10 April 1959
MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
SUBJECT: (U) Air Force Requirements for Space Systems
In accordance with your instructions, the attached proposed memorandum for the director of ARPA has been revised.
As background the following information is provided: Last August the President approved the National Security Council Paper (NSC 5814/1) titled "Preliminary U.S. Policy on Outer Space," dated August 1958. This paper contained a number of military uses of space. On 10 November 1958, the Air Force forwarded a list of the military uses of space to the Director of ARPA. Four additional uses to those listed in NSC 5814/1 were included In this memorandum. Since then two other uses have been added for military planning purposes. This working list is attached.
At the request of the Director of ARPA a requirements panel was formed with membership from the three Services, JCS, and ARPA. In a memorandum to the Secretaries of the Services, the Director of ARPA requested the Services to provide ARPA with their requirements for Space. On 2 April the Army and Navy provided ARPA with their requirements. The titles of these requirements are:
Army Titles:
1. Survey and Geodesy Satellite System
2. Meteorological Satellite System
3. Strategic Surveillance Satellite System
4. Combat Surveillance Satellite System
5. Signal Intelligence and Countermeasures Satellite System
6. Manned Lunar Outpost
7. Earth-Orbiting Logistic Base
8. Earth to Earth-Orbit Transportation System
9. Interspace Vehicle
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Memo
for Secy of the Air Force, Subj: (U) Air Force Requirements for
Space
Systems, dtd 10 Apr 59
10. Lunar Assault Vehicle
11. Lunar Surface Vehicle
12. Space-to-Earth Weapons System
13. Low Altitude Space Defense System
14. High Altitude Space Defense System
15. Earth-Based Space Surveillance and Control System
16. Space-Based Surveillance and Control System
17. Space Patrol Vehicle
18. Communications Satellite System (Low Altitude)
19. Communications Satellite System (High Altitude)
20. Space Forward Command Post
Navy Titles:
1. Navigation
2. Communication
3. Electronic Reconnaissance
4. Reconnaissance and Surveillance
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Memo for Secy of the Air Force, Subj: (U) Air Force Requirements for Space Systems
5. Naval Weather
6. Satellite Surveying (Geodesy)
7. Anti-Satellite Weapon System
8. Air-Sea Launch System for Satellite Payloads
9. Sea-based Manned Maneuverable Interceptor Space Craft System
10. Statement of Naval Requirements for Long Range Programs for Space Technology
The Air Force, following the transfer of the Directorate of Requirements to the DCS/O, initiated a new-program to identify requirements. Within this program the DCS/D has responsibility for stating System Development Requirements. Eight System Development Requirements have been published by the Director of Development Planning to identify the Air Force's interest in a number of Space Systems. These requirements call for the AFSC to investigate and study their feasibility and practicability.
It is not the intent of the Air Force to initiate Weapon System Development for each System Development Requirement. By publishing the requirements the Air Force can "Stake a Claim" on the area. If the studies prove that the system Is feasible further development effort will be proposed to the Secretary of Defense. WS 117-L was started in a similar manner in 1946. A Weapon System approach was not initiated for this system until April 1956.
It is, therefore, recommended that the attached six General Operational Requirements and eight System Development Requirements be forwarded to ARPA In accordance with the request of the Director.
2 Incls:
1. Military
Uses of Space (dup)
2. Proposed Memo to ARPA w/l Attachment,
"Space Req. "
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MILITARY USES OF SPACE
FROM NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL PAPER (NSC 5814/1)
1. Military Reconnaissance Satellite Utilizing Optical Sensors
2. Military Satellite Utilizing Infra-red Sensors to Provide Ballistic Missile Attack Alarm
3. Military Satellites for Communication.
4. Military Reconnaissance Satellites Utilizing Electronic Sensors
5. Military Satellites for Mapping and Charting.
6. Satellites for Weather observation.
7. Manned Maintenance and Resupply Outer Space Vehicles.
8. Manned Maneuverable Defensive Outer Space Vehicles.
9. Bombardment Satellite.
10. Manned Military Lunar Base.
11. Satellites for Electronic Countermeasures.
12. Satellites as Aids to Navigation.
ADDITIONS
MADE BY MEMO TO ARPA
FROM ASST SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (RD) ,
DATED 10 NOV 58
13. Satellite Defense System. (Including satellite detection, tracking and position prediction capabilities).
14. Manned Bombardment Space Vehicles (or Space Base).
15. Manned Detection, Warning and Reconnaissance Space Vehicles ( or Space Base).
16. Target Drone Satellites.
USES IDENTIFIED SINCE 10 NOV 58 MEMORANDUM
17. Military Space Logistics Base.
18. Complex Military Satellite Decoys.