Evolving role of space policy in national security: From “hobby shop” to center stage

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is prioritizing space like never before, assistant secretary of defense for space policy John Plumb said April 5. Plumb, who recently announced he will step down after two years on the job, previously served in the Pentagon during the Obama administration, and he noted the stark contrast in how space issues are now being handled compared to a decade ago. Back then, space policy "was a hobby shop" and few people talked about space or discussed it in meetings, Plumb said at a Defense Writers Group breakfast meeting. "Now space is constantly a topic at…