Here’s what Biden should prioritize at NASA

Despite the ongoing pandemic, there are many reasons to be excited in space this year. From NASA Perseverance rover is less than a month away from landing on Mars; the James Webb Space Telescope is slated for the Halloween launch; and the Space launch system—The most powerful in NASA rocket ever–could see its inaugural launch later this year. And of course there is the Artemis program, which is supposed to deliver a woman and a man to the lunar surface in just three years.

We will learn a lot in the coming weeks and months about President Biden’s policies on NASA and what his administration believes is the best way forward for the US space program. Meanwhile, wwe contacted space experts, asking a very simple question: What should Biden’s priorities be at NASA?

John Mogsdon, professor of political science and international affairs at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, said: “I think it’s important that President Biden and his administration signal early on their commitment to supporting a human space exploration effort, with a return to the moon as the primary goal. The details of the current Artemis plan are subject to change, but it’s high time the United States sent humans to faraway destinations again.

Indeed, NASA is one step ahead of the next Artemis missions. The space agency originally planned a lunar landing in 2028, but the Trump administration has pushed it back until 2024. It is widely suspected that Biden will revert NASA to its original schedule, but we can only speculate on it. moment.

Howard McCurdy, professor of public affairs in the Department of Public Administration and Politics at the American University in Washington, DC, hopes Biden keeps an eye on this award – and other awards to come. “Its main space priority should be to establish a lunar / Mars exploration plan that will last more than five years – also determining the future of the Boeing Starliner, by launching the [James] Webb Space Telescope and Cement the Fate of the International Space Station, ”said McCurdy. “It will have many scientific priorities, but NASA is not at the top of the list. “

The whole Boeing Starliner affair is certainly worth thinking about, because this project –a spaceship to transport astronauts to the ISS –has been assailed by problems and delays. The first crew test of this system still seems a long way off.

At the same time, SpaceX delivered in the form of the CrewDragon spacecraft, which successfully transported NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley at the ISS last year. McCurdy also brings up a good point about Mars, like Artemis Moon program is a jump stone for the first human journey to the red planet, which could happen in the 2030s.

Jessica West, Program Manager at Project Plowshares and Editor-in-Chief of its Space Security Index, said: “The future of the Artemis program is essential. NASA’s international partners will want assurances and clarity on the scope of the US engagement and timeframe. Cooperation is essential, both for successful space exploration and ensure that our planet and humanity benefit from it. It starts with diplomacy. NASA drafted the Artemis agreements as a tool for the development of standards for space exploration. But it is not clear how or if it will work with the wider international community to make it a more inclusive process, at a time when other states also have lunar ambitions.

“The Biden administration should also be sensitive to the effects the Space Force – and its rhetorical emphasis on war and domination – has on NASA and global perceptions of its lunar ambitions, ”West added.

West brings up a very good point on Artemis Accords. Tendrils of humanity in space are increasingly long and numerous year after year, making things more complicated from a geopolitical point of view. It would be good to get the support of the international community on these issues, which could be difficult with countries like Russia and China.

Peter Singer, New America strategist and author of Ghost fleet and Burn-In, also rang about Space Force, the newest branch of the US military. “Trump created Space Command, mainly for the reason he saw it as a line of applause at his rallies,” he said. “So how do NASA and this new military organization coexist in the long run? They will need to work together when it makes sense, but also to ensure that we do not risk the real, or just the appearance, of the militarization of outer space in our civilian activities.

Ah yes – the continuing threat that we could militarize space. It’s tricky, especially as the United States tries to keep pace with its aggressive opponents. and as the Space Force strives to achieve “space powerIn this area of ​​prospective warfare.

Moriba Jah, an aerospace engineer at the University of Texas, recommended the following: “The National Space Council – an organization that focuses and reports on various national space activities, both in government, universities and industry – should be allowed to continue under Biden. NASA has a footprint on the National Space Council, and that should be allowed to continue. “

Jah added: “Particular emphasis should be placed on the security and sustainability of space, including with regard to space traffic management. In 2018, Trump signed Space Policy Directive-3 [which focused on space traffic management]. The old administration asked the Office of Space Commerce to play the lead role – and that’s fine with me. As for the role of NASA, it should provide input and oversight to the government regarding the scientific and technological needs of space traffic management.

Space traffic management will most certainly be a problem in the future. As it stands, the rules surrounding what goes into space, and to what extent, they are enough ample. From January 20, SpaceX has more than 1000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with plans to add thousands more. That satellites could crash into each other, creating large and dangerous clouds of debris, is a possibility that increases with each successive satellite added to low Earth orbit. We need someone to play traffic cop up there, as well as someone at taking out the trash.

Dante Lauretta, Principal Investigator for the OSIRIS-REx mission and professor at the University of Arizona, hope the Biden’s administration maintain or increase funding for the Scientific Missions Directorate of NASA. “This directorate performs essential research to monitor and predict the effects of climate change, explore the solar system and study the universe, ”he said.. “The budgets of the last four years have been favorable, and this is an area of ​​the US federal government where scientific activities remain healthy. The incredible accomplishments of NASA’s science programs are shining examples of what we can do as a nation when we come together and focus on a common vision.

Well said. It would be sad to waste all the good things in NASA right now, including satellites to help us predict bad space weather and weather on earth, surveys monitor melting glaciersand spaceships Sun and interstellar space. And, for Lauretta’s interests, grabbing surface samples of a nearby asteroid.

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, gave President Biden plenty of sound advice: “NASA is the only part of the U.S. government that’s not on fire right now, so don’t play with success (for the most part). What the manned space flight program needs most is for political leaders not to take another 180 out, so continue Artemis despite its flaws, but remove the unrealistic 2024 deadline and appoint leaders who don’t. are not afraid to hold Boeing to account.

McDowell also recommended firming up a plan for the end of the International Space Station, which has now been in orbit for more than 22 years old and is showing his age. “Continue ISS for a few more years to reap the investment made in CrewDragon and Starliner, but decide on the shutdown plan.”

“Robotically / scientifically fund it fully – support the climate science satellites and education work the previous administration tried to cut, put the Webb telescope in space and run, and let the community scientist choose priorities for the future, ”McDowell said. “Above all, do not misuse the science program as a justification for human space, for example by focusing on the moon.related science to provide a false rationale for Artemis, which is the sort of thing that has been done in the past.

We also heard from Avi Loeb, professor of astronomy at Harvard University, whose recommendations were both philosophical and practical. “Given the great interest in space exploration from the public, the scientific community and the commercial sector, it is essential to create a new, a bold vision that will maintain US leadership in space, ”said Loeb. “It goes far beyond national security interests and refers to JFK’s vision of 1962, the year I was born. The public is hungry for inspiring initiatives, and the space provides an ideal backdrop for an exciting vision that would advance our ntechnological superiority of the aation. The importance of such a vision is also based on the immediate need to add satellites that will better control our effect on the climate and improve Internet connectivity across the world.

Here here. Space investment is often considered superfluous or indulgent, especially since we have no shortage of problems on the surface. The challenge for Biden will be to strike the right balance – a balance that meets our needs here on Earth, while continuing to satisfy.l the legacy and potential of the US space program.

Good luck, Joe.