Space – everyone wants a piece of it, and the United States is no exception, as it should not remain behind countries like China and India, Boeing Co.’s Integrated Defense Systems chief executive James Albaugh said at the 24th National Space Symposium this year, where approximately 7,000 industry representatives participated.

Albaugh suggested in his speech U.S. shouldn’t keep a back seat as other countries take over: “It’s not a time to take a back seat. It’s about a nation’s ability to lead and not to follow.” The Boeing executive also implied that without proper funding and a government willing to step up and take the necessary steps for space innovation, U.S. will remain behind its competitors.

“Today, we have ample warning,” said Albaugh referring to India and China. “We can clearly see our international competitors fast approaching in the rear view mirror.”

According to a report released by the Space Foundation at the same conference, the global space industry earned an estimated $251 billion in revenue in 2007 alone, while NASA’s budget reach $17.3 billion for the fiscal year beginning in October, up 3 percent.

NASA is currently struggling with a crisis, as it reported massive job cuts after the Space Shuttle retires in 2010, but the number of civil service workers should remain roughly the same, and as it faces fund cuts – rumors about shutting down one of its Mars rovers because of that started circulating weeks ago, but NASA denied this would happen.

Now that a new administration will set in at the White House, it will be its decision of the next steps to take in space, said Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., during the conference.

Rep. Mark Udall, R-Colo., said U.S. should take steps towards discussing with China and other nations about utilizing space in a fair manner, and eventually establish a treaty.