FYI,

"NASA, 13 Space Agencies Release Exploration Strategy Framework"
NASA Press Release
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/may/HQ_07126_Exploration_Framewor
k.html

: NASA and 13 space agencies from around the world are releasing the
: latest product of their Global Exploration Strategy discussions.
: The document, "The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for
: Coordination," reflects a shared vision of space exploration
: focused on solar system destinations where humans may someday live
: and work.

: The framework document allows for the establishment of a voluntary,
: non-binding mechanism by which space agencies can exchange
: information on their respective space exploration plans. This
: coordination mechanism will play a key role in helping to identify
: gaps, overlaps and synergies in the space exploration plans of
: participating agencies.

: The framework document is an important step in an evolving process
: toward a comprehensive global approach to space exploration.
: Although the document is non-binding, its contents are consistent
: with ongoing bilateral and multilateral discussions that NASA
: intends to lead to cooperative agreements for specific projects. In
: addition to NASA, representatives from agencies in Australia,
: Canada, China, the European Space Agency, France, Germany, Great
: Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea and
: Ukraine participated in the Global Exploration Strategy
: discussions. Many participants are meeting this week in Spineto,
: Italy, to discuss the development of the coordination mechanism and
: other issues.

: The framework document is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/178109main_ges_framework.pdf

Mark Reiff