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May   11,.  1978 
Presidential  Directive /NSC-3 7 
TO:       The  Vice  President 
The  Secretary  of  State 
The  Secretary  of  Defense 
The  Secretary  of  Interior 
The  Secretary. of  Agriculture 
The  Secretary  of  Commerce 
The  Director,  Office  of  Management  and  Budget 
Assistant  to  the  President,  for  National 
Security  Affairs 
Assistant  to  the  President  for  Domestic 
Affairs 
Director,  Arms  Control  and  Disarmament  Agency 
Chairman,  Joint  Chiefs  of  Staff 
Director  of  Central  Intelligence 
Administrator,  National  Aeronautics  and  Space 
Administration 
Director,  Office  of  Science  and  Technology 
Policy 
SUBJECT:   National  Soace  Policv   (U) 
This  directive  establishes  national  policies  which 
shall  guide  the  conduct  of  United  States  activities  in 
and  related  to  the  space  programs  and  activities  dis- 
cussed  below.   The  objectives  of  these  policies  are  (1) 
to  advance  the  interests  of  the  United  States  through 
che  exploration  and  use  of  space  and  (2)  to  cooperate 
with  other  nations  in  maintaining  the  freedom  of  space  . 
for  all  activities  which  enhance  the  security  and 
welfare  of  mankind. 
1.   The  United  States  space  program  shall  be 
conducted  in  accordance  with  the  following  basic 
orinciDles.   (U) 
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b~  The  exploration  and  use  of  outer  space 
in  support  of  the  national  well-being  and  policies  of 
rhe  United  States.   (U) 
c.  Rejection  of  any  claims  to  sovereignty 
over  outer:  space  or  over  celestial  bodies,  or  any 
portion  thereof,  and  rejection  of  any  limitations  on 
the  fundamental  right  to  acquire  data  from  space.   (U) 
d.  The  space  systems  of  any  nation  are 
national  property  and  have  the  right  of  passage  through 
and  operations  in  space  without  interference.   Pur- 
poseful interference  with  operational  space  systems 
shall  be  viewed  as  an  infringement  upon  sovereign 
rights.   (U) 
e.  The  United  States  will  pursue  activities 
in  space  in  support  of  its  right  of  self-defense.   (U) 
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g.    The  United" States  will  pursue  space 
activities  to  increase  scientific  knowledge,  develop 
useful  civil  applications  of  space  technology,  and 
maintain  United  States  leadership  in  space.   (U) 
h.   The  United  States  will  conduct  inter- 
national cooperative  space-related  activities  that  are 
beneficial  to  the  United  States  scientifically,  politi- 
cally ,-   economically,  and/or  militarily.   (U) 
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k~   Close  coordination,  cooperation,  and  informa- 
tion exchange  will  be  maintained  among  the  space  sectors  to 
avoid  unnecessary  duplication  and  to  allow  maximum  cross - 
utilization,  in  compliance  with  security  and  policy  guidance, 
of  all  capabilities.   (U) 
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4.    The  United  States  shall  conduct  civil  space  programs 
to  increase  the  body  of  scientific  knowledge  about  the  earth 
and  the  universe;  to  develop  and  operate  civil  applications 
of  space  technology;  to  maintain  United  States  leadership  in 
space  science ,  applications,  and  technology;  and  to  further 
United  States  domestic  and  foreign  policy  objectives.   The 
following  policies  shall  govern  the  conduct  of  the  civil 
space  program.   (U) 
a.  The  United  States  shall  encourage  domestic 
commercial  exploitation  of  space  capabilities  and  systems 
for  economic  benefit  and  to  promote  the  technological  position 
of  the  United  States,  except  that  all  United  States  earth- 
oriented  remote  sensing  satellites  will  require  United 
States  Government  authorization  and  supervision  or  regulation. 
(U) 
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c.    Data  and  results  from  the  civil  soace  prccrams 
will  be  provided  the  widest  practical  dissemination,  except 
where  specific  exceptions  defined  by  legislation,  Executive 
Order,  or  directive  apply.   (U) 
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5.    The  NSC  Policy  Review  Committee  shall  meet  when 
appropriate  to  provide  a  forum  to  all  federal  agencies  for 
their  'policy  views;  to  review  and  advise  on  proposed  changes 
to  national  space  policy;  to  resolve  issues  referred  to  the 
Committee;  and  to  provide  for  orderly  and  rapid  referral  of 
open  issues  to  the  President  for  decision  as  necessary.   The 
PRC  will  meet  at  the  call  of  the  Chairman  for  these  purposes, 
and  when  so  convened,  will  be  chaired  by  the  Director, 
Office  of  Science  and  Technology  Policy.   (U) 
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