Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973–1976

Space and Telecommunications: Document List

Document 73: Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the National Security Council Undersecretaries Committee (Johnson) to President Nixon, Washington, June 12, 1972.

Johnson reported the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on International Space Cooperation.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–236, NSDM 187 (1 of 2). Secret. Annexes A, B, and C are published as part of Document 75. Annex D is attached but not published.

Document 74: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the Council on International Economic Policy (Flanigan) to President Nixon, Washington, August 25, 1972.

The memorandum summarized the arguments in favor of a proposed National Security Decision Memorandum concerning technology and launch assistance.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–236, NSDM 187 (1 of 2). Confidential; Noforn. Sent for action. Nixon approved the recommendation. A stamped notation indicates the President saw it.

Document 75: National Security Decision Memorandum 187, Washington, August 30, 1972.

The President outlined objectives guiding international cooperation in space activities, approved polices governing the transfer of space technology, and promulgated guidelines for the provision of launch assistance to foreign governments or business entities.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–236, NSDM 187 (1 of 2). Confidential; Noforn. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology, the Executive Secretary of National Aeronautics and Space Council, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Printed from a revised copy circulated on September 12. For Nixon’s announcement of the policy on October 9, see the Department of State Bulletin, November 6, 1972, pp. 533–534.

Document 76: Action Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (Spiers) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Porter), Washington, March 26, 1973.

Spiers recommended consultation with French officials to request reconsideration of military and intelligence concerns arising in negotiation of the Space Registration Convention.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 2960, SP 16. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Archelaus R. Turrentine and Holsey G. Handyside (PM/AE); and concurred in by EUR/WE, IO/UNP, L/UNA, IO/UNA, IO, and EUR. In the margin next to the third line in the third paragraph, written in an unknown hand, is "now confirmed." Written in an unknown hand under the Approve/Disapprove lines is "Due to Ambassador Porter’s departure to San Clemente, demarche made by PM Acting Director Pickering to Fr. Counselor Masset 4/5/73." Michel Debre’ was French Minister of State for National Defense. Tab B is published in the Department of State Bulletin, May 28, 1973, pp. 712–715. Attached but not published at Tab C is Canadian telegram 4643 from Paris to Ottawa, December 18, 1972. Attached but not published at Tab D is a memorandum from Porter to De Palma and Acting Legal Adviser Charles N. Brower, approving the U.S. negotiating position regarding registration of space objects.

Document 77: Telegram 1501 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, April 23, 1973, 1615Z.

The telegram summarized events at the UN Outer Space Legal Subcommittee session. It focused on advances toward completion of a treaty on registration of space objects and relative lack of progress in Moon Treaty negotiations.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Priority. Repeated for information to Moscow, Paris, Ottawa, and the Mission to NATO.

Document 78: Report on SKYLAB Utilization of Earth Terrain Camera Data, Washington, undated.

The report explained the potential consequences of publicly releasing high-resolution photographs taken from space, and recommended approval.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 80M01066A, Executive Registry Files (OPI 10), 1973 S–35 SSYLAB (01 Jan 72–31 Dec 73). Top Secret; Codeword. An April 26, 1973 cover letter from CIA Assistant Deputy Director for Science and Technology Donald H. Steininger to Schlesinger indicates that 40 Committee members would vote by phone whether to accept the report, and that approval of the report’s recommendations was anticipated.

Document 79: Letter From the Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy (Whitehead) to the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs (Flanigan), Washington, June 7, 1973.

Whitehead updated Flanigan on the status of international telecommunications issues, including various satellite systems, submarine cables, the structure of the international communications industry, and preparations for an upcoming International Telecommunications Union conference.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, Subject Files, Utilities, Box 14, EX, UT 1 Communications-Telecommunications, 1–1–73. No classification marking.

Document 80: Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Rush) to the Acting Secretary of Defense (Clements), Washington, June 18, 1973.

Rush recommended a high-level interagency review of proposed U.S. responses to Soviet anti-satellite activity.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SP 12 US. Secret. Copies were sent to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Document 81: Telegram 124445 From the Department of State to the United States Mission to the United Nations, June 26, 1973, 1538Z.

The telegram updated instructions for the U.S. delegation to the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SP 6 UN. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Black; cleared in L/UNA, EUR/SOV, NASA/I, S/PC, PM/AE, and DOD/ISA; and approved by Stull. Repeated to Moscow.

Document 82: Action Memorandum From the Director of International Scientific and Technological Affairs, Department of State (Pollack) to the Acting Secretary of State (Rush), Washington, July 12, 1973.

Rush approved Pollack’s recommendation to negotiate an agreement with interested Western European nations for cooperative development and utilization of Spacelab and the Space Shuttle.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SP 10 US. Unclassified. Drafted on June 14 by Bastedo; and concurred in by NASA, DOD/ISA, PM/AE, H, EUR/RPE, L/SCI and L/T. Rush initialed his approval on July 13. Attached but not published at Tab A is the July 2 final draft of the U.S. version of the proposed agreement. Attached but not published at Tab B are the working drafts of the proposed agreement and at Tab C is the undated authorization from the Legal Adviser to conclude the agreement.

Document 83: Letter From the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Fletcher) to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (Shultz), Washington, September 5, 1973.

Fletcher proposed reorienting earth-sensing satellite assets toward global assessment and establishing a national policy to exploit earth resources data obtained from space.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SCI 20. Secret. Copies were sent to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Document 84: Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt and David D. Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, September 7, 1973.

Kissinger approved the memorandum’s recommendation that President Nixon attend a ceremony to formalize an agreement for nine Western European nations to participate jointly in U.S. post-Apollo space programs.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 393, Subject Files, Space Programs Foreign Cooperation, (1 of 1), (1972–). Secret. Sent for action. Kissinger initialed his approval on September 10. The signing ceremony initiated the Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Research Organisation for a Cooperative Programme Concerning the Development, Procurement, and Use of a Space Laboratory in Conjunction with the Space Shuttle System, signed at Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on August 14.

Document 85: National Security Council Under Secretaries Decision Memorandum 113, Washington, September 14, 1973.

The memorandum recommended to the President continued cooperation with the USSR on remote sensing initiatives, while attempting to gain more scientific and technical information from the Soviets.

Source: Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, Subject Files, Outer Space, Box 1, EX, OS Outer Space, 1–1–73. Confidential. Forwarded to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council. Copies were sent to the Departments of Commerce and Interior.

Document 86: Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Porter) to the Acting Secretary of State (Rush), Washington, September 24, 1973.

Porter recommended that, in order to take sufficient account of foreign policy and security interests, the Under Secretaries Committee should consider Earth Resources Satellite issues.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SCI 20. Secret. Attached but not published is a September 5 letter from Fletcher to Shultz.

Document 87: Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, October 26, 1973.

Pickering discussed the potential ramifications of NASA’s pilot global crop survey proposal. In the event of a decision to proceed, Pickering recommended consultation with international organizations and interested governments, as well as guidance from the Under Secretaries Committee regarding implementation.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Space, Remote Sensing, 1973. Secret. Drafted by Chapin (SCI/SAM); and cleared in S/PC, IO/UNP, PM/AE, INR/DDC/RPS, and L/UNA. Blakeburn signed for Pickering above Pickering’s typed signature. Fletcher’s letter to Shultz is Document 83.

Document 88: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Rush), Washington, November 17, 1973.

Kissinger requested that the Under Secretaries Committee examine and report on U.S. policies concerning launch assistance and the sharing of space technology.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, EB/CTA/TD Files, Lot 78 D 237, NSDM 187, 1972–. Secret. Sent for action. Forwarded on November 23 as NSC–U/SM–112–A to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy, and the Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs. Above "recently" in the second paragraph is written in an unknown hand, "ESRO." In the right margin next to the second paragraph is written in an unknown hand, "L3S (France)." In the right margin next to the last paragraph on the first page is written in an unknown hand, "Japan, PRC, India."

Document 89: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Director of Central Intelligence (Colby), Washington, November 23, 1973.

The President approved modification of certain security controls applied to satellite-based photographic reconnaissance.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject Files, Box 1, Committee for Civil Applications of Classified Overhead Photography of the United States. Top Secret; Sensitive. A copy was also sent to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

Document 90: Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 7, 1973.

The Department of State recommended retaining civilian control over the management and operation of weather satellites.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, Box 2960, SP 12–3. Confidential. Drafted by Chapin. Deputy Executive Secretary Samuel R. Gammon signed above Pickering’s typeset signature.

Document 91: Intelligence Memorandum BGI RP 74–13, Washington, March 1974.

The report summarized the current status of international negotiations concerning the legal regime to be applied to remote sensing activities.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/UNA Files, Lot 99 D 364, Box 12, Space-Remote Sensing-1974. Confidential; No Foreign Dissemination. Prepared in the Directorate of Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency. Only the summary is published.

Document 92: Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs (Buffum), the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord), and the Deputy Legal Adviser (Maw) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Sisco), Washington, March 8, 1974.

The memorandum recommended submitting to the UN Working Group on Direct Broadcast Satellites a draft of principles acceptable to the United States.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Box 11, Space—Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS), 1973–1975. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Gathright, Stowe, and Black. Concurred in by CU and EB. Sisco initialed his approval on March 9. The attachment has not been published. The Draft Principles on Direct Broadcast Satellites, circulated by the U.S. delegation on March 12, are published in UN document A/AC.105/127, Annex IV.

Document 93: Telegram 48280 From the Department of State to the United States Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, March 11, 1974, 1924Z.

The telegram forwarded instructions for the U.S. delegation to the UN Working Group on Direct Broadcast Satellites.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated for information to USUN New York. Drafted by Gathright and Black; cleared in L/UNA, IO/UNP, EB/TD, and CU; and approved by Blake. The Draft Principles on Direct Broadcast Satellites, circulated by the U.S. delegation on March 12, are published in UN document A/AC.105/127, Annex IV.

Document 94: Paper Prepared by the Department of State, Washington, May 3, 1974.

The paper discussed issues related to the draft Moon Treaty likely to arise during negotiations at the May 1974 session of the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files, Lot 99 D 369, Box 8, Space—1974. Confidential. Drafted by Black; and cleared in L/UNA, S/P, NASA/I, USUN, IO/UNP, EUR/SOV, NASA–G, and DOD/ISA. Attached but not published is an undated proposal to reconfigure the order of articles in the draft Moon Treaty.

Document 95: Telegram 96877 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, May 10, 1974, 0044Z.

The telegram communicated the United States negotiating position on issues related to remote sensing likely to arise during negotiations at the May 1974 session of the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files: Lot 99 D 369, Space–1974. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted and approved by Stowe; and cleared in IO/UNP, S/P, PM, DOD/ISA, and NASA/I.

Document 96: Telegram 2488 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, July 19, 1974, 1543Z.

The telegram communicated the U.S. delegation’s appraisal of the 1974 session of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated for information to Bonn, Brasilia, Geneva, Moscow, Nairobi, New Delhi, Ottawa, Paris, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Vienna.

Document 97: National Security Decision Memorandum 266, Washington, August 15, 1974.

President Ford directed Secretary of Defense Schlesinger to take immediate steps to counter Soviet interception of government communications.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 54, NSDM 266, Long Term Washington Communications Security (5). Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to the Deputy Secretary of State, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy.

Document 98: National Security Council Decision Memorandum 92A, Washington, October 7, 1974.

The memorandum informed President Ford about disagreements between executive branch agencies concerning U.S. policy on space launching assistance for other countries.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P810014–1034. Confidential. The attachment has been published in the Department of State Bulletin, November 6, 1972, p. 534.

Document 99: Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, November 4, 1974.

Elliott summarized the status of cooperation on space-related matters between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Agency File 1974–1977, Box 12, NASA 8/9/74–4/30/75. Confidential. Sent for information. Attached but not published is a November 2 memorandum from Cole to Ford, which presents the agenda for a November 4 meeting between Ford and several space policy advisers.

Document 100: Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Ash) to President Ford, Washington, November 29, 1974.

Ash presented the President with an assessment of NASA funding requests in light of larger budgetary restrictions and domestic and international political considerations.

Source: Ford Library, Presidential Handwriting File, Subject File, Box 19, Finance–Budget NASA. No classification marking. Attached but not published at Tab A is a page of general budgetary information. Ford approved the first two recommendations and disagreed with the third. A November 29 covering memorandum provided a brief agenda for the meeting. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it and another notation indicated that the meeting would take place from 2 until 3 p.m. on December 2 with Ford, Ash, OMB Associate Director Frank Zarb, OMB Assistant Director for Budget Review Dale McOmber, and OMB Deputy Associate Director for Management Donald Ogilvie in attendance. No other record of the meeting was found.

Document 101: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the Executive Director of the Domestic Council and Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs (Cole), Washington, undated.

Scowcroft supported Cole’s recommendation to President Ford to keep the Office of Telecommunications Policy functions within the Executive Office of the President only if coordination of international activities improved.

Source: Ford Library, F. Lynn May Files, Box 24, Study of the Office of Telecommunications Policy (1). No classification marking. For Cole’s recommendation see Document 102.

Document 102: Memorandum From the Executive Director of the Domestic Council and Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs (Cole) to President Ford, Washington, January 9, 1975.

Cole urged Ford to reconsider plans to remove the Office of Telecommunications Policy from the Executive Office.

Source: Ford Library, Presidential Handwriting File, Subject File, Box 14, Office of Telecommunications Policy. No classification marking. On January 17, the White House announced cancellation of plans to remove Office of Telecommunications Policy functions to the Department of Commerce (, January 18, 1975, p. 60).

Document 103: Telegram 599 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, February 27, 1975, 1659Z.

The telegram summarized private and informal Soviet positions on Direct Broadcast Satellite issues being negotiated at the Legal Sub-Committee meeting of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated for information to Moscow and NASA.

Document 104: Telegram 703 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, March 6, 1975, 2344Z.

The telegram summarized an initiative to define outer space proposed at the Legal Sub-Committee meeting of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated for information to Paris and Moscow.

Document 105: Telegram 734 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, March 8, 1975, 0040Z.

The telegram assessed the results of the recently completed session of the Legal Sub-Committee of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated for information to Paris, London, and Moscow. William E. Schaufle, Jr. was Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations.

Document 106: Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs (Buffum), the Legal Adviser (Leigh), and the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, (Ray) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Ingersoll), Washington, April 3, 1975.

The memorandum recommended sending a delegation to selected African and Asian countries to advocate the U.S. position on remote sensing.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files: Lot 99 D 369, Space—Remote Sensing—1975. Confidential. Drafted by Stowe; and concurred in by IO, OES/SCI/SA, S/P, AF/W, AF/E, NEA/EGY, NEA/IRN, NEA/PAB, EA/IMS, AF/C, NEA/INS. Sisco approved the recommendation on April 16. On the memorandum is written, "JJS [Sisco] believes this need not go to D. He has signed letter to Fletcher." Attached but not published at Tab A is an undated memorandum from Sisco to Fletcher, urging NASA to cooperate in the proposed mission. Attached but not published at Tab B is a list citing Zaire, Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Indonesia as the key African and Asian countries requiring bilateral consultations and noting that Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela comprised the Latin American members of the Outer Space Committee. Attached but not published at Tab C is UN document A/AC.105/C.2/L.103 of February 19. Attached but not published at Tab D is an April 11 memorandum from Hewson A. Ryan of ARA to Leigh. It recommended high-level negotiations with Brazilian and Argentinean officials before sending a delegation to African and Asian countries.

Document 107: National Security Council Under Secretaries Decision Memorandum 8A, Washington, May 5, 1975.

The memorandum recommended allowing the 1969 U.S.-Japan Space Cooperation Agreement to run its course in order to avoid transferring more advanced technologies to Japanese recipients.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 61, NSDM 306, U.S.-Japan Space Cooperation. Confidential. The attachment was not found.

Document 108: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Clements) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 21, 1975.

[10 pages not declassified in time for publication.]

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 72, NSC–U/SM–157. Top Secret.

Document 109: National Security Decision Memorandum 296, Washington, May 23, 1975.

President Ford directed further measures to improve telecommunications security.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent to the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of State, the Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy, and the Administrator of the General Services Administration. Scowcroft signed for Kissinger. Copies were also sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Director of the National Security Agency. NSDM 266 is published as Document 97.

Document 110: Memorandum NSC–U/DM–134 from the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee (Ingersoll) to President Ford, Washington, May 30, 1975.

Ingersoll summarized differing positions between several government agencies concerning public release of GEOS–3 data.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 15, SRG Meeting, GEOS–3 Data, December 16, 1975. Secret. The full report has not been found.

Document 111: Telegram 3110 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, June 21, 1975, 0007Z.

The telegram summarized the results of the 1975 UN Outer Space Committee session.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated for information to Brasilia, Buenos Aires, London, Moscow, New Delhi, Ottawa, and Paris.

Document 112: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee (Ingersoll), Washington, July 15, 1975.

Kissinger instructed the Under Secretaries Committee to create an interagency Standing Committee on Space Policy to address potential issues of conflict between civil and military space operations.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 72, NSC–U/SM–157, Standing Committee on Space Policy. Top Secret; Codeword. Forwarded as NSC–U/SM–157 on July 2 by Gathright to the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the President’s Science Adviser, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

Document 113: Memorandum of Conversation Between the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, Washington, August 8, 1975, 4 p.m.

The Board discussed measures to counteract Soviet electronic surveillance of U.S. domestic telephone communications.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations 1973–1977, Box 14, August 8, 1975. Top Secret.

Document 114: Memorandum NSC–U/DM–92B From the Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee (Ingersoll) to President Ford, Washington, August 8, 1975.

The memorandum recommended clarification of U.S. policies for providing space launching services for other countries.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, EB/OTA/TD Files: Lot 78 D 237, NSDM 187, 1972–. Limited Official Use. Forwarded on August 8 by Gathright to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Acting Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy, and the Executive Director of the Council on International Economic Policy. The attachment has not been found.

Document 115: National Security Decision Memorandum 306, Washington, September 24, 1975.

Kissinger directed that advanced space-related technologies should not be transferred to Japanese recipients.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1, NSDM 306. Confidential. Scowcroft signed for Kissinger above Kissinger’s typed signature. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Under Secretaries Committee study is Document 107.

Document 116: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Director of Central Intelligence Colby, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Lynn) to Secretary of Interior Hathaway, Washington, October 3, 1975.

Kissinger, Colby, and Lynn directed the establishment of a committee to review the civil applications of classified overhead photography of domestic sites.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, Box 1, Committee for Civil Applications of Classified Overhead Photography of the U.S. Secret. Copies were sent to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army.

Document 117: Action Memorandum From the Chairman of the Working Group of the Standing Committee on Space Policy (Sloss) to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Space Policy (Sisco), Washington, October 20, 1975.

Sloss outlined the principal issues facing the Standing Committee on Space Policy and recommended convening a meeting of the Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P860117–2078. Secret; Noforn. Drafted on October 16 by Sloss; and cleared by Gathright. Sent through Vest. Sisco approved a meeting at 11 a.m. on November 18. Tabs 1 and 2 have not been found.

Document 118: Action Memorandum From the Chairman of the Working Group of the Standing Committee on Space Policy (Sloss) to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Space Policy (Sisco), Washington, November 21, 1975.

Sloss summarized and analyzed a meeting among members of the Standing Committee on Space Policy.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P860117–1558. Secret; Noforn. Drafted by Sloss; cleared by Gathright. Sisco initialed his approval for a meeting on December 16, but a note written in an unknown hand indicates "meeting cancelled at the last minute."

Document 119: Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 16, 1975.

Elliott outlined inter-agency disagreements to aid Scowcroft’s preparation for a Senior Review Group meeting concerning public release of certain GEOS–3 data.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 15, SRG Meeting, GEOS–3 Data, December 16, 1975. Secret. Attached but not published at Tab A is an undated NSC Under Secretaries Committee Report of the Ad Hoc Interagency Working Group on Release of GEOS–3 Data. Tab C, attached but not published, circulated Tab A as NSC–U/DM–134, dated May 30. Tab B, the GEOS–3 Data Handling, is published here. Secret; Noforn.

Document 120: Minutes of the Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, December 16, 1975, 10:37–11:28 a.m.

Senior Review Group members discussed policy-related concerns with regard to public release of GEOS–3 data.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 24, Meeting Minutes, SRG Originals, December 1975. Top Secret; Codeword.

Document 121: Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, January 14, 1976.

Elliott outlined inter-agency disagreements to aid Scowcroft’s preparation for a meeting designed to forge a unified position on support for the AEROSAT program.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject Files, Box 1, Communications (2). Confidential. Sent for action. Attached but not published at Tab A are the undated talking points for Scowcroft. Attached but not published are Tabs B through D. Tab B is a January 9 memorandum from Barnum to Lynn and Scowcroft that recommended affirming U.S. commitments to the development of AEROSAT. Tab C is the December 11, 1975 memorandum from Ingersoll to Coleman that advocated proceeding with AEROSAT funding to avoid international diplomatic complications. Tab D is the January 9 memorandum from Egers to Kissinger that registered several objections to concluding AEROSAT and INMARSAT negotiations.

Document 122: Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, January 27, 1976.

Scowcroft accepted Elliott’s recommendation to send a letter to the Office of Telecommunications Policy to clarify administration policy about participation in AEROSAT.

Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, Subject Files 1974–1977, Box 16, UT 1, 8/1/75–1/20/77. Confidential. Sent for action. Copies of Scowcroft’s letter were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Deputy Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Deputy Secretary of State. Attached but not published at Tab B is a January 20 memorandum from Egers to Scowcroft that advocated a joint administrative system for AEROSAT and INMARSAT. Attached but not published at Tab C is a January 9 memorandum from Egers to Kissinger that registered several objections to concluding AEROSAT and INMARSAT negotiations.

Document 123: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Hyland) to Director of Central Intelligence Bush, Washington, March 15, 1976.

Hyland explained the rationale behind his request that Bush conduct an assessment of the damage resulting from Soviet telecommunications intercepts.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject Files, Box 1, Communications (2). Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and the Director of the National Security Agency. At the bottom of the last page, Hyland wrote, "George, I’m not sure CIA is real action agency, but Intelligence Community as a whole should be involved."

Document 124: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, March 15, 1976.

Scowcroft updated Ford on the status of measures to decrease the vulnerability of U.S. satellites to attack.

Source: Ford Library, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Files, Box 22, Satellite Vulnerability (3/15/76). Secret; Sensitive. Ford initialed the document, indicating that he had read it.

Document 125: Action Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Saunders) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, April 22, 1976.

The memorandum noted the arguments for and against declassification of the "fact of" photo-satellite reconnaissance.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P770109–0570. Secret; Noforn. Drafted by Saunders and Deputy Director of the Office of Resources Policy William P. Deary; and cleared by Sisco. A covering note of the same date indicates that the memorandum was not submitted to Kissinger, but that Sisco approved declassification (option 1). Attached but not published is a Draft Memo from Bill McAfee to Frank Wisner.

Document 126: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, April 26, 1976.

Scowcroft informed Ford about the status of efforts to counteract Soviet anti-satellite capabilities.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential File of NSC Logged Documents, Box 38, 7602528. Top Secret. Sent for information. Ford initialed the document. Tab A has not been found.

Document 127: Telegram 2755 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, July 2, 1976, 2250Z.

The Mission communicated the delegation’s appraisal of the 1976 session of the UN Outer Space Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential.

Document 128: National Security Decision Memorandum 333, Washington, July 7, 1976.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Brent Scowcroft outlined policy objectives for enhancing the survivability of U.S. space assets and ordered development of an action plan.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential File of NSC Logged Documents, Box 38, 7602528. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Document 129: Memorandum From Acting Director of the National Reconnaissance Office to the Committee on Foreign Intelligence, Washington, undated.

This memorandum circulates a proposed statement of policy for consideration. The proposal maintains an independence capacity to launch satellites with expendable vehicles during the initial stages of Space Shuttle operation.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79M00467A, Executive Registry Files (OPI 10), Space Policy Interface 64 010176–311276. Top Secret; Codeword.

Document 130: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, July 24, 1976.

Scowcroft elaborated on the need for, and prospects of creating, a functional U.S. anti-satellite capability.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 66, NSDM 333 (4). Top Secret; Codeword. Tab A has not been found.

Document 131: Action Memorandum from the Deputy Coordinator for Security Assistance (Vest) and the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Saunders) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, July 29, 1976

The memorandum updated Kissinger on agency positions concerning declassification of "fact of" U.S. satellite reconnaissance.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P760125–0140. Secret. Drafted on July 22 by James J. Hitchcock (INR/DDC) and Assistant Deputy Director Emerson M. Brown. Sent through Habib. Notations in an unknown hand indicated Kissinger read the memo on August 8, and agreed to a meeting on August 16 at 3:30, but that the date and time of the meeting were "very tentative."

Document 132: National Security Decision Memorandum 338, Washington, September 1, 1976.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Brent Scowcroft directed development of an action plan to protect the privacy of all users of public telecommunications.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 67, NSDM 338, Further Improvements in Telecommunications Security (1). Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to the Secretary of State, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Director of the National Security Agency.

Document 133: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs (Gorog) to President Ford, Washington, September 3, 1976.

The memorandum recommended naming the first space shuttle "Enterprise" as a response to appeals by supporters of the television show "Star Trek."

Source: Ford Library, Presidential Handwriting File, Subject File, Box 34, Outer Space. No classification marking. Ford initialed his approval. The September 7 document reporting the reactions of White House staff is attached to the memorandum. The decision in favor of "Enterprise" was announced on September 9, one day after the meeting with NASA officials.

Document 134: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to Members of the Special Task Group on Telecommunications Security, Washington, September 13, 1976.

Scowcroft ordered several Executive Office staff agencies to create a Task Group for studying a possible governmental reorganization to facilitate the security of private sector telecommunications.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject Files, Box 1, Communications (2). Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Counsel to the President, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs, and the Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy.

Document 135: Letter From the Director of Central Intelligence Bush to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Lynn), Washington, October 18, 1976.

Bush discussed the need for continued access to expendable launch vehicles after the Space Shuttle became operational, and of the opportunities the Shuttle presented to enhance U.S. space-based intelligence collection capabilities.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79M00467A, Executive Registry Files (OPI 10), Space Policy Interface 64 010176–311276. Top Secret; Codeword.

Document 136: Letter From the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Department of Defense (Currie) to the Director of Central Intelligence and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Intelligence Bush, Washington, October 21, 1976.

Currie outlined the conclusions of a panel convened to determine the extent to which expendable launch vehicles would be required during the initial operating years of the Space Shuttle.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79M00467A, Executive Registry Files (OPI 10), Space Policy Interface 64 010176–311276. Top Secret; Codeword. NSDM 333 is published as Document 128.

Document 137: Memorandum From the Deputy Chief of the Office of Assistant Director (Smith) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, November 3, 1976.

Smith summarized a report on U.S. anti-satellite capabilities.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 66, NSDM 333 (3). Top Secret; Codeword. Sent for action. Sent through David Elliott. The tabs were not found.

Document 138: Memorandum NSC–U/DM–140 From the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee to President Ford, Washington, November 9, 1976.

The memorandum transmitted the report and recommendations of the Standing Committee on Space Policy concerning remote earth imagery policy.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 66, NSDM 333 (6). Top Secret. Forwarded by Poats, Acting Staff Director, to the Department of Defense, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Undersecretary of Commerce, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Reconnaissance Officer. Copies were sent to the Undersecretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Only the summary to the 17-page report is published.

Document 139: Memorandum From David Elliott of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, November 17, 1976.

Elliott relayed to Scowcroft information about President Ford’s interest in potential military applications of the space shuttle and use of intelligence satellite data for civil purposes.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential File of NSC Logged Documents, Box 47, 7606173. Secret. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum.

Document 140: Action Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord), the Legal Adviser (Leigh), and the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Security Assistance (Lewis) to Under Secretary for Political Affairs (Habib), Washington, December 7, 1976.

Habib approved the memorandum’s recommendation to convene a meeting with television industry representatives to reconsider the U.S. position concerning direct broadcast satellites.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 59, L/OA Files: Lot 99 D 369, Box 12, Space—Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS) 1976. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Gathright and Hirschfeld. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates Habib saw it on December 8. Habib approved a meeting for December 14 at 10:30. Attached but not published is a November 15 detailed review of U.S. policy concerning direct broadcast television satellite issues. No record of the meeting was found.

Document 141: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, December 16, 1976.

Scowcroft summarized the report of a panel of NSC technical consultants concerning U.S. anti-satellite capabilities.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 66, NSDM 333 (2). Top Secret; Codeword. Sent for information. The full report, dated October 1976, with a covering memorandum dated December 15, 1976, sent from Scowcroft to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the Director of Central Intelligence is in the Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79M00467A, Executive Registry Subject Files (OPI 10), Space Policy Interface 64 010176–311276.

Document 142: Talking Points for Meeting with Vice President Rockefeller on Telecommunications Security, Washington, undated.

The document provided a status report of key issues concerning telecommunications security to be discussed with Rockefeller.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject Files, Box 1, Communications (2). Top Secret.