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The Ongoing Erosion Of The US Space Industrial Base
Bethesda MD (SPX) Jan 21, 2009 Once upon a time there was a big, beautiful country with an innovative, exciting Space Program. The government had great ideas and superb leadership. Space systems evolved and provided new services never before available to the people. Everyone was happy. Over a period of time, everyone got used to having the latest technological products developed by the Space Program and adapted for improving daily life. People took these innovations for granted. They lost interest in supporting Space and new Space Programs were under-funded and poorly designed. Delays and cost overruns became commonplace. New satellites did not work as expected. The population thought technological wizardy developed for Space would continue to be available to them without much effort. They forgot about the importance of a strong Space Program. Soon, other countries caught up technologically and could compete effectively in Space. The Leadership in the big, beautiful country did not pay attention to world competition. They were unaware of the importance of Space in National Security. Eventually, the big, beautiful country wasn't so big and beautiful. National Security was compromised. The big, beautiful country became dependent upon other nations for satellite launches and rides to outer Space and the Space Station. People no longer had the latest gadgets sending signals and music from Space. There was a sadness upon the land. Recently, several studies and academic scholars have documented a dramatic deterioration in the industrial base for U.S. space systems over the last 25 years. There are many pockets of excellence throughout the country, but the American space industry, NASA, DoD and other government agencies involved in U.S. Space Programs do not command the respect they once did. The preeminent space power has severely declined. Performance has eroded, support is lacking and expectations have diminished. Why? The success of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other U.S. technological innovations highlighted the strategic importance of Space as an enabler for communications, navigation and remote sensing, thus attracting the attention of the international defense and intelligence communities. Twenty years ago only the U.S., the former Soviet Union and Europe were aware of the importance of Space applications. Today, every developing nation is a customer for Space applications. The world now recognizes that the marketplace for Space-related goods and services has greatly expanded. More providers have entered the competition and are winning customers away from the U.S. Furthermore, the licensing processes under U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) have restricted the ability of U.S. Space contractors to compete in foreign markets. Some European manufacturers even advertise "ITAR-free" spacecraft products. The actual impact of ITAR is exactly the opposite of its original intent, i.e., to slow the development of certain technologies outside the U.S. In today's environment, it is simply arrogant and immature to think other countries lack the intellectual capital and will to create technologies for strategic applications. International competition, disarray in U.S. leadership and a shortage of native Space technologists have crippled the country's capability to compete. Economics' driven industry consolidations and an aging workforce of older space professionals further weaken the Space industry's capacity to deliver cutting-edge systems. Evidence supporting this analysis is clearly on display with the most recent military and intelligence spacecraft programs. U.S. Space leaders have been fully informed of this dire situation, but little has been done. Strong leadership across the government, in industry and in academia is mandatory to reverse this trend in U.S. Space decline. ITAR restrictions and licensing processes need urgent reform to allow Space contractors to market and compete more effectively. Presidential leadership is mandatory to reorganize the government Space enterprise and to create a centralized Space Architecture. Universities need improved incentives to produce more qualified scientists and engineers who can contribute to U.S. Space capabilities. If action isn't taken immediately, the U.S. will become a follower, instead of a leader. And National Security will be almost irreparably damaged-in Space and therefore on the ground. Related Links Launchspace Space Analysis and Space OpEds
Commitment And Flexibility Remain Key To Success In Space Operations
Patrick AFB FL (AFNS) Jan 19, 2009When people say "the only constant is change," I don't always know for sure if they are specifically referring to the space and launch business, but it seems to fit these days. |
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