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To raise some issues seen by space activists, I have decided to open up my diary to fellow space enthusiasts who do not have a dailykos account. This is the first, in what will hopefully be a series of diaries, from various people.
Phil Smith is a member of the Space Policy Advisory Group. Right now, he is working with NASA to develop a Space Futures Working Group whose immediate function will be to present space policy papers to the presidential transition team from November to January (which hopefully will be Senator Obama).
He originally posted this over at his my.barackobama.com blog. These are his views, not mine, although there are a number of points I do agree with. It has been re-posted with his express permission. So join me over the fold to read his excellent piece.
BTW, everything in italics are my comments.
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| I was disappointed with Dr. Steve Robinson's input during the ISDC panel discussing Obama's view on space matters (I was not there, but have read various accounts). I'm not suprised by this, as campaigns have traditionally placed space low on the list of priorities, which is understandable. What is not understandable is having someone who knows about space on the staff somewhere, even if this is a secondary duty.
We need to reinvent the way the federal government deals with space. NASA needs to be reinvented, for one thing. I want that organization to be split into two NACA0like organizations - one dedicated to aerospace RDT&E and the other to astronautical RDT&E. I want it out of operations. All science missions should go to the National Academies of Science and all Earth missions to NOAA.
Military space needs direction from above as well. We need a firm space policy that is not belligerent. Among other things, we need to prevent the militarization of space now. Currently, space assets support terrestrial military operations. I do not want to see this evolve into space assets supporting non-terrestrial military operations. I consider this distinct from "weaponization" of space, which is a broader concept allowing for law enforcement and personnel security needs.
We need a robust Department of Commerce office dedicated to space, working closely with the Department of Transportation's Office of Commercial Space Transportation. We need to provide a means for commercial activity to establish itself in space, and this means tax incentives, RDT&E support, international engagement, etc. The bulk of space activity in the future will be commercial in nature, and we need this fact reflected in our space policy and funding.
Finally, the president will need a senior space policy advisor. Such a person should have a comprehensive understanding of the space sectors, and not be a generic policy wonk, scientist, engineer, or military member, unless such a person has a big picture view that embraces more than their experience would suggest.
So, what do you think? Does Mr. Smith have a good series of proposals? I personally think there is a lot of merit to these ideas. There are more specific areas where we disagree, but these kinds of broad base proposals are, IMHO, excellent proposals. But I am curious as to everyone elses thoughts. BTW, if you want to help encourage Senator Obama to develop a sound space policy, you can sign the petition encouraging a robust space policy, or even better, donate to Senator Obama through the Space Policy Advisory Group. |
