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OPFI CE OJ? l'BB e Y OF D t 

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A ttached is a copy of the DOD /NASA Memorandum 

of Understanding concerning the Manned Space 

Flight Prograrrl s of the Two Agencie s which wa s 

signed by Mr. McNamara and Mr. Webb. 

A ttachrnent 

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r;;:;~' I~:"' 'l~ As sistani Director 

(Space Technology) 

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Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07393 
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MEMOHANDljlv1 OF UNDERSTANDING 

BE'TWEEN THE DEPiillTMEIIJT OF DEFENSE 

AJIj1) fl'FIE NATION.D,L AERONAUTICS AIm SPACE ADMINISTR4.TION 

CONCERl\TING 

THE MAII-:NED SPACE FLIGH'I' PROORAMS 01" THE '1'1'10 AGENCIES 

1. Pclrpose 

The purpose of this MElviOR4.NDT..IM OF UNDERSTPJ\IDING is to establish 

an expodi tious means of coordina tillg the )Tanned space flight programs OlQ 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department 

of Defense (DOD). It supersedes the agreement of January 21) 1963) 

entitled "Agreement between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Defense concerning the Gemini Program)" which 

is hereby canceled. 

2. Constitution or Corr.J'.lli ttee 

It is agreed that a NASA-DOD committee) to be known as the Vanned 

Space Flight Policy Committee) will meet at fairly regular intervals to 

consider matters described below in. this MEMORANDUM. The Secretary of 

Defense and the Administrator of NASA shall each designate a co-chairman; 

two additional members from each agency shall be jointly appointed by 

the co-chairmen. 

3. Functions of the Committee 

Acting in accordance with the policy guidance of the Secretary 

of Defense and the Administrator of the IIW.SA regarding the conduct of the 

programs of their respective Agencies) the functions of the Committee will 

be: 

a. To resolve those rratters concerning the mutual 

paTticipa tion in and support of the man..'1ed space flight 

programs of the two Agencies which cannot be resolved at 

a lower leve 1. 

b. To arrive at agreements involving top policy 

determinations. 

c. To facilitate the excr~nge) at top management 

level) of viewpoints and inforrration of importance in 

the coordinated planning of the manned space flight 

programs of the NASA and the DOD. 

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Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07393 

4. t/,g,r:agemer:t Responsibilities 

Nothing in this MEMORA.NDuM sr.a.ll be construed. as affecting the 

established. ID3.nagement responsibilities of either Agency. 

5. Proced.ures 

Meetings ,viII be informal, but vlith the advanced preparation 

of a simple agenda. ·A brief memorandum will be written following each 

meeting for the purpose of serving as a record of decisions and. agreed 

upon future action items. 

The co - chairmen shall jointly appoint two Executive Coordinators; 

one from each agency; to provide staff support to the Cormni ttee and 

handle day-to -day committee business. 

The co-c~~irmen will establish such coordination and review 

groups as are required to carry out the function of the ~,g,nned Space 

Flight Policy Committee. 

l"\obert S. McNamara 

Secretary of Defense 

Date: 

S .1 C"N 1958 

Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07393 
Approved for Release: 2019/05/02 C051 07393 

jI:c:~:VIOR4}J}(j.Lvl TO '.;.1l.E SECRETARY OF DEF'El\SE A.ND 'rE-IE PJ)]VITNISTRATOR OF NASA 

Sl.JBJEC'I': Manned Space Flight Policy COlI'.ul1i ttee 

In the light of the evolving relationship betvleen the DOD and 

the NA.SA and the increased volume of rranned space flight coordination 

required as each agency adjusts to programmatic changes, we r~ve agreed 

tr~t the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Manned Space' 

Flight Policy Committee should be revised and updated. 

A proposed revision is submitted for your approval. The key 

differences from the origi~~l are; 

a. The Co -Chairmen are no longer designated by organizational 

title to, permit greater rr~nagement flexibility. 

b. The other members are no longer specifically appointed by 

you but would be jointly appointed by the Co-Chairmen. 

c. Committee procedures have been improved by the addition of 

needed staff support and the authority to establish necessary subQrdinate 

review or coordination groups. 

Robert C. 

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Robert S. McNamara 7 

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