The National Space Council (NSpC) has been facing leadership gaps and priorities under Vice President Harris, according to Dr. Ajay Kothari. While China continues to make strides in lunar exploration, the U.S. seems to be losing focus on the competition that could shape the future beyond Earth.
Dr. Kothari highlights that Vice President Harris, who was tasked with chairing the NSpC, has not been successful in fulfilling the council’s mission. This lack of effective leadership could have significant consequences for the country, especially in the face of China’s advancements in space exploration.
The NSpC, established to provide objective advice to the President on space policy and strategy, has only met three times during Vice President Harris’s tenure. Dr. Kothari points out that the focus of these meetings has been on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives rather than strategic planning to keep the U.S. ahead in the space race, particularly in comparison to China.
While NASA, under Administrator Nelson’s leadership, has continued to operate effectively, the lack of direction from the White House, particularly from Vice President Harris, could hinder the country’s progress in space exploration. Dr. Kothari expresses hope that the next administration will take a more enthusiastic approach to leading the NSpC.
He also highlights the historical context of the NSpC, which was disbanded in 1993 and reinstated by President Trump in 2017. Under the leadership of then-Vice President Pence, the council met eight times to discuss crucial aspects of space exploration, including plans to have American astronauts on the Moon by 2024.
In contrast, China has been making significant advancements in lunar exploration, with missions like Chang’e 4 and Chang’e 5 landing on the Moon and returning samples. China aims to establish a permanent presence on the Moon through the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2030, posing a competitive challenge to the U.S.
Dr. Kothari emphasizes the importance of the U.S. maintaining a strong presence in space and competing effectively with China. He calls for a renewed focus on space exploration and strategic planning to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of human expansion into space.
In conclusion, Dr. Kothari urges the U.S. to prioritize space exploration and competition with China, rather than getting distracted by DEI initiatives. He warns that failing to do so could result in the U.S. losing out in the space race and falling behind in the third dimension of human evolution.
