U.S. and Canada Sign Agreement on Civil Space Cooperation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Charles
Bolden and Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean signed a framework
agreement Wednesday for cooperative activities in the exploration and use of
outer space for peaceful purposes. Canadian Ambassador to the United States
Michael Wilson hosted the signing at the Canadian Embassy in Washington.

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"NASA is very proud of its long and outstanding relationship with Canada, one
that has been nurtured during the past four decades with increasing
collaboration in a wide range of space science and exploration activities,"
NASA's Bolden said. "As NASA continues to enhance the scientific observation
of our planet and the solar system, we are looking to Canada and our other
international partners to play key roles in our future exploration plans."

Commenting on the significance of the signing, MacLean said, "The United
States has been a critical partner for Canada ever since the launch of the
Alouette-1 satellite in 1962. From these early beginnings, we have worked
together to forge a space alliance that has become a catalyst, driving
generations of space expertise, innovation, science, and technological
excellence through our participation in space projects that continue to serve
the interests of both our nations."

The framework agreement is an important step in an evolving process toward a
coordinated and comprehensive approach to exploration and use of outer space.
It sets forth general terms and conditions that will be applied to future
cooperative projects and facilitates expanded cooperation between the U.S. and
Canada on a range of activities related to human space flight, exploration,
space science and Earth science.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA

Michael Braukus of NASA Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1979,
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov; or Canadian Space Agency, +1-450-926-4370,
www.asc-csa.gc.ca