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Books > Professional & Technical > Other technologies > Space science > General
Considerable prospecting has been done in outer space to find
natural resources and mineral deposits that can be excavated.
Commercial space travel and tourism have been found technically
feasible and economically viable. So is the enthusiasm for
demographic migration to celestial bodies. Governments are not
inclined to invest in commercial development and allied ventures.
So, private players are ready, having harnessed technology and
mustered funds and enough guts to take risks. Thus, the commercial
scene in outer space activities is brimming with anticipation. The
challenge is legal. Space law brooks no sovereignty on celestial
bodies; private appropriation of celestial resources is not
permitted and profit accruals from commercial activities in outer
space have to be shared for the benefit of all countries. Other
incidental challenges are that the share of each country and the
modalities of distribution are not yet in place. And there is no
competent organization to ensure incumbent regulation and
compliance. Humanity should not be made to wait endlessly to enjoy
this bonanza from outer space. This book describes such
potentialities, discusses legal implications and explores the way
forward with practical suggestions for immediate action as well as
long-term plans for implementation.
NASAs mission is to drive advances in science, technology,
aeronautics, and space exploration to enhance knowledge, education,
innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth. Chapter 1
and 2 provide a snapshot for 2018 of how well NASA is planning and
executing its major acquisition projects. In May 2017, GAO found
that projects were continuing a generally positive trend of
limiting cost and schedule growth, maturing technologies, and
stabilizing designs. But, at the same time, GAO noted that many of
these projects, including some of the most expensive ones, were
approaching the phase in their life cycles when cost and schedule
growth is most likely. Chapter 3 is an overview of the 2017 budget.
Chapter 4 determines the extent to which NASA has established and
implemented leading IT management practices in strategic planning,
workforce planning, governance, and cybersecurity. Chapter 5
addresses, among other things, the extent to which (1) NASAs
Inspector General investigated contractor and grantee whistleblower
reprisal complaints; (2) NASAs Administrator reviewed reprisal
complaints in a timely manner; and (3) NASA communicated the
applicable whistleblower reprisal protections to contractors.
Chapter 6 sets forth policy governing the release of public
information, which is defined as information in any form provided
to news and information media, especially information that has the
potential to generate significant media, or public interest or
inquiry.
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