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United States Civil Space Policy Summary of a Workshop (2008) / Chapter Skim
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1 Background
Pages 6-10

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From page 6...
... space and Earth science programs were currently productive and progressing steadily. Much of the success of NASA's science programs was attributed to having clear long-range goals; strategies framed by scientists and periodically reassessed by the science community; and a series of individual steps that accumulate successes, help measure progress, and sustain momentum for the program.
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From page 7...
... 6. The long-term goal driving all implementation decisions Participants in the 2003 workshop appeared to view the following activities as essential elements along the path to a goal for human exploration: The continued robotic exploration of our solar system followed by the development of capable human-machine interfaces and teleoperators, Research on the International Space Station focused on addressing the questions posed by human exploration away from low Earth orbit, and Development of a space transportation system to replace the shuttle, all directed toward facilitating the eventual human exploration of some destination beyond low Earth orbit.
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From page 8...
... , June 2004, available at http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/moontomars/docs/M2MReportScreenFinal.pdf. 6 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, Public Law 109-155, 109th Congress, U.S.
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From page 9...
... defense and intelligence-related activities in pursuit of national interests." It also did the following: Rejected any claims to sovereignty by any nation over outer space or celestial bodies, 8 Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference, Conference Report on S 1281, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, U.S.
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From page 10...
... In addition to providing implementation guidelines for the secretary of defense and the director of national security for the national security space program, the policy provided civil space program guidance for NASA and the Department of Commerce as follows:12 The United States shall increase the benefits of civil exploration, scientific discovery, and operational environmental monitoring activities. To that end, the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall: execute a sustained and affordable human and robotic program of space exploration and develop, acquire, and use civil space systems to advance fundamental scientific knowledge of our Earth system, solar system, and universe.
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Key Terms

  • space policy
  • civil space
  • low earth
  • earth orbit
  • human exploration

  • authorization act
  • national space
  • space program
  • human spaceflight
  • beyond low

  • space shuttle
  • robotic exploration
  • crew exploration
  • earth science
  • exploration vehicle

  • nasa authorization
  • columbia accident
  • accident investigation
  • homeland security
  • investigation board

  • science programs
  • space science
  • states space
  • international space
  • space activities

  • space station
  • exploration policy
  • human missions
  • policy workshop
  • exploration program


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