| Abstract: | The development of a global environmental and disaster satellite observation system (EDOS) has recently received attention, particularly as a potential cooperative project with the USA and Japan as the initiators. Such a system, proponents contend, would provide valuable and potentially lifesaving information to developed and particularly developing countries which might not otherwise have such information available, as well as provide a vehicle to strengthen ties between the USA and Japan at a time when strife over trade issues is too often emphasized. The initiation of such a project, however, has not been without difficulty. Beyond the technical issues, there has been hesitation and scepticism on the part of some national space players concerning the project, often motivated by parochial political concerns rather than conceptual or technical issues. The focus of this article is an examination of 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 correspondence. |
