Connally, Hon. John B., Secretary of the Navy- Connolly, Rear Adm. Thomas F., Assistant Chief, Bureau of Naval Weapons (for Pacific Missile Range and Astronautics). Gilpatric, Hon. Roswell L., Deputy Secretary of Defense - - Hayward, Vice Adm. John T., Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Morse, Hon. Richard S., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research Schriever, Lt. Gen. Bernard A., Commander, Air Research and De- White, Gen. Thomas D., Chief of Staff, United States Air Force--- 183 46 194 Ad Hoc Committee on Space, report to the President-elect (the Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board Agreement of Air Force information policy letter for commanders: No. 17, of December 1, 1960 - - No. 3, of February 1, 1961 --- Communications Satellite Agreement of DOD-NASA, August 18, DOD directive, development of space systems, March 6, 1961. DOD directive, reconnaissance, mapping, and geodetic programs, Excerpts, "The Economics of Defense in the Nuclear Age". General White memorandum on Air Force-NASA relations, April 14, DEFENSE SPACE INTERESTS FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1961 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON SCIENCES AND ASTRONAUTICS, Washington, D.C. The committee met at 10 a.m., Hon. Overton Brooks (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. This morning we are opening hearings on the subject of space organization in the Department of Defense, and its implications for relations to the national space program as a whole including NASA and the Space Council. This is a matter which goes to the very heart of this committee's jurisdiction, as set forth in the Rules of the House, over "astronautical research and development, including resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities," and over "outer space, including exploration and control thereof." These same rules assign us responsibility to exercise continuous watchfulness over policies of concern to the Space Council and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The internal organization of the Department of Defense for space activities is a vital factor in our total United States space effort which includes both military and civilian applications of space technology. This committee has demonstrated its concern for the military portion of astronautics research and development as recently as last month when it held its annual review of such programs in the Department of Defense. Approximately half the funds for our total space program are assigned within the Department of Defense. The immediate occasion for these hearings is to evaluate the Department of Defense directive of March 6, 1961, on the development of military space activities. This directive deals with only one segment of the total cycle required for assuring "the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology" in accordance with the National Aeronautics and Space Act. The directive is concerned with the "research, development, test, and engineering" of satellites and space probes. It does not of itself tell very much about its implementation; nor does it concern itself with operational responsibilities. It is my view that such a directive cannot be considered apart from the broader context of the effects such a directive may have on the choice of projects to be pursued, our system of priorities, and ultimate applications in both the military and civilian spheres. When one views the entire cycle from the first research idea through to the final operational responsibility, a directive of this nature inevitably has ramifications not confined to the Department of Defense, but in 1 volves policies which should be considered by the Space Council, of which the Secretary of Defense is a member. This is not a theoretical matter, and I expect the questions and answers of the next several days will make this amply clear. It is certainly not our thought at this time to challenge the wisdom of the directive of the Secretary of Defense. But we would be derelict if we did not make such inquiries as will give this committee a full understanding of a directive whose consequences may be so farreaching. Without objection, I will place in the record at this point a copy of the directive, its accompanying press release, and memorandum from the Secretary of Defense. (The documents referred to are as follows:) THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, Washington, D.C., March 6, 1961 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE THE GENERAL COUNSEL THE ASSISTANTS TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SUBJECT: Development of Space Systems Having carefully reviewed the military portion of the national space program, the Deputy Secretary and I have become convinced that it could be much improved by better organization and clearer assignment of responsibility. To this end, I directed the General Counsel of the Department of Defense to obtain your comments on a new draft DOD Directive, "Development of Space Systems." After careful consideration of the comments and alternate plans that were submitted, the Deputy Secretary and I have decided to assign space development programs and projects to the Department of the Air Force, except under unusual circumstances. This assignment of space development programs and projects does not predetermine the assignment of operational responsibilities for space systems which will be made on a project by project basis as a particular project approaches the operational stage, and which will take into account the competence and experience of each of the Services and the unified and specified commands. We recognize that all the military departments, as well as other Defense agencies, may have requirements for the use of space equipment. The directive expressly provides that they will continue to conduct preliminary research to develop specific statements of these requirements, and provides a mechanism through which these requirements may be fulfilled. Attached is a directive incorporating this decision. We expect all elements of the Department of Defense to support it fully and to help develop the military portion of the national space program in the most effective manner. S/ ROBERT S. MCNAMARA. Encl. DOD Dir. 5160.32 March 6, 1961 NUMBER 5160.32 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DIRECTIVE SUBJECT: Development of Space Systems (a) Memorandum (Conf) from Secretary of Defense to Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, subject: Satellite and Space Vehicles Operations, September 18, 1959. (b) Memorandum from Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency to Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force, subject: Study Contracts for Projects Assigned to the Advanced Research Projects Agency, September 14, 1959 (c) Memorandum (Conf) from Director of Defense Research and Engineering to the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of |