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mineral exploration activities should not directly influence the scope of ERIS, even though it is recognized that the mineral exploration industry is the largest industrial user of Landsat data. Rather than defining the focus of ERIS in terms of a particular technology, we believe the focus should be on satisfaction of actual user requirements. Thus, within the limits of available technology, user requirements should determine what technology is used instead of the choice of Landsat technology determining what user

requirements will be served. Planning for an operational

ERIS should, therefore, give due consideration to the incorporation of sensor technology which satisfies the widest possible body of users.

We agree with the conclusion that establishment of an ERIS should proceed as a U. S. national initiative at this time. We believe that a strong U. S. leadership role in the establishment of an operational earth resources system will best ensure that U. S. requirements are met and that U. S. interests are protected. We also agree that efforts should be expended to provide for appropriate utilization of ERIS by other countries. However, the establishment of an extensive system of foreign earth stations having direct access to the ERIS space segment

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does not appear necessary since use of the considerable transmission capabilities of the existing international communications satellite system (INTELSAT) might prove to be a far more economical means for many countries to obtain data.

What is the physical configuration of ERIS?

The discussion of the most desirable physical

configuration of an ERIS is based on the existing and planned experimental Landsat systems. Their configuration was dictated by experimental missions and by overall NASA operational objectives involving the TDRSS system. These same considerations may no longer be valid when planning an operational ERIS.

We already have mentioned that remote sensing technologies different from Landsat are available which may be more appropriate for certain uses. Further, use of the TDRSS communications link might preclude private sector involvement because that system capability is leased entirely to NASA. The procurement of additional TDRSS satellites to provide the data link for ERIS would substantially increase the costs of ERIS. Other more cost-effective measures for data relay should be considered, such as the use of foreign earth stations and the INTELSAT system to receive and relay data.

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In our view, the physical configuration of ERIS should be determined by user requirements for data services and products. The system should be designed to be costeffective relative to the demands for the data. Most of all, ERIS should be configured to provide simple products and services which can be readily used in daily operations with a minimum amount of specialized knowledge or specialized equipment. One of the principal reasons that Landsat data is not widely used today in operational applications is that the data requires rather sophisticated equipment and skills in order to render it useful. This major deficiency in the present experimental programs is, in our view, not sufficiently recognized. Thus, we believe an ERIS physical configuration should be such as to minimize the amount of manipulation required to render the data simply and easily used. This could require additional sophistication in the space segment, which is feasible using state of the art technology, but should enable end users to apply the data more easily to their needs in a timely manner.

What is the present status of ERIS and should it be
Implemented now?

We believe there is a need for an ERIS and that the technology is available to implement an operational

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ERIS which is responsive to user requirements.

However, while we believe Landsat technology alone does not form a sufficient base for an operational ERIS which would satisfy the actual needs of the user community, other complementary technology is available for operational implementation which should contribute to the satisfaction of users' needs. Thus, we believe an operational ERIS could be implemented in the near future which satisfies actual needs. Further, in our view, such a system could be made self-supporting in a reasonable time if the system is tailored to satisfy those .needs. We believe the private sector can make a substantial contribution to this effort.

The major inhibiting factor in the establishment of an operational ERIS is the undeveloped and unaggregated market for earth resources data products and services. In our view, the undeveloped state of the market results from the following factors: (1) the lack of confidence in the user community that data will continue to be available in the future; (2) the incorporation of sensor technology in present and planned systems which does not fully satisfy the varied requirements of the user community; and (3) the absence of data product and service offerings which satisfy the specific data requirements of the user community in a timely manner.

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Given the present state of the market for earth

resources information services, substantial efforts and resources will have to be devoted in order to bring the market to its full potential. We believe it is of critical importance to involve the private sector in an operational ERIS in a manner which extends beyond the mere provision to the Government of equipment and services to be used by the Government in the establishment and operation of the system. The private sector has extensive experience and capabilities in the assessment of user requirements, the tailoring of services to meet varied user requirements, the marketing of services and the development of new services. The full application of this experience and capability is important with respect to the development and operation of both the space and ground segments. In the case of the space segment,

such factors must be fully taken into account in order to best determine the types of sensors to fly, as well as satellite system design. In the case of the ground segment, such factors also should be taken into account in developing receiving stations, data management and processing systems and data distribution systems.

In addition to the private sector's extensive experience and capabilities in the assessment of user requirements and the marketing, tailoring and development of services, we believe there is one further major reason to more fully