National Security Strategy Calls for Security and Stability in Space, Healthy Workforce

In the introduction to his National Security Strategy released last week, President Obama once again invoked his childhood fascination with the space program, mentioning his “awe at watching a space capsule pulled out of the Pacific” while espousing that “America’s greatest asset is its people.” He added that “Our long-term security will come not from our ability to instill fear in other peoples, but through our capacity to speak to their hopes.”

Though brief references to space capabilities are scattered throughout the report, the most extensive treatment is in the section on “Prosperity” where it is the fifth of five elements under “Enhance Science, Technology and Innovation.” It asserts that the United States will “pursue activities consistent with the inherent right of self defense,” but the focus is international cooperation and promoting “security and stability in space.” It also emphasizes the need for investing in space technologies and “the people and industrial base that develops them.” The full text of that paragraph (p. 31) is as follows:

“Leverage and Grow our Space Capabilities: For over 50 years, our space community has been a catalyst for innovation and a hallmark of U.S. technological leadership. Our space capabilities underpin global commerce and scientific advancements and bolster our national security strengths and those of our allies and partners. To promote security and stability in space, we will pursue activities consistent with the inherent right of self-defense, deepen cooperation with allies and friends, and work with all nations toward the responsible and peaceful use of space. To maintain the advantages afforded to the United States by space, we must also take several actions. We must continue to encourage cutting-edge space technology by investing in the people and industrial base that develops them. We will invest in the research and development of next-generation space technologies and capabilities that benefit our commercial, civil, scientific exploration, and national security communities, in order to maintain the viability of space for future generations. And we will promote a unified effort to strengthen our space industrial base and work with universities to encourage students to pursue space-related careers.”