DEVELOPMENT OF A GLOBAL EDOS - POLITICAL SUPPORT AND CONSTRAINTS

The development of a global environmental and disaster satellite obser vation system (EDOS) has recently received attention, particularly as a potential cooperative project with the USA and Japan as the initiato rs. Such a system, proponents contend, would provide valuable and pote ntially lifesaving information to developed and particularly developin g countries which might not otherwise have such information available, as well as provide a vehicle to strengthen ties between the USA and J apan at a time when strife over trade issues is too often emphasized. The initiation of such a project, however, has not been without diffic ulty. Beyond the technical issues, there has been hesitation and scept icism on the part of some national space players concerning the projec t, often motivated by parochial political concerns rather than concept ual or technical issues. The focus of this article is an examination o f those political factors which have acted as impetus and barriers for the initiative, using interviews with programme participants, direct author observation at related meetings and internal documents and corr espondence.