RSD Can Revitalize the Space Industrial Base

摘要

For nearly 20 years, the United States has been living off its investments in space. Unfortunately, its ability to do so is coming to an end, and the space industrial base finds itself increasingly at risk. Without a healthy foundation, the American people will not continue to enjoy the benefits that space systems provide and may well watch other countries, which invest their seed corn rather than consume it, surpass the United States.rnSeveral problems with the industrial base consistently rear their heads. These include an aging work force and the loss of critical skills as it retires, a lack of opportunities for young engineers to learn the ropes and "get their hands dirty," a funding and acquisition approach that is not well-aligned with the boutique nature of contemporary space systems, limited budgets and a backlog of troubled programs.