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YNATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 1111111111111 ·2L-

~oL-,1,-Cj WASHINGTON, D.C. 

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THE NRO STAFF January 14, 1969 

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MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FL 

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SUB.TE CT: Secretary of Navy Issue on DOD Space Eff arts 

Purpose 

To apprise you of Mr. Nitze Is response to the Secretary of the 

Navy's recommendations for improving DOD space efforts. 

Background 

On October 8, 1968, in a memorandum for Mr. Nitze. (Tab A), 

Acting Secretary Baird 

a. expressed concern over the considerable impact that Mr. 

Nitze's August 23 directive (Tab B), literally interpreted, could 

have on approved Navy programs; and 

b. recommended the promulgation of new DOD directives which 

would support active all-service participation in military space matters. 

On October 17, 1968, we prepared a draft response (Tab C to 

Secretary Baird's memorandum which we coordinated with 

(ODDR&E) and cleared with you prior to its release to ~~~--------'----, 

for his use in preparing a response for Mr. Nitze's signa ure. 

Present Situation 

Mr. Nitze has responded to Secretary Baird's recommendations in 

a memorandum dated January 13, 1969 (Tab D). In response to Mr. · 

Baird's concern over interpretation of the August 23 memora~dum, Mr. 

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Nitze has: 

a. clarified the ,intent of his August 23 memorandum as a reaffirmation and updating of the basic DOD policy on satellite-borne 

earth sensing activities; -

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b. specified the NRO as the best qualified agency for the reviews 

and analyses required by the directive; 

c. excluded certain equipment-associated activities from the 

restrictions of the directive; 

d. suggested the possibility of substituting an in-house Navy 

"white II instruction for the Top Secret version of the August 23 directive 

and designating a Navy focal point for the collection and preliminary re-, 

view of all Navy satellite-borne earth sensing activity prior to its required coordination with the NRO. With regard to this latter suggestion, 

Mr. Nitze has informed the Navy of his request that you establish within 

the NRO Staff an 0-6 billet to be filled by a Navy Captain who would. per-· 

form duties assigned by the DNRO and additionally report to the Secretary 

of the Navy. Although Mr. Nitze' s request for the establishment of a 

Navy billet is being staffed to you as a separate item, a copy is attached 

(Tab E) for appropriate reference to this issue. 

In response to Mr. Baird's recommendations for new DOD directives, 

Mr. Nitze has: 

a. reaffirmed the 1961 decision which assigned to the Air Force the 

responsibility for the RDT&E of the development of DOD space systems; 

b. directed the ASD(A) to modify DOD Directive 5160. 32, "Development of Space Systems, 11 to insure increased participation by the other 

Services. 

Recommended Action 

No action on this issue is indicated. The billet establishment item 

is being handled separately. 

WILLIAM R. YOST 

Lt Colonel, USAF 

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