Report of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the US Space Program

The United States' civil space program was rather hurriedly formulated some three decades ago on the heels of the successful launch of the Soviet Sputnik. A dozen humans have been placed on the Moon and safely returned to Earth, seven of the other eight planets have been viewed at close range, including the soft landing of two robot spacecraft on Mars, and a variety of significant astronomical and other scientific observations have been accomplished. Closer to Earth, a network of communications satellites has been established, weather and ocean conditions are now monitored and reported as they occur, and the Earth's surface is observed from space to study natural resources and detect sources of pollution. Problems and perspectives of the program are given as seen by the committee. The committee finds that there are nine concerns about the space program which are deserving of attention. The responsibilities of the agency are given. The space agenda becomes one of what can and should the U.S. afford for its space program. Also given is a concept of what the committee believes is a balanced space program. The programs international role is defined and some final observations and recommendations are made.