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By Jeffrey Hill
[Satellite News 07-19-10] While the United States remains the global leader in space industry competitiveness, its position has diminished throughout past three years due to growing cooperation in the international community and a lack of appropriate response from the U.S. government, according to the Space Competitiveness Index report, released July 19 by analyst firm Futron.
Futron's report, which is a comparative analysis of how countries invest in and benefit from space industry, asserts that the global space market may soon see new leaders emerge. "Dominant actors are increasingly challenged by a second and third tier of space leaders, and the competitive gaps among all nations are narrowing," Futron COO Peggy Slye said.
For the United States, which is trailed by Europe in Futron's space competitiveness index, the formulation of a new national space policy is a step in the right direction, said Futron CEO Joe Fuller. "To retain its leadership position, the [United States] must leverage its secret space weapon industry and align it with strategy, policy, and budget."
The United States was...