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Space Policy

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

By virtue of a long-standing tradition of collaborative projects between NASA and Rice University, the Baker Institute Space Policy Program is distinctively positioned to influence the national and international debate on the future of manned and unmanned space exploration, commercial space efforts and international cooperation in space. Almost 50 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.

Led by George Abbey, Baker Botts Senior Fellow in Space Policy, former director of Johnson Space Center and recipient of the Medal of Freedom, the Space Policy Program brings together experts from academia, government, industry and nongovernmental agencies and sponsors research, workshops, seminars and lectures covering a wide range of space-related topics from which public policy recommendations are generated. The Baker Institute and Baylor College of Medicine recently hosted the fifth International Space Medicine Summit, which gathered leading physicians, space biomedical scientists, engineers, astronauts and cosmonauts from the space-faring nations for high-level discussions about the research needed to prevent and/or mitigate the medical and biomedical challenges spacefarers experience in long-duration spaceflight.

From guests such as icons John Young, Joe Engle, Sally Ride and Vladimir Titov to modern-day heroes like Charles Bolden, Peggy Whitson, Leroy Chiao and Don Pettit, the Space Policy Program proudly continues to promote a relevant agenda to enhance the understanding of the principal issues facing policymakers and to shape the national space debate.

 

Sputnik-Webby-Honoree

Congratulations to "Sputnik: A Fifty Year Legacy" for being an Official Honoree in the 2008 Webby Awards!
PUBLICATIONS
2013
Spotlight on the U.S. Space Program: Problems and Solutions
Mar 08 2013
George W.S. Abbey
2012
Time for the U.S. to Partner With China in Space?
Nov 27 2012
George W.S. Abbey, Leroy Chiao
2011
Return to Reality: Why a Space Shuttle Program Is Vital to the Survival of the International Space Station
Oct 26 2011
George W.S. Abbey
Restore the Vision
Jul 20 2011
George W.S. Abbey
2010
International Space Medicine Summit III Executive Summary
Feb 16 2010
George W.S. Abbey
2009
United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray
Jul 28 2009
George W.S. Abbey, Neal F. Lane
Congressional Briefing for United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities Gone Astray
Jun 30 2009
George W.S. Abbey, Neal F. Lane
Maximizing NASA's Potential in Flight and on the Ground: Recommendations for the Next Administration
Jan 20 2009
George W.S. Abbey, Neal F. Lane, John Muratore
2007
Nuclear Nonproliferation: Policy Implications
Nov 02 2007
George W.S. Abbey, Neal F. Lane
2006
On the Role of Commercial Projects in U.S.-R.F. Proliferation Cooperation
Apr 30 2006
Rose Gottemoeller
2005
United States Space Policy: Challenges and Opportunities
Aug 31 2005
George W.S. Abbey, Neal F. Lane
2002
Baker Institute Policy Report 20: Space: A Critical Issues Workshop Reflections on the Past and Concerns for the Future
Nov 30 2002
EVENTS