TOF SECRET
the earth at a lower height thar the Soviet satellite, the Frresident
wanted to know whether our sateliite would not, as a result, ersounter more interference.
Secretary Quarles replied that perk
satellite for this reason vould not last as long as the Sev
ellite.
The President then asked whether the result of ~h:
not affect U. S. prestige.
Serretery Quarles replied tncter the fact that our satellite might not last so lonz, world ve the
advantage that our satellite would contain more refined equipment.
as @ result of which we would learr more from our sate‘tes ‘oan
could be learned from the Soviet satellites.
The President then seid that he had one ovher questior.
He said that he had read in a newspaper lately that two co-called
intelligence people in the United States had sleaimed *hav the Soviet
satellite was actually taking photographs of the “nited Stetes for
the use of the Soviet Union.
People in the Defense Depertrent hai
said that this was not so and toulc not be done.
therefore, was doing this xind cf talking?
come from?
Secretary Quarles
Who precisely,
Where does sucit
replied that he did not
tal.
kmow the
two
individuals in question, and would probably never find out whe they
were.
Nevertheless, he doubted the truth of any such rumo.s, tnough
we could not know for certain that the Soviet earth satel. te could
not take pictures.
In any case. he couldn't conceive of a:yors in
the lmow making such an al:eget.on as this which, tc “he tese- <T nis
belief, was groundless.
whether
t cur ow
tilable
es replied
+t would be
o.t susp
Secretary Quarles ther suggested that the Counz.
might
like to hear from Dr. Waterman ~r perhaps from Dr. Harer. ( :ee4 of
PROJECT VANGUARD).
Dr. Waterman referred to the President 1: earlier
question as to the range to which we should attempt t< sen:
cwo
earth satellite.
We would know better the answer tc thic iuestion
when we have received the Sull ‘nformation from the Scvis: earti
satellite.
Dr. Waterman then suggested that Dr. Hager commit
uC
the Council on the present statis -f cur own and of se of! 3Etellite program.
Dr. Hagen read & report °c the Council or tis saurgect
Among other things, he noted thet the average height -f in
5S
satellite above the earth was 370 miles.
Its closest poin t tm
earth in its elliptical ornit wes -bont 20° miles; lt tus hert
TOF SECRET
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT. D.
EISENHOWER LIBRARY’:
The Vice President inquired of Secretary Quarles
it was still part of our ow U. S. plans that, when we orb
satellite, the information obtained from it will be made e
to all interested people in all countries.
Sesretary Quar
in the affirmative, and the Vice President commented that
@ great propaganda advantasze for the United States tr give
information.
MMIi. desetee
le ee re
_