Conclusion

The Application area suggestions made here are not to be taken too strictly. They are just examples to set the tone and to give an idea of a better, application-oriented approach to NASA than the Constellation effort that is already taking a large portion of NASA’s budget, and will take even more upon Shuttle retirement. In reality, NASA should consult closely with experts and stakeholders in the various application areas, as well as the traditional and entrepreneurial commercial space communities, to determine how it can best contribute to these areas through space and aeronautics efforts. It is expected that changing NASA’s focus towards useful applications, use of commercial products whenever possible instead of in-house NASA development and operation, innovation, research, development, and demonstration, international cooperation, Cheap Access to Space, smaller missions, and synergy between human and robotic missions will result in great success for NASA, the U.S. commercial space industry, and the nation as a whole.