Aug. 17, 2004

Space Policy Commission Releases “Landmark” Report

By Greg Licamele

Members of the President’s Commission on Implementation of US Space Exploration Policy presented their findings to the public at GW’s Media and Public Affairs Building this summer, bringing some of the most fundamental changes to space policy in history.

The commission unveiled eight findings and 14 recommendations for a new space agenda that will potentially help the nation protect its technological leadership, economic vitality, and physical, economic and military security.

“The recommendations they’ve made are probably the most radical recommendations for transforming the way we organize and carry out our space program that have ever been made,” said John Logsdon, director of GW’s Space Policy Institute and professor of political science and international affairs. “I think for those reasons, it’s a landmark report. It really says the way we have done our space program for the past 40 years, derived from the experience from Apollo, is no longer adequate and that something new must happen.”

The findings and recommendations cover subjects such as: building a robust space industry from the private sector; stimulation of science, math and engineering education for students and teachers; and a “go as you can pay approach.”
To read the full report of the commission and for additional information, visit www.moontomars.org.

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