Soviet Space Planning

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS CON-

CERNING COOPERATION IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE

OF OUTER SPACE FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES

SOURCE: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Hearings, NASA Authzation for Fiscal Year 1979, 1978, pt. 3, p. 933-935.

The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

Considering the role which the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. play in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes;

Striving for a further expansion of cooperation between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes;

Noting the positive cooperation which the parties have already experienced in this area;

Desiring to make the results of scientific research gained from the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes available for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and of all peoples of the world;

Taking into consideration the provisions of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, as well as the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space;

Encouraged by the progress made in the course of mutually agreed activities pursued under the Agreement Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, signed May 24, 1972;

In accordance with the General Agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Contacts, Exchanges and Cooperation in Scientific, Technical, Educational, Cultural, and Other Fields, signed June 19, 1973, and in order to develop further the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1

The Parties will continue to develop cooperation in such fields of space science and applications as space meterology; study of the natural environment; exploration of near earth space, the moon and the planets; space biology and medicine; satellite search and rescue systems; and, in particular, will cooperate to take all appropriate measures to encourage and achieve the fulfillment of the

Summary of Results of Discussion on Space Cooperation Between the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. dated January 21, 1971, periodically renewed.

ARTICLE 2

The Parties will carry out such cooperation through their appropriate national agencies by means of mutual exchanges of scientific information and delegations, and meetings of scientists and specialists of both countries, and also in such other ways as may be mutually agreed. Joint Working Groups may be created for the development and implementation of appropriate programs of cooperation.

ARTICLE 3

The Parties will take all necessary measures for the further development of cooperation in the area of manned space flight for scientific and practical objectives, including the use in joint flights of compatible docking and rendezvous systems derived from those developed during the experimental flight of Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft in July 1975. Joint work in this direction will be carried out in accordance with the Agreement Between the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. on Cooperation in the Area of Manned Space Flight dated May 11, 1977.

ARTICLE 4

The Parties will encourage international efforts to resolve problems of international law in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes with the aim of strengthening the legal order in space and further developing international space law and will cooperate in this field.

ARTICLE 5

The Parties may by mutual agreement determine other areas of cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

ARTICLE 6

This Agreement shall enter into force May 24, 1977 and shall remain in force for five years. It may be modified or extended by mutual agreement of the Parties.

Done at Geneva this 18th day of May 1977 in duplicate in the English and Russian languages, both equally authentic.

For the United States of America

CYRUS R. VANCE.

For the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

A. GROMYKO.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE USSR ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION OF THE USA ON COOPERATION IN THE AREA OF MANNED SPACE FLIGHT

In accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes between the USSR and the USA, dated May 24, 1972, and taking into account the results of discussions held in Washington, October 19-22, 1976, between the delegation of the USSR Academy of Sciences, headed by the Chairman of the Intercosmos Council of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Academician B. N. Petrov, and the delegation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the USA, headed by the NASA Deputy Administrator, Dr. A. M. Lovelace, the Academy of Sciences and NASA agree to undertake the following steps for further development of cooperation between the USSR and USA in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

I. STUDY OF THE OBJECTIVES, FEASIBILITY AND MEANS OF ACCOM-

PLISHING JOINT EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHTS OF A LONG-DURATION STATION OF THE SALYUT-TYPE AND A REUSABLE "SHUTTLE" SPACECRAFT (SALYUT-SHUTTLE PROGRAM)

In view of the fact that the long orbital stay-time of the Salyut-type station and the capabilities of the Shuttle spacecraft commend their use for joint scientific and applied experiments and for further development of means for rendezvous and docking of spacecraft and stations of both nations, the two sides agree to establish two joint working groups (JWGs) of specialists, charging them with studying the objectives, feasibility and means of carrying out a joint experimental program using the Soyuz/Salyut and Shuttle spacecraft:

A JWG for basic and applied scientific experiments.

A JWG for Operations.

Within 30 days after the Agreement becomes effective, the sides will inform each other of the initial leaders and composition of these JWGs. The work of both Joint Working Groups should begin simultaneously. The composition of the JWGs can be changed or enlarged at any time as necessary. Appropriate subgroups can be formed.

In their studies, the JWGs should proceed on the assumption that the first flight would occur in 1981. The final date would be set in the course of the joint work.

FIRST PHASE OF THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS' ACTIVITY

The following preliminary project documents should be prepared within 6-12 months after the agreement comes into effect:

Preliminary proposals for scientific experirrents;

Preliminary technical proposals for carrying out the program;

Preliminary schedules for implementing the program.

SECOND PHASE OF THE JOINT WORKING GROUPS' ACTIVITY

The JWGs should prepare the following definitive documents within one year of joint work in the second phase:

A technical description of the joint program and its realization;

A scientific program for the joint flight;

A schedule for conducting the joint work;

An organizational basis for implementing the program;

A list of additional joint technical documentation which may be required.

The sides will make the final decision on implementing the program at the end of the second phase of the JWGs' activity.

The working period of the JWGs in the first and second phases of their activities can be shortened.

Each side will consider the accommodation on its spacecraft of payloads proposed by the other side for flight in the Shuttle-Salyut program. Such accommodations will be undertaken where both sides agree that the payloads concerned are of mutual value and interest.

II. CONSIDERATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING AN INTERNATIONAL SPACE PLATFORM IN THE FUTURE (INTERNATIONAL SPACE PLATFORM PROGRAM)

Both sides recognize that no commitments are made at this stage concerning the realization of any project for creating an international space platform.

The sides agree to establish a Joint Working Group of specialists for preliminary consideration of the feasibility of developing an International Space Platform on a bilateral or multilateral basis in the future.

The JWG will carry out its work on the basis of studies conducted by each side independently and also by the two sides jointly, proceeding from each of the following stages to the next as may be mutually agreed;

Define at the first stage the scientific and technical objectives which would warrant the use of such a space platform.

Consider possible configurations appropriate to the objectives identified.

Formulate proposals on the feasibility and character of further joint work which may be desirable in this field.

At the first stage of its activity, the group will work in close coordination and contact with the JWGs set up to consider ways to realize the Salyut-Shuttle program. The sides will appoint the initial leaders and members of the JWG for this program within two months after the agreement goes into effect. This JWG should formulate preliminary proposals on possible scientific-technical objectives which could be achieved by an international station one year after beginning its work.

This agreement comes into force at the moment it is signed by both sides.

For the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences

A. P. ALEKSANDROV.

For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the U.S.A.

A. M. LOVELACE.

References:

A. SOVIET SPACE PROGRAMS: 1976-80, SUPPORTING VEHICLES AND LAUNCH VEHICLES, POLITICAL GOALS AND PURPOSES, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN SPACE, ADMINISTRATION, RE-SOURCE BURDEN, FUTURE OUTLOOK PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF HON. BOB PACKWOOD, Chairman, COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION, UNITED STATES SENATE, Part 1, Dec. 1982.