Adapting to the New National Space Policy Guidance

This paper compares the National Space Policy under the Bush and Obama administrations to determine the path that the United States is taking in the arena of space exploration, research, and development. By analyzing previous studies in the effectiveness of technology transfer and outsourcing within large companies, this paper hopes to develop a similar corollary for military-civil cooperation in the space venture. In addition, the researcher intends to examine the potential for technology leakage to dilute the United States' position as the leader in space exploitation. Finally, these factors are weighed in light of emerging powers entering the global space race to determine the long- and short-term effect on America's capabilities in space.