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Exploring Space Policy Dynamics: History, Challenges, and Strategies

Delve into the history, significance, and complexities of space policy, examining the impact of science on society and the tensions between science and policy. Explore key questions and issues in space science and policy development to understand the roles of scientists, politicians, and the public.

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Exploring Space Policy Dynamics: History, Challenges, and Strategies

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  1. Space Policy Now 15 January 2019

  2. Readings for today • Neal chapters 1,2,3

  3. History of Space Policy • 4 Oct 1957: Sputnik I launched • Shock waves throughout free world, esp USA • Part of Cold War competition in ideology and military capability • Near hysteria followed • Eyes looking down on us! • Ham radio followed sputnik signals • Presaged ‘bombs from space’

  4. Bush Report (1945): Science - the Endless Frontier • Government supplies funds to universities, foundations, research centers • Bargain: • Gov’t supports science for the public good • Basic research provides raw material for progress, public good (e.g., ONR, AEC, NIH) • This requires strategic planning, competition, selection, federal funding and reviews

  5. Questions • What is science? • What is policy? • Who knows best?

  6. Science • A process that supplies repeatable truth about the universe • Search for truth and new knowledge • Scientific method is over-simplified! • Not the same as technology • Basic research leads to applied research, which leads to development • Example: Manhattan Project’s development of atomic bomb was based on basic and applied physics research

  7. Policy • The way that resources are used: Follow the money (as in the Watergate scandal) • Space activities are expensive, only the richest nations can afford it • Like science, policy is a process as well as a product • Science policy is important because of the impacts of science on modern life

  8. Tension or conflict? • Science is generally free and open… remember Galileo and his telescope • But science policy involves incentives for discovery that will meet national and political goals • Policy is highly visible, costly, value-laden, and open to public debate • This naturally involves controversy and disputes

  9. Space Science Elements • Individual scientists and teams • Robotic and human space missions • Astronauts and politicians • Strategic plans and decisions • Balance big and small missions

  10. More Tensions • Who knows best, scientists or politicians? • Having a ‘strategy’ means we can’t have a ‘democracy’: only some activities are sponsored • NASA budget is flat, but $19B is still a lot of money (even the small fraction that comes to Colorado is significant)

  11. Space Policy Issues • What is the right process: What can we learn from history? • What are the key space science questions? • What is the appropriate role for humans in space? • Cooperation versus competition • Role of the free market • Social benefits and how to encourage them • How to foster space and space science activities?

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