Background

In 1998, the California Space Authority, assisted by 300 statewide space stakeholders representing 125 organizations, developed the first-ever"California Space Strategic Plan." Twenty-one strategic priorities were identified to enhance the health and foster the growth of statewide California space activity. These priorities laid the groundwork for the California Space Infrastructure Program (CSIP) and statewide space enterprise development for the next three years.

2004 Plan

Much has changed since the development of the original California Space Strategic Plan. The California Space Authority Board of Directors recognized a need to update the Plan to address the changing environment impacting statewide space enterprise. New space enterprise-related factors include the impacts, challenges and opportunities of an expansion of space-based consumer/business services, emergence of space-related homeland security opportunities, the continuing high cost of space access, and a growing need for transformational launch and satellite-related operational responsiveness, as well as initiatives regarding Moon and Mars, space integration and"jointness."

Space enterprise is making national headlines with the Moon, Mars & Beyond Initiative launched by President Bush and statewide headlines with Governor Schwarzenegger's recognition of California's science and technology talent after the Mars landings (see page 1). As the only U.S. state and one of only a handful of jurisdictions worldwide offering extensive, mature, end-to-end space assets and capabilities, as well as the largest space-experienced workforce in the world, California space enterprise is in a key position to maximize the many opportunities upon the space enterprise horizon.

Working together, California's collective space enterprise community can more fully realize its opportunities and showcase its economic and strategic importance to administrations at both the federal and state levels. Statewide space enterprise strategic action can garner enhanced public appreciation of space enterprise benefits and services and increase support for increased investment in space-related technologies, infrastructure, and workforce development.

In December of 2003, CSA began development of the"California Space Enterprise Strategic Plan 2004" by establishing the statewide Space Enterprise Advisory Council (SEAC). The SEAC is a representative body of statewide space enterprise (civil, commercial, national security) plus key local, state and national space stakeholders gathered to provide guidance and support to the California Space Authority Board of Directors. In addition to guiding the development and implementation of the California Space Enterprise Strategic Plan 2004, the Council will support the CSA board, as requested, in providing inputs on industry, government, technology and related issues impacting California space enterprise development.

Between January and March, 2004 the SEAC will review inputs from numerous working groups representing key domains critical to California space enterprise vitality (see Working Groups, this page). Working group participants have been recruited from California's diverse statewide network of civil, commercial and military space stakeholder community, as well as from the public-sector organizations and agencies that support them.

Key strategic priorities will be identified in time for the California Space Authority-hosted California Space Week in Washington DC and California Space Day in Sacramento (see articles, page 2). Completion of the California Space Enterprise Strategic Plan 2004 is scheduled for the end of April, 2004.

Contacts

Victoria Conner, Chief Programs Officer, California Space Authority, Project Lead
(805) 349-2633, ext. 20,
victoria.conner@californiaspaceauthority.org

Jamie Foster, Chief Information Officer, California Space Authority
(805) 349-2633, ext. 22
jamie.foster@californiaspaceauthority.org