Remarks On The New US National Space Policy.

Byline: Robert G. Joseph - Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 13 (SPX) -- I would like to thank the Marshall Institute for the invitation and opportunity to discuss the President's recently released National Space Policy. Given the Institute's long-standing and impressive contributions to the promotion of understanding of space policy issues, I greatly welcome this opportunity.

The President's new National Space Policy - the first issued in nearly 10 years - sets forth the overarching national policy that governs the conduct of U.S. space activities. The policy is designed to ensure that our space capabilities are protected in a time of increasing challenges and threats. This is imperative because space capabilities are vital to our national security and to our economic wellbeing.

The scope of the new National Space Policy is broad. It explains the rationale behind the Administration's space initiatives. It calls for new efforts to develop a professional space cadre. It recommends stable funding, strengthens interagency partnerships, and encourages the development of a robust U.S. space-related science, technology, and industrial base. The Policy also, and importantly, continues to promote space cooperation with friends and allies.

Today, I would like to focus on what has remained consistent and what is new in this policy statement. I will then highlight the contributions of space assets to the global economy and our overall welfare. Finally, I will talk about the threats that face us as we expand our use of space and what the new policy proposes to do about those threats.

The New National Space Policy

At its most basic level, U.S. space policy has not changed significantly from the beginning of our ventures into space. Consistent with past policies, the United States does not monopolize space; we do not deny access to space for peaceful purposes by other nations. Rather, we explore and use space for the benefit of the entire world. This remains a central principle of our policy.

What the new policy reflects, however, are increased actions to ensure the long-term security of our space assets in light of new threats and as a result of our increased use of space. It establishes the goal of ensuring access to space-based imaging, communication, and positioning, navigation, and timing assets which are critical to fulfilling the full range of diplomatic, information, military, and economic activities that the United States undertakes.

To fulfill those activities, the policy puts new emphasis on strengthening interagency coordination, collaboration, and information sharing. Interagency cooperation must be integrated into the daily practices of our government agencies. The President's policy highlights the need for stronger integration of space situational awareness and intelligence collection and analysis.

The new policy also gives prominence to several goals only touched upon in previous policy documents, including: strengthening the space science and technology base, developing space professionals, and strengthening U.S. industrial competitiveness, especially through use of U.S. commercial space capabilities. Let me briefly address some of these goals.

We will expand our space-related science, technology, and industrial base by conducting and encouraging high-risk/high-payoff and transformational research. We are encouraging the use of awards and…