel say.
Acquisition
FAR tweaked in time for fall buying
A small change in the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s language that makes GWAC purchases a little smoother could help out as fall buying season nears.
Acquisition
EIS vendors don't see rush to modernize
The government wants agencies to use the $50 billion, 10- year Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions telecom contract to support IT modernization but in the early stages most customers want to make sure the phones stay on.
Emerging Tech
A Startling Spike on Mars
Methane gas is a potential indicator of life on the red planet, but it’s proving difficult to track.
Emerging Tech
A Robot Has Been Stuck on Mars for Months
NASA will conduct a delicate rescue mission to free a probe trapped just inches below the red planet’s surface.
Digital Government
NASA Managers and Contractors Significantly Lowballed Space Mission Costs, Watchdog Found
Despite cost overruns and schedule delays, the space agency awarded Boeing and Lockheed Martin $200 million in performance awards, GAO noted.
Cybersecurity