Could Be Counterweight To NASA Budget Cuts

The Trump administration is reported to continue the functions of the National Space Council, which if confirmed, could serve to advocate for space activities even though a cut to NASA’s budget was announced.

It is expected that, despite initial indications by the administration that it would be axed, the formal announcement to stand up the Council will be made.

Unnamed sources familiar with discussions about the Council said that at a meeting May 5, President Trump agreed to reactivate the Council. This is despite no public timeline of an announcement or hiring of an executive secretary to run the Council’s day-to-day operations.

President Trump did reestablished the Council in 2017 after it had been idle for over 25 years. It was then-led by Vice President Mike Pence, and the Council served as an inter-agency consultative and coordinating body. It held a series of public meetings and released policies on a range of space topics.

The Biden administration retained the Council with Vice President Kamala Harris leading it but it held fewer meetings and released fewer policies.

It is possible that the Council, if it is in fact reactivated, could offset to some extent the effects of proposed budget cuts by promoting more forward-looking aspects of the agency’s mission. But more than likely, the cuts will be prioritized for NASA as the commercial space industry gains momentum with additional players and innovative applications in the coming months and years.

FMI:  www.nasa.gov/