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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY 

MEMORANDUM 

22 June 1965 

General Stewart: 

I think Dr. McMillan will want to 

scan this. The delay in exchanging 

down-looking satellite photography is 

most unfortunate. It looks like the new 

Soviet bosses are putting the screws to 

Academician Blagonravov (Lt General, 

Field Artillery). 

Col Worthman 
IN REPLY REFER TO: AI 

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22 June 2015 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 

Policy: Space Law 

Policy: Peaceful Uses 

Policy: Bilaterals... 

JUN 1 1 .1E68 

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MEMORANDUM TO Addressees 

SUBJECT: Status of US-USSR bilateral negotiations 

On behalf of Dr. Dryden, we are providing the following 

report on the latest series of developments in the bilateral space discussions with Academician Blagonravov 

of the Soviet Academy of Sciences: 

1. By letter of March 11, 1965, Blagonravov had proposed that US and Soviet representatives continue their 

discussion of a projected joint review of space biology 

and medicine during the COSPAR meeting scheduled for 

Buenos Aires in May. On March 19 and again on April 15 

Dr. Dryden cabled Blagonravov in efforts to learn his 

intentions regarding discussions of first priority to 

resolve questions of meteorological data exchange and 

to implement an agreement in principle on the exchange 

of visits to deep space tracking and data acquisition 

facilities. Blagonravov did not respond until May 8, 

two days before the COSPAR meeting was scheduled to 

begin, when he cabled that he was not able to produce 

the experts necessary for negotiations (on any subject). 

2. In Mar del Plata (where the COSPAR meeting had been 

moved), Blagonravov confirmed the contents of his May 8 

cable. When the presence there of certain Russian 

experts was noted, Blagonravov stated privately that 

in fact he lacked authority to negotiate on any subject 

at the time. 

3. Dr. Dryden arranged a private meeting with Blagonravov at which Blagonravov made statements to the 

following effect: 

(a) He deeply regretted his inability to 

proceed with the negotiations. 

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b. .

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(b) He hoped to be able to negotiate in 

New York next September during the 

planned meeting of the UN Outer Space 

Committee. 

(0) Prime reason for the Soviet failure to 

provide weather satellite data was that 

the quality of Soviet satellite pictures 

is not equal to American pictures nor 

up to the specifications of the agreement. The Hydrometeorological Service 

does not desire to transmit pictures 

of low quality which might raise questions of the parity of the exchange. 

Nevertheless, satellite pictures suitable for exchange are expected before 

.the end of 1965. (It seems more likely 

that the Soviets simply have not yet 

established a meteorological satellite 

system than that pictures obtained are 

not up to snuff.) 

(d) Differences between NASA and the Academy 

of Sciences with regard to the proposed 

joint review of space biology and medicine can be discussed in New York in 

September but might be, easier to deal 

with in correspondence. 

(e) The proposed exchange of visits to deep 

space tracking and data acquisition stations has been agreed within the Soviet 

Union but a response has been delayed - 

since many agencies are involved in 

clearing the detailed program for the 

exchanges. The ultimate Soviet.response 

can be expected to be favorable. 

(f) He was unaware that NASA had asked the 

Soviet Ministry of Communications for 

information on the Soviet communications 

satellite, suggesting possible cooperative experimentsutilizing that satellite. 

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(g) He is still chairman of the Academy's 

Space Commission but considers that the 

time may be approaching for him to 

resign. 

4. As of July 1, it may be assumed that the Soviets are 

in default of the obligation imposed by the Second Memorandum of Understanding of November 5, 1964 to review 

the status of the meteorological data. exchange "early" 

in 1965. We, therefore, plan to review the position in 

correspondence to Blagonravov before a possible September meeting, express the hope that the September meeting 

may find the Soviets in a position to meet their obligations under the agreement, and indicate that if they 

continue unable to do so the exchange of conventional 

meteorological data may have to be suspended until satellite data does become mutually available. We would also 

indicate continuing interest in resolving the two new 

subjects,, namely, a-review of space biology and medicine 

and exchange of visits to TDA stations. 

Arn•id W. Frutkin 

Ass tant Administrator 

for International Affairs . 
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Addressees: 

Mr. Carl E. Duckett, CIA 

Mr. A. W. Johnson, WB 

Mr. Charles E. Johnson, NSC 

Mr. David S. Johnson, WB 

Mr. Robert F. Packard, D/S-SCI 

Colonel Marshall E. Sanders, DOD-ISA 

Dr. Irwin M. Tobin, OST 

Dr. John W. Townsend, jr., NASA-GSFC 

Mr. Albert Weinstein, DOD-DDR&E 

Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC 

Dr. Albert Wheelon, 

Dr. Robert M. White4 14B' 

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cc: • 

Honorable McGeorge Bundy 

Ambassador Llwellyn E. Thompson 

Honorable Harold Brown • 

Honorable Donald F. Hornig 

-77,----7-Honorable John T. McNaughton 

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