[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 5, 1992]
[Pages 902-903]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Space-Based Global Change 
Observation

June 5, 1992
    President Bush last week approved a National Space Policy Directive 
establishing a focused national effort to improve the world's ability to 
detect and document changes in the Earth, especially the global climate.
    This policy directive, which was developed by the National Space 
Council chaired by Vice President Quayle:
    Establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency effort to collect, 
            analyze, and

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            archive space-based observations on global change. This 
            Space-Based Global Change Observation System (S-GCOS) will 
            be led by NASA with participation from other Government 
            Agencies.
    Directs that NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) be 
            developed using small and intermediate-sized satellites. 
            Through the use of advanced technology and reduced design 
            complexity, these satellites can be acquired more quickly 
            and at less cost than previously planned. This will allow 
            the timetable for obtaining critical data on global change 
            to be accelerated.
    Assigns global change observation functions, including the 
            development of technology, the collection of data, and the 
            archiving of information, to NASA and the Departments of 
            Energy, Commerce (NOAA), Interior, and Defense.
    Encourages international cooperation in global change 
            observation from space and directs the Department of State 
            to provide support to the implementing Agencies.
    This directive augments previous Presidential directives and 
recognizes the recommendations of the Earth Observing System Engineering 
Review Panel.