Leaders convene for Space Summit

Leaders convene for Space Summit
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Space exploration
is a marathon, not a sprint, according to world space leaders
at the Space Policy Summit hosted by the James A. Baker
III Institute for Public Policy Oct. 11-13.

They recommended
that space exploration be pursued as a step-by-step progression
that involves sustained, systematic improvements in scientific
understanding and enabling technologies, such as advanced
in-space propulsion and power-generation systems.

Thirty-nine international
leaders from government and industry of 16 nations and five
international organizations came to the Baker Institute
to discuss space exploration, space commerce and space applications.
Both U.S. and international aerospace companies were involved.

Summit participants
identified key policies and initiatives aimed at bringing
the benefits of space activities to humanity through international
cooperation. They also discussed obstacles to taking full
advantage of the benefits of space and explored ways to
surmount those challenges.

The summit was
the culmination of more than a year’s work by international
space policy experts who identified the key policy areas
that helped shape the agenda. The summit, organized by the
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
and sponsored by the Lockheed Martin Corporation, was held
in conjunction with the World Space Congress taking place
in Houston.

“As government
and private sectors pursue the use of space for everything
from satellite communications to human spaceflight, a coherent
and effective policy to regulate such activities will be
of paramount importance,” said Edward Djerejian, director
of the Baker Institute. “The Baker Institute was pleased
to host the first Space Policy Summit in coordination with
AIAA and Lockheed Martin. We think it is a very promising
start for future deliberations with a view toward policy
recommendations to decision makers.”

The summit discussion
was influenced by the renewed emphasis on national and international
security concerns and the significant downturn in commercial
space markets. Participants emphasized that space technologies
and capabilities have a unique ability to address many of
the challenges facing the world.

The meeting offered
a valuable opportunity to share opinions and concerns in
a private and frank forum for representatives from 12 national
space agencies, 12 aerospace corporations and eight other
government agencies.

“In bringing
together key space leaders from around the globe for a cooperative
dialog, the Space Policy Summit has provided the framework
and path forward for addressing the most compelling challenges
facing world space endeavors,” said Brian Dailey, vice
president–international of AIAA.

The summit was
organized around three sessions: commercial space activities,
space exploration and space applications.

George Abbey,
visiting senior fellow for space policy at the Baker Institute,
noted that a number of crosscutting issues emerged from
the summit. “Cooperation in space, for example, can
provide a foundation to expand relationships among nations
in many areas,” he said. “Space organizations
should make a more concerted effort to engage and make the
world public more aware of space activities and the specific
benefits and impact on their lives. Space also has a unique
power to inspire youth to study math and science, which
will have long-term workforce benefits.”

Rice faculty
who worked with Djerejian and Abbey to plan the summit were
Patricia Reiff, professor of physics and astronomy and director
of the Rice Space Institute, and Neal Lane, University Professor,
the Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Senior Scholar at
the Baker Institute and professor of physics and astronomy.

Below are observations
and recommendations from the three sessions.
Commercial Space Issues:

• Today’s
commercial satellite market is not sufficient to sustain
current space launch systems or justify industry investment
in new technologies. Government support is needed to meet
national objectives in security, civil and commercial sectors.

• In many
cases, government funding or requirements lead to the development
of new technologies and applications. Once the development
is mature, industry develops commercial products and services
based on those applications.

• Although
export controls on space-related technologies reflect legitimate
national security and nonproliferation concerns, they limit
international cooperation and inhibit growth of the commercial
sector. Governments should harmonize export control requirements
according to true national security needs and create timely,
predictable and transparent systems for licensing space
technologies.

• Dual-use
space systems can efficiently and reliably serve users in
both the public and private sectors.

Space Exploration
Issues:

• Discoveries
to be made through space exploration are inexhaustible.
Space exploration is a global endeavor and a vision is needed
that looks beyond the space station and involves robotics,
human exploration and the search for life.

• The International
Space Station program represents an unprecedented technical
achievement and, despite current problems, it will be successful
and provide a model for international cooperation.

Space Applications
Issues:

• Data access
is still a problem in certain circumstances, although the
cost of the raw data itself might be a minor contributor
to the overall cost of value-added products. If requests
are defined to meet specific needs rather than as a blanket
demand, it might enhance data availability from providers.

• Remote
sensing programs are increasingly being defined by user
requirements, rather than by space data providers, which
is a welcome trend.

• The Integrated
Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership is a first
real step toward a global Earth-observing system and is
providing a foundation on which to build. It is important
to use and strengthen existing activities such as IGOS and
not try to create new mechanisms.

For more information
on the Space Policy Summit, see <www.aiaa.org/spacepolicy>
or <www.bakerinstitute.org>.