Cooperation in Space Research

In recent years, national space agencies have been established in countries throughout the world, and there has been a steady increase in the number of enterprises involving international collaboration in conducting experimental research programs in the upper atmosphere and outer space. The United States has participated directly in most of these programs in keeping with the intent of the basic legislation under which the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was created—namely, that the aeronautical and space activities of the United States “shall be conducted so as to contribute materially” to cooperation with other nations and groups of nations in the peaceful application of space research. In addition to participating fully in the work of COSPAR, the interunion Committee on Space Research of the International Council of Scientific Unions, the United States has cooperated with the United Nations and its specialized agencies and has endorsed bilateral arrangements between NASA and counterpart agencies in other countries.