Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Congressman Lamar Smith on the New Era in Space

July 2018

Past Event

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Congressman Lamar Smith on the New Era in Space

Past Event

Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters

July 24, 2018

Apollo 11 view of the Earth rising over the surface of the moon

July 2018

Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Read Transcript Read Transcript Read Transcript Read Transcript

Speakers:

Hon. Wilbur Ross

U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Hon. Lamar Smith (R-TX)

Chairman, Committee on Science, Technology & Space, U.S. House of Representatives

Earl Comstock

Director, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, U.S. Department of Commerce

Hon. Ian Steff

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Markets and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service

Dr. Steve Volz

Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

James Uthmeier

Senior Advisor & Regulatory Reform Officer, Office of the Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce

Kevin O’Connell

Director, Office of Space Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce

Dr. Joe Pelton

Director, Space and Advanced Communications Research Institute, George Washington University

Maintaining U.S. leadership in the face of global competition warrants a reevaluation of the U.S. political and legal landscape governing space. On July 24, Hudson Institute was joined by the Secretary Wilbur Ross and House Science, Space, & Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith to discuss the Department of Commerce's evolving role in the space sector.

The web of national, regional and international institutions—organized to guide and serve an industry undergoing dramatic transformation—needs to be updated. Rising to meet this challenge, Congress and the Executive Branch have been working together to reshape the legal environment for the commercial use of outer space. Keynote addresses by Secretary Ross and Congressman Smith will be followed by a panel with senior government officials responsible for executing the reform agenda laid out by the Trump Administration.

# First video: Introduction by Hudson President and CEO Kenneth Weinstein and Keynote Address by Congressman Lamar Smith.
# Second video: Discussion with Secretary Wilbur Ross.
# Third video: Panel Discussion: Regulatory Efficacy & Efficiency in Space Commerce.

July 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

The US-Israel Economic Partnership: A Farewell Conversation with Minister Noach Hacker

Featured Speakers:

Michael Doran

Noach Hacker

July 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

The US-Israel Economic Partnership: A Farewell Conversation with Minister Noach Hacker

As the region enters a new strategic phase, Hudson is honored to host Minister Hacker for what promises to be a candid farewell discussion.

Featured Speakers:

Michael Doran

Noach Hacker

Learn More

July 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta

Featured Speakers:

Ken Moriyasu

Congressman Jimmy Panetta

July 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta

Please join Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Senior Fellow Ken Moriyasu for a discussion on Central Asia’s economic and strategic significance and why updating US trade policy is key to unlocking the region’s potential in an era of renewed great power competition.

Featured Speakers:

Ken Moriyasu

Congressman Jimmy Panetta

Learn More

July 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

A Conversation on US Communications Law

Featured Speakers:

Harold Furchtgott-Roth

Robert M. McDowell

Kirk R. Arner

Arielle Roth

The seal for the Federal Communications Commission at FCC headquarters on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

July 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

A Conversation on US Communications Law

Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Robert McDowell for a discussion of the book and communications law with the authors, Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Kirk Arner, and Arielle Roth.

Featured Speakers:

Harold Furchtgott-Roth

Robert M. McDowell

Kirk R. Arner

Arielle Roth

Learn More

July 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat

Featured Speakers:

Chi-Chang Tsai

Pao-Yang Shen

Ting-Yu Wang

Miles Yu

July 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat

Please join Hudson Institute’s China Center as Miles Yu hosts a panel with key members of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the Democratic Progressive Party to examine Taiwan’s mobilization efforts against the CCP’s increasing threats.