NASA/OIG to be replaced by USAF

From: Ted Molczan (molczan@rogers.com)
Date: Fri Dec 19 2003 - 17:49:28 EST

  • Next message: Björn Gimle: "Malma obs 2003-12-19"

    The USAF's move to take over responsibility for the dissemination of orbital
    data from NASA/OIG, has become law. I have appended the text of the enabling
    legislation.
    
    I have heard that the USAF's system will be in place by 2004 May 1, delivered
    through a civilian sub-contractor. NASA/OIG would continue to operate as a
    backup, for about 6-12 months, but it is not clear whether or not it will remain
    accessible once the USAF's system begins operation.
    
    I believe that it is likely that the new service will greatly reduce access to
    data by the general public, but details have yet to emerge.
    
    I believe that hobbyist technology can be improved to enable us to track and
    maintain the orbits of a significant portion of payloads, rocket-bodies and
    large debris - if we choose to do so.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
    
    Excerpt from NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004:
    
    http://armedservices.house.gov/billsandreports/108thcongress/hr1588confreport.pd
    f
    
    SEC. 913. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF SPACE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK SERVICES TO
    NON-UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.
    
    (a) IN GENERAL.--Chapter 135 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by
    adding after section 2273, as added by section 912(a), the following new
    section:
    
    ‘‘§ 2274. Space surveillance network: pilot program for provision of satellite
    tracking support to entities outside United States Government
    
    ‘‘(a) PILOT PROGRAM.--The Secretary of Defense may carry out a pilot program to
    determine the feasibility and desirability of providing to non-United States
    Government entities space surveillance data support described in subsection (b).
    
    ‘‘(b) SPACE SURVEILLANCE DATA SUPPORT.--Under such a pilot program, the
    Secretary may provide to a non-United States Government entity, subject to an
    agreement described in subsection (d), the following:
    
    ‘‘(1) Satellite tracking services from assets owned or controlled by the
    Department of Defense, but only if the Secretary determines, in the case of any
    such agreement, that providing such services to that entity is in the national
    security interests of the United States.
    
    ‘‘(2) Space surveillance data and the analysis of space surveillance data, but
    only if the Secretary determines, in the case of any such agreement, that
    providing such data and analysis to that entity is in the national security
    interests of the United States.
    
    ‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.--Under the pilot program, the Secretary may provide
    space surveillance data support to non-United States Government entities
    including the following:
    
    ‘‘(1) State governments.
    ‘‘(2) Governments of political subdivisions of States.
    ‘‘(3) United States commercial entities.
    ‘‘(4) Governments of foreign countries.
    ‘‘(5) Foreign commercial entities.
    
    ‘‘(d) REQUIRED AGREEMENT.--The Secretary may not provide space surveillance data
    support to a non-United States Government entity under the pilot program unless
    that entity enters into an agreement with the Secretary under which the entity--
    
    ‘‘(1) agrees to pay an amount that may be charged by the Secretary under
    subsection (e); and
    
    ‘‘(2) agrees not to transfer any data or technical information received under
    the agreement, including the analysis of tracking data, to any other entity
    without the express approval of the Secretary.
    
    ‘‘(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION CONCERNING PROVISION OF INTELLIGENCE ASSETS OR
    DATA.--Nothing in this section shall be considered to authorize the provision of
    services or information concerning, or derived from, United States intelligence
    assets or data.
    
    ‘‘(f) CHARGES.--(1) As a condition of an agreement under subsection (d), the
    Secretary may (except as provided in paragraph (2)) require the non-United
    States Government entity entering into the agreement to pay to the Department of
    Defense such amounts as the Secretary determines to be necessary to reimburse
    the Department for the costs of the Department of providing space surveillance
    data support under the agreement.
    
    ‘‘(2) The Secretary may not require the government of a State or of a political
    subdivision of a State to pay any amount under paragraph (1).
    
    ‘‘(g) CREDITING OF FUNDS RECEIVED.--Funds received for the provision of space
    surveillance data support pursuant to an agreement under this section shall be
    credited to accounts of the Department of Defense that are current when the
    funds are received and that are available for the same purposes as the accounts
    originally charged to provide such support. Funds so credited shall merge with
    and become available for obligation for the same period as the accounts to which
    they are credited.
    
    ‘‘(h) PROCEDURES.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for the conduct of
    the pilot program. As part of those procedures, the Secretary may allow space
    surveillance data and analysis of space surveillance data to be provided through
    a contractor of the Department of Defense.
    
    ‘‘(i) DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM.--The pilot program under this section shall be
    conducted during the three-year period beginning on a date specified by the
    Secretary of Defense, which date shall be not later than 180 days after the date
    of the enactment of this section.’’.
    
    (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
    is amended by adding after the item relating to section 2273, as added by
    section 912(b), the following new item: ‘‘2274. Space surveillance network:
    pilot program for provision of satellite tracking support to entities outside
    United States Government.’’.
    
    
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