Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972

270. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers¹ ²

Washington, August 18, 1971.

SUBJECT:

• Post-Apollo Space Cooperation with the Europeans and Launch Assurances

In response to your memorandum of March 23, regarding European participation in the United States post-Apollo space program, the President has asked me to confirm his support for continued pursuit of opportunities for international space cooperation in general and specifically with the Europeans.

Unresolved questions about the character and degree of European participation are critical to a final decision by the U.S. and the Europeans regarding possible cooperation in development of a space transportation system (STS). There is not sufficient basis for a final decision on European participation in such development. More-over, there is as yet no final U.S. commitment to development of a space transportation system.

In order to permit further progress in defining a suitable framework for cooperation, the first priority of the U.S. should be the prompt resolution of European concerns about launch assurances. Discussions with the Europeans about possible post-Apollo space cooperation should be reestablished at the technical level with the clear understanding that these talks involve no commitment to a particular cooperative project.

The Department of State should prepare, in coordination with other interested agencies, a reply to Minister Lefevre and the European Space Conference with these objectives and in accord with the following guidelines:

• -- U.S. launch assurances for European payloads will not be contingent upon substantial European participation in a joint STS program, but will be treated separately to the degree possible.
• -- In the course of the technical discussions with the Europeans, there should be no statement or implication which would prejudice an independent decision by the U.S. on the desirability or schedule of STS development.
• -- The purpose of these technical discussions will include the definition of possible cooperative relationships between Europe and the U.S. in a program of STS development, but should be broadened to include an exchange of views with the Europeans regarding the content of space activities in the post-Apollo era and, at an appropriate time, other potential areas for cooperation in space exploration, operations and launches. (A report on these technical discussions, including European views and interests in post-Apollo space activities, should be forwarded for the President’s information no later than January 15, 1972.)

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SP 10 US. Confidential.
2. Kissinger informed Rogers that the President confirmed his support for international space cooperation in general and especially with the Europeans, but concluded that there was an insufficient basis for a final decision on Europe’s participation in the Space Transportation System.