Survey of Space-related Politcal Appointees and Office in the US Government

This chapter discusses the connection between political appointees and policymaking for space by exploring the universe of appointees that make space-related decisions and support both development and implementation of the president’s policy on space issues. The departmental space offices, space policy advisory group in the White House, space-focused political appointees, and appointees with influence over space alongside a larger portfolio all contribute to the context and content of space policy, and are analyzed here. This analysis explores key factors for consideration and choices made by past administrations in order to demonstrate the breadth of options facing the new administration and potential consequences following each choice.