National Space Policy Review June 28, 2002 National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD-15

FACT
SHEET

The United States
depends on defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial space capabilities to
protect and defend national security and enhance economic competitiveness.
The most recent update of National Space Policy occurred in 1996. Since that
time, domestic and international developments have changed significantly the
opportunities for, challenges to, and threats confronting U.S. space capabilities.
To respond to the new environment, this directive initiates a phased review
of national space policy topics.

Guidelines for
the Review

The National Security
Council, with the support of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, will
chair a review of national space policies, using the Space Policy Coordinating
Committee (PCC). Agencies and addressees of this directive (or their senior
designees) will participate in the review. The chair may invite other agencies
to participate as appropriate and may delegate work to be completed under this
directive to Space PCC sub-groups.

Scope and Sequence
of the Review

The review will focus
initially on concurrent reviews that will make recommendations in the following
areas on the timetable noted:

1.
United States policy on commercial
remote sensing and on foreign access to remote sensing space capabilities, and
report to the NSC Deputies Committee by November 30, 2002.

2.
United States space transportation
policy, and report to the NSC Deputies Committee by December 31, 2002.

3.
Revision, consolidation, and/or
elimination of existing national policy statements related to space activities,
and report to the NSC Deputies Committee by February 28, 2003.

The PCC chair will
develop the agenda and schedule for follow-on reviews taking account of the
recommendations made by agencies and departments.