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U.S. space policy, already a subject of increasing immediacy, has received greater scrutiny and prompted growing speculation in the wake of the Columbia disaster. Issues related to space policy are evaluated, including next-generation propulsion and vehicle programs.

The new directors of Space Foundation and National Space and Satellite Alliance in the U.S. will make stronger connections between their members and new space ventures that will change the way we think about space. The new vision for space exploration may face challenges but that would not change their mission or direction.

Queries are raised regarding whether the future of humanity belongs in the stars and can mankind set up a path to return to the moon and eventually go on to Mars and even asteroids. So, U.S. President George W. Bush has decided to set up new space policies paving ways to space exploration.

The Orbital Space Plane (OSP) program has emerged as a major debate topic in space policy circles with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The loss of Columbia convinced some that the only way forward is to focus all the resources of OSP on a replacement for the Space Shuttle and to skip a program like OSP.

Comments on an announcement that RSA agreed to resume flying Soyuz flights with paying tourists to the International Space Station, with the first such launch in 2005. Dedication of Soyuz flights to tourism; Implication on private sector efforts to build a space access infrastructure; Obstacles faced by suborbital launches.

Presents an article on the experience serving as the executive director of the National Space Society. Fascination on space flight; Experience working with the United Space Alliance; Vision of the organization.