Exploration, Society, & the Future
Subhead
As we look to expand our presence beyond Earth, cross-cutting technological, policy, and societal considerations need to be addressed. CSPS research examines the methodologies and implications of potential futures, the changing nature of civil space exploration, and the role society plays in both.

Featured Papers
A Comprehensive Guide to the U.S. Federal Civil Space Budget

The U.S. federal appropriations budget funds projects that support, enable, or leverage civil space activities. Navigate this comprehensive, foundational dataset for references between FY23 and proposed spending in FY25, spanning more than 100 individual line items spread across 17 federal departments and agencies and funded by 4 different appropriations bills.
https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/comprehensive-guide-us-federal-civil-space-budget
Space Leadership Forum: Key Findings

The Aerospace Corporation held an executive-level forum on February 13 to discuss accelerating America's national advantage through commercial space. Leaders from various sectors debated key issues like rapid acquisition, regulatory challenges, and innovation, with breakout sessions focusing on reinforcing U.S. space dominance in five core areas.
https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/space-leadership-forum-key-findings
Mind the Gap: Commercial Space Stations & the ISS

Access to space stations in low Earth orbit is critical. With the impending retirement of the International Space Station, can the United States retain its leadership role in space exploration and science?
https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/mind-gap-commercial-space-stations-iss
Latest Papers, Events & News
A Safety Framework for Commercial Human Spaceflight

https://csps.aerospace.org/news/2023-06-01-safety-framework-commercial-human-spaceflight
Mapping Our Way to Sustainable Cislunar

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode114-mapping-our-way-sustainable-cislunar
Fact or (Science) Fiction of Space Diplomacy

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode112-fact-or-science-fiction-space-diplomacy
Exploration Beyond JWST

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode111-exploration-beyond-jwst
What's It Like Working on Mars?

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode109-whats-it-working-mars
Guiding the Future of Spaceflight Safety

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode106-guiding-future-spaceflight-safety
Breaking Through in Space

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode104-breaking-through-space
Using Strategic Foresight & Futures Thinking in Developing Space Policy & Strategy

https://csps.aerospace.org/news/2022-07-19-using-strategic-foresight-futures-thinking-developing-space-policy-strategy
Charting a Course Through Cislunar Master Planning

https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/charting-course-through-cislunar-master-planning
Space: Safe, Secure and Sustainable

https://csps.aerospace.org/events/show/episode092-space-safe-secure-and-sustainable
Exploration, Society, & the Future Podcasts
Featured Experts
Angie Bukley

Role
Technical Fellow (retired), Center for Space Policy and Strategy
https://csps.aerospace.org/experts/angie-bukley
Kara Cunzeman

Role
Systems Director for Strategic Foresight, Center for Space Policy and Strategy
https://csps.aerospace.org/experts/kara-cunzeman