Maintain U.S. global leadership in space
U.S. space efforts — civil, commercialand national security — drive our nation’s competitiveness, economic growth and innovation. To maintain U.S. preeminence in this sector and to allow space to act as a technological driver for current and future industries, our leadership must recognize space as a national priority and robustly fund its programs.
Space technologies and applications are essential in our everyday lives. Banking transactions, business and personal communications as well as emergency responders, airliners and automobiles depend on communications and GPS satellites. Weather and remote sensing satellites provide lifesaving warnings and recurring global measurements of our changing Earth. National security and military operations are deeply dependent upon space assets.
The key to continuing U.S. preeminence is a cohesive coordination body and a national space strategy. Absent this, the myriad government agencies overseeing these critical systems may make decisions based upon narrow agency requirements.
The U.S. space industrial base consists of unique workforce skills and production techniques. The ability of industry to meet the needs of U.S. space programs depends on a healthy industrial base.
U.S. leadership in space cannot be taken for granted. Other nations are learning the value of space systems; the arena is increasingly contested, congested and competitive. Strong government leadership at the highest level is critical to maintaining our lead in space and must be supported by a healthy and innovative industrial sector.
