A waning of technocratic faith - NASA and the politics of the Space Shuttle decision, 1967-1972This paper analyzes the decision to build the Space Shuttle as part of a broader public policy trend away from a deference to technical experts and toward greater politicization of traditionally apolitical issues. At the beginning of the 1960s U.S. leaders had a strong faith in the ability of technology to solve most problems. By 1970 this commitment to technological answers had waned and a resurgence of the right of elected officials to control technical matters was gaining currency. The lengthy and bitter Shuttle decision-making process was part of a much broader shift in the formation of public policy, played out in other arenas as well, aimed at the reemergence of direct political management of technological and scientific affairs by politicians.
Document ID
19920073028
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Launius, R. D. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)