Space Policy

More than 45 years ago, in a speech delivered at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy called for a great national effort to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, declaring, “The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.” Today, America’s pre-eminent role in space is being challenged both internationally and domestically. Space policy has become a prominent and contentious public policy issue. The future of America’s space program is at a critical point in time; decisions are being made that will affect not only our national security but also our ability to successfully compete with other countries in the commercial use of space for many years to come.

The Science and Technology Policy Program’s space policy efforts are done in collaboration with and under the direction of the Baker Institute Space Policy Program. Through its Space Policy Program, under the leadership of Mr. George Abbey former director of Johnson Space Center, the Baker Institute will bring together experts from academia, government, industry, and nongovernmental agencies, and it will sponsor research, workshops, seminars, and lectures covering a wide range of space-related topics from which working papers, reports, and constructive public policy recommendations will be generated. Through the exchange of diverse perspectives, the encouragement of vigorous debate, and the focus on developing solutions to complex problems, the mission of the institute's Space Policy Program is to enhance the understanding of the principal issues facing policymakers and to truly lend a meaningful voice to our country and the world.

Visit the Space Policy Program Page at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy