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~TIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF 

HANDLE lilA 

January 5, 1968 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR.~ ~ 

SUBJECT: NBC Space Special 

BACKGROUND: 

Tonight NBC will present a one hour documentary on 

space. Apparently OSD/PA had agreed to cooperate with NBC 

by releasing some space information in its connection. 

Mr. Barfield, of DDR & E, advised that in lieu of a requested 

interview, Dr. Foster had provided written answers to a set 

of questions submitted by NBC in connection with this program. I am not aware of the content of material released or 

of the exact terms and conditions attached to any information 

which was released. However, to protect OSD interests, 

OSD/PA had requested a review of the military space portion 

prior to the public showing. I understand NASA made the 

same stipulation. 

STATUS: 

Late yesterday afternoon Mr. Barfield called to ask if 

I would review the film footage with him. He said the material was not yet in the building but would be in shortly. 

He later called to say it would be in tomorrow (this 

morning). This morning, Howard Barfield and Capt Lobdell 

(USN) of DDR & E and Major Hermann and I reviewed the film. 

It contained the following areas of concern as regards 

national policy concerning U.S. satellite activity: 

A. A complete mosaic of Peru which could generate 

antagonism by Peruv~ans and other foreign countries 

concerning U.S. satellite mapping photography. 

B. Discussion, with animations, of military operational satellites, e.g. 

1. Reconnaissance satellites now cover 100% of 

the Soviet Union and Red China. 

2. Will revolutionize warfare by keeping tabs on 

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troop and military activity, missiles in silos. 

C. MOL was characterized as: 

1. Keeping tabs on ships at sea 

2. Conducting radio voice intercept 

3. Having an infrared capability 

D. Possible future uses of military manned space 

stations is discussed with emphasis on: 

l. 

2. Disarming _satellites 

A broad statement was made that the DOD intended a 

considerable build-up of military space activity in the 

1970's. 

It was apparent that NBC chose to use considerable 

speculative material concerning the U.S. military satellite 

programs and MOL which has been in the various trade 

journals and news media over the past few years. The inaccuracies of the animations and presentations convinced me 

that information released by DOD had not been used. 

A short discussion ensued after the review and we concluded, and so informed Cdr. E.R. Roeder, OSD/PA, that this 

was not an accurate representation of the DOD space program, 

past, present or future, and that DOD could not condone the 

presentation. I am not sure what action OSD plans to take 

wi th NBC. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

I do not believe it is advisable or possible to interfere in any way with the scheduled telecast or content of 

the material to be presented. However, I believe that some 

representative of DOD, possibly Mr. Goulding, should advise 

NBC of the conclusions of our review discussed above. We 

are advising you of this situation to prepare you for any 

possible queries or contacts by Mr. GO~~ing. 

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k~VEY giWj-~:£1I'-_ 0 EN 

Major, AF ~. Dep As t for Security L _ . 

NRO Staff 5'>i~ 

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10:00 P.M., 5 January 1968 

Channel 4 - WRC-TV 

NBC Report: Tomorrow's World - Beyond the Sky 

First program in a series of four scientific 

documentaries examines the future in space as 

far as it can be predicted by scientists living 

today. Man's development of the Moon, concepts 

for moon colonies and further thrusts into space 

will be explored. An exclusive Soviet film will 

detail how some Russians view the prospect of 

moon colonies. 

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