National Space Council UAG Goes Through The Motions Of Being Interested

Keith's note: Once again we see an exercise in checking the boxes with regard to the making of space policy. A White House-created committee of experts, hand-selected to focus on a desired ad somewhat pre-determiined outcome, goes through the motions of being interested in what people have to say. They only go to friendly locations where dissent or differences in opinion are unlikely - and consensus can be proclaimed by default. They never talk to anyone from the remaining 99.9999% of American electorate who ultimately pays for all of the shiny space toys.

Then, at their next meeting, they can show a Powerpoint chart with a group that they have reached out to with a check next to it. In this case the Users Advisory Group is almost entirely composed of either political favorites or representatives of large aerospace companies looking for more contracts from NASA and DOD. There are no real "users" of space on this panel. Nor are there any members from the next generation who will inherit and conduct America's space activities. All we see are sellers. Yet another choir practice session amongst the usual suspects in an echo chamber.

In this case (see the AIAA photos below) the room is nearly empty and there is no webcast. The echo must be particularly evident this time - but there is no one there to (other than Jeff Foust) to notice.

The National Space Council Users Advisory Group is a #FACA committee and all meetings and official activities by the committee and its members are supposed to be public - by law. Where was the Federal Register notice? No Media advisory from @AIAA, @NASA or NSpC. #AiaaSpace https://t.co/bqmAFXIAd6 — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 17, 2018

The @AIAA National Space Council Users Advisory Group event at #aiaaspace not webcast to the public & hosted within event that costs over $1,000 to attend. Focused on sellers of services to NASA not "users" of space. More choir practice in an echo chamber with the usual suspects pic.twitter.com/MvqRF6m3x8 — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 17, 2018

That's because the UAG does not really have an interest in engaging with actual "users" of space - only the companies that are looking for contracts from NASA/DOD. They had many science/utilization members proposed and they turned all of them down in favor of industry #aiaaspace https://t.co/DVyYNhXW1j — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 17, 2018

As @AIAA photos show the National Space Council Users Advisory Group session at #aiaaspace is virtually deserted. This group has no real interest in soliciting any meaningful feedback - from anyone - and the meeting attendees are reinforcing that fact by their notable absence. https://t.co/bRbuN3asPE — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) September 17, 2018

from NASA Watch https://ift.tt/2D1xUkN
via IFTTT