INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION, 1959-79 445 



In the annual National Science Foundation authorization bill, 

 the committee authorized funds for carrying out the U.S. Antarctic 

 program. The committee applauded the NSI' decision to fund Antarctic 

 research in 1979 at 22 percent above the level for 1978, with emphasis 

 on marine ecosvstems. On July 13, 1979, the House approved the NSF 

 conference report which included $55 million for the Antarctic area. 



Also, the Brown subcommittee had two days of oversight hearings 

 in May 1979 on the U.S. Antarctic program. Harkin presided over the 

 sessions, which reviewed recent progress in Antarctic research. 



INTERNATIONAL SPACE ACTIVITIES 



In November 1978, the Subcommittee on Space Science and Ap- 

 plications published a report on "International Space Activities" 

 which was based on hearings and a panel discussion in May and June 

 1978. In opening the hearings, Subcommittee Chairman Fuqua stated: 



The subcommittee will review the opportunities for international cooperation 

 in space as well as the economic and technological implications inherent in such 

 cooperation. 



The leadoff witnesses included Ambassador Peter Jankowitsch, per- 

 manent representative of Austria to the United Nations and Chairman 

 of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; 

 and Prof. Hubert Curien, representing the French Government. Other 

 witnesses from Japan, Germany, Great Britain, and the European 

 Space Agency were supplemented by testimony from NASA Adminis- 

 trator Frosch and the Department of State. In his opening statement, 

 Fuqua also commended the study of "Worldwide Space Activities," 

 prepared by the Congressional Research Service for publication by the 

 Science Committee. 



Out of 42 issues identified during the hearings and panel discus- 

 sion, 8 were selected for more detailed consideration. The final report 

 made some of the following recommendations: 



— That the 1967 Outer Space Treaty be expanded to forbid any 

 nation from claiming sovereignty over the geostationary orbit. 

 — That multipurpose space platforms be encouraged. 

 — That an equitable pricing policy be developed for communica- 

 tions, Earth observations and launch services. 

 -That a number of measures be taken to reduce the cost of inter- 

 national space activities. 

 — That more long-range cooperation of a multiyear nature be 

 developed for cooperation in space sciences. 



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