Calls President's Proposal A "Giant Step Forward"

AIA said in a statement Monday that it believes the new National Space Policy takes important steps needed to maintain our global leadership in space and ensure continued competitiveness and innovation. AIA has advocated for strengthened interagency partnerships and is pleased that the new policy includes similar language.

"We strongly support calls in the policy to strengthen U.S. space leadership and to enhance international cooperation," the statement says. "In order to fully realize U.S. industry's potential in the global space market, it's critical that our nation take the steps needed to modernize an outdated export control system so that our industry can compete on a level playing field abroad."

AIA says the policy's emphasis on retaining space professionals and improving space professional development is an important investment in the U.S. workforce. In addition, as the association that led the effort to form the government-industry Joint Space Cost Council, AIA says it is "pleased that the policy highlights the importance of improving acquisition through enhancements in cost estimating."

AIA additionally supports language in the new policy that seeks to preserve the space environment, increase space situational awareness and enhance space protection. "Space debris threatens our nation's spacefarers and our critical space infrastructure, and - unless remediated - will restrict our efforts to increase the commercialization of space," the statement reads.

National space policies set the official tone across our government on the space initiatives that are pursued as a nation. AIA says this is critical, because with billions of dollars spent on space operations throughout a myriad of U.S. agencies, it's absolutely necessary that the administration coordinate and craft national policy. That said, "It's important that policy be backed by stable funding as well as a detailed national strategy that helps ensure that policies are carried out," they said.

The Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org