• • • • •.• 11. • I • SO n

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

WASHINGTON. D.C.

11111MIWISIM

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 26 September 1974

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. HALL, ASD(I)

Per our conversation this morning on the OMNIBUS NSCID

as related to the NRO, I am attaching our rough draft of a

"charter" for NRO functions. It is our thought that if others

decide that an OMNIBUS NSCID is required, it should not preclude the issuance of a specialized NSCID or other appropriate

document which would serve the same purpose for the NRO. A

few items in this "charter" may be controversial in view of

higher level considerations. However, our primary interest

is to maintain the NRO intact as a streamlined effective

organization reporting to a single boss, the ExCom.

Attachment

Draft of ehomeer

Aerceme h

De

J. . Plummer

HA F IA wow EXEMPT ream

OF

EXECUI INF ORDER 11113 EXEMPTION CATE.

GENERAL DICE MIURA C

cot,/ no' sy TrM CORY bay oecukseer ON IMP MT.

CO NT Re.e?“,

COPY Of COPI LS

PACE 1 or, 1 , PAGES
MANDL r VIA • (IMO . •tft

COWINN iN.0 N

11•14110./11 0011.8• WU, Ow noor a'll

SOW 11410 0.4400 • Ovio•fm

&I •••• .1. 1 ow ••

1

1

CO l %Y:111'

AGREEMENT

FOR THE

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION 

Satellite reconnaissance includes all space-borne intelligence information gathering about foreign activities which

may affect the national security of the United States. The

conduct of satellite reconnaissance activities should be under

single and direct management in order that utmost efficiency

and cost effectiveness may be obtained and in order that

necessary protective security may be maintained. Therefore,

. in the interest of national security and pursuant to the National

Security Act of 1947 as amended, the National Security Council

authorizes and directs that satellite reconnaissance activities

be carried out as the National Reconnaissance Program (NRP) of

the United States to be conducted under national leadership as

prescribed herein.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Tbe functions of the NRP include the development, management, control and operation of all projects, both current and

long range, for the collection of intelligence information by .

spacecraft. Included are all'

naissance quality, or

reconnaissance purposes and signal and electronic devices.

In addition, the National Reconnaissance Program will involve

the aggressive development and pursual of advanced technology

for the collection of intelligence which is fully responsive

to the intelligence needs and objectives of the United States.

A National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) will be administratively established within the Department of Defense. It

will provide the necessary streamlined management to permit

VIO i

V71i el 321

COPY COPits

PAGE 1 Of PAC! S

CO •
CONT DIM . noL srs

IONS

GM ha fWho as

GSM 

I..w

UPS O. hidioh 

...a.wr toNt

Iwaelh 1

hh

CONTROL NO

COPY Of COP1L S

CO

LS YS T 1

accomplishment of an effective satellite reconnaissance program

and will serve as a facilitator in the interaction between the

using agencies and the intelligence community for the use of

satellites. It will be designated as a highly classified

separate operating agency and will not be subjected to normal

review or oversight.

The Director of the National Reconnaissance Office will be

appointed by the Secretary of Defense subject to the advice of

the Director of Central Intelligence. To insure the optimum

common use of space support resources, the Director, NRO will

normally serve also as the full-time Under Secretary of the

Air Force and he will:

Assure that the Assistant Secretary of Defense

for Intelligence is cognizant of satellite reconnaissance

activities in order that these activities may be integrated

with conventional intelligence management under his purview.

- Assure that the Director of Central Intelligence

remains cognizant of satellite reconnaissance activities in

order that the proper integration of these activities be made

within the remainder of the overall United States intelligence

effort. The Director, NRO also will respond to the national

and tactical guidance furnished by the United States Intelligence

Board which is chaired by the Director of Central Intelligence.

Assure that SIGINT satellite development, control

and operation are compatible with the SIGINT processing responsibility of the Director, National Security Agency and that onorbit activities are compatible with other national directives

and established organizational relationships.

Assure that the development, control and operation

of all satellites are compatible with the national and tactical

requirements interface.

MANAGEMENT

The Secretary of Defense is responsible to the United

States Government for the execution of the NRP and the
maintenance of the NRO. In addition to appointing the Director,

NRO, the Secretary of Defense will delegate sufficient authority

for the Director, NRO to act as his principal agent in the dayto-day management and execution of the National Reconnaissance

Program.

The Director of Central Intelligence is responsible to

the United States Government for proper establishment of

requirements to be satisfied through national satellite

reconnaissance and for the balancing of the level of satellite

collection and exploitation in order to optimize intelligence

output.

The NRP Executive'Committee, consisting of the Director

of Central Intelligence acting as Chairman, a representative

of the Secretary of Defense and other members as appointed

by the National Security Council, will formulate, guide and

approve resource allocations and assure the proper balancing

of projects within the program.

The Director, NRO will be responsible to the Secretary

of Defense for the execution of the program and to the Executive

Committee for proper resource management. He will manage assignments within the program, project reviews and studies associated

with satellite reconnaissance. He will initiate, approve and

direct research and development in the pursuance of advanced

technology for satellite reconnaissance. He will sit with the

United States Intelligence Board and other councils as necessary.

The National Reconnaissance Office will be manned by the

three military departments, CIA and NSA. The selection of

personnel from these agencies will be made by the Director,

NRO. The NRO Staff will have sufficient manning to provide

primary support to the NRP Executive Committee principals through

the Director, NRO. There will be three program offices, one from

the Air Force, one from the CIA, and one from the Navy. The

program offices will be responsive directly to the Director,

NRO for satellite development and operational activities and

projects will be assigned by the Director, NRO to the program

offices in accordance with their capabilities.

VIn

•

CONTROL. NO

COPY or COPS'S

PAGE Cc, 4 PAGES 

om . .1[Ou I C•

'MUM% 1161•110 11 .0, 1 tee. few UM

ONO YU NU 1161•1 • Vs u•

COf<Ot. SYSTEM
CO t

•

The Director, NRO will be directly responsible for the

proper management of dollar resources within the program and

will employ a dedicated comptroller staff for the purpose.

The Director, NRO will furnish necessary budget and program

data to the ExCom, Congress, and other appropriate Government

organizations.

Secretary of Defense Director, Central Intelligence

OFFICIAL: Assistant to the President

for National Security Affairs

CONTROL. NO

core Or coriES

PAGI:A__Of PAGLS

• Oam

11184 144 f. 

asitinnri OW. WV heft cm%

1111•111 n1100 .q •••• et