John McCain's Space Program

What would space policy be like under a John McCain Presidency? Some hint of what the course of the United States space program would be was given recently when Senator McCain came out very strongly for the Vision for Space Exploration. McCain released the following statement:

"John McCain is a strong supporter of NASA and the space program. He is proud to have sponsored legislation authorizing funding consistent with the President's vision for the space program, which includes a return of astronauts to the Moon in preparation for a manned mission to Mars. He believes support for a continued US presence in space is of major importance to America's future innovation and security. He has also been a staunch advocate for ensuring that NASA funding is accompanied by proper management and oversight to ensure that the taxpayers receive the maximum return on their investment. John McCain believes curiosity and a drive to explore have always been quintessential American traits. This has been most evident in the space program, for which he will continue his strong support. "

The statement from McCain sounds promising, so far that it goes. It meshes with McCain's record in the Senate. But there is no promise of extra money, as has been suggested by some members of Congress. The verbiage about management and oversight, while it certainly meshes with McCain's stance as a spending hawk, doesn't suggest a desire to spend a lot of money on space projects. But the strong statement of support contrasts pretty well with the hostility toward space exploration that has been demonstrated by both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.

But what about commercial space? On this subject, McCain is silent. But some recent statements McCain has made on commerce in general gives cause for concern.

When McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, he suggested at the time that he did so because they favored the rich, a curious rational coming from a Republican. McCain has since had an election year conversion and claims that he really opposed the tax cuts because they were not accompanied by spending cuts, but now supports the tax cuts.

In a recent debate at the Reagan Library in California, McCain and his main rival, Mitt Romney, had a series of testy exchanges. At one point, McCain snapped that he was motivated by "patriotism rather than profits." That was clearly a slap at Mitt Romney, who is known as a skilled and experienced businessman. It was also a slap at business in general. Many fear that McCain, deep down inside, views the buying and selling of goods and services for a profit as somehow less than honorable.

The question thus arises: Would a President McCain be very supportive of commercial space, as has President Bush? He may not absolutely oppose commercial space, may even give lip service to it. But will he be as active in supporting commercial space with tax and regulatory incentives and with compelling NASA to be commercial friendly, especially in its space exploration programs?

Maybe not. In that case, under McCain, we may get a space program that is magnificent, but in the model of the 1960s. It could be government centric, oriented toward science, national prestige, and national security. But it may not advance the economic development of the high frontier of space. McCain's space program may not meet the needs of the 21^st Century, which suggests that commerce is just as important as science, national prestige, and national security. McCain would, in effect, preside over half a space program.

McCain could alleviate these fears by articulating a clear and enlightened commercial space policy, one that recognizes the crucial role of the private sector in opening up the high frontier of space. It is hoped, especially should he win the nomination, he will do so with all due speed.

Source: America's Space Program, John McCain 2008