Arlington, Va. - A new report from the Aerospace Industries Association concludes that the nation can no longer afford to treat its national security, civil and commercial space capabilities separately.

The report, "The Role of Space in Addressing America's National Priorities," recommends the new administration develop a mechanism to look at our space capabilities as a single enterprise consistent with national goals and objectives.

Over the last several decades, innovations from space have increasingly become a part of our daily lives, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said.

"Space assets are critical to our environmental stewardship, human exploration and national security," said Blakey. "Given our dependence on space assets and increasing international competition, it is critical that space issues be seamlessly integrated into national policy."

The report was prepared by AIA's Space Council to inform the new administration about the challenges facing the U.S. space sector. In addition to recommending the establishment of a national coordinating body to develop and execute a national space strategy, the report suggests the administration provide the necessary budgets to continue critical, multi-year space programs.

Additional recommendations include creating a more favorable business environment, reducing gaps in climate measurement and establishing a comprehensive space protection strategy, among others.

The report is being provided to the new administration and members of Congress and is a blueprint for policy, Blakey said.

It is available on AIA's Web site at http://www.aia-aerospace.org/industry_information/reports_white_papers/.