Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies Full Report Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies Report: Title: “ESPI Report 70 - Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies - Full Report” Published: October 2019 ISSN: 2218-0931 (print) • 2076-6688 (online) Editor and publisher: European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) Schwarzenbergplatz 6 • 1030 Vienna • Austria Phone: +43 1 718 11 18 -0 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.espi.or.at Rights reserved - No part of this report may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without permission from ESPI. Citations and extracts to be published by other means are subject to mentioning “ESPI Report 70 - Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies - Full Report, October 2019. All rights reserved” and sample transmission to ESPI before publishing. ESPI is not responsible for any losses, injury or damage caused to any person or property (including under contract, by negligence, product liability or otherwise) whether they may be direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential, resulting from the information contained in this publication. Design: copylot.at Cover page picture credit: NASA TABLE OF CONTENT 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Rationale ............................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Structure ............................................................................................................................................... 3 2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF SPACE AGENCIES: ROLES, MANDATES, MODELS .............................. 5 2.1 Historical Overview .............................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.1 NASA: Inception and Evolution of a Superpower Space Agency ..................................................6 2.1.2 ESA: The Regional and Intergovernmental Space Agency .............................................................9 2.1.3 ASI: Focus on Industrial Policy as “System Architect” ................................................................. 14 2.1.4 CNES: Encompassing Civil and Defence ........................................................................................ 14 2.1.5 DLR: Research, Administration and Operations ............................................................................ 15 2.1.6 UKSA: Business-Oriented ................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Core Tasks of Space Agencies ........................................................................................................ 17 2.2.1 Proposal of a Space Policy ................................................................................................................ 18 2.2.2 Implementation of the Space Policy................................................................................................ 19 2.2.3 National and International Representation .................................................................................... 20 2.3 Mechanisms of Procurement .......................................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Traditional Public Procurement ........................................................................................................ 21 2.3.2 Public-Private Partnerships ............................................................................................................... 22 2.4 Agencies’ “Catalyst” Role in Market Creation: The Case of ESA ................................................... 27 2.4.1 Meteorology: EUMETSAT .................................................................................................................. 28 2.4.2 Telecoms: EUTELSAT ........................................................................................................................ 29 2.4.3 Launch Services: Arianespace .......................................................................................................... 30 3 UNFOLDING TRENDS AND APPROACHES IN THE SPACE SECTOR ..................................... 32 3.1 A New Approach to Space ................................................................................................................ 32 3.1.1 New and Increased Number of Actors ............................................................................................ 34 3.1.2 New Mechanisms and Availability of Funding............................................................................... 36 3.1.3 Technological Spin-in and Digitalisation ......................................................................................... 37 3.1.4 Wider and Deeper Engagement ........................................................................................................ 38 3.2 The U.S. Push to Commercialise LEO ............................................................................................. 39 3.2.1 Space Shuttle Retirement and the COTS Programme: Foundations of a New Approach .... 41 3.2.2 COTS Legacy and NASA Paradigm Shift ........................................................................................ 43 3.2.3 Looking Ahead: the NASA 2018 Strategy ....................................................................................... 46 3.3 The European Spacescape in the 2010s: New Agencies and New Modes of Interaction ........ 47 3.3.1 ESA’s Evolving Strategy ..................................................................................................................... 47 3.3.2 Space Affairs at European Union Level ........................................................................................... 55 3.3.3 National Agencies: Heightened Focus on Fostering Businesses .............................................. 57 4 ASSESSMENT OF THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE INTERACTION IN THE SPACE SECTOR ............. 60 4.1 Traditional Public Procurement ....................................................................................................... 60 4.1.1 Merits..................................................................................................................................................... 61 4.1.2 Limits ..................................................................................................................................................... 62 4.2 Public-Private Partnerships .............................................................................................................. 63 4.2.1 Merits..................................................................................................................................................... 64 4.2.2 Limits ..................................................................................................................................................... 67 4.3 The Challenge of Balancing Risk-Sharing, Control and Reward ................................................... 69 5 REFLECTIONS ON AN EXPANDED ROLE FOR EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCIES .................... 72 5.1 Responding to a New Situation ....................................................................................................... 72 5.2 Rethinking the Customer-Provider Relationship ............................................................................ 75 5.3 Revisiting Long-Standing Procurement Tenets ............................................................................. 78 5.4 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 79 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 81 ABOUT THE AUTHORS ....................................................................................................................... 81 ABOUT ESPI ......................................................................................................................................... 82 Evolution of the Role of Space Agencies 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background In the first 60 years of global space activity, national governments played the principal role in driving the majority of space ventures. Supporting the public agenda on space, the private sector under this model acted as contractors for public programmes, thus owing its early and continued existence on the availability of public funding. For the past decade, various trends show a growing involvement, and types of involvement, from the private sector in an expanding range of space-related initiatives and programmes. Taking place at a time when technologies are becoming more affordable and easier to develop, and together with more business-oriented political leadership and a favourable financial landscape, these developments are giving way to an increasingly prominent role for commercial actors in the space sector. It is therefore clear that the increasing involvement of commercial companies in public programmes and a change in the nature of the public/private sector relationship, presents a paradigm shift that is becoming an ever-greater focus of consideration for governments and space agencies. The growing opportunity for new and emerging space actors
Recommended publications
  • Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission
    Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission drishtiias.com/printpdf/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission Why In News China will launch its first Mars Mission - Tianwen-1- in July, 2020. China's previous ‘Yinghuo-1’ Mars mission, which was supported by a Russian spacecraft, had failed after it did not leave the earth's orbit and disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean in 2012. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is also going to launch its own Mars mission in July, the Perseverance which aims to collect Martian samples. Key Points The Tianwen-1 Mission: It will lift off on a Long March 5 rocket, from the Wenchang launch centre. It will carry 13 payloads (seven orbiters and six rovers) that will explore the planet. It is an all-in-one orbiter, lander and rover system. Orbiter: It is a spacecraft designed to orbit a celestial body (astronomical body) without landing on its surface. Lander: It is a strong, lightweight spacecraft structure, consisting of a base and three sides "petals" in the shape of a tetrahedron (pyramid- shaped). It is a protective "shell" that houses the rover and protects it, along with the airbags, from the forces of impact. Rover: It is a planetary surface exploration device designed to move across the solid surface on a planet or other planetary mass celestial bodies. 1/3 Objectives: The mission will be the first to place a ground-penetrating radar on the Martian surface, which will be able to study local geology, as well as rock, ice, and dirt distribution. It will search the martian surface for water, investigate soil characteristics, and study the atmosphere.
    [Show full text]
  • INPE) MCTI Çp ' Acordo Operação Técnica COPERNICUS Entre ESA,AEB E INPE (0026237) SEI 01350.001611/2018-03 / Pg
    ORIGINAL N° 1 Copernicus Space Component Technical Operating Arrangement ESA - Brazilian Space Agency and INPE (INPE) MCTI çp ' Acordo Operação Técnica COPERNICUS entre ESA,AEB E INPE (0026237) SEI 01350.001611/2018-03 / pg. 1 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background....................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Purpose and objectives ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Scope................................................................................................................................. 6 1.4 References......................................................................................................................... 6 2 EUROPEAN ACCESS TO BRAZILIAN EO MISSIONS AND CALIBRATION DATA AND PARTNER IN-SITU DATA ............................................................. 7 3 ARRANGEMENT OF TECHNICAL INTERFACES ....................................... 8 3.1 Technical Arrangement Types.......................................................................................... 8 4 INTERNATIONALARCHIVING AND DISSEMINATION CENTRES, MIRRORSITE ................................................................................................ 9 4.1 Invohred Entities............................................................................................................... 9 4.2 INPE Activity
    [Show full text]
  • COPERNICUS MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SERVICE OVERVIEW Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service
    European Maritime Safety Agency COPERNICUS MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SERVICE OVERVIEW Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service THE COPERNICUS PROGRAMME Copernicus is a European Union Programme aimed at developing European information services based on satellite Earth Observation and in situ (non-space) data analyses. The programme is managed by the European Commission, and implemented in partnership with the member states and other organisations, including the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Copernicus is served by a set of dedicated satellites (the Sentinels) and contributing missions (existing commercial and public satellites). Copernicus services address six main thematic areas: Security; Land Monitoring; Marine Monitoring; Atmosphere Monitoring; Emergency Management; and Climate Change. THE SECURITY SERVICE The Copernicus Security Service supports EU policy by providing information in response to Europe’s security challenges. It improves crisis prevention, preparedness and response in three key areas: maritime surveillance (implemented by EMSA) border surveillance support to EU External Action The Copernicus service for security applications is distinct from other services in the Copernicus programme. Data obtained directly through the Copernicus programme is combined with data from other sources, which may be sensitive or restricted. The end services are then provided directly to authorised national administrations and to a limited number of EU institutions and bodies, in accordance with their access rights. European Maritime Safety Agency THE COPERNICUS MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SERVICE The Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service supports improved monitoring of activities at sea. The goal of the Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service, implemented by EMSA, is to support its users by providing a better understanding and improved monitoring of activities at sea that have an impact on areas such as: fisheries control maritime safety and security law enforcement marine environment (pollution monitoring) support to international organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Artemis Accords: Employing Space Diplomacy to De-Escalate a National Security Threat and Promote Space Commercialization
    American University National Security Law Brief Volume 11 Issue 2 Article 5 2021 The Artemis Accords: Employing Space Diplomacy to De-Escalate a National Security Threat and Promote Space Commercialization Elya A. Taichman Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/nslb Part of the National Security Law Commons Recommended Citation Elya A. Taichman "The Artemis Accords: Employing Space Diplomacy to De-Escalate a National Security Threat and Promote Space Commercialization," American University National Security Law Brief, Vol. 11, No. 2 (2021). Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/nslb/vol11/iss2/5 This Response or Comment is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington College of Law Journals & Law Reviews at Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in American University National Security Law Brief by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Artemis Accords: Employing Space Diplomacy to De-Escalate a National Security Threat and Promote Space Commercialization Elya A. Taichman* “Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it—we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the Moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Diplomacy in Asian Orbit
    Space Diplomacy in Asian Orbit EDA INSIGHT RESEARCH & ANALYSIS OCTOBER 2018 Space Diplomacy in Asian Orbit Dr N. Janardhan Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, an autonomous federal entity, or the UAE Government. Copyright: Emirates Diplomatic Academy 2018. Cover Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre - http://www.khalifasat-thejourney.com Space Diplomacy in Asian Orbit Dr N. Janardhan Senior Research Fellow, Emirates Diplomatic Academy Dr N. Janardhan is Senior Research Fellow, Gulf-Asia Programme, Emirates Diplomatic Academy. His academic publications include – A New Gulf Security Architecture: Prospects and Challenges for an Asian Role (ed., 2014); India and the Gulf: What Next? (ed., 2013); and Boom amid Gloom: Spirit of Possibility in 21st Century Gulf (2011). Dr Janardhan is also Managing Assistant Editor, Journal of Arabian Studies. Executive Summary ◊ In international relations, expanding institutionalised ◊ As balance of power equations get reconfigured, channels of consultation is seen as enhancing there is evidence that international political- cooperation. Pursuing this, it is estimated that more security competition in space may supersede other than 80 countries (and many more private enterprises) considerations in the future. For now, however, there are are presently using space, either on their own or ample notable space-related developments in Asia that in partnership with others, to further individual or fall within the realm of soft power, which this Insight collective interests. explores. ◊ The West used the Cold War to further diplomatic ◊ It also suggests the following policy options for the influence and create ‘satellite’ states based on UAE to consider: geopolitical ideology.
    [Show full text]
  • Download the 2014 ASDC National Conference Delegate List As
    Organisation Delegate ASDC Dr Penny Fidler ASDC Dr Michaela Livingstone ASDC Maddy Foard A D Hunt Ltd Dr Anne Hunt Aardman Animations Heather Wright Aardman Animations Ian Haynes Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales Liam Doyle Anglian Water Marcia Davies Anglian Water Ellie Henderson Arts Council England Laura Gander-Howe At-Bristol Science Centre Phil Winfield At-Bristol Science Centre Bonnie Buckley At-Bristol Science Centre Dan Bird At-Bristol Science Centre Jo Bryant At-Bristol Science Centre Dr Kathy Fawcett At-Bristol Science Centre John Polatch At-Bristol Science Centre Raj Bista Babraham Institute Linden Fradet BBC Science Helen Thomas BBSRC Rebecca Kerby Ben Gammon Consulting Dr Ben Gammon BIG - STEM Communicators Network James Piercy Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Dr Kenny Webster BIS Susannah Wiltshire Blenheim Accounting Chris Godden Blenheim Accounting Gill Godden BIS Chris Shipley BP Ian Duffy British Science Association Dr Christina Fuentes Tibbitt Cambridge Science Centre Rosemary Ansell Cambridge Science Centre Gaetan Lee Cancer Research UK Kirsteen Campbell Catalyst Science Discovery Centre Dr Diana Leitch Centre of the Cell Umme Aysha CERN@school Clare Harvey CERN@school Dr Tom Whyntie Daredevil Labs / Wellcome Trust Greg Foot Dundee Science Centre Linda Leuchars Dundee Science Centre Louise Smith Dundee Science Centre Rebecca Erskine Eden Project Gordon Seabright Eden Project Gabriella Gilkes Eureka! The National Children's Museum Leigh-Anne Stradeski EXplora Science, Technology and Discovery Centre Caroline Galpin
    [Show full text]
  • CNES Miniaturization Policy: an Answer to Nanosatellites Challenges
    SSC19-I-02 CNES miniaturization policy: an answer to Nanosatellites challenges C. Dudal, C. Laporte, T. Floriant, P. Lafabrie CNES 18, avenue Edouard Belin 31401 Toulouse Cedex 9, France; +33561283070 [email protected] ABSTRACT The reduction of mass and size with improvement of the performance of a device is a permanent challenge for the space industry. The French National Space Agency has funded hundreds of R&D activities in the past, in all dedicated technical areas to facilitate these kind of technological evolution. Miniaturization efforts have, more recently, encountered a growing field of application, the one of Nanosatellites. For these applications, performance/cost trade-off is largely dominated by full cost, that is to say the cost including the entire satellite system development, from the initial idea to the end of life, including operations, data processing and its distribution. The carried out trade-offs are therefore based on a different constraints environment, in which the risk variable is systematically re-evaluated considering the cost/performance couple; the methods, the development process and the planning of delivery being directly impacted by this challenge. In this logic, and while continuing its efforts to miniaturize and improve performance for conventional markets (Earth observation, science, telecommunications, ...), CNES has adapted its working environment around the Nanosats domain to accelerate the development of adapted solutions. This adaptation being made both in terms of new development processes and of use of new COTS technology for equipment themselves. Moreover, projects in New Space are changing the historical relationship between CNES and its industrial partners and are encouraging a transition from a client/provider approach to a more co-partners approach.
    [Show full text]
  • Classroom Physics June 2014 Edition
    ClassroomThe newsletter for affiliated schools physicsJune 2014 Issue 29 Teacher support IOP successfully wins extension to Stimulating Physics Network support The Institute, in partnership with Myscience, IOP has been awarded a new contract by the Department for Education to run the Stimulating Physics Network (SPN) until March 2016. The SPN is an important national programme supporting the teaching and learning of physics in schools across England; this contract ensures that the SPN free, open CPD workshops for teachers in will continue operating for at least another the SLP’s associated schools and the local two years, which is an endorsement of the area. These activities will complement and success and impact that has been achieved support the SLP and its wider objectives, by the programme to date. and will form a national programme of physics CPD that is available to all teachers Celebrating success in England. Since 2012, the Institute’s SPN has facilitated more than 80,000 teacher hours Expansion to counter stereotyping of physics CPD and more than 60,000 Over the next two years, the SPN will pupils have experienced SPN engagement also be running a new pilot project called activities. The SPN is based around a team of Improving Gender Balance (IGB). A team 35 teaching and learning coaches (TLCs) who of specialist project officers will work are all highly experienced and successful intensively with 20 schools for two years, to physics teachers; each TLC providing support identify and resolve the issues surrounding to 12 SPN Partner Schools. the disproportionately low number of The aim of the SPN is to improve pupils’ A teacher attending a “Fun is Physics” session at girls studying A-level physics, including experience of physics at Key Stage 3 and a Stimulating Physics Network Summer School girls’ confidence and resilience, teachers’ 4, as measured by an increase in the (four-day residential CPD courses held at Oxford, classroom practice, and whole-school number of pupils choosing to study A-level Cambridge and York each year).
    [Show full text]
  • Space Debris
    IADC-11-04 April 2013 Space Debris IADC Assessment Report for 2010 Issued by the IADC Steering Group Table of Contents 1. Foreword .......................................................................... 1 2. IADC Highlights ................................................................ 2 3. Space Debris Activities in the United Nations ................... 4 4. Earth Satellite Population .................................................. 6 5. Satellite Launches, Reentries and Retirements ................ 10 6. Satellite Fragmentations ................................................... 15 7. Collision Avoidance .......................................................... 17 8. Orbital Debris Removal ..................................................... 18 9. Major Meetings Addressing Space Debris ........................ 20 Appendix: Satellite Break-ups, 2000-2010 ............................ 22 IADC Assessment Report for 2010 i Acronyms ADR Active Debris Removal ASI Italian Space Agency CNES Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (France) CNSA China National Space Agency CSA Canadian Space Agency COPUOS Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations DLR German Aerospace Center ESA European Space Agency GEO Geosynchronous Orbit region (region near 35,786 km altitude where the orbital period of a satellite matches that of the rotation rate of the Earth) IADC Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee ISRO Indian Space Research Organization ISS International Space Station JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency LEO Low
    [Show full text]
  • COMPACT) Joe Mrozinski JPL, Michael Saing JPL, Mary Covert Aerospace Corp., Tim Anderson Aerospace Corp
    CubeSat Or Microsat Probabilistic + Analogies Cost Tool (COMPACT) Joe Mrozinski JPL, Michael Saing JPL, Mary Covert Aerospace Corp., Tim Anderson Aerospace Corp. Copyright 2016 California Institute of Technology. Government sponsorship acknowledged. What is a CubeSat? CubeSat = Extremely small (i.e. Nanosat scale 1- 10kg) spacecraft of standard dimensions that hitchhikes to space with a traditional spacecraft. • Standard Form Factors: how many “U’s” is your Cubesat? 1 to 6 U’s: A “1U” A “2U” Cubesat is Cubesat is 3U: roughly twice as big 10x10x10 cm 6U! 11/16/16 COMPACT 2 jpl.nasa.gov What is a Microsat? A Microsat is simply a satellite with mass between 10 kg and 100 kg. Most 1-3U CubeSats are 1 - 10 kg, and fall into the “Nanosat” range. But a 6U Cubesat likely has a mass >10 kg and thus would be a microsat. CubeSat Or Microsat Probabilistic + Analogies Cost Tool (COMPACT) COMPACT is exploring CubeSats first. 11/16/16 COMPACT 3 jpl.nasa.gov NASA does not have a CubeSat Cost Estimating …But NASA Capability… clearly needs one -- ASAP! Graphic from: “CubeSat Most of Technology and Systems,” these Janson, S., Presentation to “Nanosats” USGIF Small Satellite are Working Group, 27 Cubesats May 2015 11/16/16 COMPACT 4 jpl.nasa.gov COMPACT just completed Phase 1 to begin addressing this cost estimating capability gap Phase 1 Requirement: Collect & Normalize Key Cost Driver Data for 10 CubeSats 11/16/16 COMPACT 5 jpl.nasa.gov Phase 1 Delivery: Normalized Data for 18 CubeSats 11/16/16 COMPACT 6 jpl.nasa.gov O_OREOS CINEMA EDSN GRIFEX LMRST KickSat Phase 1 Delivery: Normalized Data for: IPEX Firefly 18 CubeSats M-Cubed 2 PSSC-2 SkyCube SporeSat-1 MarCO NanoSail-D RACE RAX 1 11/16/16 M-Cubed COMPACT PharmaSat 7 jpl.nasa.gov Key Data i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Intelligent Building Blocks for On-Orbit Satellite Servicing and Assembly
    DLR at a glance DLR is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. iBOSS_GB_3/2017 Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space programme. DLR is also the umbrella organisation for the nation’s largest project management agency. DLR has approximately 8000 employees at 20 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Dresden, Goettingen, Ham- burg, Jena, Juelich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Oldenburg, Stade, Stuttgart, Trauen, and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C. DLR’s mission comprises the exploration of Earth and the Solar System and research for pro- tecting the environment. This includes the development of environment-friendly technologies for energy supply and future mobility, as well as for communications and security. DLR’s research portfolio ranges from fundamental research to the development of products for tomorrow. In this way, DLR contributes the scientific and technical expertise that it has ac- quired to the enhancement of Germany as a location for industry and technology. DLR oper- ates major research facilities for its own projects and as a service for clients and partners. It also fosters the development of the next generation of researchers, provides expert advisory services to government and is a driving force in the regions where its facilities are located.
    [Show full text]
  • Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon 440 Document II-1 Document Title
    440 Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon Document II-1 Document Title: NASA, “ Minutes of Meeting of Research Steering Committee on Manned Space Flight,” 25–26 May 1959. Source: Folder 18675, NASA Historical Reference Collection, History Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC. Within less than a year after its creation, NASA began looking at follow-on programs to Project Mercury, the initial human spacefl ight effort. A Research Steering Committee on Manned Space Flight was created in spring 1959; it consisted of top-level representatives of all of the NASA fi eld centers and NASA Headquarters. Harry J. Goett from Ames, but soon to be head of the newly created Goddard Space Flight Center, was named chair of the committee. The fi rst meeting of the committee took place on 25 and 26 May 1959, in Washington. Those in attendance provided an overview of research and thinking related to human spacefl ight at various NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the High Speed Flight Station (HSFS) at Edwards Air Force Base. George Low, then in charge of human spacefl ight at NASA Headquarters, argued for making a lunar landing NASA’s long-term goal. He was backed up by engineer and designer Maxime Faget of the Space Task Group of the Langley Research Center and Bruce Lundin of the Lewis Research Center. After further discussion at its June meeting, the Committee agreed on the lunar landing objective, and by the end of the year a lunar landing was incorporated into NASA’s 10-year plan as the long-range objective of the agency’s human spacefl ight program.
    [Show full text]