The Need for a Global Space Administration.
- Paper number
IAC-16,E3,2,11,x35486
- Coauthor
Mr. Michael Saxton, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, United States
- Year
2016
- Abstract
The international space community has long been chained to the ebb and flow of the United States’ and global political systems. The world’s current leader in outer space spending and activities is by far the United States. NASA’s spending has been documented to total more than the world’s countries space efforts, combined. Despite this massive investment, the roots of this organization are based in the political whim of the United States politics. NASA’s Budget, scope of operations, and even their overall mission fluctuate with every presidential election, including the one that fast approaches. Several discussions in the political leadership of NASA tie it to the wants and needs of the political party that is in power at the time. The Administration’s current operational structure is an insurance policy. Instead of investing all funding into a single program that can be very successful, the administration is forced to not put all its eggs in one basket, and diversify its science and exploration profile to safeguard its employees from massive financial cuts the likes of which accrued after the end of the Apollo Program. And even now, NASA is used for international political posturing. With the reality of Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects looming literally over the heads of the human race, we cannot entrust the common wealth of the human race to such an unstable organization. This Presentation will trace the history and political climate of NASA from its inception, to its current state in order to establish the need for a unified global space initiative. It will also outline a possible structure for such an initiative that will combine the wisdom of our generations into a united effort to ensure perpetuity of the human legacy with regards to outer space.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-16,E3,2,11,x35486.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.