Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Volume III

115. Editorial Note

According to a note dated August 25, 1960, the National Security Council held a Special Meeting that day to “discuss the reconnaissance satellite program, with specific reference to Samos, on the basis of a joint presentation by the Secretary of Defense and the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. No Memorandum.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)

Kistiakowsky’s diary entry on the August 25 meeting indicates that the President approved the recommendations of the Special Panel on Satellite Reconnaissance as presented during the meeting. (Kistiakowsky, A Scientist at the White House, pages 387–388) For text of the Report of the Special Panel, see Document 116. For text of NSC Executive Secretary Lay’s memorandum to Secretary of Defense Gates transmitting the recommendations for implementation, see Document 117. Concerning the origin of the Special Panel, see footnote 2, Document 104.