NASA proposes ambitious 1989 program

Two recent developments highlight what may be the beginning of a strong renewal of support for the U.S. civil space program. The first of these is the new National Space Policy directive, approved by President Reagan on January 5, 1988. The new policy reaffirms U.S. leadership in space as a fundamental national objective. Obtaining scientific, technological, and economic benefits through space‐related activities remains a major goal of the space program, and the new policy has added the new goal of expanding human presence and activity beyond Earth orbit into the solar system. Six major objectives have been set for the civilian space program: to expand knowledge of Earth, its environment, the Solar System, and the universe; to create new opportunities for use of the space environment through the conduct of appropriate research and experimentation in advanced technology and systems; to develop space technology for civil applications and, wherever appropriate, make such technology available to the commercial sector; to preserve U.S. preeminence in critical aspects of space science, applications, technology, and manned space flight; to establish a permanent human presence in space; and to engage in international cooperative efforts that further U.S. space goals.