Leadership, Organization, and Management for National Security Space

Mr. Thomas Young provided the conference with a summary of the work done by an independent assessment panel on the subject of national security space. The panel reviewed the recommendations of previous commissions and concluded that there had been very little change as a result - a state of affairs that is likely due to a lack of leadership for space. In light of the problems that exist in the organization of national security space efforts, the panel's findings warn of serious damage if the leadership issue is not remedied. The U.S. government is therefore advised to establish and execute a national space strategy, the implementation of which would be overseen by the National Space Council. Since the council would have to be reestablished by the President, it is apparent that leadership is required at the highest levels to ensure that the U.S. continues to reap new benefits from space as the next generation of warfighters enters the battlefield.