Opening the Door for International Cooperation

One of the most significant features of the National Space Policy released by the White House in July was its increased emphasis on international cooperation. The policy called for promoting “appropriate cost- and risk-sharing among participating nations in international partnerships” and augmenting U.S. capabilities “by leveraging existing and planned space capabilities of allies and space partners.” But in one high-profile sector of space activity, human space exploration, these policy directives have not yet been factored into the highly contentious and confusing process through which a path forward will — one hopes — soon emerge. If the intent of the new space policy is to be honored, there soon needs to be more top-level attention to bringing potential partners into planning for a global approach to exploration.