Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 67
licenses, frequencies, etc.[,] by the appropriate government agencies.
[6] 3. Government Responsibilities: In addition to its regulatory responsibilities, the
government should:
a. conduct or maintain supervision over international agreements and negotiations;
b. conduct and encourage research and development to facilitate accomplishment
of these policy objectives and to give maximum assurance of rapid and
continuous and technological progress;
c. control all launching of U.S. spacecraft;
d. make use of the commercial system and avoid competition with it;
e. establish separate communication satellite systems, when required to meet
unique government needs which cannot, in the national interest, be met by
the commercial system;
f. assure the effective use of the radio frequency spectrum;
g. assure that provision exists for the discontinuance of satellite transmissions
when required in the interest of communication efficiency and effectiveness;
h. provide technical assistance to newly developing countries in order to attain
an effective global system as soon as practicable.
[7] 4. New Uses and Reduced Rates: It is an objective that satellites make available for
general use new and expanded international communications services. Transmission of
records, voice, and television over great distances should facilitate the exchange of information
and ideas throughout the world. These new and expanded uses should, at the earliest
possible time, be made available through an economical system, the lower costs of
which will be reflected in overseas communication rates. Anticipated greater use and
lower costs per channel in a communication satellite system may make lower rates practicable.
5. Global Coverage: A system of communications designed for “global” coverage is
to be contrasted with a system limited to connecting heavy traffic markets and subject to
expansion only in response to added demands of sufficient volume as to be profitable per
se. Rather, a “global” system is one with the potential and the objective to provide efficient
communication service throughout the whole world as soon as technically feasible, including
service where individual portions of the coverage are not profitable or even have no
expectation of future profit. It is a national objective to have such a global system operable
as soon as possible within the limits of technology.
[8] 6. Foreign Participation: It is axiomatic that there be foreign participation in any
international commercial communication system. In addition to participation through
use, there would be foreign ownership or control of ground facilities outside the United
States; international agreements as to frequencies and operating practices; arrangements
for connections with other systems; and opportunities through foreign ownership or otherwise
in the satellites in the system. The U.S. hopes that practical measures for such foreign
participation can be developed.
7. Relationship with United Nations: The U.S. should examine with other countries
the development of the most constructive role for the United Nations, including the
[International Telecommunication Union], in international space communications.
Document I-14
Document title: Emanuel Celler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of
Representatives, et al., to the President, August 24, 1961.
Source: NASA Historical Reference Collection, History Office, NASA Headquarters,
Washington, D.C.
The form of ownership of an operational communications satellite system became a controversial issue