Strengthening America’s Space Industry – A Call to Action from NASA’s Amit Kshatriya
At the 2025 Artemis Suppliers Conference, Amit Kshatriya, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for the Moon to Mars (M2M) Program Office, delivered a passionate and candid message to suppliers and industry leaders. His speech underscored the importance of strengthening America’s industrial base, fostering innovation, and streamlining procurement processes to ensure the country’s leadership in space exploration.
Weldaloy Specialty Forgings, a supplier of critical forged titanium parts for the Artemis RS-25 engine, found the call-to-action by Mr. Kshatriya refreshing an intriguing. Too often the status quo is simply accepted without imagining or investigating a options that will allow a part to be manufactured faster or with less cost.
The Power of Partnership in Space Exploration
Kshatriya began by expressing deep gratitude for the hard work and dedication of the suppliers that power NASA’s ambitious Moon to Mars missions. He emphasized that true progress depends on the “truth on the ground”—the realities faced by manufacturers, engineers, and suppliers as they strive to meet NASA’s needs while navigating business uncertainties.
The Need for a More Agile and Innovative Industry
A key theme of his talk was the urgency to reform government acquisition processes. He acknowledged that NASA’s current approach—burdened with excessive compliance paperwork and rigid specifications—can stifle innovation. Instead, he called for a more collaborative and commercially driven approach, where suppliers feel empowered to challenge outdated requirements and propose more efficient, industry-standard solutions.
Rebuilding America’s Industrial Strength
Kshatriya stressed the necessity of reindustrializing the U.S. to remain competitive in an era of global advancements in space technology. He drew parallels to past national mobilization efforts, such as wartime production shifts, arguing that similar urgency is needed today. The goal, he stated, is to “sustain American innovation, sustain American business, and sustain American leadership.”
Breaking Down Barriers to Success
One of the biggest challenges NASA faces is the lack of production certainty—the ability to rely on a stable supply chain for critical components. Kshatriya pointed out that industry-wide single-sourcing of essential parts creates vulnerabilities that must be addressed. He urged suppliers to engage with NASA directly to help identify bottlenecks, advocate for acquisition reforms, and suggest ways to increase competition and redundancy within the supply chain.
A Call to Action for Suppliers
His message to suppliers was clear: Speak up, challenge inefficiencies, and help shape NASA’s future procurement and innovation strategies. He encouraged direct engagement, emphasizing that his leadership team is actively visiting supplier facilities across the country to hear concerns and collaborate on solutions.
Looking Ahead
NASA’s Artemis program is about more than just landing astronauts on the Moon; it’s about securing long-term American leadership in space and beyond. For that to happen, the space supply chain must be resilient, innovative, and adaptable. Kshatriya’s remarks made it evident that now is the time for suppliers to step up, share ideas, and help NASA optimize its approach to sourcing and manufacturing.
As the Artemis missions progress, the role of suppliers will only grow more critical. By fostering open communication and embracing innovation, America’s space industry can lead the way in this new era of exploration.
