Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXVI, Arms Control and Nonproliferation

25. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance¹

Washington, March 14, 1978

SUBJECT

• U.S. Position Regarding Anti-Satellites (ASAT)

The President has signed a Presidential Directive calling for the removal of the restriction on operational or space based testing. He has authorized the Secretary of Defense to pursue, for planning purposes, a U.S. ASAT development program encompassing that testing in space or against U.S. objects in space deemed essential to achieve an ASAT capability.

All other elements of my Arms Control for Anti-Satellite Systems memorandum dated September 23, 1977, remain in effect at this time.

Zbigniew Brzezinski²

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Box 123, Subject Chron File, Vance, Miscellaneous Communication With: 3–5/78. Top Secret.
2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.