The Space Race
SECRET
A collection documenting the early days of U.S. space policy amidst a bipolar world.
This Department of State Airgram from November 19th, 1962, proposes America’s position on space for the UN’s 17th General Assembly. Much of the document grapples with the principle that space must be used for peaceful purposes – and how the U.S. and the Soviet Union differ on their definition of “peaceful’, especially regarding the use of satellite imagery. The author outlines the limits to the U.S. 's capacity for diplomatic compromises as the Soviet Union demanded legislation that would hinder the U.S. space program. Despite pessimism regarding the Soviet position, the document also strikes a hopeful tone on the use of the UN as a forum for space policy, as it allowed for unique multilateral collaboration during the Cold War.
In this letter to the Secretary of State, most likely Roger Tubby (Former Representative of the United States to the European Office of the United Nations) describes the protocol for recovering both astronauts and space equipment originating from a foreign nation. This document is noteworthy because it represents the opportunity for unprecedented neutrality and collaboration in space that if foreign to Earth. The document declares that foreign astronauts be treated as one’s own during a rescue operation, most lost equipment will be returned to the country of origin (except for various intelligence-gathering devices), and states shall search for astronauts who have made an emergency descent on the high seas.
Second Phase
Disarmament negotiations under the auspices of the UN and correspondence between President Eisenhower and Chairmen Bulganin and Khrushchev
Phase two commenced with the U.S. proposal at the UN in 1958 that the question of the peaceful uses of outer space be separated from that of disarmament.
Beginning in fall 1961, space policy saw a breakthrough in the development of international cooperation in peaceful uses, including a specific project with the USSR.
First Phase
Third Phase
1957 - 1958
1961
1958 - 1961
From San Antonio, Texas, President Johnson’s Deputy Press Secretary read a statement by the president outlining the need for a treaty on space exploration. This speech represents the height of interagency negotiations for the Treaty on Outer Space. For example, a NASA official wanted the treaty to be focused on the moon, so the government reached a compromise to refer to the law as on the “explorations of the moon and other celestial bodies,” rather than just “celestial bodies.” Although the statement does not explicitly reference the Cold War, one can see hints of opposition to the Soviet Union through quotes about America promoting peace on earth as well as in space. For more documents on the treaty’s language revisions between the DOD and NASA, view files 28 - 35 in the Space Race box.