The Obama administration’s national space policy issued Monday provides a “positive framework” for discussions about the U.S. future in space, said the chief executive of an international space-advocacy organization.
“There is encouraging stuff in here,” said Elliot Pulham of the Colorado Springs-based Space Foundation.
High notes included the need for international cooperation, the emphasis on managing the space environment, the commitment to space commerce and the extension of the international space station from 2015 at least to 2020.
But, Pulham said, there are “some inconsistencies and areas of concern,” such as the provision for developing and retaining space workers while plans for NASA “continue to put thousands of American space professionals out of work.”
“I’m cautious over this,” said Tim Bulk, executive director of Special Aerospace Services in Boulder. “There are a lot of good words that have to be substantiated with budgets. I see words like ‘strength,’ ‘enhance,’ ‘incentivize’ and ‘facilitate,’ but budgets need to increase to do this.”
Bulk said that until Congress makes appropriations, people with NASA, the military, missile defense and commercial firms such as his are not sure of the new directions. “Everyone is in this gray zone, and everyone is afraid to do something for fear of violating a new law or wasting time and money,” he said.
Ray Williamson, president of Superior-based World Secure Foundation, said the new policy jibes with his organization’s focus on improving international cooperation.
“A number of countries are just beginning to enter space,” he said, adding that his foundation is helping them think through their space policies. “People think it’s a case of ‘Come on in, the water is great,’ but there are ways to operate in space that are better than others.”
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
