🚀US Lacks Engineers for 12-24 Month Space Reconstitution
Space Defense Needs 12-24 Month Reconstitution, But Workers Are Scarce
TL;DR
RAND report shows the US lacks engineers, technicians, and assemblers to rebuild military space assets within 12-24 months post-war. Only 3% of engineers work in space, with 7,000 openings annually in space industries.
RAND's August 31 report reveals the US lacks the necessary workforce to rebuild military space assets within a 12-24 month window after a conflict with China or Russia. The study highlights that only 3% of the 3 million engineers in the US work in space-related industries, with just 7,000 of 208,000 annual engineering job openings in space. This shortage, coupled with the space sector's inability to compete with AI, software, and data analytics industries, makes the 12-24 month reconstitution timeline unrealistic. The report suggests initiatives like scholarships, internships, and academic outreach to bridge the gap, with a proposed $5 million annual investment.
Key Points
RAND report published August 31, 2023, sets 12-24 month reconstitution benchmark.
Only 3% of 3 million US engineers work in space-related industries.
Annual engineering job openings in space industries: 7,000 out of 208,000.
RAND recommends $5 million annual investment for scholarships and internships.
Proposed initiatives include expanding the National Imperative for Industrial Skills program.
Why It Matters
RAND's findings highlight a critical workforce shortage in the US space sector, impacting the ability to rebuild military space assets within a 12-24 month window post-conflict. This affects space producers running at low volumes, making automation investments less feasible. The report's proposed initiatives, such as scholarships and internships, aim to bridge the gap but require significant investment and policy changes to be effective.
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