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1, /; I , ' . 

BYEMAN 

¢NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 1.i111111,m,i11111111 

Of FICf. OF TH,_ DIRECTOR 

May 25, 1971 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FOSTER 

SUBJECT: U. S. and Soviet Antisatellite Capabilities 

Your area coordination paper on the referenced 

subject is certainly timely in view of the recent activity 

of the Soviets in the coorbital intercept area. The NRO 

is vitally concerned with antisatellite capabilitiesi both 

Soviet and U. S., because of the politically sensitive 

environment in which we operate. 

I believe your paper covers many of the per~inent 

points, and I agree that steps should be taken tq decide 

upon a course of action concerning development of an antisatellite capability. One of the most important points is 

what level of effort should be expended in view of the 

current Special National Intelligence Estill1ate, \reinforced 

by the National Intelligence Estimate of February 25, 1971, 

which states that an attack is extremely unlikely. 

A response (BY:.2:-6420-71) to you by Carl Duckett, 

CIA, necessarily covered much of the area of responsibility 

of the NRO. Since I am in agreement with his paper, I will 

only add some things which he did not cover. 

National policy pertaining to reconnaissance from 

space and antisatellite activities is approved by the 

National Security Council and any serious consideration of 

new antisatellite policy must be reviewed by that body. 

Our interpretation of the policies as they apply 

to NRO satellites is that the U. S. recognizes the vulnerability of satellites and considers the best posture to be 

one of constantly demonstrating that the programs are 

legitimate and necessary and that any interference will be 

dealt with by strong political reactions. 

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BYE-128 50-71 

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The NRO has operated for a decade on the principle 

of tacit acceptance, low profile, nonprovocative action in a 

resolve to execute a legal, peacekeeping endeavor. 

The subject of NRO satellite protection ts addressed 

continually through the Interdepartmental Contingency Planning 

Committee (ICPC). The Committee was established to insure a 

fully coordinated national response to contingencies relating 

to overflights of denied areas. 

Regarding the question of integral protection of 

satellite systems (as opposed to deterrent protection by 

an antisatellite system), we support the position that the 

former should be an essential part of the development and 

operation~! control of that system. As you know, 1:he NRO 

has been actively engaged in a satellite countermeasures 

program since about 1963. Many systems and techniques for 

protecting our satellites have been evaluated and some have 

been carried to the operational stage. We intend to continue 

ou~ own efforts in countermeasures technology to reduce the 

vulnerability of NRO satellites, and to include whatever maneuvering capability is considered necessary. As in the past, 

we will ma.ke the technology developed under the NRO programs 

available for DOD satellite programs. 

The NRO is responsible, at ExCom direction, for 

those actlvities related to the NRO. The question of developing a U.S. antisatellite system is a separate and distinct 

issue, properly addressed by your office in cooperation with 

the military departments. We recognize its potential value 

as a deterrent no matter how austere. 

1\(. l,. 

John L. McLucas 

"CCUD!P •~u .. •UTU~•"c R,~ .. ~'"" 

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CO~TOCl~O BYE-12850-71 

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Approved for Release: 2022/02/10 C05134217 

1 _.i z oz ncnn 1 BYE!lrAN 

BYE-12850-71. May 25, 1971. 

Subject: U. S. and Soviet Antisatellite 

Capabilities 

No attachments. 

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Dr. Fos te1· , DDR&E 

Mr. Duckett, DDS&T CIA 

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McLucas 

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