{ "id": "RL34263", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL34263", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 349244, "date": "2009-05-27", "retrieved": "2016-04-07T02:28:49.271649", "title": "U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik", "summary": "The \u201cspace age\u201d began on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union (USSR) launched Sputnik, the world\u2019s first artificial satellite. Some U.S. policymakers, concerned about the USSR\u2019s ability to launch a satellite, thought Sputnik might be an indication that the United States was trailing behind the USSR in science and technology. The Cold War also led some U.S. policymakers to perceive the Sputnik launch as a possible precursor to nuclear attack. In response to this \u201cSputnik moment,\u201d the U.S. government undertook several policy actions, including the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), enhancement of research funding, and reformation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education policy.\nFollowing the \u201cSputnik moment,\u201d a set of fundamental factors gave \u201cimportance, urgency, and inevitability to the advancement of space technology,\u201d according to an Eisenhower presidential committee. These four factors include the compelling need to explore and discover; national defense; prestige and confidence in the U.S. scientific, technological, industrial, and military systems; and scientific observation and experimentation to add to our knowledge and understanding of the Earth, solar system, and universe. They are still part of current policy discussions and influence the nation\u2019s civilian space policy priorities\u2014both in terms of what actions NASA is authorized to undertake and the appropriations each activity within NASA receives. The United States faces a far different world today. No Sputnik moment, Cold War, or space race exists to help policymakers clarify the goals of the nation\u2019s civilian space program. The Hubble telescope, Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters, and Mars exploration rovers frame the experience of current generations, in contrast to the Sputnik launch and the U.S. Moon landings. As a result, some experts have called for new 21st century space policy objectives and priorities to replace those developed 50 years ago. \nThe Obama Administration has stated that the U.S. must maintain and take full advantage of its technical and strategic superiority in space. Among its proposed actions are closing the gap between retirement of the Space Shuttle and launch of the next generation of space vehicles; strengthening NASA\u2019s missions in space science, weather, climate research, and aeronautical research; helping establish a robust and balanced civilian space program, and engaging international partners and the private sector to amplify NASA\u2019s reach; re-establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Council, which will report to the President and oversee and coordinate civilian, military, commercial and national security space activities; and ensuring freedom of space. In addition, the administration has decided to conduct an independent review of planned U.S. human space flight activities. The panel\u2019s report is to be completed in sufficient time so it will serve as input for Obama Administration\u2019s decisionmaking scheduled for August 2009.\nDuring the 111th Congress, policymakers may discuss a NASA authorization bill including identifying priorities for U.S. civil space exploration. This might help Congress determine the most appropriate balance of funding for NASA\u2019s programs during its authorization and appropriation process. For example, if Congress believes that national prestige should be the highest priority, they may choose to emphasize NASA\u2019s human exploration activities. If scientific knowledge is the highest priority, Congress may emphasize unmanned missions and other science-related activities. If international relations are a high priority, Congress might encourage other nations to become equal partners in actions related to the International Space Station. If spinoff effects are of interest, they may focus on technological development and linking to the needs of business and industry, and expanding its role in science and mathematics education.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL34263", "sha1": "08c235b0a798cfc13f32c9eb640e5144af72394a", "filename": "files/20090527_RL34263_08c235b0a798cfc13f32c9eb640e5144af72394a.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL34263", "sha1": "3fe734349cdf74ebb8496e1d9441998b07848def", "filename": "files/20090527_RL34263_3fe734349cdf74ebb8496e1d9441998b07848def.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462908/", "id": "RL34263_2008Jun20", "date": "2008-06-20", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik", "summary": "This report describes Sputnik and its influence on today's U.S. civilian space policy, the actions other nations and commercial organizations are taking in space exploration, and why the nation invests in space exploration and the public's attitude toward it. The report concludes with a discussion of possible options for future U.S. civilian space policy priorities and the implication of those priorities.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20080620_RL34263_37bf7c76d8740e313d6299730d3bfcfb36983a2f.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20080620_RL34263_37bf7c76d8740e313d6299730d3bfcfb36983a2f.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Space activities", "name": "Space activities" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Space policy", "name": "Space policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "International cooperation in astronautics", "name": "International cooperation in astronautics" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Space exploration", "name": "Space exploration" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc817861/", "id": "RL34263_2007Dec03", "date": "2007-12-03", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20071203_RL34263_8fd8350ac5e55a8249eccc3f01286522990f6567.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20071203_RL34263_8fd8350ac5e55a8249eccc3f01286522990f6567.html" } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "Appropriations", "Foreign Affairs", "National Defense", "Science and Technology Policy" ] }