Despite the ongoing pandemic, is very excited in space this year. GODMOTHER Rover of perseverance is less than a month away from landing on Mars; James Webb Space Telescope the Halloween launch is scheduled; and Space launch system“The most powerful NASA.” rocket ever–could see its inaugural launch later this year. And, of course, there is The Artemis program, which should deliver a woman and a man on the lunar surface in just three years.
We will learn a lot in the coming weeks and months about President Biden’s NASA policy and what his administration believes is the best way forward for the American space program. Meanwhile, wI stretched space experts, asking a very simple question: What should be Biden’s NASA priorities?
John Mogsdon, a professor of political science and international affairs at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, said: “I think it is important for President Biden and his administration to indicate in advance a commitment to support an effort of human space exploration, with the return to the moon as the first goal. The details of the current Artemis plan are likely to change, but it has taken a long time for the United States to send people back to distant destinations. ”
Indeed, NASA is fully ahead future Artemis missions. The space agency originally planned a monthly landing in 2028, but the Trump administration hit it off until 2024. It is believed that Biden will bring NASA back to its original timeline, but we can only speculate at this time.
Howard McCurdy, a professor of public affairs in the Department of Public Administration and Policy at the American University of Washington, DC, hopes that Biden will pursue this award – and other future awards. “Its main space priority should be to establish a lunar / Mars exploration plan that will last more than five years – also determining the future Boeing Starliner, launching [James] Webb space telescope and cement the fate of the International Space Station, “he said McCurdy. “It will have many scientific priorities, but NASA is not at the top of the list. ”
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The whole thing with the Boeing Starliner is definitely worth thinking about, because this project …a spacecraft to deliver astronauts to the ISS—was besieged through problems and delays. The first manned test of this system seems to be another stumbling block.
At the same time, SpaceX delivered the CrewDragon spacecraft, which managed to transported NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley at the ISS last year. McCurdy also brings a good point about Mars, like the Moon Artemis the program is a jumping over the stone for the first man journey to the Red Planet, which could happen in the 2030s.
Jessica West, a program officer at Project Plowshares and editor-in-chief of its Space Security Index, said: “The future of the Artemis program is essential. NASA’s international partners will want assurances and clarity about the purpose of the US commitment and timeline. Cooperation is essential, both to succeed in exploring space and make sure our planet and humanity share in the benefits. This starts with diplomacy. NASA developed the Artemis Agreements as a tool for developing space exploration norms. But it is not clear how or if it will work with the wider international community to turn this into a more inclusive process, at a time when other states have monthly ambitions. ”
“The Biden administration should also be sensitive to the effects that the Space Force – and the rhetorical emphasis on war and domination – has on NASA and the global perceptions of its lunar ambitions, ”West added.
West raises a very good point about Artemis Acthe ropes. The moles of mankind in space they are getting longer and more numerous with each passing year, complicating things from a geopolitical perspective. It would be good to receive buy-ins from the international community for such issues that could they prove difficult with countries like Russia and China.
Peter Singer, New America strategist and author of Ghost fleet and Burn in, also appeared about the Space Force, the newest branch of the US Armed Forces. “Trump created Space Command, mostly because he saw it as a line of applause at his rallies,” he said. “So how does NASA and this new long-term military organization coexist? They will have to work together when it makes sense, but also make sure that we do not risk the real appearance or just the appearance of the militarization of space in our civilian activities. ”
Ah yes – the constant threat that we could militarize space. It is difficult, especially since the US is trying to keep up with its aggressive opponents and as the Space Force works to achieve “space power“It simply came to our notice then.
Moriba Jah, an aerospace engineer at the University of Texas, recommended the following: “The National Space Council – an organization that focuses and reports on various national space activities, both in government, academia and industry – should allowed to continue under Biden. NASA has a mark on the National Space Council and should be allowed to continue. “
Jah added: “Particular emphasis should be placed on space safety and sustainability, including in terms of space traffic management. In 2018, Trump signed the Space Policy Directive-3 [which focused on space traffic management]. The former administration has asked the Office of Space Commerce to take over the lead role – and I’m fine with that. As for NASA’s role, it should provide input and oversight to the government on the scientific and technological needs of space traffic management. ”
Space traffic management will certainly be an issue that will go further. In its current state, the rules surrounding what goes into space and how much, I’m pretty weakened. From January 20th, SpaceX has over 1,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with plans to add thousands more. The fact that the satellites could collide with each other, creating large clouds and dangerous debris, is a possibility that increases with each successive satellite added to the low orbit of the Earth. We need someone to play traffic cops up there, as well as someone to take out the trash.
Dante Lauretta, lead investigator for OSIRIS-REx mission and professor at the University of Arizona, hopes that The Biden administration will do it maintain or increase funding for NASA’s Scientific Mission Directorate. “This direction conducts essential research to monitor and predict the effects of climate change, explore the solar system and study the universe, “he said.. “The budgets of the last four years have been favorable, and this is an area of the US federal government where scientific activities remain healthy. The amazing achievements of NASA’s scientific programs serve as shining examples of what we can do as a nation when we unite and focus on a common vision. ”
Well said. It would be sad to waste all the good things NASA has right now, including satellites to help us predict bad space weather and weather on Earth, the survey monitor the melting of glaciers, and spacecraft entering Sun and interstellar space. And, after Lauretta’s interests, grabbing surface samples from a nearby asteroid.
Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, received a lot of sensitive advice for President Biden:NASA is the only part of the US government that is not burning now, so don’t confuse (for the most part) with success. What the human spaceflight program needs most is for the political leadership not to shoot 180 yet, so continue Artemis despite its flaws, but eliminate the unrealistic deadline for 2024 and appoint leaders who are not afraid to hold Boeing accountable. ”
McDowell also recommended consolidating a plan for the end of the International Space Station, which is now in orbit for more than 22 years old and is showing his age. “Keep the ISS for a few more years to reap the investments made on CrewDragon and Starliner, but decide on the closure plan.”
“As for the robotic / scientific part, fully fund it – supporting climate science satellites and the educational work that the previous administration tried to cut, put the Webb telescope into space and operate and let the scientific community choose its priorities. “McDowell said. “Above all, do not misuse the scientific program as a justification for the things of human space – for example, forcing an emphasis on the lunar-to provide a false justification for Artemis, which is the kind of thing that has been done in the past. ”
I also heard from Avi Loeb, a professor of astronomy at Harvard University, whose recommendations were both philosophical and practical. “Given the widespread interest in exploring space by the public, the scientific community and the commercial sector, it is essential to establish a new one, a bold vision that will keep the US leadership in space, ”said Loeb. “This goes far beyond national security interests and refers to JFK’s vision of 1962, the year I was born. The public is eager for inspiring initiatives, and the space provides an ideal backdrop for an exciting vision that would advance ntechnological superiority of the action. The importance of such a vision is also based on the immediate need to add satellites that will allow better control of our effect on the climate and improve internet connectivity around the globe. ”
Here here. Space investments is often considered superfluous or indulgent, especially since we do not face a lack of surface problems. The challenge for Biden will be to strike a fine balance – one that meets our needs here on Earth, while continuing to meetThe legacy and potential of the American space program.
Good luck, Joe.