In May of 1998, the International Space Station Public Affairs Working Group asked for a presentation on NASA's Graphic Markings Policy (NPD 8610.6D) Graphic Markings on Space Transportation Vehicles, U.S. Components of the International Space Station Component Systems and Payloads. The ISS PAO Working Group members subsequently requested a draft of International Graphic Guidelines (hereafter referred to as "guidelines") that can be commonly agreed to by the ISS partnership. Although a draft was made ready for the September agenda of the ISS PAO Working Group Meeting in Paris, it was not released on request by HQs PAO in order to work through internal NASA issues. A main concern at that time was to see if markings on ISS elements could have a common look and size. In November 1998, draft guidelines were released to the ISS PAO Working Group and ISS Program Managers in preparation for a December 3, 1998 presentation to the Space Station Control Board Meeting at Kennedy Space Center. According to the SSCB minutes on the subject, "Mr. Brinkley stated that the marking policy should address and incorporate ideas from each Partner agency. Mr. Porier noted CSA already has its own policy for markings. Mr. Brinkley asked Ms. Van Praet-Cremins to work bilaterally with the International Partners, and multilaterally through the Public Affairs Working Group, to develop and agree to the International Graphics Marking Policy by March 1999."

STATUS

On March 18, 1999, ISS Graphic Guidelines were discussed at the ISS PAO Working Group Meetings in Moscow. A Summary of Discussions for those meetings concerning the guidelines, stated:

"... Each partner reviewed its plans to mark its ISS elements. CSA and RSA objected to language in guidelines preventing advertising and/or corporate logos in either the interior or on the exterior of their elements. The objection was based on expressions of potential opportunities for advertising and commercialization on the ISS. After some discussion, CSA, RSA, agreed to consider revisions to the guidelines which would pertain only to markings on the exterior of their elements.

NASA will incorporate the Partner's comments into the draft guidelines to the Space Station Control Board (SSCB) by the end of March 1999, which will also include the Partners' current plans for marking their elements. This will be distributed to each of the ISS Public Affairs Working Group representatives and the ISS Program Managers for review, with comments due back no later than April 30, 1999." (note 1)

Attached are the Guidelines and "ISS Partner plans for markings on ISS elements." Final draft of Guidelines targeted on or before April 30, 1999.

Note 1: The Space Station Control Board (SSCB) participants were NASA Chairman, Mr. Randy Brinkley, Mr. Hideo Takamatsu, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA); Dr. Alain Poirier, Canadian Space Agency (CSA); Mr. Roberto Ibba, Italian Space Agency (ASI); Mr. Frank Longhurst, European Space Agency (ESA); and Mr. Mikhail Sinelschikov, Russian Space Agency (RSA). Mr. Mucio Dias, Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) also attended.

Note 2: SSCB Action Item AI 1203-3 NASA to work bilaterally with the International Partners, and multilaterally through the Public Affairs Working Group, to develop and agree to the International Graphics Marking Policy by March 1999. Action to NASA/C. VanPraet-Cremins. Due Date: March 1999.

I. Scope and Objectives

The participating parties to the International Space Station (ISS) Program have determined it to be in the best interests of the Program to ensure that all external graphic markings on ISS elements, systems and payloads shall be simple, professional, effective for identification, and, to the extent practical, standardized. Thus, notwithstanding the fact that each partner has its own internal standards and regulations, the guidelines set out below constitute a common set of agreed standards for external graphic markings on all ISS elements, systems and payloads.

These guidelines apply to all graphic markings which are visible at the interior or on the exterior of the ISS. These guidelines are applicable to ISS elements, systems, payloads and logistics resupply articles (for example, spares, maintenance items and consumables for ISS use). These guidelines do not cover graphic markings on the interior of the ISS.

*** Guidelines for graphic markings on ISS crew attire shall be separately addressed in the ISS Crew Code of Conduct.

Each partner using its own space transportation system (expendable or reusable, launch vehicle or orbital transfer vehicle) to provide launch and or return transportation services for the ISS shall determine the graphic markings on their transportation systems.

*** However, the parties do agree that any vehicle which visits the ISS (docks for a brief or extended stay) or conducts proximity operations with the ISS shall not carry any markings which could be construed as advertising.

For purposes of these guidelines, the provider of an element is the country/agency provider of record set out in the ISS Intergovernmental Agreement. For example, the United States/NASA is the provider of the Multipurpose Pressurized Logistics Module, the FGB, the Centrifuge Accommodation Module and Nodes 2 and 3, notwithstanding the fact that these items were developed by other partners and participants. Similarly, the provider of a payload is the country/agency including the payload in its Partner Utilization Plan.

II. Guidelines for Graphic Markings on ISS Elements, Systems and Payloads

A. Types of Markings

Except as otherwise stated, each element, system and payload of the ISS will carry only the providing partner's national colors, the given name of the providing country, the name of the element, and the insignia of that partner's cooperating agency, and in the case of Japan, that partner's assisting agency -National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)

B. Size / Location of Markings

The size and locations of the graphics area will be limited by applicable technical constraints as determined by the ISS Program Managers (SSCB Members), and in no way interfere with the integrity of orbital debris shielding, or the environment for ISS operations, such as, thermal limits, EVA hold rails, etc.

C. Process for Approval of Markings

In order to facilitate timely compliance with these guidelines. Each of the partners shall make known their plans and intentions for marking their elements, systems, and payloads. The SSCB, with the support of the International Space Station Public Affairs Working Group, shall review each proposed marking to confirm its compliance with these guidelines. This review shall occur 10 months prior to launch to assure that the markings may be finalized and affixed to the flight article no later than eight months prior to launch.

D. In the case of the European elements, ESA shall be responsible for conducting the necessary internal coordination to determine which European country's colors and name will be marked on an element how its elements will be marked.

E. In case of participant countries (e.g. Italy and Brazil), the partner country through which they participate shall coordinate and approve the graphic markings in conformance with these guidelines.

F. In the event that a partner receives one of its elements, systems, payloads or other ISS component from another entity (for example, through a cooperative, barter or offset arrangement), the providing partner (as defined in section I above), shall determine which country or agency markings shall appear on the hardware, in accordance with its internal procedures and the terms of the cooperative agreement.

G. ISS payloads may display markings, in addition to those of their providers, as appropriate, to assure identification while being filmed or videotaped in or on the ISS.

*** No markings shall be approved if they interfere in any way with the mission, or may be considered to be in bad taste, or constitute advertising rather than identification

III. Materials Standards for Graphic Markings

In order to avoid generation of orbital debris from unstable graphic markings on ISS systems, elements and payloads and visiting space transportation systems, the partners shall agree on materials standards for ISS graphic markings. These materials standards shall be documented in Space Station Program Document SSP 30233, "Space Station Requirements for Materials and Processes," under the control of the ISS Space Station Control Board (SSCB).

IV. Responsibility

A. The SSCB, shall approve these guidelines and any additional guidelines required for ISS-related graphic markings. The International Space Station Public Affairs Working Group (ISS PAO Working Group) shall provide expert advice and recommendations. The SSCB with the support of the ISS PAO Working Group shall review proposed markings to confirm compliance with the guidelines and shall be responsible for considering and granting waivers when appropriate.

B. Each partner shall be responsible for any internal coordination with its agency management, government or contractors.

C. Each partner shall be responsible for ensuring its elements, systems, payloads and space transportation systems comply with these guidelines.

D. All costs associated with the design, fabrication or application of markings shall be borne by the country/agency proposing the markings unless otherwise agreed as part of a cooperative arrangement.

V. References

A. NASA:

*NASA Policy Directive 8610.6D: "Graphic Markings on Space Transportation Vehicles, U.S. Components of the International Space Station Component Systems, and Payloads."

*NASA Policy Directive 8710, "NASA Policy for Limiting Orbital Debris Generation."

*Agency Graphics Standards as authorized by Headquarters Office of Public Affairs-- (1) NASA Insignia Graphics Standards, NP-212. (2) Graphic Standards Manual (Shuttle and Spaceflight Markings).

*SSP 30233, "Space Station Requirements for Materials and Processes."

*JSC-SE-R-006, "NASA JSC Requirements for Materials and Processes."

*MSFC-STD-506, "Standard Materials and Processes Control."

*14 CFR Part 1221, subpart 1221.1, "NASA Seal, NASA Insignia, NASA Logotype, NASA Program Identifiers, NASA Flags, and the Agency's Unified Visual Communications System."

B. RSA:
C. NASDA:
D. ESA:
E.CSA:
F: ASI:
G. AEB/INPE:

VI. Amendment

The SSCB shall consider amendments to these guidelines upon the written request of any partner or participant .

VII. Approval

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