INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION, 1959-79 373 



THE U-2 FIASCO 



When NASA announced in June 1959, that it was using a new 

 Lockheed U-2 to investigate atmospheric turbulence between 20,000 

 and 50,000 feet by overflying the United States, England, Japan, 

 western Europe, and Turkey, only aviation and meteorological circles 

 seemed interested. Then when NASA held a press conference on May 5, 

 1960, to announce the loss of a U-2 over Turkey on a "weather mission, ' ' 

 it signaled an international incident which embroiled the committee. 

 Premier Khrushchev announced to the Supreme Soviet that pilot 

 Francis Gary Powers had been shot down over Soviet territory and 

 had confessed he was employed by the CIA. Khrushchev demanded to 

 know if President Eisenhower had ordered the spy flight. The scheduled 

 summit meeting booked for Paris later in May was abruptly canceled. 

 Khrushchev noted that Powers and his U-2 had been shot down by a 

 rocket while flying at 65,000 feet altitude, and the U-2 carried elec- 

 tronic gear to detect Soviet radar installations. 



Two members of the committee demanded that the committee 

 investigate the involvement of NASA. In a telegram to Chairman 

 Brooks on May 10, Anfuso pointed out : 



NASA was formed by Congress mainly to carry out peaceful projects and to 

 promote international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space. To gain world 

 confidence it must have no connection with military objectives. Recent disclosures 

 impair my activities as Congressional Adviser to the UN, also activities of the Sub- 

 committee on International Cooperation of which I am Chairman, as well as the 

 prestige of your entire Committee. We must do everything possible to dispel any 

 mistrust on the part of other nations. NASA must confirm its peaceful purposes 

 before the Summit Conference. 



Freshman Congressman Leonard Wolf (Democrat of Iowa) also chal- 

 lenged Chairman Brooks and expressed concern "over revelations that 

 NASA is being used as a cover for spying activities by the CIA." 

 Wolf added: 



I do not believe the Nation can afford to let Congress follow the bumbling and 

 irrational leadership of this Administration. It is our manifest duty to insist that 

 moneys * * * are used in strict compliance with the law as stated by Congress. 



Wolf urged a full-scale investigation by the committee to determine if 

 NASA was involved in other, similar activities and in "what other 

 instances NASA has given out information which is at variance with 

 the facts." 



Chairman Brooks declined to conduct a committee investigation. 

 He told both Anfuso and Wolf that "I have been briefed on this matter, 

 and if you will call at my office, I will be glad to convey such informa- 

 tion as I have on an off-the-record basis." Under pressure from the two 

 Congressmen, Chairman Brooks called an executive session of the 



