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development of astronomy from the classical era of small science to 

 its emergence as big science in the past two decades. The Hubble 

 Space Telescope now exceeds $1 billion in cost, and concepts for the 

 next generation at the turn of the century will be even more ex- 

 pensive. Such world-class instruments are certainly candidates for 

 development and operation by international consortia. 



The pattern of cooperation in geophysics was set by the Interna- 

 tional Geophysical Year a little more than 25 years ago. It was a 

 remarkably successful demonstration of international cooperation. 

 Since the IGY there have been a number of international programs 

 on a scale of hundreds of millions of dollars that were smoothly 

 managed, evenly balanced in national contributions, and far more 

 scientifically productive than would have been possible without 

 joint planning and cooperation. 



International cooperation in big science can take a variety of 

 styles. In space and geophysics, it has most frequently taken the 

 form of individually mounted national efforts coordinated in a uni- 

 fied observing program. The international magnetospheric study, 

 for example, drew on an investment of hundreds of millions of dol- 

 lars already committed to national programs, and brought them 

 into a coordinated plan of operation that greatly multiplied the sci- 

 entific returns for all participants. 



As the IMS ran through its paces, the United States and Europe- 

 an Community began to plan the International Solar Polar Mis- 

 sion, called ISPM, and the International Solar Terrestrial Physics 

 Program, ISTP. Planning proceeded smoothly toward the dual 

 spacecraft concept of the ISPM when the United States withdrew 

 from completing its spacecraft. Europe had already spent about 

 $100 million and protested vigorously. The United States retained 

 its launch commitment, but our image as a reliable space partner 

 suffered great damage. 



After the shocking experience of the ISTM had calmed down, the 

 Europeans, Japanese, and American communities were able to 

 tackle the design of the ISTP Program. The principal plan compo- 

 nents of the program include three NASA, one Japanese, two ESA, 

 and possibly nine Soviet spacecraft. On April 1, 1985, the Japanese 

 Government committed to a $70 million budget for the start of its 

 satellite for the ISTP Program. ESA is ready to proceed with two 

 missions, at a budget of $400 million for spacecraft and launch, 

 plus $150 million for instrumentation. 



The estimated cost of the three NASA missions is now $639 mil- 

 lion. Details of the Soviet plan are not firm, but they have identi- 

 fied five high-altitude polar-orbiting missions and two satellites in 

 highly elliptical orbit. 



Because of the logjam of new starts in NASA, the ISTP Program 

 is still not a new start. Suspicion is growing abroad that we will 

 again default on our promises. Our credibility as international 

 partners will diminish seriously if we do not show more positive 

 evidence of commitment. 



Last year, in testimony before the House Committee on Science 

 and Technology, the theme of a long-range geosphere-biosphere 

 program was put forward. An important element of the rationale 

 was the need to recognize the long-term monitoring requirements 

 for understanding of geosphere-biosphere phenomena. 



