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A Robust Space Program

A robust space program is critical to the future of the United States and the world. Since its inception more than 40 years ago, the space program has generated technology that has helped to fuel our nation’s economic advances, its achievements have inspired us to greater heights, and its research and development efforts have been a catalyst for scientific and technical achievement. The technology generated by a robust space program is key to the United States' goal of maintaining its world leadership role and its economic competitiveness in the 21^st century.

Space is about technology, and technology is critical to the United States' future

• A Strengthened U.S. Economy: History has proven that investments in science and technology lead to increased productivity and economic growth and prosperity.
• Technologies for Earth: Space technology has revolutionized and improved our lives in countless ways, from medicine to agriculture, in our homes and in our automobiles, at work and at play, and in nearly every aspect of our lives. And it will continue to do so. A robust space program is a technology machine.
• Advancement of Science and Engineering. A robust space program provides an inspiration and a challenge that brings our best scientific and engineering talent to bear on issues of historical proportions. At the same time, it stimulates our students to learn and our national education system to improve.
• Commercialization of Space: Space provides a limitless, untapped source of materials, technologies, and energy awaiting development for the benefit of the world.

Space is also about the future

• U.S. Leadership: At the current pace, the United States' preeminence in space is threatened. For example, our share of the expendable launch business has shrunk from 80% not long ago to less than 40% today. This retreat presents a threat not only in terms of national pride, but also in terms of economic vitality. A robust space program reverses this trend and ensures our leadership position.

• International Cooperation: Increased international cooperation, in all facets of life, is in our future. The International Space Station Program provides a model for United States leadership in international cooperation. A robust space program will enable us to discover and test new models of cooperation, and to demonstrate our nation’s commitment to peaceful partnerships in all endeavors.

• Knowledge of the Universe: Humankind shares a fundamental need to understand the origin and history of our solar system, the beginnings of life, and the direction and fate of our universe. A robust space program enables the United States to be a leader in defining the pathway to this understanding.

Road Map

In order to contribute to the United States' efforts to maintain its world leadership role and economic competitiveness, the United States and the United States' space program must take specific steps:

• Provide vigorous leadership and support to the national effort to improve education in the United States . The space program can serve as a powerful source of inspiration to young people in the United States to pursue their education, particularly in science, math, and engineering.
• Fly the Shuttle safely and upgrade it as necessary so it may continue to serve as the backbone of human access to low Earth orbit.
• Complete the International Space Station.
• Develop the technologies necessary to ensure affordable access to space.
• Commit to a bold program of human exploration of our solar system, and eventually beyond our solar system. The first step is to return to the Moon to stay, and the next logical step is the human exploration of Mars.
• Continue the coalition of government, industry, and academia which has made our space program a success.
• Continue efforts to commercialize wherever and whenever possible.
• Continue a balanced program of human and robotic space exploration.

Summary

The technology generated by a robust space program is key to the United States' goal of maintaining its world leadership role and its economic competitiveness in the 21^st century.

We have many examples in our history of the quality of American talent and ingenuity. But when historians centuries from now write the history of the United States in the 20^th century, no achievements will stand out more prominently than those of our space program, and in particular the amazing feat of placing humans on the Moon. We have not written the final chapter of the space program by any means. In fact, we have only begun writing the book.

Last Updated: 09/07/01