european space agency
agence spatiale européenne
D/Sci/RMB/GC/val
Paris, 12 October 1994
Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.
Associate Administrator for Space Science – Code SS
NASA Headquarters
Washington DC, 20546 0001 USA
Dear Dr. Huntress,
Thank you for your prompt letter regarding the launch of SOHO. No doubt, the decision we took is the most rational one, and offers the best guarantees of success. The Project will comply with your request to inform the SOHO international team about the new date and explain the rationale behind it.
On another topic, as you may remember, during our meeting in Austria you promised to write me officially concerning Ulysses extension beyond 1995. I would myself be very happy with what you said, however, on 7-8 November 1994 we will have our next Science Programme Committee meeting and the SPC would like to be informed about the NASA position regarding the Ulysses mission extension. An official statement from you would help unblocking the funds for the extension.
I want to take this occasion to tell you how pleased I am that you could attend the Survey Committee meeting in Rome. I assume that Carl Pilcher told you how the meeting was concluded, much to the satisfaction of all participants. I also believe that you received the Information Note we prepared for the press after the meeting.
I should add that I am very happy that you appointed Carl to observer on behalf of NASA. He attended the whole meeting and gave a much appreciated personal contribution. I am sure that in his new capacity of Executive Secretary to IACG Carl will be able to bring new life to the Group in this very important year 1995.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. R. M. Bonnet
Director of Scientific Programme
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001
Reply to Attn of: SS
NOV 3 1994
Dr. R. M. Bonnet
Director of Scientific Programs
European Space Agency
8-10 rue Mario-Nikis 75738 Paris Cedex 15
FRANCE
Dear Dr. Bonnet:
Thank you for your letter of October 12, 1994, requesting information about the NASA position regarding the Ulysses mission extension.
I am very pleased to report that barring any unforeseen circumstances that we will be able to continue the Ulysses mission through another set of polar passes. This extension offers the unique opportunity to observe the high-latitude behavior of the sun at solar maximum and to dramatically improve the database of gamma-ray burst locations. NASA intends to continue operating all missions that will continue to return new science, as long as we can do so while allowing a stimulating program of new missions and keeping within the budget constraints presented to us by the Administration and Congress. Since our budget is approved on an annual basis, we cannot make any guarantees. However, the Ulysses Maximum Mission is very high on our list of priorities, and the prospects look excellent for realizing its extension, provided NASA can maintain a healthy space science budget.
I congratulate you on the celebration activities and press coverage arranged by ESA during the Ulysses south polar pass in mid-September 1994. We need to continue building public support for our space science missions, and I expect NASA to take advantage of the north polar pass in September 1995 to reach out again to the public.
Sincerely,
Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.
Associate Administrator for Space Science
european space agency
agence spatiale européenne
Jean-Marie Luton
Director General
DELEGATION OF POWERS
I, Director General of the European Space Agency, legal representative, hereby delegate to Mr. R.M. Bonnet, Director of the the Scientific Programme, the full powers to sign, on behalf of the European Space Agency, the exchange of letters concerning the extension of the Ulysses mission.
Paris, 30 March 1995
J.M. Luton
european space agency
agence spatiale européenne
JUR/302/WMT/MJ/2847
Paris, 31 MARS 1995
Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.
Associate Administrator for Space Science - Code S
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546 USA
Dear Dr. Huntress,
Further to our correspondence on the possible extension of our cooperation in the Ulysses mission, I am pleased to propose that, in accordance with Article 20 of the Memorandum of Understanding between NASA and ESA on the International Solar/Polar mission, signed on 29 March 1979, this Memorandum be extended for a duration of one solar orbit, i.e. six years and three months.
If you agree with this proposal, I suggest that this letter, together with your positive reply, constitute an amendment to the above-mentioned Memorandum of Understanding.
The amendment will enter into force on the date of your positive reply.
Yours sincerely,
R. Bonnet
Director of the Scientific Programme
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Office of the Administrator Washington, DC 20546-0001
MAR 21 1996
TO: I/Associate Administrator for External Relations
FROM: A/Administrator
SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority to Extend Memorandum of Understanding Governing Ulysses Mission
I hereby authorize you to act on my behalf in responding to the request of the Associate Administrator for Space Science to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in 1979 by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), governing the Ulysses mission. I understand that the Associate Administrator for Space Science plans to proceed with up to six successive yearly extensions of the Ulysses MOU.
Daniel S. Goldin
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001
Reply to Attn of: IRD
APR 11 1996
Dr. Roger Bonnet
Director of the Scientific Programme.
European Space Agency
8-10 rue Mario-Nikis 75738 Paris Cedex 15
FRANCE
Dear Dr. Bonnet:
In response to your March 31, 1995, letter to Dr. Huntress on behalf of Mr. Luton, I am pleased to extend the NASA-ESA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Ulysses.
However, NASA plans to proceed by the conclusion of six successive yearly renewals, governed by Articles 13 and 20 of the NASA-ESA MOU for Ulysses. If either side has the intention of terminating the MOU, it will endeavor to notify the other at least six months before the following yearly renewal.
I propose that this letter, along with the MOU signed in 1979, your letter of March 31, 1995, and your affirmative reply to this letter, constitute our agreement to extend the Ulysses mission.
I look forward to continued cooperation between our two agencies.
Sincerely,
John D. Schumacher
Associate Administrator for External Relations
european space agency
agence spatiale européenne
JUR/231/AMB/ab/2385
Paris, 17 April 1996
Mr. John D. Schumacher
Associate Administrator for External Relations IRD
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
U.S.A.
Subject: NASA-ESA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Ulysses
Dear Mr. Schumacher,
In response to your letter of 11 April 1996, I am pleased to inform you that, the Council of the European Space Agency having approved the extension of the Ulysses mission in the light of continuing our fruitful cooperation, the NASA-ESA Memorandum of Understanding for Ulysses is extended.
This letter, along with the MOU signed in 1979, our letter of 31 March 1995 and your letter of 11 April 1996, constitute our agreement to extend the Ulysses mission.
Yours sincerely,
R. Bonnet
Director of the Scientific Programme
8-10 rue Mario-Nikis 75738 Paris Cedex 15 - & phone; (33.1) 53 69 76 54
Télécopieur (33.1) 53 69 75 60 - Télex ESA 202746 - Télégr. Spaceurop Paris