A New Space Race: Bloomberg's Critique, NASA's Future, and the Geopolitical Stakes

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 22, 2024
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, it's clear that the stakes extend far beyond domestic issues like healthcare and the economy. The next administration will inherit a pivotal moment in space exploration - particularly NASA's Artemis program, which has faced growing scrutiny for cost overruns and delays. In a recent op-ed, Michael R. Bloomberg sharply criticized the program, framing it as a colossal waste of taxpayer money. While his arguments focused on efficiency and technological alternatives, it's hard not to see this critique as more than a simple commentary on government mismanagement. Instead, it seems Bloomberg may be positioning himself for a potential role as NASA Administrator, should Kamala Harris win the presidency.

Bloomberg's critique of Artemis isn't coming out of nowhere. The program, designed to land the next American astronauts on the moon, has ballooned in cost and complexity. The Space Launch System (SLS) alone has burned through nearly $24 billion, with each launch projected to cost at least $4 billion - quadruple the original estimates. This inefficiency is glaring, especially as private companies like SpaceX demonstrate much more cost-effective solutions with reusable rockets.

Bloomberg's focus on fiscal mismanagement is compelling, but it may also signal a broader appeal to the Harris campaign. If Harris wins the election, she will likely pursue a vision for NASA that emphasizes scientific exploration, international collaboration, and equity. Bloomberg's experience as a businessman and a public leader may make him a prime candidate for NASA Administrator in such an administration. His critique could easily be read as an implicit pitch to reform NASA from the inside, bringing a more streamlined, innovation-driven approach to the table.

The Geopolitical Race to the Moon: U.S. vs. China
While Bloomberg focused largely on the inefficiencies within NASA, there's a looming issue that will soon take center stage: the geopolitical race to return to the moon. The U.S. isn't just trying to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the sake of nostalgia; it's competing with China, which has made rapid advances in its space program. China has already sent robotic missions to the moon and Mars and is making strides toward landing its astronauts on the moon, potentially within the next decade.

Bloomberg didn't explicitly mention this race, but it's hard to ignore. If the U.S. fails to return to the moon before China, it could shift the balance of space leadership and innovation on the global stage. This would have profound implications not just for prestige, but for scientific discovery, lunar resources, and the establishment of a lasting presence on the moon. In this context, a more efficient, streamlined lunar program becomes not just a matter of budgetary responsibility but of national security and global leadership.

The Role of Gateway and International Partnerships
One of the key components of Artemis is the Lunar Gateway, a planned space station that will orbit the moon and serve as a hub for future missions. While Bloomberg criticized its cost and complexity, it's important to recognize the Gateway's broader significance. Much like the International Space Station (ISS), the Gateway has garnered substantial support from U.S. allies and international partners - excluding Russia, for now. In many ways, it will serve as the new hub for international collaboration in space, especially as countries like Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency play increasingly significant roles.

In the long run, it's possible that the Gateway could open the door to greater collaboration, even with current geopolitical rivals like China and Russia. If relations improve, these nations could potentially be invited to participate, much like Russia's eventual involvement in the ISS. This adds another layer of complexity to the Artemis program - NASA's lunar missions aren't just about returning to the moon; they're about maintaining and expanding international cooperation in space.

The U.S. Must Return to the Moon First
Despite Bloomberg's criticisms, one point is clear: the U.S. must return to the moon before China lands there for the first time. The symbolic and strategic importance of American astronauts setting foot on the lunar surface again cannot be overstated. It will solidify the U.S.'s position as the leader in space exploration and ensure that future endeavors - whether on the moon, Mars, or beyond - remain grounded in democratic values and international collaboration. Letting China take the lead in this arena would signal a shift in global influence, particularly in space exploration, where technological supremacy often translates into broader geopolitical power.

Bloomberg's Pitch: Reforming NASA Under a Harris Administration
While Bloomberg's op-ed didn't explicitly mention the Harris campaign, his criticisms align more with a vision for NASA under a Democratic administration than under Donald Trump, who remains a vocal supporter of returning to the moon. Trump's space legacy, after all, includes the creation of the Space Force and setting aggressive timelines for human exploration. In contrast, a Harris administration is likely to approach NASA with a more measured, science-driven vision. Harris has already chaired the National Space Council and would likely emphasize international cooperation, climate science, and the balance between robotic and human missions in space.

If Harris were to win, Bloomberg could be a key figure in shaping NASA's future. His business acumen and focus on cutting waste could appeal to a Harris administration looking to balance fiscal responsibility with ambitious scientific goals. The timing of his op-ed, just weeks before the election, suggests that his vision for NASA is aimed at influencing the next administration, particularly if Harris is in the Oval Office.

No matter who wins the presidency, radical changes to the Artemis program and NASA's lunar ambitions seem inevitable. The U.S. finds itself in a new space race with China, and the next administration must balance the need for efficiency, international cooperation, and technological innovation. Michael Bloomberg's recent critique of Artemis may well be the opening salvo in a larger conversation about NASA's future - and perhaps even an indirect bid to become the next NASA Administrator.

In the coming years, America's leadership in space will hinge on its ability to return to the moon, but doing so efficiently and with international support. Bloomberg's comments, while sharp, reflect the growing consensus that NASA's current approach needs reform. The question is, who will be the leader to see it through?