RAND REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R003300180039-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2003
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: July 29, 1952
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Re4sese 2003/05/23SEcIR P80R01731 Rf 3300180039-9
Security Information
29 July 1952
SUBJECT : Rand Report
1. To arrive at an opinion as to the desirability of launching a I
satellite vehicle for reconnaissance as proposed in the Rand Report
involves three basic considerations:
a. Feasibility.
b. Estimate of effort required.
c. Value of benefits.
5. The benefits to be derived from the existence of a number of
satellites giving us pictures of the order of resolution of 100 ft. is
largely a matter of speculation. It will give us some weather information
and some area intelligence which is somewhat beyond our province to
evaluate, but we wish to point out that better reconnaissance and better
SECRET
Approved For Release 2003305/.3 I44-F P80R01731 R003300180039-9
ecuri y n
2. Since all three of these considerations are, at this stage,
matters of opinion, we have obtained the opinions of a group of lead-
ing scientists and engineers to supplement our own findings. This
group includes DuBridge, Bacher, Lauritsen, Greenstein, Killian, Hall,
Watson, Zacharias and Wiezner.
3. All concerned agree that it is possible and feasible to construct
a rocket to be propelled at sufficient speed to place it in a suitable orbit
around the earth with the development of existing knowledge. Likewise,
all agree that it is feasible to equip the rocket with power plant, control,
television, etc. by development of existing knowledge. There is
definitely a question, however, as to the possibility of ever being able
to obtain recognizable images of objects of a size less than 100 ft. at
the proposed orbit distance of say 350 miles.
4. Although such a rocket and its equipment are considered to
be feasible, the task of bringing it into being should not be under-rated.
It would require a major effort, we estimate, of 6 to 8 years in time
and between a half and a billion dollars of 1952 dollars, with corre-
sponding absorption of critical technical manpower.
 Approved For Relmse 2003/05/23 : 55 80R01731 R0 300180039-9
Security Information
information could be obtained with far less effort and cost by, for in-
stance, high flying jets (flight at 50, 000 ft. altitudes is now possible
and at such altitudes, detection is very unlikely).
6. We realize that it can be argued that over-flying a nation is
a breach of neutrality, on the other hand, the launching of a satellite
which will some day come back to earth in anybody's country may be
considered to be a breach of international law- -at any rate, it may be
ammunition for propaganda.
7. We have no way of evaluating psychological value or effects,
and must leave this phase to others. We do believe, however, that the
Agency should give consideration now to this aspect of the project to
be prepared for future developments.
8. Based on our knowledge and experience, we do not recommend
the project be started at this time, but believe study should continue,
especially along the lines which will be useful in general rocket motor
development and instrumentation.
9. It is our present understanding that the Air Force has not
abandoned the project, and there seems to be no call for this Agency
to carry the project.
/I
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/2& P80R01731 R003300180039-9
Security Information
 Approved For Release 2003/05/23 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003300180039-9
DDI' 'OUTING
No.
L Mr. Becker
Mr. Drain
Mr. Davidson
Mrs. Johnson
Mr. Hassell
6
Approved For Release 2003/05/23 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R003300180039-9
 Appaay~vr RelemvtQ3/5 2~olyQbtNNR,CI!P80RQp'f R003
!
(FENDER WILL CIRCLE CLA
SIFICATION TOP AND BOTTOM)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
Frn
e- EL.-2115Z
TO
INI
TIALS
DATE
I
14'~
2
li
w
3
4
rife
5
Q c/ c.
FROM
DATE
I
.
3
APPROVAL EUo FORMATION
[j SIGNATURE
ACTION DIRECT REPLY
RETURN
COMMENT PREPARATION OF REPLY
DISPATCH
FICONCURRENCE RECOMMENDATION
FILE
REMARKS: f
?
App gd For ~A?003/05WRI ~1-RDP$ Q;II aR003
0180039-9
00180039-9
25X1
16-83794-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
FORM 30-4
SEP. 1947
 25X1
SECRET
pproved or Rase 2003/05/23 : - -
ROUTING AND RECORD S' ET
INSTRUCTIONS: Officer designations should be used in the "TO" column. Under each comment a line should be drawn across sheet
and each comment numbered to correspond with the number in the "TO" column. Each officer should initial (check mark insufficient)
before further routing. This Routing and Record Sheet should be returned to Registry.
FROM:
NO
.
I
Er~ -3-1"3?15
OTS/DD/P - 2-c-71 Quarters I
D A
JUL IL.
291952
TO
ROOM
DATE
OFFICER'S
NO.
RECD
FWD'D
INITIALS
COMMENTS
1.
226
'3V
Mr. Wisner
Admin.
DDCI: 25
2.
Pyrsuant to
your
suggestion
, Admiral
.
and
Dr.
have e
into the question of the feasibility
3.
and effectiveness of a satellite
of a satellite
vehicle. You recall that this
was a point raised by certain members
a.
of the PSB staff in the form of a
recommendation that this government
should devote the necessary priority
5.
to such a project. In tcourse of
the
their in airy,
Admiral
a
Dr. II talked to
individ
the
6.
mentioned in the second
paragraph,
who are believed to be the most knowl
edgeable American scientists in the
7.
field. This list includes top-rankin
scientists from Cal Tech and MIT, a s
well as the Office of Naval Research
,
8.
etc. Dr. DuBridge is a Director O5
the Rand Corporation.
9.
The conclusions of Admiral
and Dr. 0 are set forth
In VM'
attached memorandum and are
in gener
10.
-
-
,
ti 0
quite nega ve.. Admiral
enlarged upon the contents of para. 7
stating that in his opinion the adver
11.
------
psychological effect would possibly
outweigh the favorable effect. Host
propaganda would certainly seize u
on
-
p
12.
any such effort as this on our part a
a further act of American aggressiv
and
intimidation
Mr Palmer Putnam
13.
.
L.
the P$B maintai
of
ns
r 9 o
this argument.
14.
S :J
WqGNr I ING F ~.
51-1oApproved For Release 2003/05/23 S fDP80RO1731 R00330~19-9r S.
EM AL
?
1
1
1
,
e
e
ss
0