NATIONAL SPACE POLICY - CIVIL SPACE APPLICATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP92B00181R001801690008-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2012
• Sequence Number: 8
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/06/26: CIA-RDP92B00181 R001801690008-8
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- CIVIL SPACE APPLICATIONS -
OVERVIEW
Past federal initiatives in civil space applications have led, or are
leading, to wide-ranging achievements. They include the first--
- geostationary satellite (SYNCOM)
- polar-orbiting meteorological satellite (TIROS)
- geostationary meteorological satellite (SMS/GOES)
- earth resources satellite (Landsat)
- ocean observing satellite (Seasat)
- direct broadcast satellite (ATS-6)
Civil space applications 'fit three categories: (1) The expected benefit
is principally to Government operations or responsibilities--e.g., the weather
satellites. (2) The expected benefit is principally to the private sector or
the economy at large--e.g., the direct broadcast satellite. (3) The benefit
is divided between the Government and the private sector--e.g., Landsat.
ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The United States will continue to carry out a vigorous, but-barefully
focused, federal program in research, development, and operations for civil
space applications. It will emphasize:
- Lowering the cost and improving the effectiveness of Government
operations, as in providing weather services.
- Exploring the scientific basis for understanding the Earth and the
near-Earth space environment, as in contributing to studies of
climatic change.
- Carrying out high risk, but high return space technology initiatives
that are beyond the reach of private initiatives, but of sufficient
value to warrant federal action.
- Furthering the international competitiveness of U.S. aerospace
industry via direct or indirect federal action.
- Enhancing U.S. prestige internationally and contributing to U.S.
foreign policy objectives.
ROLE OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY
It is the policy of the United States to rely upon U.S. private industry
to the maximum extent possible for goods and services required for its opera-
tions. This reliance ranges from manufacture of space hardware to operations,
and maintenance of space systems to leasing of commercial services where
available. The minimum controls will be employed that are necessary to ensure
Government authority-over essential functions.
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The United States reaffirms its dedication to international cooperation
in civil space applications. The U.S. will seek vigorously for opportunities
to join forces with other countries to pursue activities that are- of mutual
benefit.
Complementary foreign remote sensing systems,'a policy of nondiscriminatory,
open data distribution, and active cooperation permit the greatest benefit to
all nations, and particularly the United States. -Remote sensing systems could
involve either meteorological or resources sensing. An example of a desirable
foreign initiative would be the provision of a complementary polar-orbiting
meteorological satellite to augment the capability of the U.S. system. It would
lessen the burden on the U.S. for the weather data provided internationally.
REMOTE SENSING
Weather Satellites
The United States Government will participate actively in the World
Meteorological Organization and support the operation of civil weather satellites.
The data produced by these satellites shall be made freely available to the
world community. The provision of these data will continue to be a federal
responsibility in the future, as it has been in the past.
Land Satellites
For land remote sensing, the Government will seek the greatest possible
involvement by the private sector to allow the system cost to be fairly shared
among governmental and private data users. The private sector involvement will
be consistent with U.S. policies on international and domestic data dissemination.
Agency Responsibilities
NASA is the nation's premier advanced space research and development
agency. It will continue to explore the frontiers of space technology.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department
of Commerce is assigned the following roles: (1) serve as the federal focal
point for space-based civil remote sensing of the land, air, ocean, and their
interfaces; (2) responsibility for the establishment of federal objectives for
research and development for operational systems for civil remote sensing;
(3) aggregation of federal needs in civil space remote sensing; (4) regulation
and management, as required, of federal or private initiatives to meet civil
needs; and (5) representing private sector interests in interactions with
classified national security programs.
Relationship to National SecurLty Pro rams
Technology Sharing: Civil federal space activities will take the
fullest advantage of technologies available from the national security sector,
and will rely upon joint projects and programs when possible.
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Command and Control: In times of national emergency, command and
control of civil systems usable for critical national security needs shall be
assumed by:appropriate defense entities.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Past federal initiatives in satellite communications technology have pro-
duced a direct and positive economic contribution to the nation. There will
continue to be a federal role in maintaining U.S..leadership in this vital area.
This role will range from sponsoring the development of high-risk technologies
to fostering the transfer and use of technology developed under national defense
systems. As the largest single buyer of space communications services, the U.S.
will maintain a core institutional expertise to assure a first-hand knowledge
of the latest state-of-the-art to guide those purchases.
The use of the unique space environment to assist in our understanding of
materials science or to produce new or better materials offers a fertile area
for joint industry-Government endeavors. It combines high-risk technology with
innovative use of the Space Shuttle and promises potentially high payoffs. The
United States will participate actively in this area of research and will seek
the greatest possible degree of collaboration with industry and the academic
community.
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