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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 

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OFFICE OF THE SECRET ARV March 24, 1969 

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MEMORANDUM FOR OASD (ISA) 

· SUBJECT: Comments on State Department Draft Study 

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This memorandum responds to your request that we review a 

State Department draft study entitled "International Prospects and 

Problems in Remote Sensing of Earth Resources by Satellite, 11 

•·. dated March 13, 1969. We_ appreciate the opportunity to review · ·. 1 

this paper. The comments which follow represent the consolidated . I 

thoughts of: t~e Office of the Assistant Director, Space Systems 

(DDR&E); the Office of the Assistant Director, Intelligence, Recon• 

naissance, and Electromagnetic Warfare (DDR&E); and the Office of 

· Space Systems (OSAF). 

Generally, we consider the State proposal to be a constructive 

initial effort and certainly worthy of consideration. The paper provides a thoughtful discussion of many hazards inherent in a venture 

·. of this nature. One of the more important among these is the general 

lack of an international distinction between information gathered for 

so-called 11beneficial purposes 11 and that which is economic intelligence. 

State's proposal for international cooperation in the ERTS program 

seems w.orthwhile in that it could provide a needed impetus to the general 

· concept of such a program among the nations of the world. 

We do not see the need for a new interagency committee to coordinate I 

U.S. efforts in earth sensing. For some time the DOD has sponsored the 

concept of a single governmental focal point to monitor this activity. 

Specifically, we have suggested NASA, an active participant in international space efforts, as the logical candidate for this responsibility. This 

designation could be accomplished most effectively by issuing a National 

?ecurity Study Memorandum (NSSM) specifically designating NASA as · 

Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05111688 
Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05111688 

"lead crew" for U.S. activities in remote sensing of earth resources. 

Once this were accomplished, State could negotiate directly with NASA 

on the political implications of such endeavors. 

We do not share State's concern regarding a possible preemption 

by the Soviets in an international program. Why cannot Soviet par- · 

ticipation or leadership in such a program bo vidwcd as a constructive 

step forward in international cooperation? If the Soviets embark on 

such a program will they not be confronted by many of the problems 

discussed in the State paper? Won't efforts on their part to resolve 

these problems provide a firmer basis for extending international co- .· • I 

operation? 

Finally, it should be kept in mind that it is difficult for the DOD 

to give a departmental response to State's draft study in view of the 

fact that the President has directed a Space Group to consider matters 

., such as this from a national point of view. The optimum U.S. position 

will probably be better defined after those deliberations are completed, 

c..,vl...,"'--l.L~ PAULE. WORTHMAN . 

Colonel, USAF 

Deputy Director for 

Plans & Policy 

Office of Space Systems · 

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Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05111688