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SPACE. Two commercial space companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, are boosting their lobbying efforts in Washington. SpaceX — also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., founded by Elon Musk — brought on S.O. Witt and Associates and Harbinger Strategies, an all-Republican firm, to hold “meetings with officials regarding issues related to competition of satellite launches.” The company, which battles with aerospace giants for contracts, now has nine lobbying firms working on its behalf. Meanwhile, Blue Origin, a venture of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, hired the law and lobby firm Balch & Bingham to work on Defense Department appropriations and an Air Force initiative called the Next Generation Launch System Investment program.

HEALTHCARE. The Children’s National Health System in Washington, formerly known as the Children’s National Medical Center, is working with a third lobbying firm, Cornerstone Government Affairs. Lobbyists will be working on reimbursement issues and funding for “research, public health and clinical care,” according to disclosure forms. Other pediatric hospitals have also hired lobbyists recently, including Dayton Children’s Hospital, in Dayton, Ohio, which brought on Ohio-based firm CBD Strategic. Kevin DeWine, the former chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, will be working on the hospital’s behalf.

{mosads}FOOD SAFETY. The Russell Group will be lobbying on behalf of the American Frozen Food Institute on “issues pertaining to control of foodborne pathogens,” according to forms. The firm has been working for the industry group for more than a month, though the disclosures have only recently been filed to the Senate.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS. BGR Government Affairs is now doing public relations services for the Center for Studies and Media Affairs at the Saudi Royal Court, a part of the Saudi Arabian government. The contract is worth $500,000 per year, according to documents filed to the Justice Department.

Updated at 4:22 p.m.