The Future of the U.S. Space Program

Space exploration has long captivated the public‘s imagination and been a symbol of American inventiveness and desire for discovery. But recently NASA has seen a steady decline in its federal funding for  space exploration and program advancement. In the wake of these budget cuts, the private sector is seeking to fill that void by developing independently funded vessels for space travel, exploration, and study. How will the addition of commercial space travel and privately funded space exploration affect the future of the U.S. space program?

On May 14, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted an event to discuss the future of the U.S. space program. The fifth annual A. Alfred Taubman Forum on Public Policy convened several panels of experts to discuss topics such as the economic benefits of private industry’s involvement, the scientific discoveries resulting from NASA’s continued space efforts and the potential for future exploration, and the government’s policies and decision making process. 

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