The leading science and engineering body in the United States has issued a call for comments on the direction of the nation's civil space policy.

The National Academies, which represent the engineering, medicine, research, and science communities, has published an online request for comments to serve as input for a forthcoming report to be called "Rationale and Goals of the U.S. Civil Space Program," which will be presented to the Congress.

The academies have formed an ad hoc committee to study the "key goals and critical issues in 21st century U.S. civil space policy."

The announcement stated: "Using its best objective judgment and recognizing other national priorities, the committee will explore a possible long term future for U.S. civil space activities that is built upon lessons learned and past successes; is based on realistic expectations of future resources; and is credible scientifically, technically, and politically."

It said the committee will:

• review the history of U.S. space policy and propose a broad policy basis for 21st century leadership in space;

• examine the balance and interfaces between fundamental scientific research in space, human space exploration, robotic exploration, earth observations, and applications of space technology and civil space systems for societal benefits;

• assess the role that commercial space companies could play in fulfilling national space goals and the role of the government in facilitating the emergence and success of commercial space companies; and

• highlight options for government attention to address and potentially resolve problems that might prevent achieving key national goals.

The committee is accepting public comments of up to 600 words until 30 January 2009 via an online questionnaire.

Referring to the pending report as a Joint Space Studies Board and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board Study, the committee will meet in Washington, D.C., from 13 to 15 January this week to pursue its agenda.

Please offer it your assistance.