Two Keynote Addresses: Perspectives from the Department of Commerce Perspectives from National Security
Highlights
Edward Morris, Director of the Office of Space Commercialization in the Department of Commerce, is of the opinion that the government should take less of a defensive posture when it comes to the technologies that are in the public domain and are already being exploited by other countries. A first step would be to decide where the sensitive points are and work on international agreements focusing on commercial opportunities. Such emerging technologies as GPS can facilitate free market access to global markets.
Major General James Armor Jr., Director of the National Security Space Office, throws some light on the space policies of the government and their relation to commercialization of space, which he says sustains the military industrial base. In his experience, the military prefers to buy the most advanced systems that technology has to offer even though government has unpredictable needs. He acknowledges "There is a significant gap between what is said at policy level and what has been done. As a result, the credibility of government action is fading." Major challenges include finding ways to initiate discussions on space control, developing long-term leadership and management, affirmative action, increased budget to serve infrastructural needs and improved international cooperation. He says players can and should demand a secure commercial environment.
Edward Morris, Director, Office of Space Commercialization, Department of Commerce
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video (mpeg4, 171.5 MB)
audio (m4a, 21.8 MB)
slides (pdf, 1.6 MB)
Major Gen. James Armor Jr., Director, National Security Space Office
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video (mpeg4, 206.4 MB)
audio (m4a, 20.3 MB)
slides (pdf, 56 KB)
Commercialization of Space
Winter 2008
Session 5
