Marathon To the Stars

The United States' ever growing reliance on space assets requires a paradigm shift in how the government invests resources to obtain high quality capabilities, and remain ahead of international peers in the global space race. This research paper answers the question, what specific technology investment strategies should the US take to increase its position among the international space powers? Using a problem-solution methodology, an optimum investment strategy is determined and then compared against the current investment approach of the US. The US currently relies heavily on direct government-led funding and development, leveraging very little of the vast commercial potential within the US and international community resulting in high costs, long schedules, and a lack of innovation. This conclusion supports the recommendation that the US must greatly increase the use of commercial assets for space launch, satellite communications, and imagery intelligence, and pursue international cooperation for space exploration.