Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume XI

360. Memorandum From Charles A. Haskins of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Cutler)¹

Washington, February 3, 1958.

SUBJECT

• U.S. Scientific Satellite

1. On the night of Friday, January 31, 1958 the U.S., using the Jupiter C launching vehicle, successfully placed in orbit around the earth the partially instrumented satellite Explorer.

2. NSC 5520, approved by the President on May 27, 1955, sets forth policy on the U.S. Scientific Satellite Program. The Courses of Action in that paper read, in pertinent part:

“Initiate a program in the Department of Defense to develop the capability of launching a small scientific satellite by 1958 …²

“Endeavor to launch a small scientific satellite under international auspices, such as the International Geophysical Year …”

3. Three Council actions are also pertinent:

(1) On January 24, 1957 the Council:

“Noted the President’s directive that the present program under NSC 5520, of endeavoring to launch six scientific satellites, should be continued; but that the Department of Defense should submit to the Council a progress report on the [satellite]³ program at any time a significant development occurs, but not later than the completion of the third attempted launching.” (NSC Action No. 1656–b)

(2) On May 10, 1957 the Council:

“Noted the President’s directive that the U.S. scientific satellite program under NSC 5520 should be continued on no more elaborate basis than at present and under the following conditions:

. . . . . . .

“(3) In addition to the report required under NSC Action No. 1656–b, the Department of Defense should submit a report to the Council immediately if one of the test vehicles is successfully orbited as a satellite. (NSC Action No. 1713)

(3) On January 22, 1958 the “IGY scientific satellite (Vanguard–Jupiter C) programs,” along with six others, were placed in the highest priority both for research and development and for achieving operational capability. (NSC Action No. 1846)

4. Explorer is not the scientific earth satellite contemplated by NSC 5520 or by NSC Actions 1656–b or 1713. Explorer can be regarded as a “significant development” requiring a progress report under NSC Action No. 1656-b. The report required by NSC Action 1713 “if one of the test vehicles is successfully orbited as a satellite” applied specifically to the Vanguard program, but might now be construed to encompass a successful Jupiter C as well.

5. It is my understanding that the Vanguard program will continue; and the press has reported that the Army will attempt to launch another Jupiter C. Although it is not apparent that any further policy guidance from the Council is required at the moment, it would certainly be timely to have Defense brief the Council on where the IGY scientific satellite programs go from here.

CAH

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Project Clean-Up, Satellites. Secret.
2. All ellipses are in the source text.
3. Brackets in the source text.