ASPRS Policy

Open Skies for Data Acquisition and Access


Introduction

An Open Skies Policy for data acquisition and access is important to ASPRS, the remote sensing and geospatial information user community, the U.S. commercial satellite industry, and the Nation for several reasons. The U.S. is currently a leader in high-resolution image technology, but cannot maintain that position for long without continued investment. Restrictions on acquisition by U.S. firms enhance potentially competitive positions of foreign-based efforts, where no such restrictions are in place to hinder the implementation of new technology. Further, the specter of an ever-changing regulatory environment, with the attendant uncertainty of access to the marketplace, will restrict capital available to implement further technology improvements within the United States.

Policy Statement

ASPRS: The Imaging and Geospatial Information Society, supports the unrestricted acquisition and widest possible distribution of data and imagery from spaceborne platforms.

Background

It is critically important to acknowledge the United States leadership in defining, formulating and establishing the policy and practice of Open Skies, and the remote sensing principles and policies contained in the following documents:


Copyright © 1999 American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing
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(06 October 1999)