58-A-3 THE WS-117L PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 10, 2004
• Sequence Number: 87
• Content Type: REQ

1 4 0005295 140/111/2
,~'~ ,,~~^~ 6D
Approved For I~e?ease 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803ROA0100040087-5 cm- =4
NRO and USAF review(s) completed.
SE0119 T e2 of 13
copy or_;2 "'
I11iTO1 M TIO~d PLAN
CL S?I?ICATION: SECF 'T
T3TLE-- 58-A-3 T, ws..i 7L PROORVI
7CM: ARPA N oraudum to Secretary of the Air Force, dated 28
February 1958, subject: "Reconnalsomee Satellites and
annod Space Exploration".
Teak Orr izatians:
Air Rose arch and Dovelops eut Cad
Strategic Air Co ed
Air Defense Cc hand
Air 1-iater-ie1 C nd
P itaxy Air Tw port Command
Air Training Camad
P..1akws Air Coaaad
CiC M
CIISPACAF
CINCAIM
SYc:s'ti Oraa3tZ;Vrai is scheduled to cxtdncl beyond
1965. Any infograation action taken during the initial
PHA i S will ai fect, if not condittion, the elute of
public opinion pre vai..l.ing during the introduction of
oubsequent P $ S of the program. The absence of plan-
ned and regular rsieaecs will not prevent publicity
on the project. To the ccnbz^ary, as in the case to
elate, it has resulted in =c3ch speculation and erroa-
eous writing in, the press, giving rise to pol-ttieally
unfavorable connotations such as "Big Brother" and
"Spy'", It is inrpo -cant, therefore, that all releas-
esa consistently and accurately reflect the objectives
of this plan and that all contacts with the press be
adx ru'sstered in a highly professional manner.
(c) Security considerations, international politieal
factors and the need to inform the America public
combine to affect the presentation of thin program
to the public. Because of these diver se pr ;sssures,
this plan calls for a gradual approach to the
saccouplinhrnenta of the objectives list ted in Para. 1.
In P,t 1Ss; O11TE, primary emphasis will be placed upon
peaceful scientific research conducted by the
orbiting satellites in the study of environmental
conditions and the intricate testing program in-
volved in launching and orbiting, test vehicles.
PHASE TWO (Atlas stage) will move closer to the
Copy. ofr
Approved For Release 2005/0QJ2y ;CIX.[ P85B00803R000100040087-5
 ~`~ CCu.1 OlO t
Approved For ase 2005/04/22 : CIA-RPP85B00803'R0001000400870,,ge 6 of
) 3
SBCRET Copy_of
mil.itoxy u3pectss of the project but TrIJ.1 still stress
scientific research and toot proccduroa. The successful
orbit of the first PIASE TM M (opcracionai) vehicle
will be aploited to tth fullest ex .ant. Exploitation
will continue tLx;ozzghout PIIJ.SE TizT'BE. Pia lticuler atten-
t,ion will be accorded overeean coverage and ma sm:un
cooperation will bC provided the United States Informa-
tion Agency. Ca rnoncing with PHASE objectives of
this plan listed in Paras 1.o and 1-f will be provided,
additional emhasis.
(4) The Thor Test Version Series (FiIASE ONE)
cieneral
1. The Mor test se ierc, totaling 10 non's lauzchinga
is scheduled to begin in November 1958 and will
initiate the accelerated WS-117L prom.
2. Primary objectives of PEASE, ME are to establish the
premier that the Thor series is a test phase and. to
set the s a e for. Z EASE ' d0 - the Atlas series of
nine launch :clgs scheduled to begin in vane 1959.
One last three Thor launchings it ll run concurrently
with the first three Atlas shots.
a. Special emphasis -i ill be accorded the space re-
search factor of the Thor test program. This
there will stress the i)aaceful scientific re-
search conducted by orbiting satellites in the stud
of environmental conditions. This will be iii-
eluded in all app priate releases, speechea and
intervi nis.
b. Reference to potentiality of the rreapo system
itself will be minimized d=ing ing PHASE ONE. No
overt att `~ will be mwic to discourage such re
porting or press specu 'ation but every effort will
be made to promote envirommnta1 findings and re-
search results to divert PHASE ONE emphasis.
(b) SMcific
1. Five basic press releases will initlzte FMS.SE ONE and
the general approach to the over-a.L1 WS-117L inorm-
tion program. These releases will be issued on
appropriate dates colected by the Director of Informa-
tion Services, Office of the Secretary of the Air
Force, and ,approved by the Aest. Secretary of Defense
for Public Affairs. They will include:
a. Background and acceleration of the progrrui.
Approved For Release 2005/04%22 :1 %IA-RQp85B00803R000100040087-5
 ,,~~^^~~ co -olu+
Approved For Cease 2005/04/22: CIA-RQP85B00803'ROb0100040087- r"c 7 of
S B CRE. T cop, of
b. Air Fore iduastry Team
c. Cooke Test Basle
d. Test Facilities Static Tests (Ground firing of
rocket: engines)
e. Construction of Tracking Stations.
Irv
2. No i'ur her announcement or release will be nsde until
the first successful firing of the Thor teat series.
3. Subject to t:stiux rvisian by the Director of laforcation
Services, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force,
the Air Resiearch and Dcveloi ent Ccasnd. (aUiatie
tiLnsiles Division and the Air Force Ninsile Teat
Center) will conduct press operations relative to
firings during lEPSv I and 11. Responsibility for
press oper&ti.ons will be tran3 ?erred fron AR= to
the Strategic Air Cam mad In MA.SR IIi. An Ave?;,-
tton 5.1e i, selected by the Director of to Lion
Services, will suppler nt t e 13117) press task force
and w -IU be in a position, along with necessary
equipment, thra (3) & WE prior to the first sr ched-
ul_ed. Thor launching. Tee Avo entatioa Tam vi l be
assigned to ARDC end SAC for duty in subsequent
firings as necessary.
4. Spot n mm I>ndiing by the y~--. e 3 t sjis force with
reference to firing operations will conform to in-
structi' on?s issued by this head.,ues Hers based upon
procedures established by the Dep u'bzent of Defense.
Coverage of the first nccesef'ul launching will be
a high-Ley effort and all accessary stops will be
taken to insime necessary pro-dispositioning of
information resources. U-
pon ct lotion of the
first succesefel shot, an evaluation will be made
eoncerning infonmtional aspects of the operation.
Deficiencies will be noted and appropriate action
taken.
7
a. The resource; of the Augaent,ation beam will be
at Pressed prix a illy to h omen'.-OM relCases, feature
materiel and those facets of i orn ::ion which
can be developed to favorable acvant ,e for di.s-
comi.ne Lon abroad in conjunction with the U. S.
Information Agency. Releases will include still
picture and captioned press releeses, l6 m,
silent and auricon coverage for television use,
16= kodachrome footage for national colorcasts
on television, 35mm black and white photographs
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
 ice, Cofl-07.c,
Approved For Qase 2005/04/228 (jUbT U?16008038000100040087-5p r0 8 of J
Copyrof4
6.
7?
and t:ranoparencice for nct-rspaper, periodicals
and Sunday supplement use.
b. Faztory-n relca es will i&:ntify (1) the test
Airing locale through visual or audio means;
(2) the rL.ission within the Air Force frE)mz of
reference; (3) the individamis, to include or-
ganisation and home addrena; and, (4) the task
the individual, or individunie is performing.
ALl h pitown releases will be proccssed as
rapidly as capabilities permit to take full ad-
vantage of timing.
c. ICey Air Force officers, scientists and. techni-
cians will be available for r,. dia interviews.
Pertinent canned etas nts, along with brief
biogre;phico, wrill be dicer .sated as eppro rriate.
'Thsn px acticeble a depending upon length of s;ate'! lice
orbit and status of trac Fr facilities - press tours
will, be established at selected tracking stations to
draw tine tracking coverage and hichuigh4 the scien-
tific research aspects of the orbiting satellite.
In firing operations in which scheduled. or'aitZng
times are, to be of ouch nhor4 duration as to create
an impression of failure or an abortive operation
in the public mind, a special release will be issued
prior to the subject firing announcing the short
orbit scheduled.
8. Should failure occur in any of the firings, a
routine announcement, will be ame& prcptly,; calling
attentioa to the next scheduled firing. Specific
firing datea, however, will not be released, in ad-
vance.
9. Specie-L features, speeches and, interviec with
prominent scientists affiliated or knowledgeable
with the 'S..117L progra .t will e ph size ? a contri-
bution to scientific research in being by the
? ;telllte program in the field of environmental space
studies.
10. Providing the first Z,or firing is successful, the
second Thor firing and the remainder of the. series
will be played in medium to low key as the situation
warrants.
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
 Approved For R lease 2005/04/22: CIA-RDP85B00803R'006100040087-5 Ike 9 of
Cowy PY7
SECRET
(5)
(a)
1. The At1 ; teak: aayicap schsdul d to begin in
June 1959, will conoi.s t of nine monthly
l.E unchi n as i' om Patrick. 103j, Florida. 02.in
;chase will run coucu nUy with the ].sit three
IMMCUM32 of PEE I.
2. Primary objective of phase II is to (a) caup1 ete
the transitions ai cm the teotixzg liboze to the
operational p1 e, and (b) to establish the ccrc-
potenco of the Atlae booster to project heavy
loadn lzzto space.
The f313~ ~~?eat VersIon Series ( E )
a. Scientific rs:ar.'.~Lxch Zel1 continue to bat em.
hea: ~: d ._ but this per.; Lr 'i a
more defined apprcach to th ultimate use f
rev .a.' as a weapons '3t,,-
1. TAP= will be no spell out of the pro( -,,-am,,
but press releonses and announccii tents
quoting official sou cea will generalize
as to the reconnrni esr nco capability of
the 013mr ts'm but will e k ize the passive
and. peaceful. irgplication of the progrs ..
ffo
(b)
SYxs, _icca
1. First be,?ic lincrk W-11 be U e i csraance of a na ; sona1.
pxeas the t:Le th6 A 16 rw~~r i a
place at _ t.ickAw , ethedilod. for April 1959.
%bfi. s relsase: wrh:Lrlh will lzalud a newspaper, radio
t levision and nc 'weal covera e, will indicate
tl
) t the Alas will boost a far greater weight
Into orbit.
2. Press proce&ixcs and pl g iL,,.,leu antati on for
the first t uccesal" l Atlas firing w 1.1 be based
upon the evaluation results of the infox2tional
effort accorded the successful Thor firing in
1'f]ASI #.
a. Press relo res V1111 differ it those dissem-
inated in PI: I to the c en.?b that they will
closely adhere to the objectives listed in
Pa.=.Eprq oz (5)(&)2 above. Paragraph 5,
p,age7 will apply to the second successful
Ail.,,, firing.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
 Approved For R Iese 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087- ,,t 1A of S E C-:R E ' Cc r of
le~
b. Exh:i:bits of the caaate131-114a prototype .,rUl.. be
place4 in key cities t rougbout the Unitccl
St teo and L=ope- Number of exhibits and
locations w ill be selected at a later date
and a nounced to parhicipating a encioa by
aepa x ate 'z eeec e.
Subsscquerab Atlas op:rations in lax ASE II will be
handled in matine fashion with a mLnimv of nee
generctedl other than annaunceents of successful
firings and necessary progress reports.
3?
(G)
':rho nraati:ion S! (F 111)
(a) General
1. IThe operaationaa3. cerias consiotc of the Pioneer
version, Advanced Version rind Surva=lalace
Version end =bar ea a total of 57 cn eflite
lea nch'a wss. The first- launching (Pio=.,r. )
is asched:ui.cd for March Y.9 O The, breelrdrnn
c.allaa for 11 Saatell.i e a t e Pioneer version;
15 Ac vented. Vesicns; and 31 of the neat
aop atica3:ied satzgc of the pro am, the survail-
lance Version. PH III mare the trrtnofer of
c~3a~w~ t 22 c _ro oaP the WS!! 17L pr to -
. txa' Gic Air C nd..
(b) ~pcjfica
1. rab jcct to the super .sign of the Dire
1rtfo=,atioa ScrvLces, Secret ry of the Air Force,
SAC will condo-ct press operations relative to
fir;WZa dnring PEASE 111.
2. It cen be tnt:Lcipatod that the nuaLrber of satellites
in orbit 'by 1960 will be so >a ercgic as to cake sat-
eU..1.ito 1 nog , a CCUm,ialne Sacsofaa.. as press
!.zr: rs c 1,,-3 concerned. ? Ievert"I elcss, covers e of
the first, 1azaazc2 dsa in PHASE YOU k; i31. be a W .0i
}rc.y eff'ox-2e, beccuse of the nature of the prob' z ,
and. all neceace y steps w211l be taken to insure
pp-,.' d:F.spossitionJ.?r?,g of infon.r do . mcources.
1 a??+t"4.'LC`7L71 rz attention ww ll be accorded over aeas
r ovc2 ,n;e and ri :i cooperation will be of i' cted
t,ri th the Uxa i.ted States Information A,ancy. Sub-
sequent launchings and deval o-ent in PIA III
faaawrantir me dImvra effort will be exploited to
'the fullest extent.
3. At least three (3) moths prior to the ssche&iled
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
8 EC RET
 1.1"% coa-010~
Approved For ase 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803ROd0100040087-5pe,,,e 11 Qf 1 J
SECRET cow ? Of r
lsaunching of the f'irot WS..U7L oncraticznal
vehicle inittiatLng PZA3E XZI, oovv bw-,L'ion
:r.:aults of 1 ? I Ausi P 2E 11 will be xe-
viosw?ed by thin heakwrterss. The re:su7 is of
thin review, along with current political and
niitary conaiderationsa, Will determine the ex-
tent of t[SE III planning revision.
Subject, to Security ea d. policy considerations,
selected pictures taken by orbiting satellites
will be released to the press.
be A alpmmont of T.ske
(l) The Director of Infor-,,z .on Services.. Office of the
Secret=-y of the Air rorce, w3.l:
(a)
/(b)
(c)
(0)
W
(f)
(?)
(h)
(i)
In coorr.Unatianz With the Assi"'an It Secretexy of
Do enze for Public Affaire and the Advanced Research
Protects Agency (ARE %),, monitor the executic i of
thie plan and caper ri sc the isissuaace of press re-
leases., announcamoubs, photographic and other in-
fox .:tion l material ( xs-3) .
Provide nececeursy gaidancc to subordinate units.
Establish Air Force policy govera,:,ng all i nfoxz .tZon-
al aepccts of the WS-117L progre i.
Establish and duct procedures involving semrity.
Detail a nt .r of a^.b cted officers and al= en to
foria an Au aentTtloa Team to be assigned to .cam
(Ballistic T+csei.l.ess Division) Air Force I senile
Teat Celrber and SAC on tewpoxary dWpy for the
purpose of carrying out various aspects of this
plan.
'v izaate and process iroposod in azine az cl sa for
use dwlmg the period of this plan.
Z'z ?re B-altc lots relative to the significance and
scope of the 'VS-117L W-Oax'n for issuance at approp-
r gate tines by key Air Force officers aaeigned to
this hQadcj rtora .
x repare on internal info Lisa program for world
wide utilization.
Initiate press tours at sasalccted tracking stations.
Approved For Release 2005/04/2 CIA--RE 85B00803R000100040087-5
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22: CIA-RDP85B00803P00010004008P.E6te03.C4
(2)
(3)
PaGe 12 of /I
Copy oY
(J) Direct ? exh:ibit placeme t operation as cited in
Para raph -3.
The Air Berseexch and Devol oprnent Command (MID., A71=) will:
(a)
Subject to ins 4rjxetioas by the Director of 3:ZZorazation
Services, =ice of the Secretary of the Air Force,
conduct preas orporations relative to satellite vehicle
launchings in P IPM I and L.C.
(b) Prepare necessary pxewe re eases and other inform.
ational material as cited. in Pare x;?hs 1. thru 10
(ica 7 wid. 8) and ;graph 5 (Pee 9).
Mae Air Defense Go d, Military Air Tr=sport Cad,
Air Lraising Coa end, Alneican Air Ca nanrl, CINCH and
CMIRC, Will:
(a) Upon direction, protridc oporatic i.l and logistical
support to this head.paartere, the S tegic Air
Co aman.d or the Air Research and. De-velopwunt Command
(3,l pm ac) in support of this plaza.
(4) The Strategic Air Cc z nd. vill:
Direct ' First issi..'l o Division, Cooke A Ma, to
support the Ballistic Il'.rissi3co Division (ARM) in
the conduct of prow operations =2,:ttive to firings
of s tel.:l to teat vehicles during Elk,471.3 I and pro-
-vicis logistical and a nietrative supapor. t to mem-
bers of the kug entation Tam and m+?..mbers of the
press during gird operations at Coake At` .
(b) Subject to instructions by the Director of In oz nw-
tion Services, Office of the Secretary of the Air
Force, conduct press operations in PH= II.I.
(a)
Coordizaatin Xnstr ction
(l)
(2)
(3)
The ]D Ta c:tor of Information Sea eeo, Office of the
8ecra, ry of - he Air Force, will effect c3.or coordi-
nation with the Director, Advanced. Research Projects
Agency, Department of Defense in the inpleraentation of
this plan.
Pull cooxNU=tioa will be effected with the U. S. Navy,
Point Temu on activities employing the Point VAIsgu Range.
Provision will be made to assure that the spirit and.
Insofar as applicable, the terse of Assistant Secretary
of Defense i +.2rray Snyder's 1 March 1958 T Snoxandt~ra for
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5
S L C R E. T
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22: CIA-RDP85B00803Ra00100040087-5%QR-0.04
Pago )3 of 13
SB CII.3 T Copy of __
the Sacretarieo of the Aa,riy.. Navj tmd Air Force, subject;
Procedure for I oa Coverage of Fix-Ingo at ? ,e icoile
'bat Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida," be followed.
Crc&Lt is press m1v=oa will be given to prime cad aub-
contractora, coop r ating on the ' JS...1.7L progx , whenever
practicable. Thia pUm will be f all f coordinated wit i
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, 'which., as pr1w contractor
has the responsibility of providing press and in ormational
assistance to izl.ementing aganciee.
4. AU;+~N; 11'i*lw_
a. Security
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
The provisions of AAIR 205-1 apply.
Procedural norzuallly in effect in conjunction with public
info.tion activities Will apply to all Individual
actions taken in the im ntation of this plan.
The general nature of inAormation to be protected is:
(a)
Payload, or sub-cyst involved in data gathering.
(b)
Cca unicatioa and
round commend techniques.
(c)
Launch echedaLes.
(d)
Data ga b,a :j.n. effecti,venezo of the syat-a.
3rVl rnte.tion of this plan will be monitored by en Air
Force Security Review project officer who trill provide
necessary guidance and security provisions throughout.
Cc .ID AITD BIGIML
Direct commmicabiona with this headquarters is authorized.
FOR 'tom CUM OF STAFF':
AM O R. I.T .fir
M or General, U8AF
Director of Infoution Service
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040087-5