Blakey Participates in Space Panel at George Washington University
On October 29, AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey participated in a forum at the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute titled From Vision to Execution: Implementing U.S. Space Policy.
Blakey took part in the opening panel and led off with remarks about the importance of the passage of the NASA Authorization Act, which gives needed direction to U.S. civil space efforts. She called on Congress to pass a NASA appropriations bill as soon as possible. The panel also included Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Executive Director Robert Dickman.
Blakey’s remarks largely centered on AIA’s recently released report, Tipping Point: Maintaining the Health of the National Security Space Industrial Base. She pointed to specific challenges in the areas of protected military satellite communications, missile warning and in the solid rocket motor and liquid rocket sectors. Blakey particularly emphasized the need to modernize and maintain critical military space assets and associated supplier capabilities.
AIA’s recommendations in the report are designed to combat strains in the industrial base by establishing leadership and program stability, a long-term space investment strategy and procurement strategies that smooth out satellite orders. Blakey commented that buying systems more efficiently as recommended in Tipping Point ties nicely with what the Defense Department is hoping to accomplish with its efficiencies initiative.
Blakey also raised the new emphasis in the National Space Policy on international cooperation and the need to support international business opportunities for our companies as reasons for improving export control policies. AIA has long championed export control reform, including the space sector.
In closing, Blakey called for a clear path forward for all U.S. space initiatives, stating that National-level strategy and coordination help us see the big picture and set the right national course for maintaining American competitiveness and leadership in space. “We cannot afford to lose sight of that big picture,” Blakey said. “Our future workforce and economic vitality depend on it.”
Elliot Pulham, Marion C. Blakey, and Robert Dickman
Read notes on the forum prepared by George Washington University. (PDF format)
Read Blakey's speech. (PDF format)
AIA source: mike.conschafter[at]aia-aerospace.org
