US COMMERCIAL PARTICIPATION IN FOREIGN SATELLITE RECONNAISSANCE VENTURES

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
4
Document Creation Date: 
December 20, 2016
Document Release Date: 
November 27, 2007
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 6, 1982
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7.pdf150.44 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 8 DDS&T 9 Chm/NIC iO GC 14 E 'C Iv7`I??[VE SECRETARIAT' Routing Slip DO 15 D/OEA i C/PAD/OEA 1 SA/IA 19 SUSPENSE INFO DATE Dare Please prepare response for DCI's signature. NRO Review IL Completed._- Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 Iq Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 TOP SECRET (S) NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE WASHINGTON, D.C. April 6, 1982 MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE SUBJECT: US Commercial Participation in Foreign Satellite Reconnaissance Ventures recently contacted an 25X1 NRO contractor and expressed an interest in contractually teaming on a potential satellite program. The contractor has 25X1 expressed an interest in exploring the possibility of such a joint venture. They would not use any BYEMAN technology. The NRO has responded in the past to contractor requests for advice on . the question of participation in foreign reconnaissance satellite programs by: a. Offering to have CIA ~ make direct contact with the contractor, after agreement by both parties. NRO involvement has been limited to the initial contract. b. Prohibiting the use of any BYEMAN technology. C. Reminding the contractor to comply with all federal export licensing (ITAR) requirements. NRO advice provided to contractors has been predicated on a general impression of current US objectives regarding foreign space intelligence operations and has tended to discourage any participation. I am concerned that future NRO responses might subsequently turn out to be inconsistent with government objectives regarding intelligence collaboration with a particular nation and could potentially impair the competitive posture of US contractors. The rapidly improving remote sensing technology suggests that foreign requests for US commercial participation in foreign ventures will increase. It is clear that the NRO has no responsibility what mechanism or channel should be used to determine current national policy under such a circumstance. I do plan to prohibit NRO contractors from using any BYEMAN technology on any foreign reconnaissance satellite venture unless there is a specific government-to-government agreement Cy 7 of Cy 1 TOP SECRET 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 ` ' Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7 TOP SECRET for the program. DCI guidelines or DCI approved procedures are needed which would enable a prompt response to our contractors and insure cooperative contractors do not decline to bid on ventures which might subsequently be authorized, encouraged or sponsored by the US government. In the absence of a formal mechanism, I propose to refer any future contractor requests for a government opinion to the DCI for appropriate interagency resolution. I would appreciate your views or guidance in this area. TOP SECRET 2 Approved For Release 2007/11/27: CIA-RDP83M00914R002400020001-7