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Onwards and upwards
Space Policy 17 (2001) 3
Editorial
Onwards and upwards The true start of the new millennium, 2001, still has a certain feeling of expectation about it thanks to Kubrick's great "lm. It is interesting that the &space-world' depicted in the "lm is so di!erent from the current environment. No doubt many mourn the fact that so much less progress has been made towards human exploration of the planets (though most must surely thank their lucky stars that there are as yet no HALs to threaten our existence). Nevertheless, the increase in number, type and e!ectiveness of practical applications over the past decade has been impressive * space really has proved its utility for both global and local good * and pro"table private involvement in the space arena is increasing. The situation is simply very di!erent from that at the start of the Space Age * it is characterized both by more narrow specialization and by the broadening of outside in#uences on and interests in space * but it is one that Space Policy aims to keep abreast of. In this issue, for instance, di!erent authors provide di!erent takes on the often ignored role of space in international security, while a themed trio of articles on remote sensing covers data archiving (what should be stored, who should have access and who should pay for it), highlighting user issues and the importance today of catering to those who may have nothing to do with space per se. Even space exploration is not forgotten, thanks to a proposal to take advantage of a newly characterized phenomenon which would lessen the energy required for travel across the Solar System. I should also like to announce that Professor John Logsdon, who has been North American Editor of the journal since its launch, has decided to step down. John's contribution to Space Policy has been invaluable; indeed, it is doubtful if its early issues could have been compiled without his expertise and contacts. I am delighted that he will continue to serve as a board member. I am also delighted that, as his successor, Marcia Smith of the Congressional Research Service has agreed to take on the post and will bring a similar expertise and commitment to it. For, whatever the developments in space activity, the journal will continue to provide a forum for policy makers, researchers, lawyers, agency sta!, industry and interest groups to exchange views, propose some courses of action and argue against others. It will also continue to publish articles, like that by Ray Williamson in this issue, that chart and analyse the history of the Space Age and elucidate the various contexts behind the conduct of space activity. Space Policy will continue to strive to meet the needs of its readers; rejoinders to articles, letters to the editor, comments and observations are all welcome. Frances Brown Editor Seabank, Turnberry Road, Maidens, Ayrshire, Scotland KA 26 9NN, UK
0265-9646/01/$ - see front matter 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 2 6 5 - 9 6 4 6 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 6 1 - 8
Editorial
Onwards and upwards The true start of the new millennium, 2001, still has a certain feeling of expectation about it thanks to Kubrick's great "lm. It is interesting that the &space-world' depicted in the "lm is so di!erent from the current environment. No doubt many mourn the fact that so much less progress has been made towards human exploration of the planets (though most must surely thank their lucky stars that there are as yet no HALs to threaten our existence). Nevertheless, the increase in number, type and e!ectiveness of practical applications over the past decade has been impressive * space really has proved its utility for both global and local good * and pro"table private involvement in the space arena is increasing. The situation is simply very di!erent from that at the start of the Space Age * it is characterized both by more narrow specialization and by the broadening of outside in#uences on and interests in space * but it is one that Space Policy aims to keep abreast of. In this issue, for instance, di!erent authors provide di!erent takes on the often ignored role of space in international security, while a themed trio of articles on remote sensing covers data archiving (what should be stored, who should have access and who should pay for it), highlighting user issues and the importance today of catering to those who may have nothing to do with space per se. Even space exploration is not forgotten, thanks to a proposal to take advantage of a newly characterized phenomenon which would lessen the energy required for travel across the Solar System. I should also like to announce that Professor John Logsdon, who has been North American Editor of the journal since its launch, has decided to step down. John's contribution to Space Policy has been invaluable; indeed, it is doubtful if its early issues could have been compiled without his expertise and contacts. I am delighted that he will continue to serve as a board member. I am also delighted that, as his successor, Marcia Smith of the Congressional Research Service has agreed to take on the post and will bring a similar expertise and commitment to it. For, whatever the developments in space activity, the journal will continue to provide a forum for policy makers, researchers, lawyers, agency sta!, industry and interest groups to exchange views, propose some courses of action and argue against others. It will also continue to publish articles, like that by Ray Williamson in this issue, that chart and analyse the history of the Space Age and elucidate the various contexts behind the conduct of space activity. Space Policy will continue to strive to meet the needs of its readers; rejoinders to articles, letters to the editor, comments and observations are all welcome. Frances Brown Editor Seabank, Turnberry Road, Maidens, Ayrshire, Scotland KA 26 9NN, UK
0265-9646/01/$ - see front matter 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 2 6 5 - 9 6 4 6 ( 0 0 ) 0 0 0 6 1 - 8