NATIONAL SPACE POLICY (U)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00821R000100110007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2003
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 11, 1978
• Content Type: REQ

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*NSC REVIEW COMPLETED*
WASHINGTON
TOP SECRET--XGDS (2 )
May 11, 1978
Presidential Directive/NSC-37
TO: The Vice President
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Interior
The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Commerce
The Director, Office of Management and Budget
Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs
Assistant to the President for Domestic
Affairs
Director, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director of Central Intelligence
Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
-Director, Office of Science and Technology
Policy
SUBJECT: National Space Policy (U)
This directive establishes national policies which
shall guide the conduct of United States activities in
and related to the space programs and activities dis-
cussed below. The objectives of these policies are (1)
to advance the interests of the United States through
the exploration and use of space and (2) to cooperate
with other nations in maintaining the freedom of space
for all activities which enhance the security and
welfare of mankind. (C)
1. The United States space program shall be
conducted in accordance with the following basic
principles. (U)
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a. Commitment to the principles of the
exploration and use of outer space by all nations for
peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all mankind.
"Peaceful purposes" allow for military and intelli-
gence-related activities in pursuit of national secu-
rity and other goals. (C)
b. The exploration and use of outer space
in support of the national well-being and policies of
the United States. (U)
c. Rejection of any claims to sovereignty
over outer space or over celestial bodies, or any
portion thereof, and rejection of any limitations on
the fundamental right to acquire data from space. (U)
d. The space systems of any nation are
national property and have the right of passage through
and operations in space without interference. Pur-
poseful interference with operational space systems
shall be viewed as an infringement upon sovereign
rights. (U)
e. The United States will pursue activities
in space in support of its right of self-defense. (U)
f. The United States will maintain a
national intelligence space program. (C)
g. The United States will pursue space
activities to increase scientific knowledge, develop
useful civil applications of space technology, and
maintain United States leadership in space. (U)
h. The United States will conduct inter-
national cooperative space-related activities that are
beneficial to the United States scientifically, politi-
cally, economically, and/or militarily. (U)
j. The United States will maintain current
responsiblity and management relationships among the
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sectors focused on civil, defense, and national intelligence
objectives. (C)
k. Close coordination, cooperation, and informa-
tion exchange will be maintained among the space sectors to
avoid unnecessary duplication and to allow maximum cross-
utilization, in compliance with security and policy guidance,
of all capabilities. (U)
2. The United States will conduct those activities in
space which are necessary to national defense.
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a. Security. The military space program, including
dissemination of data, shall be conducted in accordance with
Executive Orders and applicable directives for protection of
national security information, and commensurate with both
the missions performed and the security measures necessary
to protect related (national intelligence) space activities.
(C)
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Collected information that cannot be attributed to space
systems will be classified according to its content.
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-- The fact that the United States conducts
satellite reconnaissance for intelligence purposes, without
disclosing the generic type of activity, will be classified
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CONFIDENTIAL (Exempt from the General Declassification
Schedule) and handled outside'the special security control
system. (C)
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and background concerning space reconnaissance will be
maintained. (C)
Strict control over public statements
-- Further changes to the space intelligence
security policy can be authorized only by the President.
(C)
c. Interactions with Civil Community.
Selected space-related products and technology shall be made
available to civil agencies within appropriate security
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constraints.
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4. The United States shall conduct civil space programs
to increase the body of scientific knowledge about the earth
and the universe; to develop and operate civil applications
of space technology; to maintain United States leadership in
space science, applications, and technology; and to further
United States domestic and.foreign policy objectives. The
following policies shall govern the conduct of the civil
space program. (U)
a. The United States shall encourage domestic
commercial exploitation of space capabilities and systems
for economic benefit and to promote the technological position
of the United States, except that all United States earth-
oriented remote sensing satellites will require United
States Government authorization and supervision or regulation.
(U)
c. Data and results from the civil space programs
will be provided the widest practical dissemination, except
where specific exceptions defined by legislation, Executive
Order, or directive apply. (U)
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f. The United States will. develop, manage, and
operate the Shuttle-based Space Transportation System through
NASA in cooperation with the DOD to service all authorized
space users---domestic-and foreign, commercial and governmental?
and will provide launch priority and necessary security to
military and intelligence missions while recognizing the
essentially open character of the civil space program.
Mission control is the responsibility of the mission agency.
Military and intelligence programs may use the Shuttle
Orbiters as dedicated mission vehicles. (C)
5. The NSC Policy Review Committee shall meet when
appropriate to provide a forum to all federal agencies for
their policy views; to review and advise on proposed changes
to national space policy; to resolve issues referred to the
Committee; and to provide for orderly and rapid referral of
open issues to the President for decision as necessary. The
PRC will meet at the call of the Chairman for these purposes,
and when so convened, will be chaired by the Director,
Office of Science and Technology Policy. (U)
Interagency coordinating mechanisms will be employed
to review and coordinate pertinent issues and projects, make
evaluations, and implement policy decisions where appropriate.
Special areas of interest include security and political
risks involved with technology transfer and federal and
private space operations involving remote sensing and communicatio
Unresolved policy issues will be forwarded to the PRC for
review and resolution. (C)
TOP SECRET--XGDS (2 )
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Schedule for. Space Policy
T) j- r
July 20
--
July 31
--
gu t 1-`
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.,up~ist 2S
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September 1
--
SUBJECT
Tteview President's instructions, determine any
additional issues to he raised, and make task.
force assignments.
Agencies to submit names of task force chairmen and
cochairmen to OSTP.
Task force drafts pf space policy options due to OSTP
indicating the interrelationship of policy issues.
(-)STP will circulate space policy options paper for
i_nteragencti; comment and seek consensus on issues.
Agency comments due to OSTP.
OSTP will circulate space policy options paper in
preparation for Space Policy Review Committee meeting.
Consider space policy options paper at a Space Policy
Review Committee meeting and seek further consensus.
Submit space options paper to President.
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 Approved For Release 2003/08/18 SPACE POLICY TASK
I. Strategy to Utilize the Shuttle
Members: NASA, Defense, DCI, Commerce, OMB, NSC, OSTP
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Cochairmen: Daitme-e-MASA
Strategy for Space Sciences and Planetary Exploration
Members: NASA, NSF, 0MB, OSTP
Chairman: NASA
III. Government and Private Role in Remote Sensing
Members. ' NASA, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, State,' AID, Defense,
DCI, OMB, NSC, OSTP
Cochairmen: NASA/C
IV. Public Service Satellites and Communications R&D -
Members: NASA, Commerce, Interior, State, AID, Defense, GiB, OSTP
Cochairmen: (Commerce
V. Long-Term Economic Activity in Space
Members: NASA, Cor=erce, Energy, State, OMB, OSTP
Chairmen:
Cochairmen: NASA $Y ~''^ ~
Separation Between Civil-, Military, and National Intelligence Space
Programs
Members: Defense, NASA, State, DCI, Commerce, NSC, OMB, OST? - L/
ILLE
I Expression and Public Statement of Administration's Broad Policy Goals
Members: 1-4h~ t2 rouse draI =) grouo drawing on task force products;
NASA, Defense, State, DCI, Commerce, Agriculture, Interior,
AID, Ota , Domestic Council, \SC, CSTP, NSF
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