White House Warns Defence Firms as Congress Backs Space and Science Funding

Space and defence policies have seen major developments in recent weeks. The White House issued a warning to defence contractors, while Congress pushed back against proposed science and space budget cuts. Meanwhile, progress continues in space exploration, with China advancing its orbital research and repairs completed on the International Space Station.

The White House released an Executive Order targeting defence contractor spending. The document suggests potential restrictions but does not specify exact measures.

Congress, however, took a different stance by approving a three-bill funding package. The legislation rejects many of the administration's proposed cuts to space and science programmes.

In space operations, China carried out extensive on-orbit scientific work throughout 2025. The country's activities included experiments and technology tests in low Earth orbit.

On the International Space Station, cosmonauts successfully sealed leaks in the Russian module. The repairs followed months of monitoring and troubleshooting.

Meanwhile, NASA's planned infrastructure overhaul, announced in January 2024, remains unclear in its execution. No updates have been provided on how the changes will affect timelines for next-generation manned missions.

The European Space Agency (ESA) also faced challenges after reporting a data breach. Details on the extent or impact of the incident have not been disclosed.

The White House's warning to defence contractors contrasts with Congress's decision to fund space and science initiatives. With China expanding its orbital research and the ISS leaks now fixed, the sector continues to evolve. NASA's infrastructure plans and ESA's breach response will likely shape future developments in space policy and security.