Evolution of National Space-based PNT Policy: Lessons Learned

1. Meeting of the National Space-based PNT Advisory Board November 5-6, 2009 Evolution of National Space-based PNT Policy: Lessons Learned Michael E. Shaw Former Director, National Coordination Office for Space-based PNT

2. Evolutionary Stages of National Policy Development • Pre-1996 • No focused/well defined national policy on GPS or space-based PNT • 1996 - 2004 • First National Policy on GPS in March 1996 • Post 2004 • Released National Policy on Space-based PNT in Dec 2004

3. Pre-1996:Limited National Policy on GPS • Achieved GPS operational capability in mid 1990s for effort initiated in 1970s • Russian GLONASS also achieved operational capability in 1995 but quickly declined; perceived as primarily military • GPS effort was DoD/AF focused with growing interest by civil Departments, particularly FAA in early 1990s • Issues/concerns • No “rules of the road” for how the various Departments and Agencies should interact or relate to each other regarding GPS • Confrontation regarding the fielding of the FAA’s WAAS • Use of Selective Ability (SA) • Limited representation of civil equities in DoD/AF decision processes (e.g. the requirements process, etc)

4. 1996 – 2004:First National GPS Policy • Released March 1996 • Goal: Overall to enhance economic competiveness/productivity; protect national security & foreign policy interests (6 specific goals) • Acknowledged growing military, civil, commercial, scientific demand • Established Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB) • DoD/DOT led; Assistant Secretary level forum • Committed to discontinue use of Selective Availability • Issues/Concerns • Limited ability by IGEB to influence Depts decision making • No clearly articulated [or understanding of] Departmental roles/responsibilities • No civil funding equity in the DoD/AF GPS program execution • Result - limited influence on DoD/AF decision making • Emerging independent international interest/efforts • Initially European and then others • Compatibility and interoperability between systems

5. Post 2004:National Space-based PNT Policy • Policy released in December 2004 • Comprehensive prescriptive national policy • 10+ narrative pages; some argued at the time as too prescriptive • Established National Executive Board (Dep Sec’s), National Coordination Office (SES Director/member staffs), and Federal Advisory Board (to include international members) • Defined civil funding contribution to DoD/AF GPS program • Recognized existence of other international space-based PNT (GNSS) • Introduced concepts of compatibility and interoperability • Issues/concerns • Timely execution of civil funding contributions ($43.4 M in FY2010) • Space-based PNT versus all PNT (space and ground) versus Global Positioning and Timing Service (GPtS) • International efforts continue to proliferate and mature (e.g. China, etc) • Compatibility, interoperability, and now potential saturation • Maintain stability of GPS/PNT policy, requirements, funding, leadership • Engage senior leadership, ensure transparency, avoid isolationism • Space policy review currently in progress

6. Discussion