| Publication |
2010.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Natural and environmental resources, ranging from supplies of fossil fuels to agricultural productivity, have long been recognized as part of the natural wealth of nations. Earth observations from the vantage point of space provide a unique means of understanding, measuring, and monitoring these resources both domestically and globally. This article argues that design of a national space strategy includes recognition of this role of Earth observations, and accords them priority commensurate with the value of the resources they observe. Recognizing the overlap between a national space strategy and a national security strategy, the article notes examples of the complementarities between Earth observations data from civilian and national security observing systems. The limited public transparency of data from national security sources hinders their usefulness in informing many policy decisions, however. The article also considers whether international cooperation in Earth observations, as in other national space activities, is warranted or workable in a national space strategy.
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