The Future of Democracy and Space: Increased Democratization of Governmental Decision Making

[Abstract]. NASA’s lack of a direct constituency among voters creates a structural issue that constrains budgets and options for civil space. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, trends have emerged that may alter how space policy is created. The future of space policy may well evolve into a more open system, thus impacting NASA’s budget and programs. Mass collaboration, IT tools and Web 2.0 have empowered individuals. Space entrepreneurs are likely to create a new class of space consumers. Space assets are on the critical path of global warming. Taken together, these trends promise to involve the global and national public more directly, and more often, in space policy choices.