Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the United States Commercial Space Launch Policy

The President has approved a new National Space Policy Directive providing important guidance which will further encourage the growth of U.S. private sector space activities. This policy, developed by the Vice President and the National Space Council, is completely consistent with and provided the policy framework for the President's August 22, 1990, decision regarding participation by a U.S. firm in Australia's Cape York space launch project. The policy supplements the National Space Policy which the President approved on November 2, 1989.

The commercial space launch policy recognizes the many benefits which a commercial space launch industry provides to the United States. It balances launch industry needs with those of other industries and with important national security interests, and establishes the long term goal of a free and fair market in which U.S. industry can compete. The policy specifies a coordinated set of actions for the next 10 years aimed at achieving this goal.