space is becoming a place to work.” The utilization of the space environment and the growing consciousness of this new dimension for utilitarian, economic, and social ends have had profound consequences for all of humanity, and we have as yet barely begun to transform space from a scientific curiosity into practical human endeavors. Since 1965, when satellites first emerged from the experimental stage into routine use as a practical and valuable tool in the field of communications, we have seen the remarkable growth of satellite communications systems encircling the globe. Successful use of communications satellites has been demonstrated for voice, video, and electronic data transmission. Peace missions, the printing of newspapers, teaching people of all ages in remote villages, teleconferences, diagnosis of illness and the prescribing of medical treatment, the broadcast of Olympic games, and the provision of emergency rescue and disaster relief services have already been accomplished successfully via communications satellite and have already affected the lives of the Earth's peoples. At present, at least two international and five regional satellite communications systems are in operation, as are a multitude of satellite systems for specialized purposes, such as aeronautical and maritime navigation and communications, broadcast, data relay, and meteorology. One of the greatest success stories in international cooperation is the INTELSAT agreement which was signed in 1964, under which 11 nations entered into a unique partnership to provide global communications services via satellites. INTELSAT is a triumphant display of the use of space and communications technology for multilateral benefit, serving an operational need of all the world economically, effectively, and efficiently. Not the least of its attractive features is that it is a successful and profitable business enterprise reaping financial rewards for all of its participants. (Net investment in INTELSAT is currently $400 million, with revenues in 1978 of about $180 million, paying a return of 14% per year on investments to its owners.) Still more remarkable is the example INTELSAT sets for future international endeavors in space of 102 nations working together purposefully and peacefully for their common benefit. Through advances in technology, the present generation of INTELSAT V satellites has 100 times the capacity of the first INTELSAT satellites, and substantially increased lifetime. The cost of placing into orbit a communications capability equivalent to one telephone circuit for 1 year has decreased from about $30,000 to $3000 over the past 10 years. Simultaneously, rapid advances in the development of microelectronic circuitry have reduced the cost and size of ground stations which transmit and receive signals to and from the communications satellites. Besides the proven advantages of space for communications purposes, outer space has unique advantages for observation. Weather satellites have already been of inestimable economic value in the developed countries; once adequate capabilities for communication of weather information to villages have been implemented, they will provide early warning of typhoons to low-lying areas throughout developing countries as well as allow farmers to plant crops at the best time in relation to the onset of the monsoon rains, with major benefit to the human condition at minimal cost. A strong case can be made that the avoidance so far of nuclear war over the last 30 years or more has depended heavily on the availability to the major nuclear powers of precise information indicating the lack of preparation by potential opponents for such a war. Military surveillance and reconnaissance satellites have made major contributions toward providing such information. Neither the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibiting the testing of nuclear explosive devices in the waters of the
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