The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, has taken over responsibility for coordinating national space policy after the administration formally revoked the National Space Council through a December executive order, SpaceNews reported Sunday.
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How Is OSTP Coordinating US Space Policy?
Charlie Powell, assistant director for space and spectrum at OSTP, said during the March 12 Goddard Space Science Symposium that the office is now serving as the government’s policy coordinator and integrator for space matters. The order directs the assistant to the president for science and technology, currently OSTP Director Michael Kratsios, to oversee implementation of the administration’s space policy.
According to Powell, the role includes convening agencies involved in space activities and guiding interagency coordination related to the administration’s agenda.
What Are the United States’ Space Policy Priorities?
The executive order assigned OSTP responsibilities for the space policy enterprise, including developing guidance for a “National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power,” which outlines plans for a lunar fission surface power system by 2030. The order also sets additional milestones across the space sector, directing NASA to deliver a new exploration plan and calling for a review of the national space transportation policy, last updated in 2013.
“OSTP helps organize and integrate space policy decisions among the interagency and we mostly try to be good advocates for individual agency equities as we drive the administration’s space agenda,” said Powell.
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