■ (Overview) The US Biden administration held the first National Space Council (NSpC) 11 months after taking office.
● The NSpC is a White House organization that prioritizes US military, civilian, and industrial space policy and strategy, chaired by the Vice President.
-President Biden added 5 members, including education, labor, agriculture, home affairs, and national climate advisors, in addition to the existing members, to discuss space policy throughout society.
● Discussion focused on space exploration, Russian anti-satellite weapon test (ASAT) warning, strengthening space traffic management, expanding space technology use for climate change, and expanding STEM education.
- 14 countries are participating in the Artemis Accords for space exploration, and it is directed to expand the number of countries participating in the agreement.
- Paying attention to the role of space technology in mitigating global issues, especially climate change
■ (Features) With the first NSpC, the Biden administration presents the direction of space policy and strategy in the 「United States Space Priorities Framework」
● The Biden administration clearly expressed its position to maintain the continuity of the Trump administration's space policy, such as the Artemis program, Space Force, and NSpC, to relieve anxiety in the space community.
● It is necessary to clarify the Biden administration's perception of the universe at the same time as the previous administration's policy succession
● Presentation of space policies synchronized with President Biden's policy directions, such as education, space manpower training, diversity, and especially climate change that greatly affects the underprivileged.
● The Biden administration emphasizes awareness of the universe in three aspects
- First, although it did not directly mention Russia's anti-satellite weapon test (ASAT) or China's hypersonic gliding vehicle (HGV) test, it is to contain space threats from rival countries.
- Second, it is important to protect space-related infrastructure for national security and economic growth.
- Third, it is necessary to actively utilize space for climate change response and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
■ (Priorities) The government's priorities focus on nine areas to sustain a robust and responsible US space industry and to preserve space for present and future generations.
● Maintain leadership in space exploration and space science
● Advancement of space-based instrumental observation capabilities and use to support climate change response
● Fostering a policy and regulatory environment for burgeoning commercial space activities.
● Protect critical space-related infrastructure and strengthen the security of space infrastructure
● Defend national security against the growing scope and scale of space threats.
● Investment for future generations
● Taking the lead in strengthening the global governance of space activities
● Sharing space situation awareness and strengthening space traffic management
● Sustainability of the universe and protection of the planet come first.
■ (Prospect) The direction of the Biden administration's space policy predictable in the "United States Space Priorities Framework" is as follows.
1) Reinforcing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) manpower training
● OSTP, NSC, NSpC, etc. establish plans for STEM education and training of space personnel
● Expansion of major missions such as manned space exploration based on gender equality and racial diversity
2) Emphasis on the use of space technology to cope with the climate crisis
● Strengthening the role of NASA and NOAA in resolving the climate crisis
3) Accelerating deregulation of commercial space activities
● Establish or revise flexible procurement methods and legal systems to promote private space activities.
● Continuing discussions on how to regulate commercial space activities in order to fulfill the role of state approval and continued oversight of space activities.