Setting Priorities for Space Research Opportunities and Imperatives (1992) / Chapter Skim
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Setting Priorities for Space Research: Opportunities and Imperatives (Chapter 3)
Setting Priorities for Space Research: Opportunities and Imperatives (Chapter 3)
Pages 42-62
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From page 42... ...
This chapter examines contemporary imperatives -- largely external to science and space research -- and describes their implications for space research and the civil space program. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND CONCERNS Rapidly evolving relationships between the leading nations of the world REPORT MENU are now characterized by the movement from ideological and military competition NOTICE to economic and technological competition.
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This nation should emphasize those areas with the largest potential net national benefits-the activities in which knowledge, information, and sophisticated management of processes are dominant. Space research and the overall space program can contribute significantly to such an emphasis.
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As part of the vigorous public debate about the relative needs of our society and the discussions over appropriate national goals, there is an opportunity for scientific space research and the entire space program to develop a compelling, long-term agenda that will be seen as rational and equitable by the interested constituencies. Certain ingredients are critical for success.
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From page 45... ...
First, there appears to be an increased willingness to support activities producing primarily broad social benefits, as evidenced by policy and action motivated by concerns for clean water and clean air, for protecting the environment, and for maintaining wilderness, wildlife, and habitats. There is some evidence of heightened public interest in space activities, particularly to augment scientific understanding.2 Second, there is an increasing demand for publicly supported activities to provide explicit evidence that the benefits to be achieved outweigh the costs.
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It behooves scientists seeking public support to demonstrate to the public and its representatives that the fruits of scientific research do indeed enhance the quality of life and the welfare of the nation's citizens. Evaluation of Other Benefits of Space Research For the foreseeable future, the space program and space research will compete for public support with other scientific and technological initiatives and programs offering a variety of social benefits, in some cases even competing with different approaches offering the same understanding or result.
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, (c) NASA Space Science Basic Research Each with Budgets Commensurate with Program (FY 1989)
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Economic benefits have been cited as a rationale for space research since the inception of the U.S. civil space program, yet precisely what is meant by "economic benefit" has not always been clear.
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This analysis could provide for a formal comparison between initiatives when priorities are recommended, either within the community or as part of the federal budget process, and could clarify expected contributions of various initiatives. Those with the greatest scientific merit sometimes will have less immediate social benefit and practical utility; those with the greatest social benefit sometimes contribute less markedly to the enhancement of knowledge.6 The issue thus becomes the relative weighting between enhancement of knowledge, provision of social benefits, and costs.
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The scientific research community has long been uncomfortable with the justification of large-scale initiatives in the space program by their scientific motivations when their purpose is not scientific and opportunity costs preclude more fundamental scientific initiatives. Analysis of alternative initiatives should reveal this disparity file:///C|/SSB_old_web/prio1ch3.htm (9 of 21)
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Effective Use of Space Research Resources Despite the universal desire of the scientific space research community to increase funding for space science and applications, some observers argue that current allotments are adequate to support a vital and exciting program if appropriate policy and programmatic reforms are implemented.8 Space Research and the Human Spaceflight Program The consequences of forcing science payloads better suited for independent launch by expendable vehicles onto the Space Shuttle have been widely documented. Although NASA is now procuring launch services for research payloads on expendable vehicles, because of past experiences many in the space research community remain skeptical that these vehicles will be readily available to support science payloads.9 Scientific accomplishment has often been cited as an important motivation for major programs (e.g., Apollo, Space Station, and the Space Exploration Initiative)
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Putting the emphasis on information to be returned from space -- on knowledge to be gained about the Earth and other bodies or about human performance in space -- simplifies the setting of priorities for both the space program and scientific space research and will eliminate the unnecessary and debilitating competition between the human space exploration program and the scientific research program. Program Management Issues and Principles In view of the imperatives imposed by international economic and technological competition, it is essential that the United States have an effective space research program.
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Scientific missions adapted to inappropriate transportation methods are likely to be inferior. Certain modifications in the overall space program are advisable in order to obtain maximum benefit from the available resources.
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Current policies have evolved over the history of the space program and have been shaped by the Apollo experience. Changing policies to fit the realities of the 1990s and the early 2000s may be a difficult experience for all concerned.
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NATIONAL AIMS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN SPACE From the beginning of the space program, this nation has viewed achievements in space engineering, technology, and research as instruments of its foreign policy, believing that leadership in space activities conferred an image of national vitality and power. Certainly, the successes of Apollo in landing humans on the Moon created an aura of national prowess that was of value in the Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and overshadowed the initial image of Soviet superiority in space.
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Thus for the civil space program, the National Space Policy states, as the fourth of six objectives, the determination "to preserve the United States preeminence in critical aspects of space science, applications, technology, and manned space flight." The sixth objective is "to engage in international cooperative efforts that further United States overall space goals."15 However, there are obvious difficulties in seeking international partners to share costs in efforts intended to enhance U.S. preeminence.
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Others argue that such choices should not be made a priori, but rather that the scientific space research program should pursue promising opportunities in space science and applications as they unfold. In either case, it will be necessary to develop a sensible process for examining alternatives and, eventually, for setting priorities among space research initiatives.
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INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING Information is a critical resource for many activities in the public and private sector alike, and managing information is now the critical task in most sophisticated activities.16 Developed nations increasingly depend on the gathering, communication, and effective use of information. In the United States, information-intensive industries (including banking, transportation, insurance, financial services, and professional services)
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Interest can be expected to turn from the mechanical aspects of placing objects or humans in orbit or on other celestial bodies to the information to be gathered and exploited: the key reward will be the understanding gained. To the extent it provides the means for the conduct of scientific research in space, the governing objective of the space program will be the same as that of scientific research-namely, to achieve the maximum amount of knowledge and understanding about physical objects and processes, about their origins, about biological processes, and about human performance in space or on other planetary bodies.
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education that will stimulate the interest of young citizens in science and engineering and in the rapidly changing technology influencing their lives. Moreover, such an objective will help to guide the process of contemplating and setting priorities for the space program and for scientific research in space.
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9. For previous Space Studies Board discussion on the need for expendable launch vehicles, see "The Nation's Space Program After Challenger: The Need for a Reassessment of the Roles of Manned and Unmanned Systems for Launching Scientific Space Missions" (an unpublished report of the Space Studies Board, May 21, 1986)
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31. Last update 11/15/00 at 9:18 am Site managed by Anne Simmons, Space Studies Board The National Academies Current Projects Publications Directories Search Site Map Feedback file:///C|/SSB_old_web/prio1ch3.htm (21 of 21)
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