24
July 2018
Past Event
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Congressman Lamar Smith on the New Era in Space

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
Caption
Apollo 11 view of the Earth rising over the surface of the moon
24
July 2018
Past Event

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

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

Brandt Pasco

Adjunct Fellow

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.

Related Events
14
October 2025
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Czech-US Defense and Security Forum
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Pavlačík
Ambassador Tomáš Pojar
Kristýna Helm
Radka Konderlová
Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski, USAF (Ret.)
Mislav Tolusic
Jan Jireš, PhD
Marek Polčák
Katie Wheelbarger
Brandon Tseng
Michael Madsen
Lorenz Meier
Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes
Sean Cantrell
Jerry Javornicky
Václav Kobera
Amb. Miloslav Stašek
Moderators:
Jan Havránek
Webpage Graphic
14
October 2025
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Czech-US Defense and Security Forum

This forum will bring together American and Czech officials, defense experts, and industry leaders in Washington, DC.

Webpage Graphic
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Pavlačík
Ambassador Tomáš Pojar
Kristýna Helm
Radka Konderlová
Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski, USAF (Ret.)
Mislav Tolusic
Jan Jireš, PhD
Marek Polčák
Katie Wheelbarger
Brandon Tseng
Michael Madsen
Lorenz Meier
Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes
Sean Cantrell
Jerry Javornicky
Václav Kobera
Amb. Miloslav Stašek
Moderators:
Jan Havránek
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security
Featured Speakers:
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Eric Hostetler
Russell Varone
Moderator:
Getty Images
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security

Join Hudson Institute for a conference on the future of America’s industrial base.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Eric Hostetler
Russell Varone
Moderator:
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stability, Security, and Prosperity in Southeastern Europe: A Priority for the Transatlantic Community
Featured Speakers:
Alexandru Nazare
Anca Dragu
Jan Ruzicka
Ambassador Philip Kosnett (Ret.)
Justin Siberell
Moderators:
Getty Images
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stability, Security, and Prosperity in Southeastern Europe: A Priority for the Transatlantic Community

Concurrent with the World Bank–International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, DC, Hudson will host a high-level discussion on Southeastern Europe. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Alexandru Nazare
Anca Dragu
Jan Ruzicka
Ambassador Philip Kosnett (Ret.)
Justin Siberell
Moderators:
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar
Getty Images
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations

Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, will join Hudson Senior Fellow David Feith to discuss how Washington should approach the US-China relationship in an era of rising geopolitical competition.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar