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78 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION 



Astronomical Observatory. However, there would be a data gap of a 

 number of years before the next mission in x-ray astronomy, were it not 

 for the existence of a German project called Roctitgcusatcllit (ROSAT). 

 The United States and Germany in 1982 signed a Memorandum of 

 Understanding for close collaboration in this mission, thus ensuring 

 continuity in the field for U.S. as well as European scientists.-* 



There is a growing need for the United States, Europe. Japan, 

 Canada, and perhaps eventually the Soviet Union and other space- 

 capable states to work together in space science, from the early stages of 

 developing a mission concept to the joint funding and conduct of 

 various missions. Because of its dominant position in free-world space 

 activities, the United States in the past has been largely able to shape 

 such collaboration to its own objectives. This situation no longer ob- 

 tains, and there could be a difficult period of adjustment for this country 

 as the new reality of partnership among relative equals becomes the 

 standard pattern. It may prove advantageous for NASA to engage the 

 U.S. scientific community more intimately in developing its interna- 

 tional programs; this could minimize international misunderstandings 

 and perhaps blunt nonproductive and expensive competition. In space 

 science, as in many other areas, the United States is adjusting to the 

 recognition that it cannot be first in everything. 



Involvement of Non-NASA Scientists in 

 Shaping International Cooperation 



"At present, ideas for joint international endeavors are primarily de- 

 veloped at formal meetings between representatives of the various gov- 

 ernments. . . . There is a need for a more effective forum which would 

 enable space scientists and managers to exchange ideas informally."'^' 

 While NASA plans its science programs in close consultation with the 

 external science community, including the Space Science Board (SSB) 

 of the National Academy of Sciences, there is little tradition ot SSB 

 involvement in international space science matters. The National 

 Academy of Sciences is the U.S. member in COSPAR, but that forum 

 has little apparent influence on national space programs. Of course, in- 

 formal interaction among space scientists in various countries interested 

 in similar scientific problems is a major source of project proposals both 

 in the United States and within Europe. 



The nearest European equivalent to the SSB is the Space Science 

 Committee (SSC) of the European Science Foundation. This committee 

 has a small budget and has not developed close ties with the ESA. 

 Nevertheless, the SSB and SSC have held joint workshops in 1976, 



