One of the nagging questions that have haunted Space Enthusiasts with the Change of Administrations has been what President Biden will do with the Artemis Program to Return to the Moon and the Space Force.
The Biden Administration will not only continue the Space Force, but also the Artemis Program. The Two Historic Initiatives started by President Trump will Survive into the Future.
A Group of Democratic Senators sent a Letter to Biden asking that he Fully Support the Artemis Program, especially the Commercial Human Landing System (HLS) Initiative. The Senators offered a variety of arguments including, Science and Economic Renewal, in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Chinese Challenge in Space.
After having been asked about Artemis in a previous Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, offered the Biden Administration's Full Support for sending American Astronauts back to the Moon and eventually on to Mars.
The Revelation that the Biden Administration Supports the Space Force as well, came about by a more oblique path. When First asked about the Space Force, Psaki made light of the question, perhaps under the Impression that it was about the Netflix Satirical TV Show and Not the very real American Military Service Branch.
Congressional Republicans reacted in Full Fury, with Demands that Psaki Apologize and suggestions that the Biden Administration was Not taking the Threat posed by China in Space seriously. Psaki assured Space Force has fully Supported by the Biden Administration, the next day, and that both the Civilian and Military Space Initiatives have Bipartisan Support in the Congress.
The Support for Artemis goes to the Tireless efforts of Former NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, to Create Support for the Deep Space Exploration Program. From the very Start of his Tenure, after a Nomination Process marked with Partisan Rancor, Bridenstine emphasized that Artemis needed to be Supported by both sides of the Aisle if it was to Survive and Prosper.
With Senate Democrats urging Full-Funding for Artemis and the Biden Administration Endorsing the Program, Bridenstine's Mission has been well Accomplished. Bridenstine moved on with his life, and can feel the Satisfaction of a Job Well done. Artemis has Survived the Change of Administrations largely because of his Efforts.
The Space Force's journey from being the Butt of Jokes to a Serious Branch of the Military did Not have an obvious Single Champion. It helped that the Legislation establishing the New Service Branch was Voted for by both Republicans and Democrats. The Space Force has moved rapidly to Define itself and its Mission, basically to Dominate Space as the Gourth Battlespace after the Land, Sea and Air.
That the United States has Assets in Space that need Defending has become apparent to almost everyone.
The Devil is in the Details, especially where Artemis is concerned. Biden has yet to choose a Permanent NASA Administrator, though word is that he is looking for a Woman. The adage that Personnel determines Policy applies to who is chosen to lead the Space Agency as much as anything else.
The other Question is when will the Next Man and the First Woman walk on the Moon?
No Date has been Set, but it can now be safely presumed that U.S. Astronauts will Walk on the Lunar Surface at some point in the Future.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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