DOCSLIB.ORG

The Space Program of the Former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Space Program of the Former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program Faculty Publications Law, College of 1992 TOWARDS A EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, MARK II? The Space Program of the Former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States Frans G. von der Dunk University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/spacelaw Part of the Air and Space Law Commons von der Dunk, Frans G., "TOWARDS A EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, MARK II? The Space Program of the Former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States" (1992). Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program Faculty Publications. 44. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/spacelaw/44 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law, College of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. von der Dunk in Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space 172-182 (1992). Copyright 1992, Frans G. von der Dunk. Used by permission. TOWARDS A EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, MARK II? The Space Program of the Former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States Frans G. von der Dunk Co-Director International Institute of Air and Space Law Leiden University, The Netherlands Member IISL, Member AIAA Abstract 1. Introduction Out of the many historical political events of the last The death blow was dealt to the Soviet Union in few years, in terms of outer space and outer space December 1991. On the 1st of that month, in a law the final demise of the Soviet Union in referendum in the Ukraine, after Russia the most December 1991 no doubt was the most important. important of the Soviet Republics, an overwhelming One of the two superpowers in space disappeared as majority of 90,32 % voted for Ukrainian a state never to return. The fifteen republics independence. Russia and its President Boris Yeltsin formerly comprising the Soviet Union entered the amongst others drew the obvious conclusion that a international community of states more or less in its Soviet Union without the Ukraine was not a viable stead, eleven of them willing - so far - to remain option; and on the 8th of December, in Minsk an together within a framework for cooperation agreement on a Commonwealth of Independent ominously named "Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to replace the former Soviet Union was States". concluded by Russia, the Ukraine and Byelorussia.1 As to outer space, nine of those eleven states within Although President of the USSR Mikhael Gorbachev a week of the final demise of the Soviet Union tried to keep whatever was effectively left of the concluded the Minsk Space Agreement. The Soviet Union alive, the other former republics Agreement was in force instantly, which is rather quickly choose sides with the CIS, and eight of them unique and points to the importance attached by the (Georgia in the end not being included) on the 21st states involved to continuation in principle of of December in Alma Ata officially joinded the C1S.2 conducting space activities together. It is in the On Christmas 1991 Gorbachev accepted these framework of this Agreement that the future of the realities and stepped down; exit the Soviet Union, space program of the former Soviet Union is to be enters the Commonwealth of Independent States. analyzed in legal terms, both as to programs already in operation, as to programs which are really only in a phase of development. In this respect comparisons 2. The Soviet Union is dead, long lives the with the European Space Agency have indeed Commonwealth of Independent States: the already been made. Transition Furthermore, as one of the key-elements in the historical events concerning the Soviet Union One of the two superpowers in space, in fact the first consists of the transfer to a sort of capitalist society, a to enter outer space and the first to introduce men glance at the role private enterprise is supposed to into outer space, had thereby disappeared. The play and is allowed to play under the Minsk Space problem is that, despite the suggestion that the role Agreement is in point. Once again, the European of successor would be assigned to the CIS, it actually Space Agency may provide an interesting example. were the fifteen republiCS formerly comprising the Thus, some light might be shed on the question as to Soviet Union which entered the international whether the former Soviet Union will witness the community of states more or less in its stead. The development or creation of a European Space CIS namely is not a state under international law to Agency, Mark II, or a fundamentally different legal any extent, and therefore not in the position for framework for space activities. instance to simply succeed to the former Soviet Copyright ©1992 by author. Published by the American Union's international legal obligations} The CIS is Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. with permission. based on an agreement, the so-called Minsk Released to AIAA to publish in all forms. Agreement of 8 December 1991, as amended by a protocol to that Agreement, the so-called Alma Ata 172 Protocol of 21 December 1991, with High analyzed in legal terms, wherefore an analysis of the Contracting Parties, and not on a Constitution. Minsk Space Agreement is now in point.1 2 This For space endeavours and space law that has analysis is to take place along the lines provided for important consequences. The space industry of the by a few basic elements of that Agreement; notably former Soviet Union was spread over almost the the organizational structure possibly arising from it, whole of the territory of that Soviet Union, in other the programs to be covered by it, the financial words over most of the presently independent framework (both on the expenditure- and on the republics4. Russia is still by far the most important of income-sides), the special question of the those, accounting for the largest part of the industry infrastructure and the use thereof, some specially (heavily concentrated around Moscow moreover) of important issues of space law as far as reflected launchers, satellites, equipment and other items to (and, as far as not reflected, the consequences be used in outer space activities, most ground thereof), and the question of accessions to the tracking stations, spacecraft control centres and Agreement. design bureaus. The Ukraine however has an The Minsk Space Agreement to begin with does not, important space industry too, plus two ground to any extent, create an international organization, tracking stations at Ternopol and Evpatoria. with independent legal personality at least in Kazakhstan is even more important: although muniCipal legal systems and powers distinct from Russia has two launching facilities at Plesetsk and those of the totality of the 'member states'. Yet, an Kapustin Yar, the by far biggest and best placed embryonic structure is present in the Agreement, cosmodrome is that of Bajkonur in Kazakhstan. just as it is the case in the Minsk Agreement on the Other republics are of lesser importance in terms of Commonwealth at large. In view moreover of the space activities, although their existence in principle actual interdependence of the former Soviet Union's for the purpose of space activities must indeed be space endeavours and the resulting acknowledged. interdependence in space activities of the states The falling apart of the Soviet Union and the concerned, a kind of community-of-necessity is important consequences arising therefrom for the existing more or less covered by the framework space industry involved happened to coincide more developed in the Minsk Space Agreement; a or less with another string of developments. Since community of ten states which I will call, for lack of glasnost and perestrojka have been gaining ground better words, the 'Space Commonwealth'. commercialization to a slowly but increasing extent The basis of future space research and exploitation was introduced in the field of space activities.S No within this 'Space Commonwealth' is to be formed by doubt, the tendency thus apparent in Soviet space interstate programs 13, to be coordinated by the industry to commercialize, which inevitably will lead Interstate Space Council14 . This does not mean that to a significant amount of privatization too, will only states can be active in outer space only in the grow stronger in the coming years, due to the framework of the Space Agreement: their right to increasing introduction of capitalist ideas and have independent space programs is explicitly elements in the economy of the former Soviet confirmed 15, although the states pledged to bring at 6 Union , the downgrading of defense as a least all activities concerning rocket technology consequence of the end of the Cold War7 and the within the ambit of the interstate programs16. Then, otherwise prevailing financial and economic all military and dual purpose (meaning both military difficulties making it unlikely for much public and civilian) space research and exploitation money to be spent in outer space - relative to the programs are to be "ensured/assured by the joint extents to which such money used to be spent in the strategic armed forces"17, which is a rather 8 old Soviet Union . ambiguous formula. Finally, as to the activities which are enVisaged indeed under the Space Agreement, a difference is 3. Former Soviets in Space: the Minsk Agreement made here as to "interstate programs for space research and exploitation" in Article 4, and "the Nevertheless, space remains a big issue in the exploitation of existing and the setting up of new republics of the former superpower in space.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • INTERNATIONAL Call for Papers & Registration of Interest
    ORGANIZED BY: HOSTED BY: st 71 INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS 12–16 October 2020 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Call for Papers & Registration of Interest Second Announcement SUPPORTED BY: Inspire, Innovate & Discover for the Benefit of Humankind IAC2020.ORG Contents 1. Message from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 2 2. Message from the Local Organizing Committee 2 3. Message from the IPC Co-Chairs 3 4. Messages from the Partner Organizations 4 5. International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 5 6. International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) 10 7. International Institute of Space Law (IISL) 11 8. Message from the IAF Vice President for Technical Activities 12 9. IAC 2020 Technical Sessions Deadlines Calendar 49 10. Preliminary IAC 2020 at a Glance 50 11. Instructions to Authors 51 Connecting @ll Space People 12. Space in the United Arab Emirates 52 www.iafastro.org IAF Alliance Programme Partners 2019 1 71st IAC International Astronautical Congress 12–16 October 2020, Dubai 1. Message from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 3. Message from the International Programme Committee (IPC) Greetings! Co-Chairs It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates On behalf of the International Programme Committee, it is a great pleasure to invite you to submit an abstract for the 71st International from 12 – 16 October 2020. Astronautical Congress IAC 2020 that will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The IAC is an initiative to bring scientists, practitioners, engineers and leaders of space industry and agencies together in a single platform to discuss recent research breakthroughs, technical For the very first time, the IAC will open its doors to the global space community in the United Arab Emirates, the first Arab country to advances, existing opportunities and emerging space technologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Orbital Debris: a Chronology
    NASA/TP-1999-208856 January 1999 Orbital Debris: A Chronology David S. F. Portree Houston, Texas Joseph P. Loftus, Jr Lwldon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas David S. F. Portree is a freelance writer working in Houston_ Texas Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................ iv Preface ........................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................... vii Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................ ix The Chronology ............................................................................................................. 1 1961 ......................................................................................................................... 4 1962 ......................................................................................................................... 5 963 ......................................................................................................................... 5 964 ......................................................................................................................... 6 965 ......................................................................................................................... 6 966 ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • THE SOVIET MOON PROGRAM in the 1960S, the United States Was Not the Only Country That Was Trying to Land Someone on the Moon and Bring Him Back to Earth Safely
    AIAA AEROSPACE M ICRO-LESSON Easily digestible Aerospace Principles revealed for K-12 Students and Educators. These lessons will be sent on a bi-weekly basis and allow grade-level focused learning. - AIAA STEM K-12 Committee. THE SOVIET MOON PROGRAM In the 1960s, the United States was not the only country that was trying to land someone on the Moon and bring him back to Earth safely. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, also called the Soviet Union, also had a manned lunar program. This lesson describes some of it. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): ● Discipline: Engineering Design ● Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models ● Science & Engineering Practice: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions GRADES K-2 K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. Have you ever been busy doing something when somebody challenges you to a race? If you decide to join the race—and it is usually up to you whether you join or not—you have to stop what you’re doing, get up, and start racing. By the time you’ve gotten started, the other person is often halfway to the goal. This is the sort of situation the Soviet Union found itself in when President Kennedy in 1961 announced that the United States would set a goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth before the end of the decade.
    [Show full text]
  • The Soviet Space Program
    C05500088 TOP eEGRET iuf 3EEA~ NIE 11-1-71 THE SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM Declassified Under Authority of the lnteragency Security Classification Appeals Panel, E.O. 13526, sec. 5.3(b)(3) ISCAP Appeal No. 2011 -003, document 2 Declassification date: November 23, 2020 ifOP GEEAE:r C05500088 1'9P SloGRET CONTENTS Page THE PROBLEM ... 1 SUMMARY OF KEY JUDGMENTS l DISCUSSION 5 I. SOV.IET SPACE ACTIVITY DURING TfIE PAST TWO YEARS . 5 II. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE PROSPECTS . 6 A. General ............................................. 6 B. Organization and Management . ............... 6 C. Economics .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... .. 8 III. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL FACTORS ... 9 A. General .. .. .. .. .. 9 B. Launch Vehicles . 9 C. High-Energy Propellants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 D. Manned Spacecraft . 12 E. Life Support Systems . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 F. Non-Nuclear Power Sources for Spacecraft . 16 G. Nuclear Power and Propulsion ..... 16 Te>P M:EW TCS 2032-71 IOP SECl<ET" C05500088 TOP SECRGJ:. IOP SECREI Page H. Communications Systems for Space Operations . 16 I. Command and Control for Space Operations . 17 IV. FUTURE PROSPECTS ....................................... 18 A. General ............... ... ···•· ................. ····· ... 18 B. Manned Space Station . 19 C. Planetary Exploration . ........ 19 D. Unmanned Lunar Exploration ..... 21 E. Manned Lunar Landfog ... 21 F. Applied Satellites ......... 22 G. Scientific Satellites ........................................ 24 V. INTERNATIONAL SPACE COOPERATION ............. 24 A. USSR-European Nations .................................... 24 B. USSR-United States 25 ANNEX A. SOVIET SPACE ACTIVITY ANNEX B. SOVIET SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES ANNEX C. SOVIET CHRONOLOGICAL SPACE LOG FOR THE PERIOD 24 June 1969 Through 27 June 1971 TCS 2032-71 IOP SLClt~ 70P SECRE1- C05500088 TOP SEGR:R THE SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM THE PROBLEM To estimate Soviet capabilities and probable accomplishments in space over the next 5 to 10 years.' SUMMARY OF KEY JUDGMENTS A.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Influences of Human Factors on National Space Activities and Practices [United States, Russia, China, and Others]
    Comparative Influences of Human Factors on National Space Activities and Practices [United States, Russia, China, and others] ● National Space Biomedical Research Institute [NSBRI] ● Piloting Spacecraft Guidance & Control of Human Space Vehicles ● September 21-22, 2016 ● Houston, Texas ● James Oberg [WWW.jamesoberg.com] Approach ● How do external cultural and other national factors influence a space program? ● What illuminating analogies offer insights? ● What differences can we see in national programs that can be traced back to such human [as opposed to technological] factors? ● How can lack of appreciation for these subtle influences diminish assessment accuracy? ● Why is this BAD? ● How can realistic appreciation for these subtle influences help future joint projects? Professional specialty – human spaceflight operations [1975-1997] Baykonur & Star City etc. Congressional Testimony [1997,1998] Analogy with “Terroir” – influence of environmental factors on quality of wine “Terroir” for a space program CLIMATE SOIL TRADITION TERRAIN An analogy with wine, and how its quality reflects its environment – both NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL International Environmental Factors Space programs don’t exist in isolation Competition often spurs on each player Space programs develop special capabilities which they protect ‘Many justifications for learning from others Direct copying not always ‘best fit’ ASSUMING copying by others can be misleading CAUTIONARY COMMENT REGARDING THE CONCEPT OF “COPYING” Inspiration may be as influential as direct ‘copying’ Humanned spacecraft with aero shroud and ‘escape tower’: left, Russian Soyuz; center & right, Chinese Shenzhou. Huang Chunping on stabilization flaps: “This is the most difficult part of the escape system. We once wanted to inquire about it from Russian experts, but they set the price at $10 million.
    [Show full text]
  • Sanction Entity Location of Date Imposed Status/Date of Federal Register Entity Expiration Notice INKSNA Baoding Shimaotong China 02/03/20 Active Vol
    Updated May 6, 2020 Sanction Entity Location of Date imposed Status/Date of Federal Register entity expiration notice INKSNA Baoding Shimaotong China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, Enterprises Services February 14, 2020, Company Limited (China) Federal Register and any successor, sub- unit, or subsidiary thereof INKSNA Dandong Zhensheng China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, Trade Co., Ltd. (China) February 14, 2020, and any successor, sub- Federal Register unit, or subsidiary thereof INKSNA Gaobeidian Kaituo Precise China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, Instrument Co. Ltd February 14, 2020, (China) and any successor, Federal Register sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof INKSNA Luo Dingwen (Chinese China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, individual) February 14, 2020, Federal Register INKSNA Shenzhen Tojoin China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, Communications February 14, 2020, Technology Co. Ltd Federal Register (China) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof INKSNA Shenzhen Xiangu High- China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, Tech Co., Ltd (China) and February 14, 2020, any successor, sub-unit, or Federal Register subsidiary thereof INKSNA Wong Myong Son China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, (individual in China) February 14, 2020, Federal Register INKSNA Wuhan Sanjiang Import China 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, and Export Co., Ltd February 14, 2020, (China) and any successor, Federal Register subunit, or subsidiary thereof INKSNA Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada Iraq 02/03/20 Active Vol. 85, No. 31, (KSS) (Iraq) and any February 14, 2020, successor, sub-unit, or Federal Register subsidiary thereof INKSNA Kumertau Aviation Russia 02/03/20 Active Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The 1960 Presidential Election in Florida: Did the Space Race and the National Prestige Issue Play an Important Role?
    UNF Digital Commons UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations Student Scholarship 2000 The 1960 rP esidential Election in Florida: Did the Space Race and the National Prestige Issue Play an Important Role? Randy Wade Babish University of North Florida Suggested Citation Babish, Randy Wade, "The 1960 rP esidential Election in Florida: Did the Space Race and the National Prestige Issue Play an Important Role?" (2000). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 134. https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/134 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 2000 All Rights Reserved THE 1960 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN FLORIDA: DID THE SPACE RACE AND THE NATIONAL PRESTIGE ISSUE PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE? by Randy Wade Babish A thesis submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES December, 2000 Unpublished work © Randy Wade Babish The thesis of Randy Wade Babish is approved: (Date) Signature Deleted Signature Deleted Signature Deleted Signature Deleted Accepted for the College: Signature Deleted Signature Deleted eanofGfaduate rues ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Although my name appears on the title page and I assume full responsibility for the final product and its content, the quality of this work was greatly enhanced by the guidance of several individuals. First, the members of my thesis committee, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • SOYUZ THROUGH the AGES the R-7 Rocket That Led to the Family of Soyuz Vehicles Launching Today Lifted Off for the First Time Onfeb
    RUSSIAN SPACE SOYUZ THROUGH THE AGES The R-7 rocket that led to the family of Soyuz vehicles launching today lifted off for the first time onFeb. 17, 1959. The last launch, on Dec. 27, 2018, was number 1,898. Irene Klotz and Maxim Pyadushkin Vostochny Cosmodrome anufactured by the Progress Rocket Space Center in Sama- Evolution of Soyuz-Family Launch Vehicles ra, Russia, the medium-lift expendable booster originally was used for Soviet-era human space missions and later became the R-7 Soyuz Soyuz-L workhorse for the country’s civilian and military space programs. M 1957 First launch of the ICBM (SS-6 1966-76 (32 launches, 1970-71 (three launches, Sapwood) that served as a basis for including 30 successful, all successful, The first rocket officially named Soyuz was launched in Soviet/Russian launch vehicles from Baikonur) from Baikonur) 1966 and has since flown 1,050 times, of which 1,023 were including the Soyuz family successful. Production of Soyuz rockets peaked in the early Soyuz 1980s at about 60 vehicles per year. Medium-Class Launch Vehicle Russia began offering Soyuz launch services internationally in the mid-1980s through Glavkosmos, a commercial entity set up to sell Soviet rocket and space technologies. Manufacturer: Progress Rocket Space Soyuz-U/-U2 Soyuz-M Center, Samara, Russia In 1996, Russia created Starsem, a joint venture (35% ArianeGroup, 25% Roscosmos, 25% RKTs Progress, 15% 1991 Breakup of the 1973-2017 1971-76 (eight launches, Soviet Union, (859 launches, including all successful, from Plesetsk) Dimensions Arianespace) that had exclusive rights to provide commercial launch services on Soyuz launch vehicles.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Launch Vehicles: Government Activities, Commercial Competition, and Satellite Exports
    Order Code IB93062 CRS Issue Brief for Congress Received through the CRS Web Space Launch Vehicles: Government Activities, Commercial Competition, and Satellite Exports Updated March 22, 2002 Marcia S. Smith Resources, Science, and Industry Division Congressional Research Service The Library of Congress CONTENTS SUMMARY MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS U.S. Launch Vehicle Policy From “Shuttle-Only” to “Mixed Fleet” Clinton Administration Policy U.S. Launch Vehicle Programs and Issues NASA’s Space Shuttle Program Future Launch Vehicle Development Programs DOD’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program Government-Led Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Programs Private Sector RLV Development Efforts U.S. Commercial Launch Services Industry Congressional Interest Foreign Competition (Including Satellite Export Issues) Europe China Russia Ukraine India Japan LEGISLATION IB93062 03-22-02 Space Launch Vehicles: Government Activities, Commercial Competition, and Satellite Exports SUMMARY Launching satellites into orbit, once the Since 1999, projections for launch services exclusive domain of the U.S. and Soviet gov- demand have decreased dramatically, however. ernments, today is an industry in which compa- At the same time, NASA’s main RLV nies in the United States, Europe, China, Rus- program, X-33, suffered delays. NASA termi- sia, Ukraine, Japan, and India compete. In the nated the program in March 2001. Companies United States, the National Aeronautics and developing new launch vehicles are reassessing Space Administration (NASA) continues to be their plans, and NASA has initiated a new responsible for launches of its space shuttle, and “Space Launch Initiative” (SLI) to broaden the the Air Force has responsibility for launches choices from which it can choose a new RLV associated with U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • NASA Commercial Programs
    NASA Commercial Programs r rt., 1-1'7 ()A) L ; I - G NASA's Office of Commercial Programs: Providing a Focwfor Action Space has become an economic frontier, a new territory of commercial competition, where the spacefaring nations of the world seek new opportunities for industrial growth and economic benefit. In 1984, the United States Congress amended the 1958 Space Act to assign the National Aeronautics and Space Administration an important new mission: ' . seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space?' President Bush, in his first presidential address to ajoint session of Congress, sounded strong support for this national goal when he called for "more commercial development of space?' NASA?s Office of Commercial Programs is providing a focus for action to stimulate and assist an expanded involvement and investment by the U.S. private sector in civil space activities. Strengthened by a rich tradition of NASA cooperation with industry, the office supports new high-technology commercial space ventures, the commercial application of existing aeronautics and space technology, and greater access by commercial firms to available NASA capabilities and services. This report, prepared by the Public Affairs Office of the Office of Commercial Programs, highlights NASA-sponsored and assisted commercial space activities of the past year. For additional information, write to: BARBARA E. SELBY, Public Affairs Officer Office of Commercial Programs NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546 Contents: Letter 1989: Establishing a Strategic Vision The U.S. Private Sector in Space • Industrial R&D in Space • Centers for the Commercial Development of Space • New Cooperative Agreements Building U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 1.Russian Information Weapons; 2.Baltic Department of Defense, Or the US Defenses (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) Against Government
    Sponsor: USEUCOM Contract No.: W56KGU-17-C-0010 Project No.: 0719S120 The views expressed in this document are those of the author Three Discussions of Russian Concepts: and do not reflect the official policy or position of MITRE, the 1.Russian Information Weapons; 2.Baltic Department of Defense, or the US Defenses (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) against government. Russian Propaganda; and 3.Russia’s Development of Non-Lethal Weapons Author: Timothy Thomas March 2020 Approved for Public Release: Distribution Unlimited. Case Numbers 20-0235; 20-0050; 20-0051; 19-3194; and 20-0145. ©2020 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. McClean, VA 1 FOREWORD Russia has long been captivated by the power of information as a weapon, most notably in a historical sense using propaganda to influence and persuade audiences. With the onset of the information age, the concept’s development and application increased dramatically. The power of information-technologies when applied to weaponry increased the latter’s capabilities due to increased reconnaissance and precision applications. The power of social media was used to influence populations both at home and abroad. Both developments fit perfectly into Russia’s information warfare concept, whose two aspects are information-technical and information-psychological capabilities. Information’s universality, covertness, variety of software and hardware forms and implementation, efficiency of use when choosing a time and place of employment, and, finally, cost effectiveness make it a formidable commodity when assessed as weaponry. Russian efforts to define and use IWes are well documented. In the 1990s there were efforts to define information weapons (IWes) at the United Nations, efforts that failed.
    [Show full text]
  • China Dream, Space Dream: China's Progress in Space Technologies and Implications for the United States
    China Dream, Space Dream 中国梦，航天梦China’s Progress in Space Technologies and Implications for the United States A report prepared for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Kevin Pollpeter Eric Anderson Jordan Wilson Fan Yang Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Dr. Patrick Besha and Dr. Scott Pace for reviewing a previous draft of this report. They would also like to thank Lynne Bush and Bret Silvis for their master editing skills. Of course, any errors or omissions are the fault of authors. Disclaimer: This research report was prepared at the request of the Commission to support its deliberations. Posting of the report to the Commission's website is intended to promote greater public understanding of the issues addressed by the Commission in its ongoing assessment of U.S.-China economic relations and their implications for U.S. security, as mandated by Public Law 106-398 and Public Law 108-7. However, it does not necessarily imply an endorsement by the Commission or any individual Commissioner of the views or conclusions expressed in this commissioned research report. CONTENTS Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1
    [Show full text]