Why go to Mars? The InSight vehicle is designed to examine the Mars interior—its core and crust—to learn how the planetary formations may have been different from ours and look for evidence of seismic or other events that may explain its hellish reality today.
Topic: Civil and Commercial Space
Commercial and Civil Space analyzes how U.S. civil and commercial space programs can be used to promote norms of behavior in space and enhance U.S. national security in the space domain. It explores international partnerships in space, efforts to reduce the costs of launch, new commercial space technologies, and policy issues that affect civil and commercial space programs.
Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Why NASA Must Continue to Launch a Diverse Astronaut Corps
If an American astronaut wants to go to outer space, they have to go through Russia to get there. And so far, an African American has never been launched on a Russian rocket. Last month’s launch was supposed to change that.
How Does Space Policy Directive 3 Affect Space Traffic Management?
What did the Trump Administration’s third space policy directive change? How does it affect space debris? Will there be a Space Force? Read this assessment to find out all these answers and more!
How Might Space Policy Directive 2 Affect Commercial Space?
On Thursday, May 24, 2018, President Trump signed a second space policy directive, which intends to streamline regulations in the commercial use of space. This article explores the nuances of the directive and what U.S. government agencies will be affected.
Moonstruck: A Podcast About Humans in Space
Moonstruck is a new podcast mini-series about humans in space. Listen to the show on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Video: Securing Civil Space for America’s Return to the Moon
On January 18, 2018, the CSIS Aerospace Security Project hosted “En Route to the Moon: Creating a Civil Space Architecture” a public forum on securing civil space systems in the new era of NASA.
President Trump Wants His Moonshot Without Paying for It
Like past presidents, Trump is setting an ambitious space agenda that is not backed up with resources
Around the World in 60 Minutes (Or Less!)
Space travel could be the next revolution in human transportation. Are commercial companies, like SpaceX, developing viable options? Furthermore, what other applications may this technology have?
Back to the Moon? Understanding Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1
On December 11, 2017, President Trump amended the 2010 National Space Policy to redirect NASA’s focus to sending Americans back to the Moon.
Escalation and Deterrence in the Second Space Age
The second space age is more diverse, disruptive, disordered, and dangerous than the first. This report discusses the threats to U.S. space systems, deterrence theory in the space domain, and findings from a space crisis exercise.