Contested Ground: The Historical Debate Over NASA's Mission - From Sputnik to the Apollo Moon Landing, Space Shuttle and Space Station Decisions, Commercial Space

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Cover of the book Contested Ground: The Historical Debate Over NASA's Mission - From Sputnik to the Apollo Moon Landing, Space Shuttle and Space Station Decisions, Commercial Space by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781301760459
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: April 8, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781301760459
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: April 8, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Since the opening of the space age nearly 50 years ago, the U.S. government has spent close to $1 trillion on space-related activities. Although by no means the largest public expenditure over that period—it is easily dwarfed by national defense, social security, and countless other federal programs—it is still, by any measure, an enormous amount of money. It therefore seems perfectly reasonable to ask: what has the American taxpayer gotten in return for this rather large investment?

This book will examine the changing views of NASA's mission(s) held by government officials over the years. Drawing upon relevant concepts in political science and public administration, it will attempt to account for the shifts in space policy, by describing the political, economic, and technical factors that helped bring them about. Among the questions to be addressed are: what did policymakers envision when they created the agency in the first place? Why was there such strong (albeit not entirely unanimous) support for Project Apollo in the early 1960s, and why did it fade away in such a relatively short time? What caused NASA and the program to languish throughout most of the 1970s, and why did it reemerge (after a fashion) in the 1980s? Finally, what is the agency's role today?

There is one fundamental question about the agency which, although it has existed literally since its founding in 1958, has seldom even been asked directly, let alone examined in any detail. Stated simply: at no point in NASA's history has there ever been a clear, specific statement of its actual purpose. What, in a word, do policymakers believe that the agency is for?

  1. What is NASA's Mission? * 2. Analytical Framework * 3. Prehistory: Space Policy Before Sputnik * 4. NASA: Born out of Fright, 1957-1961 * 5. Mission Advanced * 6. Mission Accomplished... Now What? * 7. Space Policy Redefined (Again) * 8. Dollars, Not Dreams; Business, Not Government * 9. Concluding Thoughts
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the opening of the space age nearly 50 years ago, the U.S. government has spent close to $1 trillion on space-related activities. Although by no means the largest public expenditure over that period—it is easily dwarfed by national defense, social security, and countless other federal programs—it is still, by any measure, an enormous amount of money. It therefore seems perfectly reasonable to ask: what has the American taxpayer gotten in return for this rather large investment?

This book will examine the changing views of NASA's mission(s) held by government officials over the years. Drawing upon relevant concepts in political science and public administration, it will attempt to account for the shifts in space policy, by describing the political, economic, and technical factors that helped bring them about. Among the questions to be addressed are: what did policymakers envision when they created the agency in the first place? Why was there such strong (albeit not entirely unanimous) support for Project Apollo in the early 1960s, and why did it fade away in such a relatively short time? What caused NASA and the program to languish throughout most of the 1970s, and why did it reemerge (after a fashion) in the 1980s? Finally, what is the agency's role today?

There is one fundamental question about the agency which, although it has existed literally since its founding in 1958, has seldom even been asked directly, let alone examined in any detail. Stated simply: at no point in NASA's history has there ever been a clear, specific statement of its actual purpose. What, in a word, do policymakers believe that the agency is for?

  1. What is NASA's Mission? * 2. Analytical Framework * 3. Prehistory: Space Policy Before Sputnik * 4. NASA: Born out of Fright, 1957-1961 * 5. Mission Advanced * 6. Mission Accomplished... Now What? * 7. Space Policy Redefined (Again) * 8. Dollars, Not Dreams; Business, Not Government * 9. Concluding Thoughts

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Tactical Satellite Communications - FM 24-11 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA Post-Apollo Lunar Exploration Plans: Moonlab Study - Semi-Permanent Lunar Surface Observatory Concept, Personnel, Life Support, Lunar Farm, Moon Base Layout and Design by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Power and the Ground War in Vietnam: Ideas and Actions - Counterinsurgency, Air Power Theories, Secret Bombing, Supporting Ground Combat Forces, Gunships, Interservice Differences by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Profiles in Leadership: Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its Predecessors - Iran Hostage Crisis, Gulf War, Iran-Contra, Iraq War, 9/11, Seymour Hersh, Family Jewels by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Air Traffic Services Operations - FM 3-04.120 (FM 1-120) - Training, Maintenance (Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Increasing Uncertainty: The Dangers of Relying on Conventional Forces for Nuclear Deterrence - Critique of the Nuclear Posture Review, Global Zero, Risk of Conventional Prompt Global Strike Missiles by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Russia and Vladimir Putin: Studies and Reports on Politics, Economics, Security Strategy, New Eurasia, Threat Perception, Growing Russo-American Tensions, Crimea, Target: Ukraine, Corruption by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Crime in America: Central America and Mexico Gang Assessment, Cost of Violence, Profiles of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua, Risk Factors, Historical Context by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Doctrine Document 1-1, Leadership and Force Development: Leading Airmen by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA Space Exploration Report: International Space Station (ISS) - Lessons Learned as Applied to Exploration - Mission Objectives, Architecture, Operations, Utilization, Communications by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The U.S. Air Force After Vietnam: Postwar Challenges and Potential for Responses - Vietnam in History, Interpreting Vietnam, Post-Vietnam Events and Public Discourse, Congress by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Crisis Fleeting: Original Reports on Military Medicine in India and Burma in the Second World War - Chinese Liaison Detail, With Wingate's Chindits, Record of Heedless Valor, Marauders and Microbes by Progressive Management
Cover of the book FEMA U.S. Fire Administration Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study: Standards, Retroreflective Technology, Contour Markings by Progressive Management
Cover of the book When You Get a Job to Do, Do It: The Airpower Leadership of Lt. General William H. Tunner - The Underappreciated Contributions to Airlift, World War II and Cold War, Hump and Berlin Airlift Operations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Boko Haram: Africa's New JV Team? Nigeria (GoN) and U.S. Bilateral Relationship, AQIM, Al Shabaab, Islamic State, ISIS, Ethnic, Political, and Military Infrastructure, Caliphate System, AFRICOM, AGOA by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy