Future of Space

Eisenhower Institute Engages Military Space Specialists

WASHINGTON, DC, July 23, 2002--The Eisenhower Institute engaged a panel of select military space specialists to discuss space's current and future role in national security. General Andrew Goodpaster opened the meeting by putting the space issue into an historical context. Roald Sagdeev and Institute President Susan Eisenhower then gave brief introductory remarks, after which began a detailed discussion of some of the key issues in the controversial debate over the future uses of space.

The first topic addressed at the meeting was GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as Russia's GLONASS and Europe's Galileo. At issue was whether the efforts of other nations in this area should be considered a threat to US interests and what the prospects are for collaboration on these systems, which are often referred to as global utilities. Also discussed was space's role in countering current threats to US security and the impact the War on Terrorism has had on US space priorities.

This gathering was the second in a series of engagements between The Eisenhower Institute and members of the military as part of our project entitled, "The Future of Space: The Next Strategic Frontier." Brigadier General Simon P. Worden, Vice Director of Operations at the US Space Command, kicked off the first meeting of the series. The goal of these meetings is to promote a dialogue between the Institute and the military stakeholders in the future of space. The Institute is also engaging other groups in this project, including industry and the scientific community.