INTRODUCTION TO NCSI

Human beings are drawn inexorably to the unknown. Whether charting new lands or researching new ideas, the need to discover is innate. The vast reaches of space represent a virtually unexplored frontier where human beings can advance knowledge in all aspects of civilization, from basic mechanisms of cellular function to the establishment of whole new societies. In order to do this, the world community must come together and pool its resources and talents. North Carolina can and should be a part of this.

Significant advances are made when formerly established disciplines come together and mix in innovative ways. North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina are fortunate to have a variety of centers, consortia, laboratories, and faculty dedicated wholly or partly to space-related research and education. Additionally, throughout the state there are businesses and non-profit organizations that are involved in space-related commerce and other activities. Separately, these groups have the capabilities and expertise to make contributions, and in fact NASA funding for the state of North Carolina was $27M for FY 2001. However, this ranks 23rd among all states and is well below the average of $227M per state.

For North Carolina to become a leading space state we must come together. More and more often opportunities arise which call for an interdisciplinary team to solve specific problems or take advantage of temporal opportunities. The North Carolina Space Initiative is the coordinating unit that provides the network to allow these teams to form in a timely manner. As the international community is coming together in order to explore and utilize space, so too must we come together in our own state.

As we enter the 21st century, we are at a nexus in terms of the capability and will to explore and utilize space for the benefit of humanity. The North Carolina Space Initiative is working toward the goal of increasing North Carolina's role in this inevitable and exciting process.