Science and technology contribute immeasurably to the lives of all
Americans. Our high standard of living is largely the product of the
technology that surrounds us in the home or factory. Our good health is due
in large part to our ever increasing scientific understanding. Our national
security is assured by the application pate science and technology will
bring.
The Federal government has a special role to play in science and
technology. Although the fruits of scientific achievements surround us, it
is often difficult to predict the benefits that will arise from a given
scientific venture. And these benefits, even if predictable, do not usually
lead to ownership rights. Accordingly, the Government has a special
obligation to support science as an investment in our future.
My Administration has sought to reverse a decade-long decline in funding.
Despite the need for fiscal restraint, real support of basic research has
grown nearly 11% during my term in office. And, my Administration has
sought to increase the support of long-term research in the variety of
mission agencies. In this way, we can harness the American genius for
innovation to meet the economic, energy, health, and security challenges
that confront our nation.
--International Relations and National Security. Science and technology
are becoming increasingly important elements of our national security and
foreign policies. This is especially so in the current age of sophisticated
defense systems and of growing dependence among all countries on modern
technology for all aspects of their economic strength. For these reasons,
scientific and technological considerations have been integral elements of
the Administration's decision-making on such national security and foreign
policy issues as the modernization of our strategic weaponry, arms control,
technology transfer, the growing bilateral relationship with China, and our
relations with the developing world.
Four themes have shaped U.S. policy in international scientific and
technological cooperation: pursuit of new international initiatives to
advance our own research and development objectives; development and
strengthening of scientific exchange to bridge politically ideological, and
cultural divisions between this country and other countries; formulation of
programs and institutional relations to help developing countries use
science and technology beneficially; and cooperation with other nations to
manage technologies with local impact. At my direction, my Science and
Technology Adviser has actively pursued international programs in support
of these four themes. We have given special attention to scientific and
technical relations with China, to new forms of scientific and technical
cooperation with Japan, to cooperation with Mexico, other Latin American
and Caribbean countries and several states in Black America, and to the
proposed Institute for Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
In particular our cooperation with developing countries reflects the
importance that each of them has placed on the relationship between
economic growth and scientific and technological capability. It also
reflects their view that the great strength of the U.S. in science and
technology makes close relations with the U.S. technical community an
especially productive means of enhancing this capability. Scientific and
technological assistance is a key linkage between the U.S. and the
developing world, a linkage that has been under-utilized in the past and
one which we must continue to work to strengthen.
--Space Policy. The Administration has established a framework for a
strong and evolving space program for the 1980's.
The Administration's space policy reaffirmed the separation of military
space systems and the open civil space program, and at the same time,
provided new guidance on technology transfer between the civil and military
programs. The civil space program centers on three basic tenets: First, our
space policy will reflect a balanced strategy of applications, science, and
technology development. Second, activities will be pursued when they can be
uniquely or more efficiently accomplished in space. Third, a premature
commitment to a high challenge, space-engineering initiative of the
complexity of Apollo is inappropriate. As the Shuttle development phases
down, however, there will be added flexibility to consider new space
applications, space science and new space exploration activities.
--Technology Development. The Shuttle dominates our technology development
effort and correctly so. It represents one of the most sophisticated
technological challenges ever undertaken, and as a result, has encountered
technical problems. Nonetheless, the first manned orbital flight is now
scheduled for March, 1981. I have been pleased to support strongly the
necessary funds for the Shuttle throughout my Administration.
--Space Applications. Since 1972, the U.S. has conducted experimental
civil remote sensing through Landsat satellites, thereby realizing many
successful applications. Recognizing this fact, I directed the
implementation of an operational civil land satellite remote sensing
system, with the operational management responsibility in Commerce's
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition, because ocean
observations from space can meet common civil and military data
requirements, a National Oceanic Satellite System has been proposed as a
major FY 1981 new start.
--Space Science Exploration. The goals of this Administration's policy in
space science have been to: (1) continue a vigorous program of planetary
exploration to understand the origin and evolution of the solar system; (2)
utilize the space telescope and free-flying satellites to usher in a new
era of astronomy; (3) develop a better understanding of the sun and its
interaction with the terrestrial environment; and (4) utilize the Shuttle
and Spacelab to conduct basic research that complements earth-based life
science investigations.