Featured Speaker

Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel noted that after fifty years of space activity, the community is at a critical juncture in the evolution of space. The United States established a global reputation as the preeminent leader in space and as a result has shaped international norms. Today however, the space community faces challenges in maintaining a skilled workforce. Other challenges include the national trade deficit and a declining market share in the space industry. Additionally, there is an increasing fragmentation of space activities across government agencies in spite of a growing interdependency.

The United States is in need of a national space policy that clearly defines and prioritizes goals, while also laying out roadmaps and implementation plans. The overarching goal of the next space policy should be to set national security as the top priority, re-energize commercial space, promote a long-term investment in human capital, and ensure that the United States continues to expand scientific knowledge. Creating and implementing a successful policy will require strong leadership both in the executive and legislative branches of the government. The space community needs to be unified and deliver a clear message of the importance of space as national asset, especially to the next administration.