(2008-0830-F) National Space Policy (PDD 49)

The materials in 2008-0830-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. On May 15, 1995, President Clinton issued Presidential Review Directive (PRD)/NSTC-2, ordering an interagency working group (IWG) to conduct a comprehensive review of national space policy in light of the domestic and international changes that came with the end of the Cold War. The PRD tasked the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Security Council (NSC) with cochairing this body. It also specified that the review include National Space Policy Directives (NSPD)1 through 7, all of which had been signed by President George H.W. Bush. At the conclusion of its work, the IWG presented Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 49 to the President. The PDD, which President Clinton signed on September 14, 1996, outlined a new space policy. It stated space programs goals emphasizing exploration, economic competition, and national security. The administration released an unclassified, detailed fact sheet on the new policy on September 19, 1996. This fact sheet emphasized that, “The United States is committed to the exploration and use of outer space by all nations for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humanity.” It also detailed specific guidelines for both the national security and commercial sectors. In the White House Staff and Office files, a majority of the documents related to this FOIA are located in National Security Council’s records. In the Defense Policy directorate, relevant material is located in the files of Steven Andreasen, Robert Bell, Betsy Pimentel, Edward Bolton, and James Seaton. The Records Management directorate also contains responsive documents. This records include memos and emails between NSC staff regarding the development of the new space policy and PDD, newspaper and magazine articles discussing space policy, several copies of the press release on the PDD and the unclassified fact sheet, copies of PRD-2, and unclassified versions of NSPD numbers 1 through 7. The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) Emails and the Tape Restoration Project (TRP) Emails contain memos and correspondence concerning space policy. Specifically, responsive emails include but are not limited to correspondence related the President’s remarks on National Space Policy on September 19, 1996. The NSC Cables, Emails, and Records Management System also contains relevant material. This consists of discussion and correspondence between NSC staff regarding the space policy review and PDD-49, as well as another copy of the press release. Many of the records related to this FOIA are closed for national security reasons.