635 



Both countries have made extensive use of satellites for purposes of 

 military surveillance, planetary exploration, probes of deep space, 

 and scientific observations from the space environment. 



MEASUEES OF PROGRESS IX SPACE TECHNOLOGY 



One measure of success is the comparative national effort invested 

 in it. In rough terms, it appears that the total effort in both the United 

 States and the Soviet Union is about even.*^ Another measure is the 

 recognition, worldwide, of space achievements. Although the Soviets 

 scored first, and remained well in the lead for 7 or 8 years thereafter, 

 the U.S. moon landing reversed the relationship decisively. Moreover, 

 U.S. practice in announcing nonmilitary launches in advance and 

 admitting to failures has added credibility to U.S. announcements of 

 successes. Advance announcements are also important in enabling the 

 \vorld — in effect — to participate as an observer of each maj^r U.S. 

 endeavor. 



As to numbers of satellites carrying out a mission successfully, the 

 Soviet practice of not annoimcing failures makes comparison diffi- 

 cult. Numbers of known launches and numbers of satellites actually 

 orbited or dispatched on missions are roughly comparable. 



With respect to the utility of the space program — the commercial 

 or economically beneficial uses of satellites — it would appear that the 

 United States has a lead. The Syncom series of synchronous orbiting 

 communications satellites, developed first by the United States, has 

 provided the technological basis for global telephone and television 

 systems that have now become an important and expanding commercial 

 activity. Similarly, the world has been invited to share the benefits of 

 the U.S. series of Tiros weather observation satellites. However, the 

 Soviets have entered vigorously into both of these fields and apparently 

 intend to match U.S. efforts in the forthcoming program of Earth 

 resources satellite surveys. 



DIPLOMATIC ASPECTS OF THE SPACE RACE 



The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, in its declaration 

 of policy (Sec. 102-a) stated: "The Congress hereby declares that it 

 is the policy of the United States that activities in space should be 

 devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind." Such 

 activities, moreover, should be conducted so as to contribute to ". . . co- 

 operation by the United States with other nations and groups of na- 

 tions ..." in the work and the enjoyment of its benefits. (Sec. 102-C-7) 

 To this end : 



Sec. 205. The Administration, under the foreign policy guidance of the Presi- 

 dent, may engage in a program of international cooperation in work done pur- 

 suant to this Act, and in the peaceful application of the results thereof, pursuant 

 to agreements made by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. 



By 1970, the United States had entered into 250 international project 

 agreements with some 74 nations under the space program. 



** U.S. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics. "Review of the Soviet 

 Space Program : With Comparative United States Data." Report of the ... . Prepared by 

 the Science Policy Research Division, Legislative Reference Service, Library of Congress. 

 90th Congress, first session. (Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967), pages 

 83-4. [Committee Print.] 



