LETTER TO VICTOR H. REIS FROM DAVID S. JOHNSON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP92B00181R001801680035-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2012
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: November 24, 1981
• Content Type: LETTER

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
r e
Fa *` NATIONAL EARTH SATELLITE SERVICE
STATES OF
Washington, D. C. 20233
NOV241981
Dr. Victor H. Reis
Assistant Director
Office of Science and Technology Policy
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Vic,
Enclosed are what I believe to be NOAA's views on the national space
policy issues. Included as an enclosure is a detailed review of the three
previous space policy directives, PD/NSC-37, PD/NSC-42, and PD/NSC-514.
Section I of the enclosure discusses the unclassified policy statements and
Section II (classified SECRET) discusses classified policy statements. I
have not staffed this material through to the Administrator of NOAA.
In general, we concur with most of the policy statements included in the
three previous documents. However, we believe that the following issues
should be considered in developing any new space policy directive.
1. Policies with respect to all aspects of the commercialization of
space activities need to be examined more fully. Certain aspects of
the commercialization issue (e.g., those involving the civil land
remote sensing system) are currently being studied by the Cabinet
Council for Commerce and Trade and recommendations will be forth-
coming. However, private sector commercial involvement in other
areas of space activities, such as commercial sensors flown on the
Shuttle, materials processing in space, and commercial launch ser-
vices should also be examined.
2. Policies concerning the availability of data acquired by remote
sensing from space need to be developed. NOAA supports the prin-
ciple of non-discriminatory dissemination of data from government
civil satellites. However, questions arise as to how this principle
can or should be applied to private sector activities. In
particular, the way in which a United States commercial sensor is
launched, i.e., by U.S. government launch vehicle, private launch
vehicle or a foreign government launch vehicle, poses differing
problems for ensuring non-discriminatory dissemination.
3. NOAA has a general concern with respect to both Federal and commer-
cial use of launch services. The cost of Federal launch services is
projected to increase rapidly over the next several years. In order
to stimulate the maximum use of space, the government should con-
sider the lowest cost solutions which are in the national interest.
It may be that expendable launch vehicles (ELV's) will be the least
costly for smaller payloads operating from the Western Test Range
and/or where launch call-up requirements are short.
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L. The private sector is now developing launch capabilities which over
time may be competitive with government launch services. Accordingly,
the space policy should address all launch options for government
payloads, public and private, and articulate national policy with
respect to the options.
5. Policies with respect to private domestic rocket launches and pri-
vate use of foreign launch services also should be established.
Under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1973 Liability Convention,
the U.S. government is absolutely liable to other States and their
citizens for any damage caused by a space object launched from its
territory or launched abroad regardless if owned by private
enterprise. The U.S. government should ensure that the public does
not have to incur financial liability for damage caused by private
enterprise. For private domestic launches, the U.S. must consider
the health and safety risks to its citizenry from unsafe launches.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with our input and stand
ready to assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely yours,
Da'vi'd S. Johnson
Assistant Administrator
for Satellites
Enclosures (2)
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National Space Policy Implications
for
NOAA
PD/NSC -37, -42, -54
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STAT
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National Space Policy Implications
for
NOAA
of
PD/NSC-54
Policy Statement 2: Land Programs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce is assigned the mana-
gement responsibility for civil operational land remote sensing activi-
ties in addition to its ongoing atmospheric and oceanic responsibilities.
Initially, the operational land remote sensing system from space will be
based on LANDSAT technology. Commerce's initial responsibilities--in
coordination with other appropriate agencies--will be to develop a time-
phased transition plan covering: (1) a Program Board (discussed below);
(2) organization for management and regulation; (3) system financing
including pricing policies for the users sharing of costs; (4) technical
programs; (5) establishment of private and international participation;
(6) identification of facilities (including the EROS data center),
hardware, and personnel that should be transferred; and (7) iden-
tification of actions such as executive orders and legislation required.
Commerce will submit to OMB a preliminary implementation plan by December
15, 1979, covering any required FY 1981 budget adjustments and a final
transition plan by June 1, 1980. (U)
NOAA Position: The Department of Commerce completed the transition plan
entitled "Transition Plan for Civil Operational Land Remote Sensing from
Space (June 1980)."
In addition, the Department has constituted a Landsat Program Board, held
two rounds of public meetings with all sectors of the user community,
developed a working agreement with the EROS data center, produced draft
Landsat legislation and is now staffing a Landsat Remote Sensing
Satellite Advisory Committee and working with NASA on preparations for
the operational takeover of the Landsat D system.
Policy Statement 2.a: Federal Management Mechanism. Commerce will establish
and chair a Program Board for continuing federal coordination and regula-
tion with representatives from the involved federal organizations (e.g.,
Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Transportation, Energy, State, NASA, CIA,
AID, EPA, and EOP). Organizations such as the National Governors'
Association and National Conference of State Legislatures will be asked
to participate as necessary. The Board will forward recommendations on
unresolved policy issues to the Policy Review Committee (Space) for con-
sideration and action. (U)
NOAA Position: Commerce has established and chairs a Landsat Program Board
with the appropriate Federal agency membership. This management mecha-
nism is proceeding as planned. Organizations such as the National
Governor's Association and National Conference of State Legislatures are
being included on a 15-member Land Remote Sensing Satellite Advisory
Committee, reporting to the Secretary of Commerce.
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Policy Statement 2.b: Private Sector Involvement. Our goal is the eventual
operation by the private sector of our civil land remote sensing
activities. Commerce will budget for further work in FY 1981 to seek
ways to enhance private sector opportunities (e.g., joint venture with
industry, a quasi-government corporation, leasing, etc.). Commerce will
be the contact for private industry on this matter and with the Program
Board will analyze any proposals received prior to submitting policy
issues to the Policy Review Committee (Space) for consideration and
action. (U)
NOAA Position: NOAA concurs with the goal of eventual operation of civil land
remote sensing activities by the private sector. Consistent with
ensuring a continued supply of data to the Federal users and promoting a
revenue climate conducive to private sector assumption of civil land
remote sensing from space, NOAA supports the principle of transfer to the
private sector at the earliest feasible time.
Policy Statement 2.c: International Participation. The United States will
generally support non-discriminatory direct readout to foreign ground
stations to continue our present policy and to provide data to foreign
users under specified conditions. Pricing policies must be developed
that are consistent for foreign and domestic users. We will promote
development of complementary nationally operated satellite systems so as
to limit U.S. program costs, but protect against unwarranted technology
transfer. (U)
NOAA Position: NOAA concurs with the policy of non-discriminatory direct
readout to foreign ground stations. This is a continuation of the policy
established early in the Landsat program and that which is currently
followed by NASA. We also concur with the policy of providing specified
data to foreign users per their requests.
NOAA is in the process of developing pricing policies which are in
keeping with our national policy and which are consistent for both
foreign and domestic users.
Policy Statement 3: Weather Programs. Defense and Commerce will maintain and
coordinate dual polar orbiting meteorological programs. We will continue
procurement of current satellite systems with Defense and Commerce each
operating separate satellites to meet the differing needs of the mili-
tary and civil sectors. When any new polar orbiting satellites are
justified they will be jointly developed and procured by Defense,
Commerce and NASA to maximize technology-sharing and to minimize cost.
An appropriate coordination mechanism will be established to assure
effective cooperation and to prevent duplication. (U)
NOAA Position: NOAA supports the policy of separate civil (DOC) and military
(DOD) polar orbiting meteorological satellite programs. NOAA believes
that the requirement to have an "open" civil system which will allow
foreign participation such as the TIROS/NOAA system (ARGOS-France and
SSU-U.K.) is in keeping with the U.S. policy on the peaceful uses of
space.
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NOAA also concurs with the policy of joint development and procurement of
any new polar orbiting satellites with DOC, DOD and NASA. Several coor-
dinating mechanisms have been established to assure effective cooperation
and to prevent duplication. These mechanisms include:
1. POOMSCOB - Polar Orbiting Meteorological Satellite Coordinating Board
This board includes members from DOC, DOD and NASA.
2. DNSPRB - DOC/NASA Satellite Program Review Board
3. SC/OES - Subcommittee on Operational Environmental Satellites
This includes members from DOC/NOAA, NASA and DOD. It is a subcom-
mittee of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting
Research.
Policy Statement 4: Ocean Programs. If a decision is made to develop
oceanographic satellites, joint Defense/Commerce/NASA development,
acquisition and management will be pursued. A Committee will be
established, with the above representation expanded to include State,
CIA, and NSF. The Committee will forward recommendations on policy
issues to the Policy Review Committee (Space) for consideration and
action. (U)
NOAA Position: NOAA concurs with the policy of joint DOD/DOC/NASA
development, acquisition, and management of new oceanographic satellites
such as the previously proposed NOSS. However, since the cancellation of
the NOSS program and in view of current budget conditions, it is more
likely that the oceanographic data requirements will be met by adding
appropriate ocean-relaed instruments to existing polar orbiting space-
craft buses such as TIROS/NOAA and DMSP. Thus, NOAA believes that the
policy of cooperation and coordination regarding oceanographic remote
sensing that was initiated among NASA, DOC/NOAA, and DOD/Navy with the
NOSS program should be continued in future planning for oceanographic
remote sensing. In these times of fiscal restraint, the utilization of
existing spacecraft buses and ground command and control systems will
more likely enable the flight of ocean dedicated instruments in opera-
tional configurations.
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