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

84. Memorandum of Discussion at the 374th NSC Meeting¹

Washington, July 31, 1958

SUBJECT

• Discussion at the 374th Meeting of the National Security Council, Thursday, July 31, 1958

Present at the 374th NSC Meeting were the President of the United States, presiding; the Vice President of the United States; the Secretary of State; the Secretary of Defense; and the Acting Director, Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization. Also present were the Secretary of the Treasury; the Attorney General; the Director, Bureau of the Budget; the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Deputy Secretary of Defense; The Assistant to the President; the Deputy Assistant to the President; the Director, U.S. Information Agency; the Special Assistants to the President for Atomic Energy, for the Atoms for Peace Program, for Information Projects, for National Security Affairs, for Science and Technology, and for Security Operations Coordination; Assistant Secretary of State Smith; the White House Staff Secretary; the Naval Aide to the President; Bryce N. Harlow, Administrative Assistant to the President; the Executive Secretary, NSC; and the Director, NSC Secretariat.

There follows a summary of the discussion at the meeting and the main points taken.

[Omitted here are agenda items 1 and 2.]

3. OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY OF RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITES

(NSC Action No. 1946; NSC 5814; NSC Action No. 1941; Memo for NSC from Executive Secretary, same subject, dated July 29, 1958)

Mr. Gray briefed the Council on the subject (copy of briefing note filed in the minutes of the meeting and attached to this memorandum). After Mr. Gray had read paragraph 5 of his briefing note, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget confirmed Mr. Gray’s statement that the decision as to the specific number of reconnaissance satellite test shots to be attempted would be worked out through the normal budgetary process. Mr. Gray then called on Secretary Quarles for a brief report on the status of the reconnaissance satellite program.

Secretary Quarles said the reconnaissance satellite program antedated the IGY satellite program and was motivated by the desire to have a vantage point from which to view what goes on behind the Iron Curtain. In order to operate reconnaissance satellites for this purpose, however, it would be necessary to establish the doctrine of freedom of outer space. In the last two years, technology had advanced to the point where we can now proceed actively with the development of reconnaissance satellite vehicles. The program for the current fiscal year calls for the use of intermediate-range rockets to put into orbit reconnaissance test vehicles weighing from 20 or 40 pounds up to a few hundred pounds. Later intercontinental-range rockets will be used, and the reconnaissance vehicle will weigh 3000–4000 pounds. The goal of the program (but not a firm commitment) is to send up the first operational reconnaissance satellite in March, 1960.

Secretary Quarles summarized the objectives of the reconnaissance satellite as follows: (1) to photograph the earth through TV cameras and on command transmit these pictures to a station in the United States; (2) to survey and transmit information on electromagnetic radiations; (3) to develop infra-red reconnaissance techniques; (4) to act as a line-of-sight relay station for communications purposes. In conclusion, Secretary Quarles noted that substantial sums had been budgeted for the reconnaissance satellite program.

Mr. Gray then continued his briefing, and read a Defense recommendation on the subject (as submitted to the NSC on July 3, 1958, NSC Action No. 1941–a) and Dr. Killian’s proposal of July 28 for modification of the Defense recommendation.

Dr. Killian said his review of the subject had been addressed to a proposed NSC Action, not to the budgetary aspects of the reconnaissance satellite program nor to the number of vehicles. He then read from his memorandum (as transmitted by the reference memorandum of July 29) in order to explain his proposal for modification of the Defense recommendation.

The Secretary of Defense said he was in full accord with Dr. Killian’s proposed modification of the Defense recommendation. Dr. Killian had said better than Defense did what Defense thought it was saying.

The President approved the Defense recommendation as modified by Dr. Killian’s language.

The National Security Council:

a. Discussed the amendment to the recommendation on the subject by the Department of Defense contained in NSC Action No. 1941–a, proposed by the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and transmitted by the reference memorandum of July 29, 1958; in the light of the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as reported at the meeting, and of an oral summary of the advanced reconnaissance satellite program as presented at the meeting by the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

b. Noted that the President approved for planning purposes the advanced reconnaissance satellite program presented by the Department of Defense, including the eight test vehicles which will orbit over the USSR; with the understanding that Presidential authorization with respect to the launching of the eight development satellites capable of reconnaissance over the USSR and the subsequent scope of the operational capability of the program, will be sought by the Department of Defense in early 1960 or prior to the launching of the first of the above eight satellites, whichever date is sooner.

c. Noted that the total number of test vehicles and the amount of funds required for the advanced reconnaissance satellite program were subject to further review.

NOTE: The action in b above, as approved by the President, subsequently transmitted to the Secretary of Defense for implementation.

The action in c above, as approved by the President, subsequently transmitted to the Secretary of Defense, the Director, Bureau of the Budget, and the Special Assistants to the President for National Security Affairs and for Science and Technology, for appropriate action.

Marion W. Boggs
Director
NSC Secretariat

1. Source: Agenda item 3: Operational Capability of Reconnaissance Satellites. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Extracts—4 pp. Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records.