Space.Com October 29, 2001
Space Leaders Look to Future Despite Uncertain Times
By Leonard David
WASHINGTON -- The global space community faces a myriad of challenges, made all the more complex by tight budgets, as well as shifting markets. Despite troubled times brought about by terrorism and conflict, there also is opportunity to orchestrate new cooperative and collaborative ties between spacefaring nations.
Those themes set the stage as top experts from around the world gather today at the International Space Symposium for meetings that are scheduled through Wednesday. Now in its third year, the forum takes "the pulse of progress" by reviewing governmental and industrial space activities.
There is no question that world events are now shaping today's space agenda. Investors and international business owners are assessing several markets. Among them: global satellite navigation, telecommunications and Earth remote sensing -- not to mention the profitable booster-for-hire business.
Government and corporate officials also must grapple with what commercial solutions may address government space needs.
Looming large is sorting out the muddied readiness of the International Space Station as an outpost for commercial enterprises, the growing glut of commercial space boosters and striking a balance between military and civilian interests in the context of the peaceful uses of outer space.
Post-September 11 world
"The fundamental proposition of the International Space Symposium has always been to bring together the spacefaring nations of the world, to promote peaceful, collaborative, multinational commercial utilization and development of space for the benefit of all people," said Space Foundation president and chief executive officer Elliot Pulham. "In the post-September 11 world, that proposition has become more important than ever before," he told SPACE.com.
The International Space Symposium is presented by the Space Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Spanning nearly three days, the symposium is being held in association with SPACE.com's Space News newspaper and the American Astronautical Society. NASA is the host national space agency for the event.
National and international agencies and organizations, major aerospace companies, and federal space institutions are among those supporting the symposium. As example of the breadth of speakers, Ambassador Raimundo Gonzalez, Chairman, Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at the United Nations, will open the program with a major keynote address.
Former congressman, Robert Walker -- now Chairman of the newly formed Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry -- is set to provide initial observations of the Commission, contrasting the state of America's space industry in a pre- and post-terrorist attack environment.
Despite the present turmoil in Washington, D.C., experts from nearly 40 nations are expected at the symposium. "That speaks volumes about the character and strength of this industry," Pulham said.
"Certainly world events have had an impact. Travel is more difficult, and some companies are cutting back on expenses. But our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and delegates have proven remarkably strong in their commitment to this event. There has never been any doubt in our mind that we would move forward, and that the 2001 International Space Symposium would be a world class event," Pulham said.
Irony at work
As the symposium theme -- "Where Space Means Business" -- suggests, there is great focus on profits-for-all versus winner-take-all projects. For instance, in the arena of global navigation via satellite there is stiff competition, but also a window for cooperation.
One of the most pressing needs is the creation of next-generation global navigation satellite systems. Can European, American, and Russian systems operate in a coordinated manner, maximizing their benefits for all users?
Jeffrey Manber, President of MirCorp, notes that there is a constant conflict in the aerospace industry between military and commercial interests.
"Ironically, the recent horrific events will cause an increase in the services required from the aerospace contractors for military programs. I say ironic because the profit margins are such that these profits will be used to further the commercial interests of these companies," Manber said.
Manber said that the International Space Station is entering a new phase, one with reduced governmental commitments. Commercial services in satellites and new hardware will generate more jobs and a greater return on investment, he said.
Several public and private space policy experts point to a forthcoming task force report on the financial and scientific health of the space station project. In many ways, the assessment doubles as an overall report card on the bureaucracy that is NASA.
The intensive and independent review -- chaired by Thomas Young, a former NASA and Lockheed Martin executive -- is expected to give the White House several options on how best to proceed on building, running, and maintaining the frontier outpost.
Insiders privy to the report's findings suggest NASA and contractors should be prepared for harsh and brutal criticism, but how this assessment will ripple through the multi-nation space station effort is unclear.
NASA: back burner politics
Arguably, the topic of where NASA is headed is likely to stir up discord.
On the symposium hot seat is Courtney Stadd, Chief of Staff & White House Liaison at NASA Headquarters. Furthermore, the remarks of outgoing NASA chief Daniel Goldin -- who is leaving the space agency in November -- are sure to leave a contrail of controversy.
John Pike, Director of Global Security, said he senses a continuing lack of interest in NASA by the Bush White House. "Before the attacks, NASA and its programs were on the back burner, and now they are not even on the stove," Pike stressed.
Looking at near-term nature of NASA, Manber of MirCorp points out that Goldin's recent resignation announcement could lead to a vacuum in leadership. "If that top position remains in flux for too long, it could return a great deal of power to the contractors," he said.
Pike maintains that it will be almost impossible for a new NASA Administrator to get high-level political visibility. Any incoming NASA leader should expect an up-hill climb for attention, he believes.
Getting a high sign of interest in NASA from the Bush Administration is urgently needed, said a senior official from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Space Enterprise Council.
"It is critical for the Administration to name a replacement before Goldin departs," the Council official said. "This would provide evidence that President Bush values the Nation's space program, and recognizes the importance of the space industrial base to national security."
What kind of individual should run NASA?
When evaluating candidates, the Space Enterprise Council is urging that the Bush White House consider someone who is well suited to address NASA's financial issues. "In addition, this person should also have a clear vision of the future of the U.S. space program and be capable of effectively communicating that vision to the Congress and the American people," the official said.
NASA's relevance cannot be downplayed, said Lori Garver, Vice President of DFI International. "NASA has been an important public agency. Past investments in NASA have led to incredible advances in aviation safety and space communications, making the U.S. the world leader it is today. "Future investments in NASA must continue and will lead to increased advances in air and space technology," Garver said.
Price of doing business
In another worrisome area to be addressed at the symposium, space insurance underwriters are closing out their 2001 books showing another year of substantial losses. Failed rockets and on-the-blink spacecraft once in orbit are causing insurance brokers to reevaluate the pricing of launch and satellite insurance. Since 1998, space insurance claims have exceeded premiums to the tune of over $1 billion.
What is the proper blend of competition and cooperation between space companies around the globe? That question is at the heart of a special symposium session. Lou Dobbs, CNN Moneyline News Anchor -- as well as SPACE.com founder and chairman of the board -- will moderate the "Business Without Borders: Forging Global Links in Commercial Space" panel. Francois Auque, executive vice president, Space Systems Division, EADS NV; Dr. Hiroshi Kimura, general manager, Space Systems Division, Mitsubishi Electric Corp.; and Thomas Pickering, senior vice president for international relations, The Boeing Company, are among the experts willing to blueprint possible strategies.
During the symposium, a step toward cultivating future leaders in space business will be taken. The International Space University will sign an agreement with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Commercial Space Transportation office. Its purpose is to promote space activities for peaceful purposes and encourage economic growth through career development and education. The outcome is expected to equip young space professionals with the interdisciplinary tools to operate in an increasingly international market place.
DFI's Garver predicts country-to-country partnerships in space are likely to blossom. "The world space community recognizes the increased importance and meaning of international cooperation at this juncture," Garver said. "Space cooperation has been one of the most meaningful aspects of recent space activities and it will only increase in importance."
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