Bush Reveals New Space Policy

Josh Fink writes "Space.com is reporting that President Bush has unveiled his new space policy. From the article: 'U.S. assets must be unhindered in carrying out their space duties,' the Bush space policy says, stressing that 'freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power.'... As a civil space guideline, the policy calls upon NASA to 'execute a sustained and affordable human and robotic program of space exploration and develop, acquire, and use civil space systems to advance fundamental scientific knowledge of our Earth system, solar system, and universe.' While this policy does seem to push for more civil involvement in space for exploration and research, the article does go on to say, 'The policy calls upon the Secretary of Defense to "develop capabilities, plans, and options to ensure freedom of action in space, and, if directed, deny such freedom of action to adversaries."' So it will push into the intelligence community, and will supercede a similar policy from 1996. You can read the entire policy."

Comments

More pressing issues?

[scott666]

So North Korea gets nukes and we don't care, but if they try to get nukes in space there'll be hell to pay. This sounds like another diversionary tactic of the Bush administration, like Gay Marriage or how we were going to Go to Mars.

And I sat there adrift in my inflatable raft

[sdcharle]

In the Pacific, not far from where my plane was shot down, and I was comforted by thoughts of freedom of action in space. no, that's the other George Bush... http://www.fortfreedom.org/b11.htm

Re:Nuclear Propulsion

[Doc Ruby]

Moderation -1
    40% Troll
    30% Redundant
    30% Insightful

Just because many of us post that Bush is a demented warmonger and Rumsfeld sending us to hell doesn't make specific reminders about their shredding the Geneva Conventions and nuclear treaties "Redundant". Nor does the predictable Bush worshipper and technofetishist outrage reaction to threatening to take their lethal toys away make telling the truth about this dangerous fantasy a "Troll".

TrollMods look at a day when N Korea goes nuclear, right into the arms of Bush and Rumsfeld, as a day to silence anyone telling us how bad that is.

A fundamental rule of warfare.....

[ezratrumpet]

....hold the high ground.

A quick review of military history will reveal a staggering number of battles decided on the question of an elevated position. Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Gallipoli....all decided by the high ground.

Modern combat is guided by information gained via aerial reconaissance. Any threat to any satellites will be viewed - should be viewed - by other countries as a potential attempt to control the high ground.

The moon is higher ground than low orbit satellites.

Mars will be higher ground when space travel evolves. Before humankind colonizes another planet (Mars), interplantary warfare should be someone's first concern - not for the contemporary generation, but for generations yet to come.

Because there will always be someone trying to control the high ground.

Sharks, in space...

[Gilmoure]

...with nuc-u-lar powered lasers stuck to their heads!