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This document, reprinted here for reference only, can be found as part of NASA's Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library.

NASA Policy Directive
NPD 1387.2F: Use, Control, and Loan of Lunar Samples for Public and Educational Purposes

Effective Date: February 29, 2000
Expiration Date: February 28, 2005

Responsible Office: PO / Public Services Division

1. POLICY

Lunar samples are a unique and limited national resource requiring careful allocation, coordination, and management control to produce maximum scientific and technological benefits and to ensure public viewing access for worldwide audiences. It is, therefore, NASA policy to:

  1. Provide opportunities for as many people as possible, both in the United States and in foreign countries, to view and study lunar samples--a unique and limited national resource--in attractive and educational settings.
  2. Allocate specimens of lunar samples for display that are as large, as attractive, and as scientifically interesting as possible, to ensure maximum viewer interest and to enhance the quality of associated display materials.
  3. Approve the allocation of lunar samples for display or for educational purposes, if such an allocation would not impair the overall scientific value of the lunar samples collection or would not require the use of unique or otherwise irreplaceable specimens.
  4. Loan lunar samples for both short and long periods of time; however, the number of lunar samples made available for long-term displays will be limited, and only a relatively small number of such displays will be approved.
  5. Evaluate long-term display requests to include factors such as: the nature and purpose of the host institution; number of visitors; location and geographic distribution of similar displays; use of the lunar samples in substantive educational displays on astronomy, Earth and planetary science, space science, or some related educational theme; resources available for the display and security of the specimen; and detailed plans of the display in which the specimen is to be included.
  6. Not consider requests for loans of lunar samples originating from individuals acting on their own behalf.
  7. Retain, as property of NASA, all lunar samples allocated for public display purposes. They will not be committed for display on a permanent basis. Upon notification at any time by NASA, specimens loaned for display will be returned to NASA, or may be replaced by NASA with equivalent sample loans.
  8. Require that when lunar samples allocated for public display have exhausted the loan period(s), they will be returned to the custody of the Johnson Space Center (JSC).
2. APPLICABILITY
  1. This NPD is applicable to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities.
  2. For purposes of this directive, the following definitions apply:
    1. Lunar samples are natural materials (e.g., rocks, soil, glasses) returned from the moon, either in their original condition or as modified by subsequent physical or chemical treatment.
    2. Short-term display is a temporary display of lunar samples for a specific activity. Such display periods normally range from a few days to several weeks, not to exceed 1 year.
    3. Long-term display is a fixed display of lunar samples established in one location for a specified period in excess of 1 year.
    4. Educational purposes include the use of lunar samples in teaching activities carried on by educational institutions as part of their formal educational programs.
3. AUTHORITY

42 U.S.C. 2473 (a) (3) and 2473 (c) (1), Sections 203 (a) (3) and 203 (c) (1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended.

 4. REFERENCES

  1. NPD 1050.1, Authority to Enter into Space Act Agreements
  2. NPG 1050.1, Space Act Agreements
  3. NPD 1387.1E, "NASA Exhibits Program."
  4. NPG 1387.1, "NASA Exhibits Program."
  5. NPD 1387, "Control of Lunar Materials."
5. RESPONSIBILITY
  1. The Associate Administrator for Public Affairs or a designee will establish policy and procedures to maintain programs for the display of lunar materials. These procedures will provide general guidelines to the Public Affairs Office at JSC which is responsible for the management and operation of the display programs.
  2. The Director, Public Services Division, Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, is responsible for:
    1. Forwarding all requests for long-term lunar sample displays to the Office of Public Affairs, JSC, for evaluation. All foreign requests will, in parallel, be forwarded to the Office of External Relations, NASA Headquarters.
    2. Periodically reviewing and evaluating JSC's overall conduct of lunar samples displays.
  3. The Director, Education Division, Office of Human Resources and Education, NASA Headquarters, is responsible for:
    1. Administering and maintaining the lunar sample educational disk program through the Education Offices at the NASA Centers.
    2. Prescribing general policy and procedures for the overall conduct of the lunar sample educational disk program. These procedures will provide general guidelines to all NASA Center Education Offices, which will be responsible for independently administering all requests for lunar sample disks within their respective service regions.
    3. Periodically reviewing and evaluating NASA's overall conduct of the lunar sample educational disk program.
  4. The Center Director, JSC, through the Public Affairs Office, JSC, is responsible for:
    1. Conducting the overall, Agencywide lunar samples display program; maintaining control and accountability for all lunar materials allocated; administering all requests for lunar samples; providing appropriate lunar samples for approved displays, both domestic and foreign.
    2. Negotiating a "Lunar Sample Display Agreement," including all the prescribed security and handling procedures, with all approved exhibitors of lunar samples and reporting immediately by telephone any missing lunar samples or theft of lunar samples to the local Office of Inspector General; the Director, Public Services Division, Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters; and the Office of Public Affairs, JSC. The negotiation of "Lunar Sample Display Agreements" with foreign entities will only occur after the review and approval of the Office of External Relations, NASA Headquarters.
    3. Approving or disapproving, after review by the Office of Public Affairs, JSC, all proposed plans for long-term public display of lunar samples, both domestic and foreign.
    4. Coordinating with the Associate Administrator for Legislative Affairs, and the Director, Public Services Division, NASA Headquarters, as appropriate, when responding to all requests and proposals for display of lunar samples received from Congress.
    5. Obtaining the review and approval of the Associate Administrator for External Relations before responding to any requests and proposals for display of U.S. lunar samples in foreign countries.
    6. Advising the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs through the Director, Public Services Division, Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, of any significant problems or other matters of substance related to the program for display and educational use of lunar samples.
    7. Providing the Director, Public Services Division, Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, with an annual report (date, location, exhibitor, and attendance) for public displays of all lunar samples, except those distributed through the lunar sample educational disk program.
    8. Providing a report of all lunar sample loans made to non-Federal organizations to the JSC Property Disposal Officer.
  5. Each Center Director, through the respective Public Affairs Office, is responsible for fulfilling domestic requests for public display of lunar samples and exhibit of lunar samples in their custody only when such requests are approved by JSC.
6. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

None.

 7. MEASUREMENTS

  1. The JSC Public Affairs Office will obtain information and measure the performance of the lunar sample for public display loan program and provide annual statistics to the Director, Public Services Division, Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters.
  2. The annual submission will include any steps taken to improve the loan process and services based on the metrics.
  3. Periodic assessments will be conducted at NASA Headquarters to determine if additional data collection is required. If so, new requirements would be discussed and mutually agreed upon by both Headquarters and the JSC Public Affairs Office prior to implementation.
8. CANCELLATION

NMI 1387.2E, dated July 30, 1993.


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