Download Locations

• Open CRS (User submitted)

Summary

The space age began on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union (USSR) launched Sputnik, the worlds first artificial satellite. Some U.S. policymakers, concerned about the USSRs ability to launch a satellite, thought Sputnik might be an indication that the United States was trailing behind the USSR in science and technology. The Cold War also led some U.S. policymakers to perceive the Sputnik launch as a possible precursor to nuclear attack. In response to this Sputnik moment, the U.S. government undertook several policy actions, including the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), enhancement of research funding, and reformation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education policy. Following the Sputnik moment, a set of fundamental factors gave importance, urgency, and inevitability to the advancement of space technology, according to an Eisenhower presidential committee. These four factors include the compelling need to explore and discover; national defense; prestige and confidence in the U.S. scientific, technological, industrial, and military systems; and scientific observation and experimentation to add to our knowledge and understanding of the Earth, solar system, and universe. They are still part of current policy discussions and influence the nations civilian space policy prioritiesboth in terms of what actions NASA is authorized to undertake and the appropriations each activity within NASA receives. Further, the United States faces a far different world today. No Sputnik moment, Cold War, or space race exists to help policymakers clarify the goals of the nations civilian space program. The Hubble telescope, Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters, and Mars exploration rovers frame the experience of current generations, in contrast to the Sputnik launch and the U.S. Moon landings. As a result, some experts have called for new 21st century space policy objectives and priorities to replace those developed 50 years ago. On October 15, 2008, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-422) was signed into law. This act authorized appropriations for FY2009, and prohibited NASA from taking any steps prior to April 30, 2009, that would preclude the President and Congress from being able to continue to fly the Space Shuttle past 2010. During the 111th Congress, policymakers may discuss another authorization bill for future years, and identify priorities for civil space exploration. Little is known about the Obama Administrations space policy priorities, and the degree to which they agree with Bush Administration policies. If policymakers identify priorities for U.S. civil space exploration, this might help Congress determine the most appropriate balance of funding for NASAs programs during its authorization and appropriation process. For example, if Congress believes that national prestige should be the highest priority, they may choose to emphasize NASAs human exploration activities, such as establishing a Moon base and landing a human on Mars. If they consider scientific knowledge the highest priority, Congress may emphasize unmanned missions and other science-related activities as NASAs major goal. If international relations are a high priority, Congress might encourage other nations to become equal partners in actions related to the International Space Station. If spinoff effects, including the creation of new jobs and markets and its catalytic effect on math and science education, are Congress priorities, then they may focus NASAs activities on technological development and linking to the needs of business and industry, and expanding its role in science and mathematics education.

Related Legislation:
• S.50

XML