In opening the first Space for Security and Defence conference in London, Air Vice-Marshal Tim Anderson, RAF, recently implored the delegates to work toward something he called simply "a U.K. space concept."  To paraphrase Churchill, whose immortal words are etched on a Thames riverside memorial just a minute's walk from the conference site: "never was so much asked for, so eloquently, in so few words."

Anderson is assistant chief of the Air Staff for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.  From that lofty perch, he sees the big picture of how space systems are used by all U.K. air, land, and sea forces in sovereign defense and security operations, coalition war fighting, NATO and U.N. peacekeeping, the whole plum pie.  Indeed, the delegates to the conference came from all these communities and in a short two days were able to paint a sweeping picture of the U.K.'s dependence upon space as a critical defense and security infrastructure.  The vast potential benefit of an integrated "U.K. space concept" was addressed by experts from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Europe, and NATO. A concept of national space strategy that would comprise a complete military-industrial-economic game plan from policy through to plans, programs, funding, execution, and metrics. 

The first Space for Security and Defence conference was organized by the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) in association with the Space Foundation, the Society of British Aerospace Companies, and U.K. Space.  It was held in RUSI's Whitehall headquarters, adjacent to the headquarters of the U.K. Ministry of Defence.  Its purpose was simple:

• First, to bring to life for leaders of Her Majesty's government the recent Ministry of Defence estimate that 90 percent of the ministry's activities were dependent upon space
• Second, to examine the dependencies, complexities, vulnerabilities, importance, and potential of operating in the space domain
• Third, to begin a discussion on a U.K. space concept, that is, a national space strategy for the United Kingdom

Given the Space Foundation's authorship of the annual The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, I was privileged to deliver a stage-setting address on the state of the global space economy.  The fact that the U.K. in 2007 accounted for just $13 billion of the industry's $251 billion in revenues might suggest to some that our British friends are jumping the gun a bit with this whole "U.K. space concept" thing, but that would be missing the point.  The point is that the U.K., like the U.S., is utterly dependent upon space for security, defense, and virtually every other aspect of modern life as we know it.

Space has quietly become the essential infrastructure of our time.

 A national strategy for utilizing, enhancing, growing, and protecting that infrastructure for security, defense, economic, industrial, technical, scientific, academic, and social development is a moral imperative for any government - large or small.

If you're beginning to feel a sense of déjà vu, then it is likely you were in the audience last April at the 24th National Space Symposium, when Lt. General Michael Hamel, USAF, commander, Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), delivered a passionate and persuasive speech on the need for the U. S. to develop just such a national space strategy.  Now retired, Hamel knows whereof he speaks, having spent his entire U.S. Air Force career in dedicated pursuit of the very best space capabilities for our nation.  Even now, he is writing a monograph on the subject. Next spring he is scheduled to moderate a panel discussion, "Space Policy for the Next Space Age," at the 25th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.

Hamel's successor at SMC, Lt. Gen. John Sheridan, USAF, has also begun sounding the alarm on the need for a U.S. national space strategy, as have other military commanders and leaders of industry.  I know of at least one member of Congress who has begun quietly pressing the Pentagon for its ideas on the military component of such a strategy.

Encouraging.  But not good enough.  There is too much at stake and the considerations are not just military, not just space exploration.  They are commercial, diplomatic, and economic.  They include the security of our homeland, the education of our children, and the respect of our nation in the world.  A U.S. national space strategy needs to come from the very top - from the President of the United States of America.  Although the National Space Council still technically exists, it has remained unstaffed since the presidency of George H.W. Bush and space has not occupied an appropriate, pre-eminent position within the U.S. government.  A national space strategy is highly unlikely to appear suddenly in the last 100 days of the Bush administration or the 110th Congress.

So we look to the future and to the men whom would be President, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.  While neither has made space a major feature of his campaign, both have acknowledged the value of space for the nation's security, technological competitiveness, and pride.  It is especially important to foster opportunities for national growth in light of the pressures that the next president will face: continued economic uncertainty and the potential budgetary impact of a Wall Street bailout; international tensions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world; calls for healthcare reform and a practical plan to support an aging population; energy policy; and the shift in international power to the benefit of energy-exporting nations such as Russia.  The demands on the President's attention will be many and intense, but they must not cause him to overlook the fact that space offers solutions to alleviate some or all of these pressures.

The Space Foundation makes no political endorsements.  We are nonpartisan and apolitical.  We advise, educate and inform all branches, at all levels, and on both sides of the aisle.  My advice to whoever wins the White House would be straightforward:

•     Space will be absolutely essential to your success as the Commander-in-Chief.
•     Space will be absolutely essential to your administration's ability to secure the homeland.
•     Space is your tool for reinvigorating education, research, and technical pre-eminence in America.
•     Space is both your "soft talk" and your "big stick" in diplomacy, international relations and trade.
•     Space will be how you communicate with the American public, and it may well be the best national wellspring of patriotic pride to unite the nation to move forward boldly and dare greatly again.

The view from here is that a national space strategy isn't just a concept.  It is an imperative.