Policy Challenges Facing the US Space Research Program

Abstract

In a companion article in this issue (page 56), Joseph K. Alexander and Frank B. McDonald discuss the current state of space research in the United States, some of the changes that are taking place in the US space science program and the contributions that the space sciences have made to addressing a wide variety of scientific questions. Based on these accomplishments, the space research community has developed an ambitious menu of possible new initiatives for the end of this century and beyond. But describing scientific dreams, identifying trends and carrying out elaborate planning studies to define and choose new missions will constitute purely intellectual exercises unless both NASA management and the scientific and engineering communities take specific actions to improve program implementation. Also, the need for a stable policy that leads to orderly planning and execution of such programs must be recognized by the executive and legislative bodies that formulate and approve both the plans for space research and their budgets.