Space Policy

Updated Febuary 24, 2006
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does the space shuttle cost? Through 2005, the space shuttle has cost more than $160 billion (2005$) based on an analysis of ours which can be found here. This translates to a cost-per-flight of over $1 billion. When the program is finally terminated in 2010 it will have cost more than $175 billion, which is more than Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury programs combined.

2. How did the space program get to where it is today?
We have written a number of analytical histories of the space shuttle and space station programs. Here are two papers that provide historical context:

Pielke Jr., R. A., 1993: A Reappraisal of the Space Shuttle Program. Space Policy, May, 133-157.

Brunner, R., R. Byerly, Jr., and R.A. Pielke, Jr., 1992: The Future of the Space Station Program. Chapter in Space Policy Alternatives, edited by R. Byerly, Westview Press, Boulder, 199-222.

3. What other resources do you have on space policy?
We have an extensive set of opinion articles, weblog entries, and scholarly papers (select "Space Policy" from drop-down menu) on space policy.

4. Where else can I find space policy resources?
We have found the following sites to be particularly useful resources on space policy:

NASA Watch, unofficial NASA news source.

SpaceRef.com, space news and reference site of space exploration and missions and calendar of events.

Spacetoday.net, space news summaries and links to space news articles from astronomy and space science to technology to policy and legislation.

Space.com, offers rich and compelling space, astronomy and technology content launced by CNN news anchor Lou Dobbs.

House Committee On Science, U.S. legislation involving scientific research, development and demonstration for NASA, DOE, EPA, NSF, FAA, NOAA, NIST, FEMA, USFA, and USGS.

Space Policy Institute, Institute at George Washington University that conducts research on space policy issues, organizes seminars, symposia, and conferences on various topics, and offers graduate courses on space policy.

National Remote Sensing and Space Law Center, resource for creating, gathering and disseminating objective and timely remote sensing, space and aviation research and materials.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, conducts work in four mission directorates: aeronautics, exploration systems, science, and space operations.

Federation of American Scientists, Congressional Research Service Reports on Space Policy.

European Space Policy, inform readers on European activities in space and to help better understand how they can benefit from space-related technology.

National Science and Technology Council, 1996 fact sheet on US National Space Policy.

National Space Studies Center, National Space Studies Center list of U.S. and other space organizations.

China National Space Administration, civilian agency of the People's Republic of China which is responsible for national space policy within the space program of China.

European Space Agency, inter-governmental organization dedicated to exploration of space currently with 17 member states.

NASA History Division, key documents in the history of space policy.

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, Office of Space Commercialization which participates in various policy making activities affecting the commercial space industry as a whole.