Category Archives: space policy

A National Space Council: To Be or Not To Be?

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Paul Spudis

News reports indicate that some version of a national space council (with Vice-President Mike Pence as chair) might be established. For some, the idea of a White House-level committee designed to monitor the nation’s space program may seem like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy | 16 Comments

The Space “Field of Dreams”

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Over at Air & Space, some musings on the space program (real and faux) as inspiration.  Comment here, if so inclined.

Posted in Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, Space transportation | 34 Comments

A Commercial Human Flight to the Moon?

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Early this week, SpaceX held a conference call to announce that two private individuals have paid their firm a “significant deposit” to be flown around the Moon next year. Although details are sketchy to nonexistent, it would appear that the … Continue reading →

Posted in China space program, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 31 Comments

Cislunar Space — Looking into the Future

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I recently attended a one-day workshop held at United Launch Alliance on the topic of cislunar space development.  I’ve written up some impressions of the meeting at Air & Space.  Comment here, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 19 Comments

The Endless Moon vs. Mars debate

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Paul Spudis

After reading an apparently endless number of “Mars is the next step” op-eds in two weeks, I had to vent.  New post at Air & Space is up on why the Moon should be the next destination for the American … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, Space transportation | 19 Comments

Momentum for the Moon

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Engineer and stalwart lunar advocate Dennis Wingo has written a new piece on his blog titled “Getting ‘Going Back to the Moon’ Right this Time.”   Dennis and I, and many others, have traveled and struggled down this road together – … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 25 Comments

Thoughts on National Geographic’s Mars mini-series

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Well, this thing has set back the cause of space advocacy another 50 years. We have now been subjected to six, 45-minute episodes of this dreary exercise in clueless propaganda. I expressed my initial reactions to the first episode previously … Continue reading →

Posted in planetary exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 16 Comments

Restoring America’s Space Program: An Ambitious But Achievable Path

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Paul Spudis

Last month’s national election results have confounded this year’s annual crop of retrospective pieces on space. Instead of a guarantee of business as usual, America has elected a President that defies normal political calculation. Hanging in the balance are questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 39 Comments

Favorable Signs for a Lunar Return

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Paul Spudis

New post up at Air & Space discusses events at the recent annual meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG), including a report on Congressman Jim Bridenstine’s great speech to the attendees (which I urge you to read in … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 30 Comments

The National Geographic Society’s “Mars” – Nova Fabula

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Paul Spudis

For me, a child of the Sixties, the National Geographic Society (NGS, or “Society”) provided an amazing window into the wonderful world of discovery. Founded in 1888, the Society has produced an enormous catalogue of books, TV programs and movies. … Continue reading →

Posted in planetary exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 19 Comments