Conference 7.286::space

511.0. "The National Space Council (NSC)" by MTWAIN::KLAES (N = R*fgfpneflfifaL) Sun Mar 12 1989 14:09

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 89 14:49:05 PST
From: [email protected]
Subject: NSS Hotline Update 3/10/89
 
/* Written  2:45 pm  Mar 10, 1989 by jordankatz in cdp:sci.space */
/* ---------- "NSS Hotline Update 3/10/89" ---------- */

    This is the National Space Society's Space Hotline for the week
ending March 10, 1989. 
  
    President Bush, in a one page report filed with congress on March 1, 
has outlined the composition and structure of the National Space
Council.  The council will have four key responsibilities which
include: Overseeing national space policy implementation; Review and
recommend policy modifications to the President; Address major space
related policy issues between civil and military space issues; Foster
cooperation, coordination, technology and information exchange between
civil and military sectors to avoid duplication of effort. 
 
    In addition the council will include 10 cabinet level officials
with various jurisdictions related to space activities.  These
positions include the Nasa Administrator, Director of the Office of
Management & Budget, the Chief of Staff to the President, the
assistant of National Security Affairs, the director of the CIA, and
secretaries of Defense, Commerce and Transportation. 
 
    There has been mixed reaction to the composition and structure of
the national space council on Capital Hill. Advocates of civil space
say that the appointment of Mark Albrecht to the position of staff
director will skew the council in favor of the military space program.
Yet Rep. Bill Nelson said that the fact that Chief of Staff John
Sununus' inclusion on the council in combination with Vice President
Quayle's participation should create a better environment for space
policy decision making. 
 
    Sally Ride, America's first woman space traveler, in testimony to
the the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee called
on Congress to support Mission to Planet Earth. The program, which
will utilize instruments on the future space station, polar orbiting
platforms, and over 1,000 instruments deployed in the oceans and on
land all over the world is estimated to cost between $20 to $30
billion dollars over the next 20 years. She stated that as well as
understanding the Earth system better, the ability to foresee drought,
unusual rainfall patterns, and even detect concentration of fish will
prove it has economic as well as scientific benefits. 
 
    This has been Jordan Katz reporting for the National Space
Society's Space Hotline for the week ending March 10, 1989. 
 
    We would like to invite everyone to call our Dial-a-Shuttle
service during the upcoming Discovery mission.  Hear the Astronauts
and Ground Control 24 hours a day during the mission.  Take part in
the mission by calling 1-900-909-NASA (that's 1-900-909-NASA).  Toll
charges are 2.00 for the first minute and $.45 for each additional minute. 
 

From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: NSS Space Hotline Update
Date: 6 Jun 89 02:58:00 GMT
 
    This is the National Space Society's Space Hotline for the week 
ending June 4, 1989. 
 
    Vice President Dan Quayle, Chairman of the National Space Council,
reportedly stated during a luncheon meeting with reporters on May 31st
that the US will eventually win control of space, and that he intends
to be involved in some very difficult decisions which will have to be
made in regards to America's future in space. He reportedly stated
that he wants congressional appropriators to understand that the
administration wants to see the Space Station Freedom program funded
at an adequate level. Quayle reportedly said that the space race is
not over, that we will "win" due to our superior technology and that
much remains to be done.  He went on to say that the White House will
soon reveal its long term strategy for space. 
 
    During his visit to London, President Bush issued a statement of
approval to maintain funding for the continuing operations of Landsats
4 and 5 and the development and launching of Landsat 6. Keeping Landsats
4 and 5 operating will cost $5 million for the rest of FY'89, and $16
million for FY'90.  This decision was the first policy recommendation
made by the newly formed National Space Council. 
 
    This has been Jordan Katz reporting for the National Space
Society's Space Hotline for the week ending June 4, 1989.  This
message will next be updated on June 11, 1989.