Peggy Wilhide
Headquarters, Washington, DC                       Nov. 4, 1999
(Phone: 202/358-1898)

Roderic Young
Headquarters, Washington, DC 
(Phone: 202/358-4726)

RELEASE: 99-131

ADHERENCE TO NONPROLIFERATION NORMS 
KEY TO FUTURE GLOBAL SPACE COOPERATION

     In a speech before the International Space Business Assembly, 
NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin outlined the challenges facing 
the space industry.  Top among them, according to Goldin, is 
international adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime.

     "I strongly believe that the new millennium has the potential 
to be the space millennium.  Notice that I said 'potential,' 
Goldin said.  "For if we do not rise to the challenges before us, 
space activities may not be as prominent in the 21st century as we 
would like them to be.

     "We are at what Intel's Andy Grove calls an inflection point 
-- the point at which 'the old strategic picture dissolves and 
gives way to the new.'"

     Goldin discussed three principal areas that may determine the 
fate of commercialization in space:  political, technical and 
economic challenges.  He stated that most important among these 
challenges is full support of international norms on 
nonproliferation.  

     "All the benefits of decades of work to open the space 
frontier by governments, industry, brilliant scientists and 
engineers from around the globe can fall apart all because some 
individuals, some companies, some governments choose not to stop 
those who would violate the Missile Technology Control Regime. 

     "Let us not be naive to ignore troubling signs.  Let us not 
pretend danger may not lurk around the corner.  Let us not turn 
our backs when there is exploitation for commercial gain.  If we 
are united in this commitment, we can isolate and minimize the 
threat."

     As the President's Representative to the Paris Air Show 
Goldin acknowledged that he understands the concerns of U.S. 
industry, foreign governments and foreign corporations related to 
U.S. export law enforcement.  "As you may have heard this week, 
the U.S. Government is working to address those concerns.  But we 
will do it in a way that fully supports international norms on 
nonproliferation," he said.    

     Other obstacles for the global space industry are:  

* Interoperability - satellites must have standards and protocols 
that work seamlessly for voice, video and data for space and 
terrestrial systems;

* Quality of service - must be comparable to the best fiber optic 
lines, offer 24-hour availability and 100 percent reliability, and 
mobile services must be clear, available and compatible with 
ground systems for switch over;

* Cost - must be competitive with terrestrial communication; 

* Latency - when the Internet demands synchronization of voice, 
video and data radical new approaches will be necessary.

     Goldin offered in his final words, "Will we give up on the 
dreams we had a decade ago?  Or will we work together to achieve 
our dreams and take the space industry to new heights?  The time 
is now.  And the decision is ours."

   For more information about NASA and to see a complete text of 
Goldin's speech go to:

        http://www.nasa.gov/bios/goldin_speeches.html

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