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Since the early days of the industrial age, individual entrepreneurs have led the discovery and application of technologies that altered the existing status quo. The enormous contribution of small businesses to the nation’s economy continues to this day and fuels the revived ambitions of America’s deep space.
NASA’s Artemis program strives to return humans to the lunar surface, and small businesses are at the core of the initiative. In fact, two-thirds of the supplier companies that build the huge Artemis rocket that will launch astronauts to the moon and Mars, the Space Launch System (SLS), are small companies. In terms of numbers, that’s 800 supplier companies in 43 states.
The latest data from the Small Business Administration reveals that NASA provides $ 2.8 billion per year directly to small businesses, with another $ 3 billion outsourced through larger companies. These small companies currently provide the Artemis program with a variety of material solutions and services, including the design of guidance, navigation and control systems, for the manufacture of structural components for thermal protection of the crew module. Without the startups, the individual innovators, and the owner-operators that make up the national economic fabric, we will not go back to the moon.
For decades, NASA funding stopped at around $ 19 billion, in large part to keep the agency ready to return to human exploration in deep space, but hardly more. Admittedly, over the years, NASA methodically ran programs, such as SLS and the Orion Crew Module, while maintaining the International Space Station (ISS). These actions preserved the ability of American crews to once again jump from 250-mile low Earth orbit to our closest celestial cousin 250,000 miles away.
Components of NASA’s Artemis program, including the SLS exploration rocket and Orion spacecraft, are unique in supporting small businesses across the country, providing critical opportunities for manufacturers and innovators to contribute to the space program. While all cutting-edge industrial advancements carry risks, strong funding from Congress for NASA can ensure that these fragile supply chains are not broken.
Aside from macroeconomic considerations, the intrinsic personal importance of space exploration cannot be overstated. In fact, the technological DNA of every mobile device we coveted today can trace its origin back to the earliest era of the space race. Even taking into account the total investment in the Mercury-Gemini-Apollo programs, the total cost has been surprisingly modest compared to the immense social and cultural value. As President of the United States Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Clark noted, “Providing NASA with the resources it needs to succeed is a small investment that will generate huge dividends over time.”
NASA’s new $ 25.2 billion budget turns from lofty goals to firmly replanting the flag on the lunar soil. Some will ask whether such an effort is worth it. Of course, many priorities consume the nation’s concerns these days, however, history shows that investing in technology produces a stronger recovery from the economic downturn and provides the impetus for broad and sustained growth.
After half a century, the United States is once again on the precipice of reaching the moon and beyond. Short-term decisions by Congress will have consequences for generations and determine whether the nation’s spacecraft ambitions accelerate or stunt. But if Congress chooses the best path and funds NASA’s budget request, the future benefit will be incalculable.
Christian Zur leads policymaking and advocacy for the US Chamber of Commerce. USA On commercial and civil space programs.
