ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96092003.txt
DATE:09/20/96
TITLE:20-09-96  DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REPORT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1996

TEXT:
(New U.S. Space Policy)  (810)

NEW NATIONAL SPACE POLICY ANNOUNCED

Following is the DoD text on the new U.S. Space Policy announced at
the White House on September 20:

(begin text)

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space Robert V. Davis
participated (Sept. 19) in the White House announcement of the new
National Space Policy signed by the President. This new classified
policy supersedes the 1989 policy. The directive provides guidance for
the conduct of United States space activities, and updates and
reaffirms U.S. goals and activities in space.

Prominent aspects of the new policy dealing with the Department of
Defense include:

Renewed direction that the United States will maintain its leadership
role by supporting a strong, stable and balanced national space
program that serves our goals in national security and other areas.

Renewed direction that the goals of the U.S. space program include:

-- Strengthening and maintaining the national security of the United
States; -- and Promoting international cooperation to further U.S.
national security and foreign policies.

Renewed direction that the U.S. Government will maintain and
coordinate separate national security and civil space systems where
differing needs dictate.

Renewed direction that the United States will conduct those space
activities necessary for national security. These activities will be
overseen by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central
Intelligence consistent with their respective responsibilities as set
forth in the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, other
applicable law, and Executive Order 12333.

Direction that key priorities for national security space activities
are to improve our ability to support military operations worldwide,
monitor and respond to strategic military threats, and monitor arms
control and non-proliferation agreements and activities.

Direction that the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central
Intelligence shall ensure that defense and intelligence space
activities are closely coordinated; that space architectures are
integrated to the maximum extent feasible; and will continue to
modernize and improve their respective activities to collect against,
and respond to, changing threats, environments and adversaries.

Renewed direction that national security space activities shall
contribute to U.S. national security by:

-- Providing support for the United States' inherent right of
self-defense and our defense commitments to allies and friends;

-- Deterring, warning and, if necessary, defending against enemy
attack;

-- Assuring that hostile forces cannot prevent our own use of space;

-- Countering, if necessary, space systems and services used for
hostile purposes;

-- Enhancing operations of U.S.  and allied forces;

-- Ensuring our ability to conduct military and intelligence
space-related activities;

-- Satisfying military and intelligence requirements during peace and
crisis, as well as through all levels of conflict; and

-- Supporting the activities of national policy makers, the
intelligence community, the National Command Authorities, combatant
commanders and the military services, other federal officials, and
continuity of government operations.

Direction that critical capabilities necessary for executing space
missions must be assured.

Renewed direction that DoD shall maintain the capability to execute
the mission areas of space support, force enhancement, space control,
and force application.

Renewed direction that DoD, as launch agent for both the defense and
intelligence sectors, will maintain the capability to evolve and
support those space transportation systems, infrastructure, and
support activities necessary to meet national security requirements.

Direction that DoD will be the lead agency for improvement and
evolution of the current expendable launch vehicle fleet, including
appropriate technology development.

Direction that DoD will pursue integrated satellite control, continue
to enhance the robustness of its satellite control capability, and
coordinate with other departments and agencies, as appropriate, to
foster the integration and interoperability of satellite control for
all governmental space activities.

Renewed direction that, consistent with treaty obligations, the United
States will develop, operate, and maintain space control capabilities
to ensure freedom of action in space and, if directed, deny such
freedom of action to adversaries.

Direction that the United States will pursue a ballistic missile
defense program to provide for: enhanced theater missile defense
capability later this decade; a national missile defense deployment
readiness program as a hedge against the emergence of a long-range
ballistic missile threat to the United States; and an advanced
technology program to provide options for improvements to planned and
deployed defenses.

In general, this first post-Cold War statement of National Space
Policy provides a coherent vision and direction for the conduct of
space activities in response to the major changes which have occurred
since 1989. These changes include: the transformation of the
international security environment; recent operational employments of
space forces; reductions in the resources allocated for national
security; advances in military technology which are altering the
conduct of warfare; the increased interaction among the national
security, civil and commercial space sectors; and the global
proliferation of space systems, technology and information.

(end text)
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