Source Library · SRC-V99-131 · Declassified official records (State Department cables)
Department of State communications regarding recovery of deorbited space debris (MOONDUST), 1967-1972
U.S. Department of State (NARA RG 59); photographed and posted by governmentattic.org · 1967-1972
Department of State communications regarding recovery of deorbited space debris (MOONDUST), 1967-1972 · 93 pages · PDF 7.5 MB
US federal government record (Department of State, NARA RG 59). Public domain; hosted here so it can be read and searched. Original source ↗
Loading the page…
Text (93 pages)
The text of 3 scanned pages is imperfect. It was produced by machine OCR (PDF text layer; Windows.Media.Ocr (en-US) for the 3 scanned pages). Words are misread, redaction marks read as letters, and handwriting is mostly lost. Use it to find a page, then quote from the page image, not from this text.
Show the text of all 93 pages
Page 1
Description of documents: Department of State (DOS) Communications Regarding Recovery of Deorbited Space Debris (Moon Dust), 1967- 1972 Source of documents: National Archives and Records Administration Records, College Park, Maryland, Record Group 59 Photographed: March 2022 The governmentattic.org web site (“the site”) is a First Amendment free speech web site and is noncommercial and free to the public. The site and materials made available on the site, such as this file, are for reference only. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals have made every effort to make this information as complete and as accurate as possible, however, there may be mistakes and omissions, both typographical and in content. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information provided on the governmentattic.org web site or in this file. The public records published on the site were obtained from government agencies using proper legal channels. Each document is identified as to the source. Any concerns about the contents of the site should be directed to the agency originating the document in question. GovernmentAttic.org is not responsible for the contents of documents published on the website.
Page 2
I IHOICATC 0 COl..\,CC • 0 c ....... ,:;r: ~o 0,STRIWTIOH ACTlCW STATE I SEC - 1,IMOtS- Ol' OIIN \ I! 7 7 ?. 'L · ~· S P /6 · .TELEGRZ,:tate ~~ Amembassy KAT HM/1.NDU 1, ~ ~~~'e'a L\t \ \ f. OECl-ASSIFIEO Authority 11.IJQ 16 9 OQ() 7 JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE LJ !YI i:>/ S Space Fragment I SUBJECT: REF: Kathmandu 4685 Aug 28, 1968; Stat e 114584, l Feb - l . Reftel noted Foreign Secretary KHAW..L intended explore possibility s pace objects examined by US team in August 1968 being brought to US for analysis. ~e I continue to be interested in t he f,ragmonts but are not certain about their present status . I f Embassy per- ceives no objecti on , r,equost you make low key inquiry of whereabouts and dispositi on of f r agment s , unless of course Embassy already has information that object s have been released to cl ai mant and no longer i n Nepal . 2 . If i t ems stil l have noc been claimed and r emaiin under GON custody you may repeat previous offer at - _J "
Page 3
SECRt T.,:L_lMD 1S-NOFORN Clait.1>1ifie1tr,on Department uf SJate TELEGRAM Ot$TAl8Ull0N ACTION· Amembassy l<AT!!Mi\NDU Page 2 DECLASSIFIED Authoritv I/ND 16900/) 7 Ok,11,-TCO G'I' C\ot•"-""cci appropriate level to undertake complete laboratory analysis in US to determine origin and technical characteristi cs of fragments, with results to be fully shared with GON. In order to obtain complete data, largest amount available of rocket nozzle debris would be required, and analysis would be destructive, although residue could be returned if desired. par~y to 3. You may note that as/~ Outer Space Treaty and the Assistance and Retut:n Agreement, both which now in force, · /we respect right of originating nati on to space fragments but if there has been no claimant in course of last year we as space nation are interested in all aspects of space flight including effects of reentry and would be interested in examining items for this purpose and assisting GON in detennining origin. GP-1 END . _j 0111,U' HNG QA TC Tia, C)(T APPA;OYCO 0V \ROGERS\ DECLASSIFIED Authority tJ)JD 76jO(I/) • '~ I
Page 4
T l-IE YOMfURl -
Tho A1c,,ilirno Sufofy A gont-y (MSA) f tid t\y •,ortod o
fc,1'l•scolo in'••os lii'<tlio n to d oto, mln o wh;at hod of;\uo\\y
lolle n on ,he No I Sh inei Motu off tho Sovi•t Mori.timo
Ttu,lto,y of Siborio on l YCP .Sc domog ln g tho '2,996•ton
lreir;,htor ond inj11ring four crow mombon, ono s~rious\y.
Th(' fl~t ndl()
N.•p()t"I,, ~a,\(\.
"
.
.. wn ... ~ a().(t('\\\\'l1'¢\.l;,T
th(lt th(' -ihtp hM\ bc('n l'll\t-\\"(\. 0"¥-
c-,.,•y Wl'\\\(' ~\(-C(! ot 'tt\1!
hut
llcti•r
MSi'-
(\flll
\">l"'fl.'fll((-
\0.\
tl\:'L\
\oo"\t••d
\\\':.~
"'-
,-\\"'
A{(<'r"l<'Y of-Xl>N't" 1<a\d
1,13.t. \\\ty frM,;M,:lt\ '""\\\\ W\\'\l\g.
l>t-11,C,\•,-d th(- lo\llln; o'b)eClfl ·w,-~-,c,
The
\\'\r\ng
\\:.,,<.\
l\"'"""'
(•1th~t-
Jlll!l«llc-.
h'n5m ('I)\;; w: W0l'(.\ll
;,\\\\}.
t\\\l'l'\~'C'~
\_)'1'\1'
po rt o( n i'JB'fl'>'mp,
Ott \t,,
·rhll,) ).18A oo,~\n.Nl n \>tl{'kCl• \
'\'\W l\uY.1t,\~\l\ W()t'\\t,. \nc\
tul of
f"l":'l.gtn<'nt~
w \\\ch
t.\\e U,Qt-1.'
m~an\n~
\.}'\)(!,
~
Shinel Maro brO\\ght home l!.i;. , \nil\\"\nY\~"" 'f\\\m~,· a·nt.\
c,•td<:nc.c. and ;:iq;kcd \.he Oe-\rrum\)("Y-.
tense Agency to nnM:,.·1.e t\V•M.
S\;,\-p~,· ~\t\~\\O "T'a\qwa'
'J'h(' $hlncl )\;,U'\1. c1·c,,• h~\\ ~\SA \nv e:~\\~"-\O'N. '-\\t\\
concealed the tragmcnts un1.\.-,· \1:\~n \\O\i.C ,,.a'!\ \,~at-\\
Us
IOO.d
ot Ru~~ian
h1mbelt ~umn~ 0£ w a\~\• s.\\<,\ •
during a Sovtet. inspect\on o\ GOO m<!\~,·~ oi't
\\\c-
the ship Smmed)a\e\y attN:· the sl.<.le 0£ 'h\s ~\\\'{).
"i;helllng''
occtwred
~ k\\o-
S~o,,c.\-:-, ah~·r-. t\:'-\'
1neter~ off De-'Ka$trl~ort \n h\t, \\\$ ~l\\l). \c~w\ni
tt?e. Scr·let Mai·lt'fme 'teTr{lorv. (\\t'tel'N\\
\l\at-c~.
Other fragments i•ere con~s- h1·ol<e\\ In ca\>ln \><
cated by t.he Soviet authorit\~. ihe ,•3.U\o anHmna
. The · freighter rettwne(I
to
An MSi>- offi6tll
Nanao Port. lshikawa-ken. on falling
fr(l!l,llW\\t•
'T'l-r.,n ~tl<),• vi-, <'it M•1,
l.fl\\:\:n.h\n n:n'()nth: ,\\·«""'~"'Page 5
@ ✓ /noo!J l)VST OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department O INOtCAU, O <oum 0 ~10 te ACTION, Ame01bassy Amembassy __ SEQ-;:R~ s Class, fca,i'iio~n~ --'""'-=1- KATHMANDU NEW DELHI -- - Amembassy LONDON OECLASSl1'1£0 Aulhority //,VD 169000 JOINT STATE/DEFE!fSE / REF: A) Kathmandu 4685 notal; Bl State 221876; DAO MSG 0006 Aug 68; D) State 114584 Subject: MOONDUST C) New Delhi 7 ~ ~ V\ ~ 1 . We are concerned over what Nepalese and others might read in~ written report or any statelllenta implying trag,nents could be of Chinese origin . 8ml<l!xlC!txt:""',m1txi,.«11:,aq,r:km«lt"""'lllr""J.:"«i>tx1Qt>CRdldi ~Rxl\x ¼ 2. Pending determination mentioned para 4 ref D, Embassy should not raise subject with GON. If GON raises subject, you should • l 1 ot information reply you uninstructed pending completion o.na ya a dorived fr<>m t&a~ visit. 3. !113'1 DELHI : GP- 3 ~- sent when analveis completed. Instructions will -vo ~ BND DECLASSIFIED IJ.uih«ily)/)Jf) 169000 <2h, ' oze I .... , , ____ .., Mr. vad·.u,-,~!""~:rr-- _\- .ll~C: BQ /lix,1 en,_gab,_9/9/68 2625 .,.,.._ - ~>(lo( ~"">i'l<roc~~ INR/RSF - Mr. Munn raft) SGI - Mr. Nesbit Jr G/PM - Mr, Le /UJIA - Hr. Reei,ti L/IIBA - Hr. NeumanJVIO/UNP - Mr. L CIA - Mr. Shart substance) DOD/ISA/SA - Col. ~J,Qvit~ (J•S Col, Bradburn)l)l'I:) SE,CRS'.£1:LlMDIS __ _ -- Clos:Ji/icat/o11
Page 6
, fl u .. •• .. - , . .. SP lb Department (Jf " :5tate TELEGRAM $0 SECRET 739 PAGE 0! KATHMA 0~685 290748Z 20 ACTION SS 70 INFO CIA£ 00, 1070 W R 2803002 AUG 6 8 FH AMEMSASS Y KATHMANDU 10 SECSTATE WASHOC •••• S E C R £ T K,A THMANOU fi.685 L!MOJS;NOFORN C O R R E C T E O C O p y PASS DEFENSE DECLASSIFIED J Authority IIIJD 16 yooo RE, , SIATE 221878 _... 5 p /~ I• AMBASSADOR, MILATT ANO DEFENSE TECHNICIANS, SWO~TZEL ANO VAN ~tNKLE, CALLEO ON FOR£lGN SECR£TARY KHANAL AUGVST ?6 TO PREStNT PR£LtttlN4AY ~£PORT OF TEAM' S Ft NOt~GS ON UN!Ot,Tl•IEO SPACE 08.ECTS I~ GON POSSESS!ON • RE?ORT '"'H:!CH WILL SE F'OfUU.ROEO THROUGtt APPROPR! AT E OQO CHANNELS NAOE ONEQVJYOCAL STATENENT THAT OBJECTS NOT Or V•S • ORIGIN• IT CONCLUD(O, ON BASIS or EXAMIN~TiON A~O COLL AT ERAL rRACK!NG DATA, THAT SOHE PIECE$ COULD SE or SOVIET ORIGIN, POSS tSLY COSMOS 208 ~HiCH RE-ENTEREO THE EARTH 1S ATMOSP~ERE ON NIGHT Of MARC~ ~5 , 1968 • REPORT ~L SO NOTEO, HO~EVER, THAT BECAUSE SOVIET ROCKET TECHNOLOGY HAS HAO PROFOUND I NFLUENCE ON CH!NESE ROCKET OEVELOPHENT OEf!NliE IDENT IFICATION OF LAUNCHING AUTHORITY SY u.s ~ TECHNICIANS WOULO 8£ POSSIBlE ONLY AFTER FURTHER EXAttl NAT iON IN THE U, S. UNDER L•BORATORY CONDI TIONS • POINT ALSO HADE TMAT SOHE PIECES APPEARED TO 8E f"ROM DIFFERENT SPACE OBJECT WHlt'' LIKELY ,ELL ON A DIFFERENT OATE• 2 , FOREIGN SECRETARY EXPRE$ ; ao APPRECIATION f"OR INf"ORHAT!ON AND QUESTIONED US CLOSELY ABOUT HOW 00U8T AS 10 ,ORIGIN COULD eE RESOLVED• ALTHOUGH ME s,10 i..:.T-~~~~!'!!!!!!'!'----~ ' AS UNLl~ELY All 08JECTS COULD BE RELEASED FOR D'ECLASSIFIEO ., ,.,,.,u\Al.l II U/1 SECRET Authorir,, /JND 16 9000
Page 7
t Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 KATHMA 0 4685 2907~8Z £ XAHINAT10N IN U. S . , HE THOUGHT THAT AS GON ANXIOUS TO HAVE 0£~fNI TIVE 10€NTiFI CATION OF OWNERSHIP IT MIGHT SE P0SSl8LE TO GET GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT TO ALLOW s0ME . PIECES TO 8F, TAKEN TO THE U•S• FOR <URTHER EXAMINATION• HE PROM ISED TO JNOUIRE ANO AOVISE AH8ASSAOOR RESULT~ MIS EFFORTS . I N RESPONSE TO AM8ASSAOOR•s QUESTI ON ABOUT • HICH OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE SHOWN INTEREST I N 08JEcTS< ~OREIGN SECRETARY REPL IEO THAT INDIA ANO CHINA HAVE ASKEO TO SEE OBJECTS , 80TH ONLY TOOK PICTURES. THE SOVIETS HAVE SHOWN NO INTEREST AT ALL• 3 , WHILE WE CANNOT PREDICT GON WILLINGNESS ALLOW US TO SEND SACK SOME PI ECES OF OBJECTS, S!TUAT!ON APPEARS TO FAVOR THIS COURSE • GON HAS NO USE FOR OBJECTS ONCE POSSIBLE LAUNCHI NG AUTHORITIES flAVE SEEN GIVEN CHANCE TO CLAIM THEM . SOVIET LACK OF INTEREST, IF I T CONTI NUES , WOULD LEAVE OWNERSHIP PERPETUALLY IN DOU8T AND GON SEEMS DES I ROUS TO RESLOVI NG POSSIBLE QUESTION OF CHINESE OR IGIN • • • FOREIGN SECRETARY AGAI N GIVEN TO TH IS MATT ER • XVH REQUESTED NO PUBLICITY BE 0'£Ct.ASSIF1£0 AufhontyJ/.N.D 16 700()
Page 8
OAIOIH/!\C iiijlQ
•
O&Cl.ASSIFl&D
AU1hori1y !l)//) ',6 90/)0
-•
•
-;
O,i9i,.ol 10 ~o Filod In
#tf
FILE OESIGNATK)H
cu•
f' C
N C.A
CU
·-·
C
111-
tO
L -,-+.=+-,=-I--J TO
••o
AIO
Department of State
,,~, t-1•
l,NAL / SIS BRAHCII
••• ••• • •• '"' FROM
USUN - New York
LU ... '" ... SUBJECT
Nepalese Communication
... .... ,. ......... •• REF
l,l)IA "" ...
r
copyo!a
7
1-,.~v!Wl=t--t----,r--l
Enclose~ is a/note f.rom the SYG-UN, dated August 21, 1968,
t,ransmitting the text of a communication from the Nepalese UN
Representative concerning certain metallic pieces discovered on
Nepalese territo?iy which arc believed to i e parts of an object
$ GGC.U'fO o,nttUIUl'tOH
TO;
Ao.on ,.,.,.,
..ttl•h
....... ,
•O
...
•••
"''''
launched into space.
The note atates that Nepal, having failed to identi,iy them and
determine the launching authority, a.nd in the spirit of the agree-
me~ on the rescue o! ast•ronaut-s, the return of astronauts and
the ret·urn of objects launched into outer s~ce, has decided to
open them for examination by inte,rested states and return them
to the launching autho?1ity on identification •
Enclosures: {,v ,J.
I,
Copy o! note from
the SYC-UN
2.
Nepalese Communication
UNCLASSIFIED
DECLASSIFIED
Authonw //Nfl 16 9000
"
:ADMIN:DADarrer :dad
KAllen
f3Page 9
COPY - The Permanent Representative ot Nepal to the United Nations presents his canpl.iJRente to the Seeretarr-Oeneral ot the United Nations and has the honour to transmit herewith the following c~unication fran H.E. lC.N. Biata, Deput:, Prime Hiniater and Minister tor Foreign Affairs of Nepal to the Secretary--Oener&l. ot the United Nationa. "The Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal has the honour to inform the Secret~neral of the United Nations that certain -ta)lic pieces discovered in Nepalese territory are believed as parts of object launched into space. His Majest:,•s GoverrmSl t haTe fail.ed to identity them and. determine launching authority. In spirit of Agreement on the rescue of Astronauts, the return of Astrona~ts and the return c£ objects launched into <lilt.er space, His Majesty•a Goverrmten t have decided to open the11 for exsaination by interested states and return them to launching authority on receipt of identifying data. Highest consideration." The Parmanent RepreeentatiTe of Hepa1 to the United Nations &Tail.a biwselt of this opportunity to renew to the Secretary-- General of the United Nations the assurances of his highest consideration. DECLASSIFIED AulhorityJ/.ND 16 9/Mf) 16 J\lly 1968
Page 10
-• -
UN ITED :-IATI OI\S ® N\T I O:SS u ,;1ES '
........ -··· ........... _. _., ____ -·----·--
nae S.cre t.ary-Gc:M ru or
coa:pl.--ct::
:.o
i.hit
IJD.ited
Su tea
or
\.h,I"
t.MU.4d
!l'aUona p-reaent,s
~~
Jltptt.Sct&Uff
~
A»erlca
to the
Un.ited. ~attona
... . . and ho: u.e ho:,our to tn~U., ror- ~ tn!'o:-:.ti a o~ Ma (",oru:w:A,
!,M ~~ C~ t'X l~;&e!Wd <CO
tr'ic&t1CO dated 16 .iul,y 1968 t"rcc tbe
~n--.o.nf'nt. Reptt;ent.&~1ve nf .«pal to the tm1ted 1'atio01.
IPage 11
I
---====== ==::---...:.-- --_ _:::, /'Ji,,_.{t-,;,"'---iF-- ,c:.---~~
-
·'@j_ ,,;;
SP
OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department of State
lt'fOICAT£1 Q (Ol.ll<'f
Iv!
1218711 i
• • •
•
0 0WGC10
...
SECRET - NOFORN
Classification
g
I
J\CTION,
Amemassy KATHMANDU
Amembassy LONDON
Amembassy NEW DEUII
15Aus68 22
OSz
STATE:
!,Jc>fot,/V i J/117); S
LIMITED DI5TRlBl1rION
I
-
DECLASSIJ11€0
Aut'r>o,;ty.JlUD 16 fO()()
REFS: a. USDAO Kathmandu 265;
b.
USDAO New Delhi 0004
1. Based on examination of photos previously provided by
DATT, determination has been made by DIA that potential value
of physical examination of fragment by US experts sufficiently
justifies dispatching team to !IX Nepal.
In response to CON
invitation submitted by UNSYG and in accordance with approval
of GON and Embassy reported reference!!. two man team plans
arrive Kathmandu 1530 August 21 via IAC.
Team desires access
to greatest possible extent but will be governed, of course,
by arrangements dictated by GON.
If, as indicated by pre-
liminary examination of photos and by tracking dat a, fragment
is part of Soviet rocket body (Cosmos 208), team is authorized
advise CON object appears to be of Soviet origin. If examina-
_JPage 12
indicates otherwise, rerun io to request further guidance from Washington, Any public statement is responsibility 2, British Defense Intelligence Uaison Office here requesced approval from Joto,'.lD for team enroute to Nepal Co meet with appropriate individuals in London re results UK e:,:smination :/ of three other objects recovered Nepal. HMG concurrence received August 15 and team scheduled arrive London between August 16 and 18. 3. In view Indian Air Force interest in object, we hope be able to relay informally to IAF our detet"mination as to origin based on expert exruninetion. !}~CLASSIFIED A"hoti1~,J/Jjf)_ 1690Q0 7
Page 13
I / I Department 2 l ACTlON S$ 7 0 INFO CIAE 00,/070 W P 1906102 JUL 68 FH AN[HSASSY KA THHANOU SECRET 190652Z TO SECSTATE WASHOC PRIORJTY ~205 INFO ANEM8ASSY LONDON ?RtORITY O! A WASMOC S£COEF WASHOC $EC R ( T KA TMttANOU ~?.5 8 LIHOIS - - SU8JECT 1 SPACE OBJECTS SP /t of State TELEGRAM c/ OECbASSIFlEO Aulh<,d1y/JJJ.D 169000 I• BRI TI SH AHBASSAOOR (KELLASI INFORHEO HE LAST NIGHT (~ULY is l IN ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE' THAT NEPALESE Cle GENERAL SURENORA SHAH ANO CGS GENERAL BAS NA YAT HAO APPROACHED HI H SONE TIHE AGO TO ASK BRIT ISH ASSISTANCE IN I OENT!FY!NG UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS • BRITISH VIEWED THEH, TOOK P I CTURES ANO " BITS ANO PIEtES• t APABLE OF BEING EASILY TRANSPORTED HAVE BEEN SHIPPED TO LONOON• ONLY ONE VERY LARGE OBJECT REHalNS' HERE ' APPARENTLY • AMBASSADOR KELLAS OOES NOT KNOW WHETHER HFA AWARE OF TH I S ACTION ANO I NCL!NEO TO OOUBT IT• I TOLD AMBASSAOOR KELLAS THAT ON CONFIDE NT IAL BASiS THROUGH MIL ITARY CHANNELS WE HAO ALSO SEEN SOME OF OBJECTS· ANO RECEIVED PHOTOS BUT WERE INTERESTED IN HORE COMPETENT" INSPECTION. I ALSO SPECULATED 18ASEO ON INFORHATJON FROM JAPA~ESE AHBASSAOORI THAT INDIANS MAY HAVE BEEN ACCOROEO SAHE TREATMENT AS WE MAD TMROUGH THEIR CONTACTS I N HltlTARY• ALL THIS COULD POSE EMBARRASSING PROBLEM FOR NEPALESE WHEN OBJECTS UNVEILED FOR INSPECTION 00• NOT TALLY WITH WHAT WE PRIVATELY KNOW TkEY HAVE. BRITISH AMBASSADOR AGREED BUT STRESSED ESSENT! ALITY OF PROTECTING I NFORMATI ON WHICH ME WAS SHARING' WITH HE IN CONFIDENCE • HE SAID HE ASSUHEO LONDON WOULD ACQUAINT' US IN ANY CASE WITH RESULTS OF THEIR INSPECTION • GP-1 LAISE SECRET DECLASSIFIED Authoritv /J}JD 16100 0
Page 14
) Sf' /t Department of State TELEGRAM CONFIDEmlAL J •1ttlt£0 OFFIII/L t,9! PAGE e1 KATHHA 04240 l7tl15Z 17 ACT l ON SC l 05 [NFO NEA 13, INR 07,CIAE 00, NSAE 0 0,000E 00, NASA 10 13, RSC 0!~ ~~~=~.: ............ . 00 7 P 1710•02 JUL 68 FH AHEH8ASSY KATHHANOU TO S£CSTATE WASHOC PRIORITY 4195 DECLASSIFIED Auth«;1y /JI./D 16f000 I lt1 II fO CFFl@IAt lJOC • KA!HHANOU lt~\0 SUBJECT • POSSIBLE SPACE MATERIAL - SP ;t,, REF • KATHHANOU•S A•208 AND PREvi ous, USDAO•S 0207 JULY 68 I • IN LETTER TO AMBASS ADOR YESTERDAY, FOREIGN SECRETARY ADVISED OF GON DECISION TO PERMiT EXAMINATION !ANO EVENTUAL RETURN TO LAUNCH ING AUTHORITY IF' IDENTIF ICATION MAOEJ or METALLIC PIECES• sELIEVEO TO BE POSSIBLE COHPONENTS OF SPACE OBJECT WHICH GON HAS BEEN UN~BLE IDENTIFY OR OETERHINE LAUNCHING AUTHORITY !SEE DAD'S 02071• 2• OCH THANKED DHITAL AT MFA TODAY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, ANO SAID HE ASSUHEO WE HIGHT HAVE ONE OR TWO EXPERTS FROH WASHINGTON CONE TO MAKE EXAHINATfON• DH!TAL SA ID THIS WOULD SE F INE ANO INDI CATED THAT WE COULD, IF WE WI SHED, WORK OUT DETAI LS OF EXAMINATION DIRECTLY WI TH OEFENSE MI NISTRY, HE KNEW OF NO TIME LIMITATION ON OPpORTUN! TY EXAMINE OBJECTS• WHEN DATT PAID PERSONAL CALL ON DEP UTY PRIME MINISTER SI STA LATER TODAY, LATTER ALSO INDICATED THERE WOULD BE NO RESTRICTION ON EXAHINATION OF OBJECTS ANO PHOTOGRAPHY WOULD SE PERMITTED, 3, WE ARE CONSULTING DEFENSE MINISTRY TO SEE JF REPRESENTATIVES CAN HA YE PRELIMINARY ACCESS· NQW PREJUDICE TO LATER EXAM INATION BY EXPERTS , EMBASSY WITHOUT ~} CONFIDENTIAL IMITEO QSEICJ ♦! OSSr DECLASSIFIED Aulh<><;IY //I.JD 16 yooo --
Page 15
Upon Removal ol FOi CASE NO. 7900693 To./~ 7?., 6 .,,,,f Auachm~ms) MEMORANDUM TO: OPR/f'AIM - Mr. Price FROM: A/CDC Clayton E. McManoway ) ) SUBJECT: Chanie of Document Classification to CONf-lOENTIAL 5,P / b Included in the documents of FOi Ca$e \\'o. 7900GSZ ate four documents (No. 177 Memcon with Soviet Embassy; No. 179, Memcon with Soviet Embassy} No. 180, Note to the Soviet Embassy, an<J Kathmandu c able No, '+240 ~f July 16, 1968) which were designated LIMITED OFFICIAL USE. These documents have been denied to the requester under EO 12065 1-301 (b) and (d) and o,nder Paragraph (I>) (I) ol Title 5 USC 552. I have accordingly exercised my authority under Seclion 1-606 of the Executive Order to classify the !our documents CONFIDENTIAL, Please make the appropriate changes in the Department's record copies of the documents. DECLASSIFIED Aulhoritv@ D ?69000 • • .. ' ,
Page 16
.:) 7~ /~ D epartment of State TELEGRAM LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 10 ACTION ARA 19 DJ,;Cl,ASSIFIED Au1hori1ylllJQ ?69000 INFO SCI 05,GPM 03,DOO 01,NSC 10,NASA 0•,Rsc 01,L 03,fNR ~ . CIA 0•, NSAE 00,USIA 12,ACDA 17,0S! 01,R~0li/092 W R 0800~SZ AUG 67 FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO TO SECSTATE WASHOC 386• LIMITED OFFICIAL USE MEXICO 557 JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE SUBJECT, FALLEN SPACE OBJECT IDENTIFIED AS US REF• MEXICO CITY 350 -,<I(\\., I• DEFENSE ATTACHE ICRAWFOROIWAS INFORMED AUG• • BY DEFENSA THAT GOM ORDNANCE OFFICIALS WERE EXAMINING SPHERE TWO FEET IN DIAMETER WHICH FOUN~ IN ·cH!APAS ON JULY 13 • PAGE 2 RUESHO 557 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 2, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR AIR ATTACHE tHOELICHI TO EXAMINE IT AUG, 7 AT 1000A•M• HE MADE POSITIVE iOENTtflCATtON OF US TJTANtUH GAS STOWAGE SPHERE • SECTION OF SPHERE HAO BEEN CUT AWAY ANO VARIOUS "TEST eORiNGS MACE BY GOH ORDNANCE OFFICIALS, . 3• DEFENSE AUTHORIT IES WILL ADVISE EMBASSY REGARDING PROCEDURE FOR RETURN OF SPACE OBJECT• • • UNLESS EMBASSY INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE, AIR .(TTACHE WILL TRANSPORT SPACE OBJECT WHEN RElURNED TO KELLY LIMITED OFFICIAL USE DECLASSIFIED Aulhod1y JJ}JD 16 9000
Page 17
I INCOMING TfLtbKAM vepartment Of :!>tate 12 -ARA '"'• GPM L p USIA I.NR CIA NSC NSA DOD ACDA SCI NASA ~ RSC LIMITED OFFICIAL USE VZ IZCESA, 10A064 11! RUEHC DE RUE5"0 3,0 2030130 7NY CCCCC R 220109Z JUL 67 1-<'l AMEM8ASSY MEXICO TO SECST ATE VASHDC S'ATE GRNC if Lll'IITEO OFFICIAL USE MEXl,CO l~e .PINT ST AT £/DEFENSE MESSAGE 0 1 9536 1%1 JUL ?! SJ8JECT: POSSIBLE SP•CE OBJECT FALLS IN CHIAPAS 1, EMBASSY RECEIVED TELEGRAM THIS MCJlNING FRO~ CHILON , SlATE OF O!IAPAS, IHFOOMIHG lHAl " SATELLITE CJl SIMILAR 08JECl" FELL THERE 1 IS JULY 13, • Z. APPROPRIATE GO.~ AUTHCJllflES HAVE BEEN INFCJlMEO INFORMALLY CF REPCl!l, WHICH CANNOT SE VER IF iEl> BY ANY INFCJll'IAT ION AVAILABLE TO EMBASSY • .l. WILL ADVISE SOONEST RESULT GO., INVESTIGAT I ON, IREENAN Ol!CL,\SSIFIEO Ao,ho<oyJJ/JD 161000
Page 18
1NCOMING TELEGRAA\ Departnient
{)Ro/ 7 r/R Sl'J 'l
of State X a
s P / {p
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
t/rnNVZCZCESA9801'ili'lTVV
MOA 121
n' RUEIIC
OE RUES,~0 6457 1400125
l!IY CCCCC
P 2001152 MAY 67
r.,; AMEMBASSY MEXICO
10 SECSTATE WASIIDC PRIORITY
9"ATE GRNC
I
ff
'1 , ~; ¢./
LIMl~ED o,F !CIAL usE MEXICO 6457 6,.!JA "1. sr 1 \;
SJ3J EC-T : RETURN OF S,PACE FRAGMENT
l)-
fi£F : r,EX ICO CITY 4899 AIID STAiE 15221S
. I. $PACE FRAGr,ENT I/AS OFFICIALLY TU!NED OVER TO US CU,STODY
THIS MORN ING , PURSUANT E..,SASSY" S RE QUEST IN NOTE OF MARCIi 14,
2° JN ()[£ ACTA DE E~TR EGA UNQTE SIGNING OVER T ITANIUM SPHERE,
;;f.ASC~ GIVt~ rOi'. DELAY IS QT£ ST UDY AND ANJ\I.YSIS ORDERED SY
.:UPti<IOk AUTIIORir Y UNOTE . THIS APPEARS TO HAVE ENTAILED ABOUT
fl f! EEN TEST BORINGS INTO METAL AND CUTT lijG AWAY OF SECT ION
(f SPHERE,
3, AIR ATTACH£ lll!LL TRANSPOOT CRATED SPHERE TO KELLY ,A,FB MAY
re FOR TRANSS!liPMENT TO FOilEIGN TECHNOLOGY DIVJ.SION, wRITIIT•
il\TTERSON AFB IN ACCORDANCE USAF INSTRUCT I ON RECEIVED APRIL 11,
4. PLEAS£ ADV I SE NASA ANO DIA,
. ,,..,ullltl II 'X!
DECLASSIFIED
AuthorityJ/}l.Q 169000
· LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
,Page 19
' lp
·-
.
OUTGOING TELEGRAM Departn1 I
it«All [ '.(('I.UC!
C '1'<~•GI ~
....
J..!MIXED OFI:1C!AL USE-
Clas.,r/ 1,:4,ri~"
ACHON:
Amembassy MEX!CO C!TY
! NFO:
Amconsul MONTERREY
STATE:
/ ~ ).'). !J
REF:
MEX!CO ~899
DECLASSIFIED
AutM<i1yJU/.D 16111,00
Embassy rttguestod arrange wtu, foreign omce for space !ragment, whlch
dcilnltoly Identified as o! US o,·lgln. oo turned ov~r to Embassy. Embassy
should ship by most expeditious moans to NASA !!eadquartei·s, Code MAO
(AHentlon Richard SchuJh:err) 600 l odepatKlence Avenue, SW, Washin~ton,
D. C. ?,0546. Shipping expenses to be charged to N~SA.
Sine<> analysts of results of t,xpo.sur-0 o! fragment to space environment of
scientific interest and sh1ce chance of eUecl\vr: analysis dlmlnlsht;l'S rapidly,
rec<>tpl o! fragmt·nt in Washington desired ASAP. FYI: Nevertheless,
sctenti!i.c value of analysts would not repeat not warrant undue piessure on
• •
'
scientific value o( analysis would not repeat nol •~arrant undue pressure on
GOM ior i.mmediale release. Establishment ol principle of ownership and
orderly tur ning over procedU1·e more lmporlan~ ln lhls case. This orderly
procedure , however, should take only 1·easonably short lime. NASA will
tut·n O•J<!r fragment to DOD since It ldenlll\ed as DOD launch vehicle. END
FYI.
Classi/ic11 tlo11
DECLASSIFIED " '-J
Aulhority JJND 16 ?e{)O
_J
I l
•
I
t
I
r.
!
I
i
)
'Page 20
'
85
SCI
•· 'o
C!A
NSA
DOD
NASA
RSR
!.1!✓.lT:D Or'FiCTAi. USr.
S~N>:C!C.! : 1:sso12
RR q~f.VC
DE RUcSMO 4899 0660 ta)
ZNY CCCCC
n £623~ GZ i'I AR 67
c~ Ar[~SASSY r.r.xi co
TO RU'•:HC IS£CS7 ,,r~: 'N1SKOC
ZiSIAY.CO~SUL ~ONTER~EY
S7 4T:: GRNC
8!
. 1·- ~v ')i'Fi.:tAL U!.iE MEXI CO 11899
R'"i X~.<tCO 1,c;11
Sl.iB.; I S? AC,: i'R AG:4f.lil
!-
5864
1967 MAR 6 PM 9 08
DECLASSIFIED
Au1hori1y /JA/D 16 9000
1. ·, 'I
• .. t:·:x·' rx1tV.JN.-:o SPt,CE FRAr,:n::oJT T~IS r.OR~:I\l:i I~ Oi"F'I CE Of'
:>·:iz:-:oi 'll{;' J')~ ltl. M<T i L1..f.R'f ARS;:NAi. . )(~ "'ttS 4\~CCi':r>MHEO SY ~ACKAY
.,.,; ~h lC:7 sc;:;N,iST . Dt?T or NATION4L S£CORi"fY (OF. LA ROSA>.
2. t:>C! iX,\'l':t,ilON OF ,\RT!iACf A9i:RNETltY i:STAi3LISHED CONCLIJS!V• tY
n
I s \;$ iANUi'AC'(IJRl:D TIT AN! u~ GAS SiO'J AGE SPHERE FROII TITAN
~
"I 11 · C UPPER ST AG,:.
.
3. A,;Ef/11,'.T!iY Bi;L I £V!::S f"l!O;; STUDY Or AV Al LABi.!:. REPORTS REG~RD I NG
EX ACT TJ:!t: i<ND Cik;':•J.~>TANCES R!: -~NTilY KI GH PROBABlLIT'f SPHERE \/AS
P.\1:T Or ROCXi'.T LAU)ICH.:::l) BY DOD 1;1HiCH RE-ENTERED F'!:8 7 AF'TER
LAuNCHING SEVEN CO,:t'.UNICATIONS SATELLITES .
3 . i\3~R~ET~Y R~'.TUR~IN!l ,1ASHJ NGT ON MARCH 7 ON £ASTERN 9i4 ANO WI LL
wt~·: "U· L R"?OR-
.• . !\• . r
t..
l'..
I •
?~ZC:ri AN
!li
••
Au1hori1yJ)_}jf) 1610Q0
I
DECLASSIFIED
] .
•Page 21
INCOMINr\ LEGRAM 83 ~-----'---------------- - --. D epa1·t11te1it of State A 12_v _s_ r-_" .. /_G_ SCl A"-A l~!R DOO N,\SA l :;y .__ UNCIASS;:FIED . :,~l/~VZCZCFSA46 i VV MOA589 RR RUEHC r.r RUF.S~O •~? I 5?012• Z~n ll'JUlllJ R ~3i~~g7 ~ Aij 67 ~ f,~F.~'lASSY ~f.X !CO T:l RIIDIC/SFCST ATf. ~ASHDC Zf.N/ A" C:)NGFN ~ONTERREY ST Al F CRNC m UNCLAS ~EXICO •~~I OF:PART~f.NT' S 1444~ 1. 196'1 ~~\R 2 PM 8 58 Oli:CLASSIFIED Authoriry /JND. 16 '1000 I, ()0f\£RNACI:l~ HAS BF,N INFO~:-. ro Of ABERt-lETHY·S Plt,NS AND ~il.l. Ft.CJLITATE HIS :"I ISS!ON BOTH IN '10NTERREY AND ~F:XICO " !TY, 7.. rrc;u:r AilY f.Cl!f.VARR IA HAS AIITIIOR !Zf.D INSPECT ION OF SPArf. rRACXENT Ill :-IEXICO CITY CY NASA OFFICIAL IJPON PRIOR NOT JFIC~T I ON CY E~8f.SSY OF DATF. AND Tl~E RF.QUESTED, i , CONCFN: ~ONTERRf.Y llffORl'.f.D BY TELEPHONE, ri?f.E.~AX ITT ; • ' I •
Page 22
·04
;( I'<,
G~AM Dcpart1ne11t of State
77z~
p
I(,,
.L...L...;'--,.·. -· ~ l i
OUTGQING TE
IUOlCAH, ! ; (Otlt(r
-r..; ,oc,.,Q 10
....
____ UNCLASSIFIED
Cl,1ssi/ltM tlo,,
ACIION, Amembassy M.t:XICO CITY
Amconsul
MONTERREY
STATE:
/ 1--/IP<j 'j {
,, )'." .. .,,.;..,,
REF: 145577 IYj , >\' ,<-
.
) ' '
DECLASSIFIED
AuthorityJJJ/.f). 16 9/2P.O
Despite report suspected fr agment now in Mexico City
Abernethy wishes discuss with Consulate Monterrey initially
and will proceed from there t o Mexico City for examination
of the suspected fragment.
ETA ia Monterrey remains firm.
Amembassy Mexico City requested assure if possible that
.
suspected fragment will be available for examination.
• • ,
• i •
0 'Page 23
---·------ .. - .....
•
'Jtf
'\
{).-L 9- 7 fi. .( e-,l_
,
·
J<.R .StP/t
:
INCOMING t ,GRAM Depctrtnie1it of State ......
, •••· _
91
SCI
('Pf'
I.
,\I(,\
I'
Nt;C
. I t:ll
CIA
N<;A
ll0D
ACl>A
NA~i\
OST
RSR
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE__
VZClCf.SA27.5VV
00 RUFl!C
'
n: P.UfS:10 il7 7? ~ViZ2 11.5
ZNY CCCCC
0 0 12 1J5Z r- AR 67
F~ Al'.E~BASSY MF.X I CO
TO RUr.HC/SF.CSTr,Tt ¥ASIIOC lllllf.DIATE
INFO 2FN/ f.'lCONSUL i'<ONTERRr.Y
SI AT I'. GRNC
P.T
LIMITFO Of f !CI AI. l)Sf. ~F.X!CO •772
rueJ: SPr,CF. , RAC~ENT
----~-...
1967 MNl
PM so'1o ·, 0 ·
·
I 8
I-
DECLASSJF!EO
'
Authority !IJJD 16 ?MO
kf.,: STATF. 1•5577: MACKAY-1.F.ONHAROY TF.LECON.
1. Sf.CY F.CHF.Vt.ilR IA Ht-$ JNfOR~F.O f.)IB THAT SUSPF.CTEO SPACE f RAGMF.NT
HAS AEf.N ~OVf.D FRO~ ~ONTERRF.Y TO MEXICO CITY,
2, ACCO.~D INCLY, AAf.RNF.THY SHOULD PROCEf.0 OJRf.CTLY ~tXICO CITY
• J'/Slf.AD Of ~ONTF.i!RfY. TO C~NDUCT INSPECT JON f OR NASA, Ei'IB l':AKING
ljOTf.L ilfS,RVATl O~S llEXI CO CITY , OR HIM THROUGH ~ARCH 6 ANO "'ILL
MF.ET AT AIRPORT.
3, CONGF.N ~ONTERREY ADVISED OF FOREGOING BY TF.LF.PHONE, PLEASE
11,')VJSE SOONEST Nf.1•' ETA i'lEKJCO CITY FOR ABERNETHY,
fREi.i'lAN
IJT
NOTE: ADVANCr. COPY TO S'S-0, IJHITB HOUSE, USIA 3-1-.67 ~:10 PM
:
I-
DECLASSJF(ED
Authoriiy NA/D 16 ?OOO
IPage 24
I q ·XI< ..:; ,., 9.~!,~~I,~~. TELEG~~MiDepartment of State--+--- '/() ~ J ;j I I:. • • o (lo!•-(;( 10 u LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Claul/lcatlon • • > • 'i • • • ACTION, Ait>consu l MONl'ERREY INFO: Amembassy MEXICO CITY fro lu v 13Pli'bi STATE: /q§''577 SUBJ: Space Fragment Leo Abernethy, NASA official to arrive Monterrey March 2 1505 local time via Mexican Airline flight 1715, Hotel reservations ·requested 7hrough March 6 and Consulate representative meet him on arrival if possible. Request notification soonest if suspec,ted fragment moved from l'.onterrey. DECLASSIFIED Au1hori1yJ/jj.D_ 16 '/000 end
Page 25
I
q
·XI<
..:; ,.,
9.~!,~~I,~~. TELEG~~MiDepartment of State--+---
'/{).
~ J ;j I I:. • •
o ()IA'(;( 10
u
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Claul/lcatlon
• •
> • 'i • • •
ACTION, Ait>consu l
MONl'ERREY
INFO: Amembassy MEXICO CITY
fro lu v 13Pli'bi
STATE: /q§''577
SUBJ: Space Fragment
Leo Abernethy, NASA official to arrive Monterrey
March 2 1505 local time via Mexican Airline flight 1715,
Hotel reservations ·requested 7hrough March 6 and Consulate
representative meet him on arrival if possible. Request
notification soonest if suspec,ted fragment moved from
l'.onterrey.
DECLASSIFIED
Au1hori1yJ/jj.D_ 16 '/000
endPage 26
INCOMING TELEGRAM Depctrtment of State 53-44 SCI it1fo> GPM ARA p USIA NSC I NR CIA NSA DOD ACDA NASA ~ UNCIASS IF Il:l> R 17 I 9302 FEB 67 FM AMCONSIIL MONTERREY \%1 Ftll 24 TO RUEHC/SECSTATE ~ASHDC INFO ZEN /M!EMBASSY MEX !CO STATE GRNC BT IINCLAS O!ONTERREY 160 REF : MONTERREY 156 PRESS TODA Y REPORTS f!JLLY ON DI SCOVER Y ANO HANDLING Of OBJECT INCLU!l!NG fTS HftVTNG BEEN TURNED OVER TO CONGEN . F.L NORT, •DDS THAT IT YAS REC:OVf.RED BY STATE OFFICIALS ANO PL ACf'D AT DISPOS!T!Oll l'IINISTRY G08ERNACION ~HICH WILL SEND I T TO MEXICO CITY FOR EXA~!NATI ON. J AMISON IJNOTE ST - -"'noi'i:;c';::L'A;-;S;;;S:;:IF~-,r:;~. D,,_._...._ Authwity iJA/f) ?6 90(!0
Page 27
IN( I INCOMING TELEG M Department of State 82 ---------l;.--l------- -------------- SCJ GPI L AR NS I~ :'"~~ CI C?:A ?\,- :•A NS ... ,:.in DC !JOD AC">A A( NASA NI ~ (_8· , - _ ..JLli(US.S.lil NNNNVZCZCESB6l1VV K0A88I PP RUEHC DE RUESMO 4623 511909 ZNR UUUUU P 20 18561: FEB 67 FM AMEM8ASSY MEXICO TO RUEHC/SECSTATEV ~ASHDC PRIORITY INFO ZEN/AMCONGEN MONTERREY PRIORITY STATE GRNC BT UNCLAS MEXICO ~623 fl \l., STATE"S 138873. ?I I 0 18 4 24 r;.1 3 29 1. SECGOVT LUI S ECHE VERRIA TOLD NE TODAY THAT SPACE OB,JECT NO',· IN CUSTODY SCHOOL Of ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY NlJEVO LEON AND THAT GOM VOULO BE VERY HAPPY HAVE NASA EXPERT OR EXPERTS EXAMINE IT JOINTLY WITH "EXICANS. HE ASKED THAT I INFORM HIM Of TH£ NAMES Of NASA EXPERTS ANO THEIR EXPECTED DATE OF ARRI VAL IN MONTERREY IN ORDER THAT HE IN TURN MAY INFORM THE GOVERNOR. 2. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING SOONEST THIS INFO IN ORDER ~ HAT I ~AY PASS IT TO ECHEVERRIA. J;REEIIAN If
Page 28
.. illCOMlN T EGRAM Depart1nent of Sta te 82 SCI Wo GPM L ARA NSC INR CIA NSA DOD ACDA NASA f!) CONFIDENTIAL VZCZCESB844VY MOA789 PP RUEHC OE RUESMO !58 04903111 ZNY CCCCC 16843 P 1800301: FF.8 67 FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY 1967 FE8 17 PM 10 25 TO SECSTATE WASHOC PRIORITY INFO ZEN/Ar.EMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY GRNC BT CON FI OE N T I AL MONTERREY 158 REF: MONTERREY 156 1. ACTING ON WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS INSTRUCTIONS FROM MINISTRY Of GOBERNACION, STATf. AUTHORITIES REQUf.STf.0 RETURN or OBJECT ASA SURING US IT WOULD BE HELO IIITACT PENDING EXAMINATION BY NASA EXPERT. CONGEN COMPLIED . 2. CHIEF LEGAL SECTION HAS RECEIVED REPORT FROM CONFIDENTIAL SOURCf. THAT MINISTRY G08£RNAC!ON DISPLEASED STATE AUTHORITIES RELEAS£1l 08JECT TO CONGEN ANO ¥!LL SEND REPRESENTATIVE s•HO V!LL TAKE 08,IECT TO MEXICO CITY. 3. NEVERTHELESS If NASA WISHES SEND EXPERT EX AMI NE OBJECT WE WILL OF COURSE ASSIST AS MAY BE FEASIBLE, GP•3, JAMISON BT DECLASSIFIED ..._l Auolvx;1yJIJID 1610/')0
Page 29
DEPARTMENT OF STATE um@m~M FOR RM USE ONLY A-4 1 UNCLASSIFIED t NO . • TO Departme nt of State > INFO : Mexico City ,. FROM Ameonsul MONTERREY DATE: February 17, 1967 ,R SUBJECT : Report of unidentified object which fell near Municipio of General Teran, N. L. :!- REF ) r - () I I L Deptel 138873 and Monterrey 156 l£c.-.,c. There is attached for forwarding to NASA a translation of a letter, and its enclosure, from the mayor of General Teran to the Private Secretary of the Governor-of the State of Nue vo Leon regarding an unidentified object which fell near the town of General Teran on February 7, 1967. DECl.ASSIFIED AuthorityJ/J/ll 16 90~( JAMISON t~~ ~ Enelosures: 1. Translation of letter of Feb. 16, 1967 from the Mayor of General Teran , N. L. to the Private Secretary of the Governor of N. L. 2 . Translation of the memorandum attached to lllmATIOIW. SCl9lllflC NFAIRS above letter. FEB 24 1967 Al PM 7 1819110111U.1 1! 13,t,5,G
Page 30
.Lra l Te r.Sn ,.y Holl DECLASSIPlED'-- Autho<;,y,J//./D 1610PO Page I of I Encl. No. I A- 41 from M onterrey Ref: Submitting sphere To the At,torney Juventino Gonz.&.lez Ramos Private Secretary to the Governor Monterrey, N . L. I am sending you with a Traffic Department officer ln a vehicle o wtied by LP. I. ol th.is town the sphere found Jn territory of this municipality, as par description made In the attached Memorandum for the necessary action . Very truly Y◊Uts , Gral. Teran, N. L., February 16, 1967 The Mayor Ing . Plutarco El!as Calles S4enz The Secretary
Page 31
• Page 1 of I Encl. No . 2 , A-41 from Monterrey In the Vi Ila of Gener 1 T s . a eran, late of Nuevo I.con , on tho fifteenth da of February of nineteen hundred sixty seven a t eleven o 'clo ,. p f E Y TORRES M 1 6 ' c, · ro . rnesto • a ag n appeared before the Presldente Municipal, Ino. Plutarco Ehas CALLES S6enz. Prof . Torres Is a teacherln the Federal Rural School of the EUdo Las Anacuitas , Secci6n Victoria, of the municipality of General Teran and said that on arriving 10 work on Tuesday, February 7, the neighbors alarmed Informed him that about 10:30 of that day they heard two or three ex- plosions and suddenly they saw descending a sphere of Indefinite size with direction to the West, covered by smoke and some signs of fire, which fell in the land belonging to the Ejldo about l,S00 meters from the center of town, on seeing It they decided to go towards the place where the object fell but they could not reach the location due to the fact that the said object smelled strongly of gunpowder, so they decided to return to their place of origin . Next, Mr. Reyes PERALES Perez, on Sunday 12 accidentally found the object first seen, which consisted of a metal sphere, of some unknown metal, of indefinite colo,·, about thirty kilos In weight and about sixty centimeters In diameter. On advise from the Professor the following persons went to the location of the object: CC . Prof. Ruben GARZA Rodrfguez , Secretary of the Ayuntamlonto (City Hall), Mr. Genaro RODRIGUEZ Ramirez, Second Municipal Commandant and Prof. Leopoldo DIAZ Alejandro, Chief of the Traffic Depart- ment of that town, who agreed thoroughly with what the neighbor and the teacher had reported, and furthermore they could Investigate that tho sphere touched the branches of a tree on falling and that lt was lying on a beehive . In order to transport it into town, it was rolled about forty meters to reach a road where It w::is loaded on a wagon and taken into town where three small screws were removed. Nelghlx>rs also Informed that other particles of the object continued flying and that another one fell In a pasture nearby which ls a private p:operty and they have been unable to locate it. The man who found the sphere , It should be explained, gave the Information very laconical- ly and appeared somewhat selfish in giving Information In this respact. The sphere, on falling, made a loud noise, a sort of humming noise. This memorandum was written as p:oof and Is signed by those who Intervened and wis hed to do so . Wo agree------------------- --- --- ----- --- --- - --- To rres Malagon (signed) Garza R. (Signed) Leopoldo Dfaz A. (signed DECLASSIFIED ] Au1hori,y J/1/ D 76 9 Of2()
Page 32
INCOMIN
Elb.iRAM L'efr.,·tment of .~ta!e
•
82
Action
UNCLASSIFIED
$Cl
Info
GPM
ARA
p
USIA
NSC
INR
ClA
NSA
~~NN,lCZr.~S0728~;736
p> RUEHC
DE RUESMO 156 0481725
ZNR UUUUU
PR 1717281: FEB 67
FM A"CONSUL MONTERREY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE IIASHDC PRIORITY
INFO ZEN/AMENBASSY MEXICO
STATE GRNC
{
0 I 54 3? ~
I
1967 FES 17
PM 2 26 '-l '-
v(
~
BT
Uf'ICLAS MONTERREY 15 6
DECLASSIFIED
· -
Aulhoriryjfj/1)_ 16fO(i0
DOD
FEB 17
,v
ACDA
'?~ '
NASA REF: STATE 138873
_95L ON FEBRUARY 16 CONGEN NOTIFIED BY PRIVATE SECRETARY TO STATE
~
GOVERNOR THAT REPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM MAYOR OF MUNICIPALITY
OF GENERAL TEHRAN THAT UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT HAD FALLEN NEAR TO't•N
AND BEEN RECOVERED BY LOCAL l'EOPLE.
CONGEN OISl'ATCHEO CHIEF ,LEGAL
SECTION TO GENERAL TEHRAN BUT ON ARRIVAL WAS TOLD OBJECT HAO BEEN
TRANSPORTED l'!ONTERRSY.
{!)
ON FEBRUARY 17 CHIEF LEGAL SECTION ANO VICE CONSUL EXAMINED OBJECT
AT STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND GATHERED FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
OB~ECT FIRST SEEN BY GAMPF.SINOS FALLING FROl'I SKY TRAILING SMOKE
ON FEBRUARY 7.
AFTER IMl'ACT HEARD TWO EXPLOSIONS.
OBJECT FI~ALLY
P~~E 2 RUESMO 156 UNCLAS
LQCATED Off F-EBRUARY 12 ABOUT
1599 METERS FROII'\ TOWN. ·:NOTf O GASEOUS
$)!~LL SURROUNDING OBJECT.
BELIEVE THERE IS STILL ANOTHER PART NOT
YEj FOUND SINCE OB,JECT IS SMALLER THAN THAT OBSERVED FALLING FROM
S~y.
~Il l SEARCH FURTHER.
CONGEN STAFF' IIEl'!BERS DESCRIBE OBJECT AS ROIJND IN SHAl'E,
Cl8CUKFERENCE 75 INCHES, WEIGHT APPROXIMATELY 7g POUNDS, MADE OF
HARD METAL , BRONZE IN COLOR, WITH BURNED SPOTS ON EXTERIOR.
IS
MAl!E OF TWO PARTS WELDED TOGETHER,
ON EITHER SIDE T'HERE IS FLANGED
TH~EAOED SOCKET WITH INSIDE DIAMETER OF I INCH.
AROUND EACH THESE
SOCKETSARE 3 SMALL THREADED HOLES APPARENTLG MEANT FOR SCREWS.
NEAR
2 SOCKETS THERE IS MOLTEN METAG.
CURSORY PEEP INTO SOCKET HOLES
INQICATES BALL CO~PlETElY EMPTY.
RE~RESENTATIVES PRESS HAVE SEEN
OB~ECT AND VRIT!NG STORIES LOCAL NEWS MEDIA.
OEC'l,,\SSIFIED
AuthorilY 1/NQ 16100()
-Page 33
UNCLASS IFlED -2-1-'.01''TERRJ::Y 156, FEBRUARY 17. .. DtCLASSlrlEO Auw/4yJ}JJD. ~$9000 AF'T£11 R£C£Il"T R£l'TEL , CON GEN REQUESTED ST ATE AUTKORIT IES SURRENDER OBJ ECT F"OR SH!l'l!ENT lilASll! NGTON, REPLIED lillSKEO TO SEND TO DEl'ARTl!E~T l!ECKANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING or LOCAL STATE UNIVERSITY l'OR EXAl!INATION AND STUDY. ON CONOEN I NSISTANCE OBJECT NOT BE R£LDAl'£0 UNIVERSITY UNTIL EXAMINATION NASA EXPERT, AUTHORITIF.S SURRENDERED OBJECT TO US ON UNDERSTANDING Iii£ WOULD DELIVER TO UNIVERSITY AfTER NASA INSPECTION. SUGGEST NASA SEND EXPERT Il!l'lEO I ATEL Y. PAGE 3 RUESl!O 15 6 UN Cl.AS IF AFTER EXAMINATION l'OSSESSION DESIRED, BELI EVE VE CAN SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATE IT. Pl.EASE /JlJV IS£. YAN ISON BT
Page 34
'
ACTIO" iw,oonsul MONTERREY
~-~--J Info Amembassy MEXICO CIT\:
<'i'!Rlc'
/35W7}
Ref: '.('olec<.m Stuer•-'.!'sylor Feb 1~
ConGen reque<tBd to inform 001!
'
I 3 '
B I
'
l>OC\.ASSlt\f.l)
Au,ho,ey ./}jJD.fil,W/J
thot obj.,et
found quite likely psrt of space ""hiele but without
analytics! e><smiruition it is not poosible to identify
oo to n"tion,.lity or technical orgin.
If GOM o.greesble
NASII P""'P"""'d to conduct expert examination preferably
3
by hevl.ng object shipped et NASA expense to NASA Head-
quarters {Code W.O) Attn Mi,. Abernethy, Washington, D.C.
MAS/I also prepared send expert to examine object locally.
ACflNG
'
• • '
• '
• '
7 •
I
' l fPage 35
\07
r, _ _,..,. .. ,..
SP
•
ourGol'IK TELEGRAM Department of State
-
l./ a •
o4677Z ~
s p
'r •
J-1('_
;
-.. .. ·''"""'
o,~ ... ••
-
~
•
.
\f'
ACTION;
~
INFO;
SUBJ:
-~
a11y CANBl!.R!Vi
••••Y cot.OMIO
•
"" , •
__ , asoy 1)1.R !S SAt.V.M
-:•••Y DJIJ(AllTA
Me
,.... -•••Y U>NDON
A,nernb assy HOGADISCI O
••••Y H,\llOBl
assy NEW Dl!.Ull
Iv, , _ ..
A,nembaeay TANAw.RlVE
-·
"'""'
baasy 11:lSCOW
_,_
-···
oi:c,..,.ss1v11::o
,....,....,..&IJJlfil\WO
USSR Raquasc for Astronaut Ase1acance
,.
s.,arc 0 f British Embassy inf ora,ad us September 28 of Soviet
request
1n event
specify
·o
UJ; for asoiaranc• in locating and re.acuing coamonauet<
landing in Indian Ocean area,
soviet noto doea not
., .. ,
o,: c1.,1n11.
ancionat but reqoeatt that Gove.rnment of U• and
Ind Lan Ocea n territories under jurledlction of UK be prepared co
,,.,r aastacance necessary,
Noce also request s UJ:
r..nder whsce
~··
av&ilab le facilities for Soviet recovery activities, shoul
need ari•"·
' . smart "
port ed UK intend• respond sff1rmat1vely to Soviet
u..quest citi ng UK adherence to Outer Space Tresty 8
in
1 •-=:
SC
, TllENeabitt
UNP• JPLorenz
--
EIJR/SOY- Mr .Page 36
CANBERRI\, COLOMBO, OF<R BS SAL/IZM, DJl\K/IRT/1, LOIIDON , ETC -- SECRET - NOFORN 0£.CLASS!FICO ""''"''"> .iJ.N D..JJJ.. Qj) 0 7 particular, to provision on assistance and return, Since return aspgct not mentioned in soviet note, UK rosponse will stato asswnPtion that USSR dosires return of cosmonaut(s) and/or spacecraft, should recovery b<> made by UK personnel or personnel under jurisdi c tion of UK and that UK considers return to launching state or launchin9 or9anization obligatory under terms of 'J'reaty, UJ( reply will rese r ve decisions on 9tent of assistano" and request from USSR orbital characteristics and other data relevant to rescue, as well as description of scale and natur" of assistance desired. lt .,,;_11 ask that such details be made available by appropriat" Soviet authorities for revi"w by UK Ministry of Defense, UK has transmitted substance of Soviet note to governments in Indian Ocean area under UII :8;1'olxix,li£ jurisdiction. Another sourcg has reported that the USSR has approached the Government of Madagascar requesting facilities to assist in recovery of space vehicles and cosmonauts. 3. FOR LONDON, UII Embassy here did not have copy cf USSR note. Department would very much like receive text by telegram. 4 . FOR ALL l\DOllESSEES, Department will appreciate any information on USSR interest in rescue and return of Soviet astronauts that _ ,nay con,e to the attent ion of posts in the area , K,\TZ.ENBACH SECRET - NOFORN Cfa11lflcatton _J
Page 37
- . INCOMING TELEGRAM D ejJc1rt1ne1it of State • ACTION COPY I VZCZCDTA8)1 RR RUE>IC D£ RUE>IDT 3~51 132200 ZNY CCCCC R 1321302: JAN 61 FM USUN NEWYORK TO SECSTATE WASHOC STAWO GRNC CONFlDENT.lAL BT CO NF IDE NT I AL USUN 3551 E X D I S OUTER SPACE 010743 JANUARY 13, 5 :23 P.M. 1967 - l, UNDER LETTER DATED 5 JAN SOVS HAVE TRANSMITTED INFO ON OBJECTS LAUNCHED INTO OUTER SPACE FOR UN SPACE REGISTRY. THIS SUBMISSION , UN DOC A/AC.105/ NF.50 OF 9 JAN , COVERS PERIOD FROM 27 AUG TO 12 NOV, SPECIFICALLY LAUNCHES OF COSMOS 129, 130 ANO 131 ON 14, 20 OCT ANO 12 NOV , MOLNIYA I ON 20 OCT, AND LUNA 12 ON 22 OCT. 2, THIS SUBMISSION FAiLS MENTION T1~0 SOVIET LAUNCHES WHICH PUT INTO LASTING ORBIT AT LEAST FOUR SOVIET OBJECTS; ACCORDING TO MOST RECENT ISSUE AVA ILABLE HERE OF SRTELLITE SITU~ REPORT (15 DEC), THESE WERE THREE OBJECTS PUT IN ORBIT 17 SEPT <BBB, SSE AND BBAY) AND ONE ON 2 NOV Cl0!G>, ALL OF WHICH HAD SIMILAR ORBITAL CHARACTERISTICS. 3. ON FACE OF IT THIS SOV SUBMISSION IS INCOMPLETE AND RAISES TRICXY QUEST ION OF HOW WE RESPOND, /_ S f'/0 //N l 'I 5p /() // ~ 4, SOME OF THE COM~XITIES OF TH IS QUESTION HAVE BEEN NOTED IN USUN A-1343 AND EARLIER MESSAGES WHICH DISCUSS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US AND SOV METHODS AND CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTING INFO TO UN SPACE REGISTRY, SOVS HAVE CONSISTENTLY REFRAINED FROM REPORTING ANCILLARY OBJECTS , DESPITE THEIR VOLUNTARY ACCEPTANCE OF OBLIGATION TO REGISTER , I ASSERTION THAT THEY DO REGISTER, LAUNCH AND PAYLOAD ONLY. PERTINENT TO CURRENT QUESTION IS INTELLIGENCE SUGGESTING THAT 11 SEPT AND 2 NOV SHOTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL TESTS OF ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT WEAPON IN WHICH PAYLOAD MAY NOT HAVE COMPLETED ONE ORBIT, OR IF IT DID MAY NO LONGER HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY USSR AS MORE THAN USELESS DEBRIS OF SORT SOVS NORMALLY DO NOT REGI STER. THERE IS THUS QUE·STION AS TO WHETHER THESE TWO LAUNCHES QUALIFY FOR WHAT IN PAST WE HAVE TERMED "SECRET" LAUNCHES, CONFIDENTIAL
Page 38
CONFIDENTIAL -2-USUN NEW ¥ORK 3551, JANUARY 13, 1967 I DECLASSIFIED ··-1 Authori r:, .NlLJJ. .Jj.J_qp I) • 5 • STEVENSON LETTER 6 JUNF. 1963 ON SUBJECT or SOVIET SECRET LAUNCHES ADDRESSED ITSELF TO SOVIET FAILURE IN SIX SPECIFIC INSTANCES TO REGISTER "VEHICLES" AND DID NOT ADDRESS ITSELF TO NIJ'lBEROUS ANCILLARY OBJECTS SOVS ALSO FAILED TO REGISTER. PRESS, WHICH MAY NOT APPRECIATE THIS DISTINCTION, MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO PORTRAY THIS SL8MISSION AS FIRST SOVIET CONCEALMENT OF "SLCRET" LAUNCHES SINCE THAT LETTER. 6. SATELLITE SITUATION REPORT APPEARS PRESENT CONVINCING EVIDENCE or EXISTENCE THESE OBJECTS IN ORBIT AS or 15 DEC, BY GIVING PRECISE ORBITAL CHARACTERISTICS. IF SOVS WERE TO DISPUTE THIS WE PRESUME THAT PROPERLY EQUIPPED OBSERVERS COULD IN FACT DETECT PRESENCE or THESE OBJECTS <PROVIDING THEY ARE STILL IN ORBIT> AND THAT MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS or THEIR ORBITS WOULD SATISFY SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY THAT THE IR ORIGIN WAS USSR. UNFOR- TUNATELY, ISSUES or SATELLITE SITUATION REPORT SINCE OCTOBER HAVE ALSO LISTED THREE OBJECTS, CATALOGUE NUMBERS 2 428, 2429, AND 2430 , WITH EQUALLY PRECISE INFO ~S TO THEIR ORBITAL CHARACTER ISTICS, BUT FOR WHICH THE SOURCE AND DATES or LAUNCH ARE "UNKNOWN". TH IS SUGGESTS THAT OUR CASE MIGHT NOT APPEAR CONVINCING TO AN UNINFORMED AUDIENCE. · 7. AL TH ING$ CONS IOEREO IT WOULD APPEAR ADV I SABLE TO PULL TOGETHER ALL FACTS (INCLUDING QUESTION OF WHETHER OBJECTS WERE STILL IN ORBIT ON 5 JAN, ANO IF SO HOW MUCH LONGER THEY MAY REMAIN IN ORBIT> ANO PREPARE URGENTLY FOR FRANK DISCUSSION WITH SOVIETS. NEED FOR SPEED IS SUGGESTED BY PENDING SPACE TREATY WITH ITS UNINSPECTEO BAN ON ORBITING NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND BY FACT THAT PRESS ALREADY HAS AT LEAST SOME or THE STORY, SEE "TECHNOLOGY WEEK" or 31 OCT . s. ONE POSSIBLE LINE or APPROACH WOULD ~E T~o I~A!:~u~Ii~ ESTABLI SOVIETS THE POINT THAT NOW THAT SPACE TR A EM HIGHLY INTERNATI ONAL LIABILITY IN ARTICLE VII, IT WOULD SE ADVI SABLE FOR ALL LAUNCHING STATES OT INCLUDE IN THEI R REGISTRATION NOT ONLY THE FACT or LAUNCH or PAYLOAD BUT ALSO or ANCILLARY OBJECTS, PARTICULARLY SINCE LIAB ILITY S ITUATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO ARISE FROM iNC\LLARY OBJECTS. ON THIS BASIS THEIR ATTENTION SHOULD BE ~~~~~ 1 0 • ACT THAT NOT ONLY WERE FOUR ABOVE OBJECTS STILL IN ' "s OF" 1 5 DEC• BUT ADD I TIONALLY THERE WERE AT LEAST CONF"IDEI/ITlAL
Page 39
-<.!S UK >ft:\~ YORK 3551, JANUARY 13, 196 7 49 ANCILLARY OBJECTS PUT IN ORBIT ON 17 SEPT WHICH HAO DECAYED BY MID NOV AND AT LEAST 32 SIMILAR OBJECTS PUT IN ORBIT ON 2 NOV OF WHICH 21 HAO DECAYED BY MIO NOV (THESE FIGURES FROM SATELLITE SITUATION REPORT OF 15 NOV> . WE MIGHT MAKE CLEAR TO SOVIETS THAT WE EXPECT QUESTIONS ON THIS SCORE TO AR ISE DURING SENATE CONSIDERATION OF SPACE TREATY TO •.iH ICH 'JIE WILL HAVE TO RESPOND AND WE FEAR THEIR FAILURE TO REGI STER 17 SEPT AND 2 NOV LAUNCHES OR OBJECTS WI LL CREATE UNNECESSARY EMBARRASSMENT FOR THEM. <USUN OFFICER CONVEYED ESSENCE OF THIS POINT TO TIMERBAEV IN EARLY NOVEMBER• SEE THACHER MEMO FOR RECORD OF 9 NOV. ) 9. PLEASE ADVISE. GP-2, GOLDBERG BT I DECLASSIFIED .... .,.] AuthorityJ/.NfJ. '16 Yqpo
Page 40
-t.1S UK >ft:\~ YORK 3551, JANUARY 13, 196 7 49 ANCILLARY OBJECTS PUT IN ORBIT ON 17 SEPT WHICH HAO DECAYED BY MID NOV AND AT LEAST 32 SIMILAR OBJECTS PUT IN ORBIT ON 2 NOV OF WHICH 21 HAO DECAYED BY MIO NOV (THESE FIGURES FROM SATELLITE SITUATION REPORT OF 15 NOV> . WE MIGHT MAKE CLEAR TO SOVIETS THAT WE EXPECT QUESTIONS ON THIS SCORE TO AR ISE DURING SENATE CONSIDERATION OF SPACE TREATY TO •.iH ICH 'JIE WILL HAVE TO RESPOND AND WE FEAR THEIR FAILURE TO REGI STER 17 SEPT AND 2 NOV LAUNCHES OR OBJECTS WI LL CREATE UNNECESSARY EMBARRASSMENT FOR THEM. <USUN OFFICER CONVEYED ESSENCE OF THIS POINT TO TIMERBAEV IN EARLY NOVEMBER• SEE THACHER MEMO FOR RECORD OF 9 NOV. ) 9. PLEASE ADVISE. GP-2, GOLDBERG BT I ' DECLASSIFIED :....,.] Authority JI.NJ), '16 Yqpo
Page 41
I
V
•
El E R
r
rr rw! 12 23
NOV 72 I ROGERS
?. I Z
2 l O 2 31;
FORM DS 322<0CR>
I 210234 J 1723212
CONFIDENT I AL
PM/AE:-'sRTURRENTINE:BPlil
11/17/12
EXT 21835
PM/AE:COL-AB~ITKO
f
SCI/SAM:LTC BASTEDO {SUBS}
7b02 AIG:MAJ.NEMETH {SUBS}
DO,D/.ISA:MR • ANDERSON <SUBS}
ROUTINE
~ELLINGTON
ROUTINE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF, RUEfHQA/CSAF, RUEKJCS/DIA,
RUVAADA/FTD WP,AFB OHIO , RUEFHQD/7b02 AIG FT BELVOIR
SUBJECT :
MOONDUST:
NEW ZEALAND
REFS:
A, USDAO WELLINGTON 0821052 NOV 72;
8, FTD/FAM 071~452 NOV 72.
1.
EMBASSY MAY INFORM GNZ THROUGH CHANNEL DEEMED MOST
APPROPRIATE THAT EXTENSIVE LABORATORY STUDY Of SPACE
OBJE{T SAMPLES HAS BEGUN •
~E EXPECT CLASSIFIED REPORT
ON RESULTS WILL BE ISSUED IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
WE WILL
Of COURSE SHARE THIS REPORT WITH GNZ.
2.
YOU MAY INDICATE THAT SPACE OBJECTS WERE OF GREATER
INTEREST THAN ORI GINALLY ESTI MATED AND THAT EXPLOITATION
IS PROVIDI NG VALUABLE INFORMATION.
COOPERATION Of GNZ IN
THIS EFFORT GREATLY APPRECIATED•
3.
DAO AND OTHER EMBASSY OFFICERS WHO HAVE ASSISTED ARE
COMMENDED FOR THEIR SKILLFUL HANDLING OF THIS DELICATE
ISSUE•
4.
DOD CONCURS.
TURRENTINE-GDS
YY
DECLASSIFIED
AuthorilY //NO 1£90 52
L------
(()NF T 'f\►tJTT Al
PM/AE:
PM/AE:
SCI/,$
DOD/,l
7b02Page 42
0,!''' '"''"-i ,,o.., --- . _·3 " Oecenuoliud Fihn. FILE OESIGNATION 1,.tll C •• ....!<l(,,'-1-,="'f-=-l---lTO t. f'.0 A \0 I ••• •• FROM SUBJECT A•44 Deportment of state RECEIVED OF.~ARTME~ ~ TE SE~ U?.s ,yi,/~l7t Ame01bassy KATIIMANDifNALYSIS BRAHG!lrE , May 12, 1972 l,litlTP.D DISTRIBl/1'10N HOON DUST, Space Fragments - Nepal N AV Y ••• I I I REF l'"- (a) Department's A- 3864, April 17, 1972; (b) Kathmandu's 997, March lS, 1972; (c) State March 1, 1972 f '1 034850, CIA , /'_,..,-. I ,,,,,, --1--'/'-ll--'--l--'--I r 'lbe Nepalese toreign Mioistey, which moved with great deliberation pr.ior to lo~ning u$ the apace fragment, hu continued to operate at sveou,e.oonrtU&u1'tO~ 3 rather stately tempo in •rranging for its return. As indicated in the attached MefflOr•ndum of Conversat i~n, the fragment t s still being held by the F.obassy pending co2pletion of paper work within the Min·UU:y to tran&fcr the fragment to the National Huteu:=. The Eaba.ssy 18 not , therefore, yet in a position to report CON reaction to the fragment itself. However, on the basis of ou~ ovn visual inspection, we fotesee no probl em once the fragm.ent is returned . Ve believe the technicians who performed the surgery did an excellent job and should be cocaplimented f or their vor\c:. T01 A<••~ l,.ft, ,_11,eb ::• Ye pa.ssed one copy of the Technical Report transm,itted under covAr ".~,'-.-1---1- -11---l of reference (a) to the Foreign Secretary persona;lly on May 9, 4 ..;;.:c...i---+--+--1 recorded in the attached Memcon. As "1111 be noted, the Foreign~ .. , .. -'"'-l---+--+--1 Secretary readily agreed to our stipulations regard ing control cg cco,. the docum.ent. ..:, CO" J o, ,. -•----l--+---1---l Although the operation as noted above has not qui te been completely wrapped up~ ve consider it timely and appropriate at this stage to um express our appreciation f.or the sensitivity to our requirements .::.::.:...-1--+---l---l and responsiveness to our suggestions which the Department and --l----1---1---l other concerned Washington agencies have shO\.-n in can:ying out . ., --l----1---1---l their end of t-he vork. o1tti ---------1 Encl: Mc11con .., ;;:: "' \JI .. ... SttREX - l,IMDIS o,,, o,,,e.,o on~ i, .. .,. A~ Ql:l,C&C-
Page 43
SO'BJECT: PARTICIPANTS: DATE AND PLACE: -------- --- SECRET • LIKDIS American Elllbusy Kathmandu, Nepal lm!ORANDIJM OF CONVERSATION Space F-cagment , , r~ OECl,ASSIFIEO •-1 L:;:,~~'l1.2r,s2 _, Page l, Encl. l K.athuaandu A-44 Mr . H<. Bharat Raj Bhandary, Foreign Secretary Shardul s. Rana, Joint Secretary Ambassador Laise Carleton S. Coon, Jr. - DCM May 9, 1972 Otfic~ of the Foreign Secretary, Singha Durbar ------------------------------ Mr, coon recalled that in mid-March he and the Foreign Secretary had discussed the return of the space fragi:r:ent and it had been agreed that the fore,ign Mintstry would arrange to have i t picked up fr«a the F.mbassy to be taken to the National Museum. Foreign Secretary Bhandary confirced that this was his understanding also. He said he hadn't finished the paper work required t,o get it into the Museum. and that he "'•ould turn the project over to Hr. Shardul Rana (Joint Secretary in the Foreign M1nistiy). (At this point he called Sho.r-dul Rana ~n to join the group.) He asked if we would be willing to keep the fragment for a while longer until the formalities could be coaapieted. Mr. Coon agreed to this. Mr. Coon said that he had received a technical report from Washington of the results of the evaluation. He had been authorized to convey it t·o His Majesty's Government on the understanding that: (a) HMG would not make the report available to any other govertUllent, and (b) it would not be made available to Nepalese officials who would not othervise have access to material of this nature and secr,et classi£ication. Foreign Secretary Bhanda~y expressed gratitude for the report and assured Mr. Coon and A=bassador Laise that these two understandings would be strictly adhered t,o. Re pointed out that it was at lea.st as auch in RMG 1s interests as in that of the USC that the r,eport not get SECRET - LDIDIS
Page 44
• • into the wrong hands. SECRET - LIMDIS Page 2 , Encl. l Kathmandu A-44 Mr. Coon told the Foreign Secretary that he had been asked to convey the United States G,overnment's deep appreciation for HMG's cooperation in this matter. He said the instructions he had received had pointed out that the investigation had been of considerable interest and value t-o the United States Government. efA DOI: CS~ o : ew
Page 45
- Copy to, 10 BUR INR L PM SCI S/PRS RF J N 7 205730 SECRET 0£PARTM£NT OF STATE ACTIO N MEMORAN DUM s•i\ \:W ,prrJ March 2Z 1972 ff"._ To: The, Secretary / '7/ /l V From: PM ~ onald I. Spiers r 1 y 0'-; Disposition of Soviet Space Fragments-.._~_..-- Bnckground : s p </ Six fragments were recovered from a Soviet satellite (COSMOS 316) which broke up and fell across the US Middle West on August 28, 1970. The United States 111et its obligations under the 1968 agreement on the return of astronauts and space objects by informing the UN Secretary General and the Soviet Embassy that the fragments had been recovered and by offering Soviet representatives several opportunities to identify and claim them. Soviet Embassy officers declined either to inspect or claim the frag,nents. On June 9, 1971, the Soviet Embassy informed the Depart• mcnt by note (informal translation) , 11Thc Soviet side is not interested in further steps to study the origin of the said fragments, and believes that the American side can decide to its satisfaction the question about further destiny of said fragments . ti At the time of the Soviet note, negotiations on the Outer Space Liability Convention were in the final phase, therefore, we deferred disposing of the space objects or making detailed information available to the public to avoid a possible disrupti on. The Depar tment of State has physical custody of the Soviet space fragments, the largest of which is roughly a square, 4 ft by 4 ft, weighing 640 lbs . '.the Problem: As you know, you signed the Outer Space Liabi lit y Convention on March 29. Publicity at tendant on the sign ing of the Convention could SECRET
Page 46
SECRET 2. revive public and press interest in the fragments. Concur- rently, our tactical reasons for withholding information regarding the Soviet space objects will largely disappear as soon as the forthcoming meetings of the Outer Space Legal Subcoamittee (Geneva, April 10-May 5) and the Scien- tific and Technical Subcommittee (New York, May 3-13) are over. At that time the public's right to know more about the fragments becomes a primary consideration. In addition, we believe it is essential that disposition of the space fragments be completed and pertinent information be placed in the public domain officially by the Executive Branch prior to Senate hearings on the Liability Convention. We do not wish to draw undue attention to the fragments prior to the signing of the Liability Convention. We also wish to ovoid stimulating interest in the Mid-West fragments during the upcoming sessions of the UN space groups. Perhaps t he best time to place the fragments in the public domain, t herefore, would be in June, shortly after the President's trip to the Soviet Union . The attached Staff Study contains a more detailed analysis of the above considerations and sets forth the options that were examined by the various agencies directly concerned with the problem. Recommendation : The recommended course of action, in which the various interested agencies concur, proposes that the Department of State arrange with the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum and the Air Force Museum (Wright- Patterson AFB , Ohio) for the fragments to be put on public displ ay starting in June. Under the agreements to be con- cluded by the Department of State and the two museums, State would retain legal custody rights enabling recall if in the national interest. Prior to displaying the fragments publicly, appropriate press guidance will be worked out on an interagency basis. I recommend you approve this action. Approve ~ Disapprove ------ SECRET
Page 47
SECRET ACTION MEMO to: from: The Secretary PM - R.I.Spiers 3. Subject: Disposition of Soviet: Space Fragments Attachment: Sraff Study . Drafted: 3/23/72 ~ Jl.-:-- PM/AE :ARTurrentine/HGHafidyside :bpw Clearances: SECRET x21835 S/PC - Mr. Gathright (subs)~Rr IO/UNP - Mr. Rothenbe°tg/Mr. Blackw,l SCI/SAM - Mr. Chapin (subs)lllif EUR/SOV - Mr. Matlock/Mr. Kadilis (subs)~T L/UNA - Mr. Stowe (subs)/111.T INR/RSG - Mr. Lissfelt (subs)/111.T t¢. DOD/OSD/ISA - Mr. Anderson (subs--includes USAF and DIA clearances) NASA/I - Mr. Carl Jones (subs)~"'T
Page 48
The Problem SECRET f - - OF.CLASSIFfEO Authority //Ill> 'ji 1liz2 L - - -- Disposition of Space Fragments from Soviet COSMOS 316 On August 28, 1970, a number of fragments from the Soviet satellite COSMOS 316 impacted across a wide section of the Middle West of the United Stat es . Six fragments were recovered by the United States Government, In accord- ance with Arti cle 5 (1) of the 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts , the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, the US notified the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Soviet Government of the recovery of the six space fragments. The Soviet Union was provided a full physical description of the fragments and invited to claim them if inspection con- firmed Soviet origin . Soviet Embassy officers declined either to inspect or claim the fragments. On J une 9, 1971, the Soviet Embassy sent a note to the Department of State which stated in part (informal translation), "The Soviet side is not interested in further st eps to study the origin of the said fragments, and believes that the American side can decide to its satisfaction the question about further destiny of said fragments." At the time of the Soviet note in June 1971, negotiations on the Outer Space Liability Convention were in the final phase, therefore, the question of how best to dispose of the fragments was deferred in order to avoid any unhelpful distraction. Since we now have agreement on the Liability Convention, with arrangements underway for signing hopefully by late March, we will soon be in a position to dispose of the fragments without jeopardy to the Liability Convention. Inscription of an item on registration and identifica- tion on the agenda for the upcoming UN Outer Space Legal Subco111nittee meeting (scheduled to open in Geneva on April suggests we reinforce our position that national means of identification are adequate to deal with returning space objects. Although we hope no one will raise the Mid-West SECRET 1 10)
Page 49
SECRET 2. case, it would be prudent to prepare ourselves to counter the arguments of those who might cite our "inability" to identify the Middle West fragments as evidence of the need for an international means of identification. The fragments are currently in the physical custody of the Department of State. Ownership The question of ownership of the fragments is not clear. Under the Treaty on Outer Space, Article VIII stat~s, "Ownership of objects launched into outer space ... LS not affected . •• by their return to the Earth ." From a literal interpretation of the treaty it would seem that no state other than the launching authority could claim ownership of any space object unless the launching authority specifically transfers title of ownership to that state. If a state refuses to acknowledge ownership of a space object, as in the instant ca,se, the state holding the object could be considered as the permanent custodian, but under the treaty would not become the owner. Identification In considering liability, several countries have suggested creating an international space object identifi- cation system. For several years now, the United States has taken the position publicly that national means are adequate for the identification of space objects. We have not provided extensive supporting evidence for our stand. For security reasons we cannot reveal openly all of the identi- fication techniques used by the intelligence community. However, we have cited publicly the basic methods of identificatio~, i .e., examination of manufacturers' markings and numbers; analysis of bolts, threads, component configura- tion and design; analysis of alloys; and analysis of time and t,rajectory of reentry . ln view of the extensive initial coverage accorded the Mid-West fragments by the media and the fact that the USG has not officiall y identified these fragments publicly, we must anticipate that the proponents of an elaborate international registration and identification SECRET
Page 50
SECRET 3. system may use our "inability" to identify these fragments as proof of the need for international registration and identification. To reasse.rt the val idity of our "nationa,l- means-are-adequate11 position, we may cite for the record if need be that we have in fact identifi ed the Mid-West fragments as Soviet. On the other hand, we do not wish to precipitate a confrontation needlessly or call undue attention to the fragments during the UN Legal Subcommittee meeting (April 10-May 5) if the issue is not raised. It would be desirable to surface the fragments without fanfare after the next sessions of the UN Legal and Scientific and Technical Subcommittees, (the latter meets May 3-13 in New York) and after the President's trip to the Soviet Union. This could be accomplished by placing the Soviet space fragments on public display in early June and indicating the primary methods (tracking data and other means) used to determine their origin. Preliminary dis- cussions indicate that both the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, are interested in the fragments. The Smithsonian plans to display them together with other space debris. Display Conditions If the fragments are loaned for display purposes, it would be desirable to include the following provisions in the transfer agreement: 1. The physical appearance of the fragments will not be al tered in any way: the fragments will not be broken up further; no indelible markings or cuttings of any kind will be made on any fragment; no part of any fragment will be con- sumed in destructive testing. 2. The Department of State may reassume physical custody of the fragments at any time i t determines it to be in the national interest to do so . 3. If additional fragments are ~ecovered which are suspected to have come from COSMOS 316, all of the fragments may be assembled and used for an appropriate time in further intelligence evalua- tions. SECRET
Page 51
SECRET 4. 4. If additional fragments from COSMOS 316 are recovered, and the Soviet Union does not exercise its option to have them returned, the conditions which apply to the six fragments currently held by the USG will apply to the additional fragments upon their release for public display . 5. When on public display, identification signs will bear the following text: "The space fragments on display are from a Soviet COSMOS satellite which broke up and impacted in the US Middle West on August 28, 1970. US tracking data confirms that a Soviet satellite deeayed from orbit over the Middle West on this date. In compliance with provisions of the 1968 Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, the United States informed the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Soviet Government that a number of space fragments had been recovered. The United States invited Soviet representatives to examine the fragments and offered to turn them over to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union did not exercise its option to have the fra,gments returned under the 1968 agree- ment.'' No other text will be used or further explanation given without the explicit approval of all interested agencies. Present Interest After the initial flurry of inquiries following the recovery of the fragments, public interest dropped off, but has not disappeared completely. The Executive Branch has not yet officially placed in,formation about the Soviet space debris in the public domain. Late last year, however, a Library of Congress Staff Report stated without qualifica- tion that the Mid-West fragments had come from the Soviet satellite COSMOS 316. The report, entitled Soviet Space SECRET
Page 52
[ -·- DECLASSIFl.€0- - Authority.P/Jf> '1t,1r, 52 --·-- - .. SECRET 5. Programs, 1966-70, was prepared for the Senate Committee on Aeronautics and Space (see page 341). Recently an AP reporter asked about the fragments and was told the USG had no coll1llent at this time. With the signing of the Liability Convention, we may face additional, more aggressive press inquiries. In addition, the coll1llunity of Pratt, ~ansas, the sma-11 town near where the largest fragment impacted, has shown a continuing interest. The local farmer on whose land the fragment fell turned it over to the USAF only after being assured the USG would take under consideration his desire that the newly founded Pratt Museum received some appro- priate memorabilia associated with the fragment. The USAF carefully made no commitment to return the fragment. Instead a cast of the fragment was made by the US Army Topographic Command for the USAF to present the town of Pratt at an appropriate time . Since the presentation will likely attract press attention, the USAF has agreed to delay turning the facsimile of the fragment over to the Pratt Museum until after the signing of the Liability Convention. Courses of Action Several feasible options for disposing of the Soviet space fragments have been considered. Option No. 1 - Turn the fragments over to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and the US Air Force Museum on a permanent loan basis with the Department of State retaining its legal custodian role . PRO - the Smithsonian and Air Force museums are the most appropriate sponsors for public display of the fragments. - public display of the fragments, clearly identifiable as Soviet in origin, supports US position that national means are adequate for identification. SECRET
Page 53
I N L--- SECRET 6. - best app:oach for maintaining control over events and keeping the surfacing of the fragments in a low- key framework to insure US interests are best served. - State retention of legal custody avoids establishing US precedent on question of ownership of fragments. - public display is responsive to interest the public has shown in space objects . - retention of legal custody by State allows recall if the US desires to return fragments to Soviets in future. CON - placing Soviet space fragments on disply could draw more attention to the identification probl em than other- wise might be the case. - indication that soviets failed to claim fragments could be used as evidence of weakness in the Liability Convention by critics. - soviets could possibly consider display provocative . Option No. 2 - Turn the fragments over to the Secretary General of the United Nations for appropriate disposition. PRO - demonstrates US dedication to the "spirit" of the agreement on the return of space objects. - allows US to demonstrate routine identification techniques CON - could establish precedent of returning space objects via the Secretary General, which may not be in US interest. - the,re is no obligation under the agreement to turn over unclaimed objects to the Secretary General. - presents Secretary General with political dilemma. - could cause Secretary General to use UN mechanism to confirm US identification of fragments thereby estab- lishing precedent that may not be in US interest . - soviets could possibly consider action provocative. SECRET
Page 54
N SECRET 7. - is not responsive to interest of US public in space objects. - indication that Soviets failed to claim fragment could be used as evidence of weakness in Liability Convention. Option No. 3 - Make another effort to persuade the Soviet Union to acknowledge ownership of the fragments and accept them under the conditions of the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts the Return of Astronauts and the unc e 1..nto uter pace. eturn o ects PRO - Soviet acknowledgement that fragments are theirs would demonstrate adequacy of national means of identification and workability of return agreement. - Soviet acceptance of fragments avoids leaving question of legal ownership unresolved. return of the fragments under the Liability Conven- tio,n, even though the one-yea,r statute of limitations has expired and there are no liability claims in- volved, would confirm the Convention and establish a useful precedent. CON - The Soviet Union has had plenty of time to consider accepting the fragments, another approach would probably fail and at the same time suggest that we were begging them to take their fragments back. The Soviet Union is under no obligation to take its fragments back under the terms of the 1968 agreement. Option No. 4 - Keep the fragments in storage in the physical custody of the Department of State. PRO - obfuscates fragment issue. - if the Soviets ask us to return the fragments at some time in the future, it would be possible to do so on a very low-key basis without attracting any public attention. SECRET
Page 55
CON
SECRET
8.
- leaves US
1
b
f
vu n~ra le to charge we unable t o identif
ragments and Lnternational system of identificatio~
necessary.
- not responsive to interest US public has in space
objects.
- could invite criticism if issue raised in Senate
hearings on Liability Convention.
- more difficult to effectively handle possible
aggressive press inquiries after signing of Liability
Convention.
- invites press speculation about range of topics much
broader than fragments.
Timing
In Options l, 2, and 3, the question of timing is
central.
To maximize the political usefulness of the
fragments, yet keep risks a t a reasonable level, we should
be prepared to take action in early June. This would be
after the signing of the Liability Convention, after the
the next sessions of the UN Legal and Scientific and Technical
Subcommittees, and after the President's trip to the Soviet
Union, but prior to Senate hearings on the Liability Con-
vention.
OECLASSIFIEO
Attachments & Clearances:
i
- -- \
Aulhori\y B
,if) 'I I q l: S 2
See
Drafted:
3/23/72
L
·- -
---
attached sheet
/11\:{
_J.
PM/AE:ARTurrentine/HGH~de:bpw
x21835
SECRETPage 56
SECRET STAFF STUDY: Disposition of Space Fragments from Soviet COSMOS 316 Attachments: 1. Chronology of Events 2. Description of Fragments 3. Article VIII of Outer Space Treaty 4. Article 5 of Return of Astronauts and Space Objects Agreement Clearances: S/PC - Mr. IO/UNP - Mr. 9. SCI/SAM - Mr. EUR/SOV - Mr. L/UNA - Mr. Gathright (subs) M:T Rothenberg/Mr. Slack~ , Chapin (subs)MT Matlock/Mr. Kadilis (subs)""-f Stowe (subs).M-~ Lissfelt (subs)~Kf INR/RSG - Mr. DOD/OSD/ISA- Mr. NASA/I - Mr. Anderson (subsMincludes USAF and DIA clearances) Carl Jones (subs)II""
Page 57
SECRET ATTACHMENT l Chronology of Events Related to Soviet Space Fragments from COSMOS 316 December 23, 1969 January 29, 1970 August 28, 1970 September 8, 1970 September 9, 1970 September 14, 1970 mid-September 1970 September 17, 1970 September 29, 1970 Soviet Union launched COSMOS 316. Soviet Union reported launch of COSMOS 316 to UN. Fragments from COSMOS 316 entered atmosphere and impacted in the Middle West of the us. US Mission UN formally notified the Secretary General of recovery of three space fragments. Copy of US note to the Secretary General passed to Soviets at UN. Note handed to Soviet Science Counselor Belov by Soviet Country Director in- forming Soviets of recovery of four fragments and offering, as soon as fragments assembled in one location, the Soviets an opportunity to examine the fragments with subsequent turnover if Soviet origin confirmed. USUN notified Secretary Gene,ral of recovery of fourth space fragment. Fifth and sixth space fragments recovered. EUR/SOV telephoned Soviet Science Counselor Belov and informed him that the objects mentioned in our note of September 11 had been assembled and were ready for exami- nation. Belov telephoned EUR/SOV and said that the appropriate Soviet officials have "a doubt" that the space frag,nents are of Soviet origin. He requested 1) objects be photographed, 2) description SECRET
Page 58
• October 9, 1970 November 2, 1970 November 10, 1970 January 15, 1971 February l, 1971 April 27, 1971 June 9, 1971 SECRET 2. of appearance, 3) chemical analysis and 4) list of numbers or figures • appearing on fragments. Belov noted that his instructions did not give him permission to view the objects . In conversation with EUR/SOV, Soviet Counselor Bubnov following up Belov conversation of September 29 again requested identifying information. USUN informed Secretary General of recovery of fifth and sixth frago,ents. EUR/SOV informed the Soviet Embassy by note of the recovery of fifth and sixth space fragments, and provided requested data. EUR/SOV telephoned Soviet Science Counselor Belov and reminded him that we have had no response following our note of November 10. During call on Soviet Country Director, Soviet Minister-Counselor Vorontsov expressed thanks for photos and data. Vorontsov stated that the data had been examined and found not to be related to a Soviet space vehicle. Amembassy Moscow delivered a note reaffirming the US conviction that the six fragments are of Soviet origin. EUR/SOV received a note from the Soviet Embassy indicating that the American comnunication had been taken into con- sideration and that the Soviet Union had no interest in any further study of the origins of the fragments. Further, " ... the American side can decide to its satisfaction the question about the further destiny of the said fragments." (Informal translation) SECRET
Page 59
IJNCl.ASSlFlF.D ATTACffiU::NT 2 ,. ,enc• Recovered fron Soviet satellite cos~os 316 yragmcnt No. 1 : Dimensions: Appcoroncc : Place found : Fragiaent No. 2: Dimensions : 28" X 7 11 X 4" 180 lbs Rcctongull\r solid Prate , l(nnsas 31" x 10" x 5 11 l - Weight: Appearance: Place found : Fragment No . 3: Dimensions: Weight: Appear3nce: Ploce (ound : Fragment No. 4: Oimens ions: Weight: l -- p£CLASSIFIRO \ A..-, l~'L'!.~ 2 --- - Ap1,cartlnce : Place found : • 230 lbs Three flat plates burned by re-entry; impoctcd os a single object; subsequently broke aporc while in transit ; one plate has jagncd curve burned are3 on one of the long sides Beaver City,Oklohomtl 27" X 7 11 X 2 11 86 lbs Generally rectangular with curved cut along one of the long sides Perryton, Texas 47 11 x 811 x llj" 125 lbs Plote, presumnbly flat origino lly, appear• to hove been deformed into its present curved shnpc by impact Adrian, Texas UNCl.ASSIFIED
Page 60
UNClASSTl'lED rrasn1cnt No . 5 : Dimens tons : \~eight: Appe,u:ancc: Place £ ound : Fragment No. 6: Dimensions: Weight: Appearance: Place found: r --oF:CLASSIFIED 1 I J\IN>Orily JIIJO 't 'l . ~2 L---- - - 2 48" x 48" x l\" 640 lbs Very large, square , slightly concave plate with circular hole approximately 10" in diameter in the center Pratt, Kansas 27 11 X 7" X 1 11 40 lb.; Generully rectangular with curved cut along one of the long sides Dumas, Texas
Page 61
Jl'ITAO!MENT 3 UNCLASSIFIED 1reaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States In the Ex loration and Use of Outers ace Includin the Moon and Oth_e4 Celestial Bodies Entered int f October 10, 1967) (TIAS 6347) o orcc A<ticle VIII A State Party to the Treaty on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over any personnel thereof, while in oute·r space or on a celestial body. Ownership of objects launched into outer space, including objects landed or constructed on a celestial body, and of their- component parts, is not affected by their- presence in outer space or on a c,elestial body or by their return to the Earth. Such objects or component parts found beyond the limits of the State Party to the Treaty on whose registry they are carried shall be returned to that State, which shall, upon request, furnish identifying data prior to their return. J>ECl..ASSIFJ£0 Auu,ority /II~ 16 9(; 22 ----- - J - 1-
Page 62
r D£CLASSlf1£0 J AuthorilY //Ill) '11, '/(; 22 L----·- UNCLASSIFIED ATTACHMENT 4 ~greement on the Rescue of Astronauts, The Return of Astronauts and The Retu.rn of Ob ects Launched into Outer Space Entered into force December 3, 1968 (TlAS 6599) Article 5 1. Each Contracting Party which receives information or discovers that a space object or its component parts has returned to Earth in territory under its jurisdiction or on the high seas or in any other place not under the jurisdiction of any State, shall notify the launching authority and the Secretary General of the United Nations. 2. Each Contracting Party having jurisdiction over the territory on which a space object or its component parts have been discovered shall, upon the request of the launching authority and with assistance from that authority if requested, take such steps as it finds practicable to recover the object or component parts. 3. Upon request of the launching authority, objects launched into outer space or their component parts found beyond the territorial limits of the launching authority shall be returned to or held at the disposal of representa- tives of the launching authority, which shall, upon request, furnish identifying data prior to their return. 4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article, a Contracting Party which has reason to believe that a space object or its component parts discovered in territory under its jurisdiction, or recovered by it elsewhere, is of a hazardous or deleterious nature may so notify the launching authority which shall inrnediately take effective steps, under the direction and control of the said Contracting Party to eliminate possible danger or harm. 5. Expenses incurred in fulfilling obligations to recover and return a space object or its component parts under paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article shall be borne by the launching authority. UNCLASSIFIED
Page 63
-~---~---------------
P•llt 01
l('J. TMl'tA 8 tt997
1586-hl:
2,
ACTfON PN .. 93
INrO
OCT-01
SS ·I ♦ sc1-e3
NSC-1 0
~SAE-ea
,c ... .. e6
10 .. ~3 L- e2
/f51 w
R J 5e&asz "AR 12
rft AM(N8ASSY kATH~ANOU
TO S(CSTAT( NAS~oc 2•~1
!N~O S(COEf
OJ '
CA.Ar
rro WPAF'8 OHJO
1127 USAF' flOACTY OP fl Btt,.VOJP VA
s E C R C T "'" T,+Os,ur,;ov ,,,,
t.l"DIS
JOJ~T $ TA J£ OErtNS( ~ESSAOr
SuaJ, NOO~ OUST/SPA([ rqAG~£~T~, ~fD AL
Rtr- ,
Shtt 03~850 - Sf/(,
Q[STQREO SPACE rRAGNtvt AQP I V(O J~ 1000 CONO JT JON• I HAY[
~Or1r1c~ fORCJG~ S£CD£T ARY B~•~OAQY ANO Wf AR! woqKJNG OH ... ~, NO(
Ntur s PHYSICALLY TO D£ TURN I T TO GO'I.
WILL iltEDO~T Gn~ REA.CTI ('•
•i,.('11 A YAILA8L[ o
COON
lPage 64
\ ... -· Ocou.= □-,. ACnON, Amembassy KATHMANDU INFO: SECDEF /"" DIA CSAF FTD WPAFS OHIO 1127 USAFFLDACT'lGP FT BELVOIR VA STATE LIMDI JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE SUBJ : MOON DUST/Space Fragments : Nepal - SI'/(. REFS: A. Kathmandu 762 NOTAL; 034850 SP It B. State 231792 (DTG 282l23Z Dec 71) . 1. Restored space fragment will be on board Embassy support flight 115 arriving Kathmandu on or about March 10. Fragment is packed in shipping crate (cargo no. 72-33365) marked in care of DAO. 2. State and Defense representatives examined fragment prior to shipment finding restoration acceptable and _J ~OAfC l "• ~ OU"t• ....,..,..,. PM/AE:ARTurrentine :bpw 2/29/72 21836 PM/A$. - H. de NJ!A/INC-Mr. Burleigh (subs)~ INR/RSG-Mr, Lissfelt (subs)~ SCI/SAM-LTC Campbell (subs)«W' DOD/ISA-Mr. Anderson (subs)fl'C! DIA - Mr. Green (subs)~ SECRET a...<facotl<n
Page 65
·--,-•-· . -' Departinent of State TELEGRAM ~ PAGE 2 DEPTEI, to KA:r!!MANDll fragment in good condition. Restored fragment does not vary significantly from its appearance prior to removal of sample. 3. Report on fragment for Embassy to share with GON will be forwarded soon under separate cover. 4. Please confirm satisfactory condition of fragment upon receipt and report GON reaction when fragment returned. 7
Page 66
om ..)/ llfi D epat·t1nent of State TELEGRAM SEC•ET 819 t-.., PAGE 3 1 <ATHKA 0076P. 2511 35! \ ~ V\ \ ~ NAS A.fl OOOE-0~ R 25135?2 FEB 1l r¥ •~E~~ASSV KAT~HANDU T= SECSlAT~ ~•s~oc 1~94 llMOIS 5Jl2Jt --oo"' !>JST/SPACE F'RAG'1ENTS1 "E°'.lL ~£F' 1 SlATC: 231792 .,,- Sf>J' r -otcLAss,P,ro l I A_, f,1,'1> q _ q :i2 L ___ _ -- ~~t, CA, ~E EXP~CT RETURN OF THE RESTORED S~ACE F~AGNENT? IT ~ouLC ~£ ~uc~ APPREC lATEO AT f~t~ EN; IF' IT COJLD 9£ l"CLUOEO I~ ,txT E~a•SSV SJPpOqT FLtl~T . L• ISE ~ ~
Page 67
- c~;:;,\\-5;,ace ; · 21 23 Department of State 2317 92 S?/6 J J coi..u:.cT □ C""I\_C¢ TO f DECi,ASSI FJEO i I Amhor;ty /1110 'I· 7 !1~ J L _ _ _ __ _ m EGltAM ' . J C>tSTRl8UTIOH ACTtOO: INFO: STATE LIMDIS SUBJ: Arnembassy KATHMANDU SECO'EF - DIA €SAF FTD WPAFB 01110 1127 USAFFLOACTYGP FT BELVOIR VA MOO'N OUST/Space Fragments: Nepal - 5p/(. 7 REFS: A. &athmandu 4567 (DTG 230610Z Dec 71) NOTAL B. State 155730 (DTG 251419Z Aug 71) C. State 82264 (DTG 121725Z May 71) NOTAL 1 . We expect to return restored space fragment soon after Embassy support flight #ll 5 is resumed. 2. In conjunction with return of restored fragment, or shortly thereafter, preliminary analysis of fragment will be forwarded to Embassy under seperate cover in appropriate form for sharing with G0N. Full scale technical exploitation of sample removed from fragment _J __..... • ~u:o OYI ~ PM/AE:ARTurrentine:art ' , . ... ,.,ccs, DIA - Mr. Green (subs)N° DOD/ISA - Col. Nolan (informed)/\ll.T NEA/INC - Mr. Burleigh (subsll(T INR/RSG - MR, Lissfelt (sdbsjliq' ---'-··· - • 44 JI • -T"
Page 68
.. OfSUIIOUTIOH SECRET c, .. ,.utu 11011 Department of State TELEGRAM r--D£C1,ASSiFltD I j Authori<y /11/1) 't(.'lf, S2 L - J -·--··-·- PAGE 2 ~~ 7 will not be completed for several months. When final analysis completed, at disc-retion of Embassy additional results may be shared with CON. 3. FYI: Delay in restoration of f,ragment was due to i llness of skilled craftsman rather than any technical probl em. Instead of holding to estimated 45-day schedule, it ~as decided to wait until best c~aftsman able to r.etux:n to duty and complete restoration. END FYI END
Page 69
o,, SP ;t, 0 i ; D epartment of State TELEGRAI ~c DECLASSIFIED J 11 "1li$ o• if' Authority /1111> 'U 9D 2~ ------ SECRET PAGE 01 KATMMA 04567 2308392 628 JNF' O OCT-0 1 ss- 1• NEA•06 ' NASA -01 SCJ•03 OODE -00 SA• 01 CIAE - 00 NSAE - 00 NSC-04 NSCE-00 e l Rsc-0 1 130335 R 230 61 0 z DEc 71 ;H A~EM6ASSY KAT HM ANOU TC SECSTATE wASHDC 1468 SE: RE T KATHMANDU 45 67 ~ SUBJ, SP ACE <"RAGMENTS1 NEPAL <; f /(,, -- REF , ! A l STATE 1557301 18! STATE 082264 I • I N CALL BY AMBASSADOR ON FORE IGN SECRETARY BHANOARY DEC 21, FONS~C RAI SED QUESTION OF SPACE FRAGMENT BEING ANALYZED IN llS• HE WAS TOLD FRAGMfNT WOULD BE RETURNED SHORTLY• ME INDICATED SATISFACT ION AT HEARING TH IS BUT ADDED THAT Hr WAS INTERESTED I N GETTING A ''REPORT'' • WE REPL IED WF WOULD GET HJM ONE • 2 , LAST MAY WE GAVE FONSEC GIST OF FIRST, THIRD, ANO LAST SENT,NC<"S OF STATEMENT WE WERE AUTHORIZED TO CONVEY IN PAPA 3 Of REF 8 ■ ICF• OUR 1792 OF MAY ?.l • l OBVIOUSLY 8HANDARY EXPFCTS MORE• WE CAN OF COURSE S I MPLY GIVE HIM THE FULLL STATEMENT AUTHORIZED REF 8 , BUT WE BELIEVE SOMETHING FROM WASH I NGTON, HOPEFULLY MORE I MPRESSIVELY PAC~AGEO IF NOT HEFTIER I N SUBSTANCE, IS IN ORDERo WE AWA J T YOUR SUGGESTIONS, • I '
Page 70
. , Oco\.\.CC<r Oc--.•c TO Dt$1'RIIM,ITIOH --· .. ·, • I , . .......... .,,, .. A(Tf(lN: INFO: Ll!'OIS STATE SECRET - --- .. I \' " _,;;.uu..iili,n l ' l 19 Depart111e11t of State TELEGRAM l l>f.C'l,ASSIPJF.I) Aud1onl)' 11 h " ..., - An,emba8Sy KAl'IIM/\NOU 000 • DIA CS/\.F FTO WPAFB OHIO 1127 USAFFLOACTYGP FT BELVOIR VA SUBJECT : MOON OUST/Space Fragn,ents: Nepal REF: A. Kathmandu 2850 ; - ':, I' I(, B. Kathmandu 2833 ; C. State 146350 7 l. Method of removing sample proposed Ref C is deemed most lf.lil! desirable taking into account all of our interests. We arc proceeding, therefore, with method outlined Ref C, para three. 2. FYI: Estimate 45 days required for removal of sainple and restorat ion . END FYI. 3. Embassy's indefatigable efforts in securing loan of _J p114''1"CO ... , t\'i.JI PM/AE ;ARTurrentine:bpw A.Pl'HOYCO 0'1'1 PM/AE - H. G. Handysid· . - . - - NEAtINC:APBurleigh Ct.C .. 11tAN C~ • 1 h' NEA/INC:DTSneid~ INR/RSG:RWBogosi an(i n draft~ SCI/SAM:Col. Campbell(in draft-ft, DIA:SGr een (in substance)· DOD/ISA :Capt . Heg (in substance)ilte SECRET
Page 71
SECRET Department of State TELEGRAM TO KATHUANDU DECLASSIFIED Authority PAGE 2 DEPTEL space fragment and permission to remove sample are greatly appreciated. GP-3 END
Page 72
I I SI' /6 Deparl111ent of Stale l or.Ct..As..\1 Fl ru I A~'r /1'1, 4 .,. ,, TELEGRAM 8£CR£f 1,3 Jt.J'O ocr-a1 SS•1• SCl • IJ ••n: • -•· 1 .... q •• ~ DOD£ - 0" PS~ q$C •• I lt•e w tit u1e• ~Z AUO 71 r~ AN[N8•SSY (ATM~ANDU •o ttCSTAT[ ~•SMOC 5• • IV8JI •cav(ST rOLlOVJNG CORArcr10~ 8E ~AOC TO -[J'T[l' - A-• ONE ,cco~o S(t.T[hC( SHOULD AEAOt fONS[C lHttlAllY ~(Nu••co, ST•Tt .... G "' CO~C[AN[O AtPAJ A JOB COULD IE NOTJCtO ANO 40ULO C•usr £Me •~RA8$~£Nt • o-•3• COCH .., ....
Page 73
PAGE 01 KATHMA 02833 i210ss z 10 ACTION ?11•03 SECRET 903 INFO OCT • 0 '1 ~ 01 Rsc-01 R l~✓.UG 71 SC!•03 NEA•96 INR-es OOOE•00 10,0 W ~M AHEM8ASSY KATHMANDU TO SECSTATE WASHDC 534 SEC R E T KATHMANDU 2833 LI MOI S ' SU8J t SPACE FRAGHENTS't NEPALI REF'• STATE I ~6350 / Sp ff, SP /6 TELEGRAM
Page 74
S E CR E T KATHMANDU 2833 LIHOIS ' SU8J t SP >.CE F'R~GMENTS'I N£P'.AL • REF• STATE 1463 50 , SPI~ ! , I !NFORHED FONSEC BHANDAR,y TODAY THAT WE HAO DETERMINED JT FEAS IBLE REMOVE STRIP FROMI FRAGMENT ANO STILL RETURN IT IN CONOITJON SUITABLE FOR DISPL AY ANO ESSENTIALLY IN! ACT, ro~sEc INITIALLY DEMURRED, STATING HE CONCERNED REPAiR J OB :IOULD NOT BE NOTICED ANO WOULD CAUSE EMBARRASSMENT • SUGGESTED ?NSTEAD THAT PIECE BE T~KEN OFF TOP OR BOTTOM AND REMOVAL . 1AOE TO LOOK AS THOUOHI JT occuRREOl DURING FRAGMENT•$ RE•ENTRY . J SAI D t DOUBTED THIS . WQULO M~ET· ouR REQUIREMENTS, AFTER SOME •URTHER CONVERSATION I ASKED HI ~ POINT BLANK WHETHER HE WOULD -~UST ME TO GO AHE AD AS I SAS FIT UPON MY PERSONAL UNDERTAKING -~. , THE F'RAGMENT wouL5 SE RETURNED "ESSENTIALLY INTACT''• AFTER SOME THOUGHT , FONSEC AGREED, 2• ACT ION REQUESTED, IF• OUR REOU!REMENT CAN BE MET BY REMOVAL or >ODERATE SIZED PIECE FROM TOP OR BOTTOM, I WOULD PRErER THJS, OTHERWISE, BELIEVE YOU CAN PROCEED WITH SURGERY AS INDICATED REFTEL, PROVI DED YOU ARE SATlsFiEo THAT REPAIR JOB WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH TO PASS MUSTER UNDER ANYTHING SHORT Or DETAILED ANO EXPERT VISUAL INSPECTION• TRUST YOU• WILL BEAR IN MINO THAT WHI LE THIS IS A. ~6TTER INVOLVING VALUE JUDGMENTS RATHER THAN PRECISELY QUANT I~ I ABLE CR I TER,I A, OUESTl ON OF USG GOOD FA ITH IS INVOLVED, SECRET
Page 75
S? Ir;
Departrnent of State TELEGRAM
SECRET
975
PAGE 01
KATHMA 0!875
28102•Z
20 I l
•CTION NEA•08
OCT-01
NSCE• 00
PN•03
INR-07
000E•00
,;;;.01
/05• w
L
~----·-----------~-
SC! • 03
NSC• 10
R 2809•8Z MAY 71
FH AMEHBASSY ~AT~HANO~
TO SECST•TE WASHDC 09
SECRET KA THMANOU 1875
LIMDIS
SUSJ1 MOON OUST/SPACE fRAGHENTS1 N(? AL 1
REF • KAT HNANDU 1792 - SP JI,,
f
DECLASSIFIED
I Authority /l!JT>'j/'{/ 52
I
-
J
.___ ___ _
I• FON SEC RA~ 8HANO~RY TOLO OCH1 £VENJNG MAY 27TH THAT
WHEN HE CONSULTED PRIME MIN SIST~ PER REFTEL~ 8!STA
DISTINCTLY UNENTHUS!ASTlC<ABOUT IDEA OF REMOVING SECTJQNS
FROM MIDOLE OF FRAGMENT AND PATCH ING THEM UP TO PASS
VI SUAL INSPECTION , ACCORDING TO BH~NOARY, 8!STA ASKED
WHETHER USG COULD NOT SETTLE FOR• T~KING A COUPLE OF
PIECES FROM THE• TOP OR' BO•TTOMI OF THE FRAGtlENT SO AS TO
LEAVE NO i.tOLES•
2• REGRET THIS SWITCH IN S!GNALS· BUT BELIEVE WE HUST
PATIENTLY CONTJNUE TO !NOICATE OUR INTEREST IN COOPERATING
FULLY WITH GON DESIRES• DESPITE THEIR OBVIOUS TECHNICAL
NAIVETE, LEVEL AT WHICH THIS BEING• HANOLEO HERE INOICATES
!HPOR'[ANCE OON ATTAC><ES TO 111,!0l,E OPERATION,
3• WHAT CAN WE TELL GON RE THIS LATEST SUGGESTIONQ
LAIS£Page 76
S? /6
Departnient of State TELEGRAM
SECRET
872
PAGE 01
KATHHA 01792
211127?
50•~,.
ACT tON NEA•08
lNFO
PK~03
I NR• 07
OOOE ~00 SCl·03
NSC - 10
OCT •OI
NSCE•00
ss-20
RSC •01 ~'.'.-~!:~-~----~-
R 2110~9% ~AY 71
fM AMEH8ASSV KAT~HANOU
TO SECSTATE WASHOC 9957
SECRET KATHMANDU 1792
LlNOIS
~HOON
REF •
ousrrsPACE F'RAGMEN1S1
NEPAL
-Sf ft
$TAT& 8226~
B• $TATE 87869
r
1ii:c1,Ass1FTI:li •
\
I
Amh<>ri1y /If.I!>% qr, :z2 ,
L~-----
1 •
OCH $Aij fONSEC 8RARAT RAJ 8HANOARY TODAY TO EXPLAIN
IMPORTANCE VSG ATTACMEO TO F'RAGHEN,T ANO OUR DESIRE
CONDUCT T£CHNICAL ANALYSIS tNVOLVJ NG REMOVAL OF T~O OR
THREE $£GHENT$ EACH APPROXtH~TELY 20 SOUARE INCAES JN
AREA•
OCH ALSO GAVE FONSEC PORTI ONS OF INFO CONYEYEO
PARA 3, REF A 10MJTTJNG ttORE TECHNICAL PORTIONS THIS
tNFO ON THEORY THEY CAN BE PROVtOEO! LATER IF GON £XHl81TS
INTEREST!,
'2•
FONSEC EXH181TED SOME CONCERN RE PBOPOSAL REMOVE T•.fO
OR THREE SEGMENTS •
Hf SAID IN ANY EVENT HE WOULO H~YE
CHECK MATTLR OUT WITR PRINE MIN 8JSTA•
HE NOTEO THAT
INTEtHlON HAO BEEN EVENTUALLY TOl EXHIBIT FR AGMENT {N
MUSEUM •
HE SAID JT WOULD 8E EHBARRASSING tF ll APPARENT
THAT P IECE5 HAO 8E[N REMOVED I
GON WOULD N.OT KN,OW HOW TO
COPE WITH PAEDICT•8LE QUESTIONS AS TO CIRCUMSTANCES or
REMOVAL •
HE I HPL I ED ME i;,i,s CONCERNED ONLY W l T'H OUES TI ON
or VJSUAL INSPECTION AND SUGGESTED WITH UNEXPECTED
FRANKNESS, THAT IF USG C00LO NOT SETTLE FOR
110NE 08 TW:O
L1TTLE PIECES • ROM TOP OR 80TTOH, " PERHAPS WE COULD
PATCH THE THING UP AFTER REMOV tNG SEGMENTS SO THAT NO
ONE COULD iEE THE Ol•FERENCE •
OCH SAID HE WOULD CHECK
TH Is our.
·
SECRET
,,, )
•Page 77
00tlt11UTION l'Olh• 0$-Jll .... ~~ lrJMDTS c;...m(fl,°"' D epart,nent of State TELEGRAM SOINEIOOR !»": KathMndu 1656 f-- l)f.Cl.,ASSIFIF.0 Author1t) JIii. o_ I) L-- ... 7 l . ¥our April 27 letter reoeivcd and your o::imoonts given oonsidcra- tion before sencllrq State 82264. - 2. Mo.lysis "'0Uld entail ren:,val of probably not rrorc than two or three _,.,..,ts of sllghUy differing shalXlS fron fragrront (.ru.ch is roughly hollow cone) • Ellch piooc wow.d bo approx.i.!Mtely 20 squaxe inches .iJ'l aroa (4 by s , 6 by 3. 5, etc. l ond of thickness of pc"'J'8't, Fragment "'0Uld still be whole after analysis but owstantial pieces missinq. 3. We ,nlcrstand tilore oonsidcrably less .iJ'ltcrest in other pieces >hlch oo,i possesses. 'lhus we swld like to procccd with analysis this piece. we underst:ancliR:J there possibility that GCtl may refuse request. We will back \4' y<)<lr o:xmu.tment to the Foreign Secretary and if his reply is negative are pr<:parcd return fr"'J!ICS't intact (900 State 18945) • ~ J' 4, Although we fully understand and appreciate = t-csitancy, _J fC.I..Cltf, 20653 Af'P1'0Vtl0 OV ~ NP.A/INC - !la T. Schneider SEJ:RET/LD'1>IS I
Page 78
J I r 9 I .. Ol(Altt Q t,~~··, □ < ....... ~(. ,o DIU RIIUIION _ __ ...:Sl;;,,l!!1/f_.1'11> _ IS , .. ,,, .,,_ Depart111e11J of SJaJe TELEGRAM 7 ACflOH we bolieYC intolUqcno., r<>qUironenta o.rguo in fA- of &ttarl)t. to secure~ ,Jt¥nxso,t. If dcst.ruetive er.alysi.1 in tact p'l'Oduoca info-tion ,Jud> i.o Mtic1pal.ad, ..t,olo \II Sp<IOC progtffll will ultilMtolY t,cncfit. fl,,'D L OF.C-1..ASSIFll'.0 AulilOOh ') . - - -- -- C
Page 79
DEPARTMENT OF STATE WuP\lr,(tO~. 0 .C. ffl20 February 24, 1971 CONFIDENTIAL r--OEcLAss1111tD · \ Au1hori1y //1/f) '1} 14 z2 ·· 1 L - - - -----. - .! TO: THRU: SUBJECT: Re-entry and Identification of Space Fragments: ACTION MEMORANDUM Representatives of IO, SCI, PM, L/UNA and S/PC have unanimously agreed that early discussions among State, Defense and NASA officers should be held to consider the US response to a growing international concern with the implications of impacting space fragments. ACT ION REQUESTED That you sign the attached letters to Under Secretary of Defense Packard and Acting Administrator Low of NASA. Attachments: Tab A - Letter to Deputy Secretary Packard Tab~ Letter to Dr. Low IO/UNP :RGBrown:avw:clh 1/21/71 Ext . 20572 Clearances: IO - A~ , R~p~erg, Mci?~e, ~ S/PC - Gathwright- SCI/SAM'~1..tCol Campbell PM - Handys ide ~ L/UNA - Doud~ CONFIDENTIAL
Page 80
Department of State TELEGRAM III* : ACKRO*t.EOGE8tNt two s.s RtCEtVEO. you 9"' A.
Page 81
' SP / I, Departnient of State TELEGRAM SECRET ~ PAGE 01 KATHl'lA 00181 i 60752Z INFO 0CT•0I SS\. 20 SC !•03 R 1•10,sz J AN 71 FM AMEM8ASSY KATHMANDU TO SECSTATE WASHOC 9166 SECRET KA THMANOU 0 i8I Lil<O!S NOFORN SU8J1 SPACE FRAGMENTS REF I KATHMANDU • l 22 / s r I (p INR•07 C!AE•00 RSC..,01 cco-00 008725 BOX SHIPPED ON SUPPORT FLIGHT TO NEW OELH! JANUARY I• UNQER POUCH NUMBER• BOX NO • I I REGISTRAT I ON NO • 797082, eox AODRESSEO TO OEPT OF STATE, AAFB•lis, INDICA TOR NO • AF•305•1 • WASH• 0 • Co LA!SE ....__ I '- '<::_ ' ~ \ ' <:: -
Page 82
- __
C~ON~!lrut.&:iHatl07. 20 . ·: 06
c, ..... ,,,,,,.,,.,.
Depat·tment of Stalt
TELEGRAM
•enc..• Amembassy KHARTOUM
Amembassy KAMPAIA
Amembassy NAIROBI
UMlTED DISTRIBUTION
2011322
S? /2-11 {)'>
xe S /' /t,
f) 5
,
-,:-
Xe S P I b
7
mft:-- . ··- .. sr1t •'I V',1,t1s
, r t&, ,,,o
-
~ .:..Sf
/
.,_,., st"
REF:A,State 195262; B, ~tate 114584, Feb. 13, 1968
SUBJ: ReentrY, of NASA OAO Satellite
Ref ,A
1.../.=
being transmitted for info to KHARTOUM"
2.
NASA has advised Department of more precise reentry
Astronomical
info on Orbitin&fA~§i~~~~lol~*I Observatory (OAO) satellite
launched 1740 Nov 30, 1970 from Cape Kennedy, but which
nose
failed to achieve orbit as result failure oljn•~• fairing
to jettison from launch vehicle upper stage,
Any parts
of satellite, nose fairing, and upper stage of launch
vehicle which might have survived reentry conditions and
fallen to earth 30 to 40 minutes after launch time would
probably have come down along a line defined by coordinates
.
(a) 4,81 deg N by 31,86 deg E, and (b) 3,82 deg N by
..JPage 83
I
@
f
\-
'
L
FoRn •s 3i!i!<OCR>
- 1 DEC 101
l1,s2b2
01ob2oz •cc ,a I IRWIN
LIMITC> orfICIAL use
COL• R• H • CANP8CLL:
li!/l/70
SIS-0: G· RUCCKCRT
Af/C :
[ . NARKS
OCI/SAN
NSA/I: C· JONCS {INfO)
PRIORITY
KAMPALA, NAIR08I
SUSJCCT:
NASA SATCLLITC fAILS TO OR8IT
.,...
v---
06 20
!I]
l vNASA LAUNCHCD AN ORBITING ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY
{OAO) SATELLITC fROM CAP[ KCNNCDY AT ABOUT S:30 PM £ST
ON NOVCMBCR 30, 1,10.
DU[ TO NOS[ FARING NOT SEPARATING
fROM THC PAYLOAD, THC OAO SPACCCRAfT DID NOT ACHIEVE
ORBIT•
BCST CSTIMATE Of NASA AT THIS TIME IS THAT PATH
Of RCENTCRING SATCLLITC IS OVCR UGANDA AND KCNYA INTO
INDIAN OCCAN•
PRCCISC IMPACT POINT Of ANY SATCLLITE PARTS
THAT MIGHT HAVC SURVIVED REENTRY CONDITION NOT K.NOWN
AT THIS TIME.
2-
NASA PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE LAUNCH HELD AT CAPE
KENNEDY CV[NING Of NOV, 30 ,
PRESS INFORMED THAT SATELLITE
DID NOT ACHIEVE ORBIT AND THAT PROJECTED GROUND TRACK Of
REENTRY EXTENDED OVER CEN~RAL AND EAST AFRICA INTO INDIAN
OCCAN,
NASA MADE NO PREDICTION ON PARTS SURVIVING RE-
ENTRY TO IMPACT ON LAND OR IN OCEAN.
3.
FYI POSTS MAY AT THEIR DISCRETION INFORMALLY NOTIFY
HOST GOVERNMENTS ABOUT OAO SATELLITE LAUNCH FAILURE USING C~~-- ..
PARAS l AND 2 ABOVE, EXCEPT THAT SPCCIFIC COUNTRIES
{UGANDA AND K[NYA) SHOULD NOT BC IDENTIFIED .
SAME INFO,
~ITH SAME RESTRICTION OH COUNTRY IDENTIFICATION, MAY BE
USEI> TO MAKE INTERIM RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES FROM NElilS '
- -]
MEJ>IA .
DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE NOTIFIED I MMEDIATELY Of ANY ..
REPORTS Of IMPACT Of SPACE l>EBRIS .
POSTS TO TAKE NO,
RPT NO, ACTION ON ANY SUCH REPORTS Of SPACE DEBRIS UNTIL
..J
• '
\Page 84
'
I
l>EC1..A$S1Flf.l)
,
Authorily /JIit> '1, 'l 2~ '
CONFirt» .Tii\L .[Jl
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Mcmorondum ol Con•cnation
•
-- -
OATE:Novcmbor 10, 1970
Soviet Space Objects
PARTICIPANTS:
v
Mr. Yevgeniy Bclov~ Scio.nee counaolor, Soviet Embassy
Mr . Adolph Dubs. Country Diroctor. EUII/SOV
COPIES TO:
Petor Semler, EUlVSOV
EOR - Mr. Davies
EU11/SOV - Mr. Duba
sov (3)
DOD/ISA - Mr. Anderson
SCI - Col. Campbell
NASA - Mr. D. Morris
L - Mr . Doud
INR - Mr. Wolff
PM -
Mr. Handyside
UN/P - Mr. Armitage
USUN
NEW YORK
Embassy Moscow
/,,Y!<:f
Mr. Dubs handed Mr. Belov the attached note which reports that
two additional space frasments of Soviet origin ir.lpacted on the
mi dwcst of the united States on ~ugust 28 in addition to the four
Mr. Dubs had told Mr. Belov abou't on Septomber 10.
An annex to the
no te contains descriptive material and a photograph of the frng:nents,
as requested by Mr. Belov in;/ telephone conversation with Mr . Semler
on SeptCfflber 29 .
Mr. Belov thanked Mr. Dubs for the note .
He said that it would be
somo timo before ho heard
ro~ Moscow since tho Soviet Embassy's
pouch had just l eft on Ni ember 10 and another pouch would not be
going until Nover.>ber 20.
Mr. Belov also checked to make sure that
the Department 's note crnt ained an identification nu.mber from the
fragments .
EIJR/SOV/PSer{for :ama
tD,~/11111 Olu ,,,,; Olm!
I
11/12/70
CONFIDENTIAL
uPage 85
-
SECRET-EXDIS
c,,,,.1liet11l on
Depa·rt1nent of State
T~lg{Jftr!ijVl
OU.TIU&UTION
USUN
. N
ACTION:
l:
/VI
7
INFO: NASA
STATE
BXDIS
DOD
Amembassy MOSCOW
SUBJECT:
Space Fragments Found in Middle West
REF:
USUN 1777 -
S P I, 5~ ~~ us: P-
1. A number of objects from space re-entered earth's
atmosphere evening August 28 and impacted in several states
of US Middle West. Article 5(1) of 1968 Astronaut Agreement
requires USG to inform UN Secretary Genera1 and authorities
of launching state, if know~,of return to earth of space
objects. Although it would normally be preferable to hold
up formal notification UNSYG until fragments had been
thoroughly examined and their origin determined definitively,
widespread publicity already accorded these
Approved by:
S/S-0
objects together
_j
PM/
:HGHandyside:bpw
9/4/70
20620
IO - Martin Her
I.CAIU.HCC:JI
(\<j1(.._
PM/AE:JTKei'(l:!rick
SOV:ADubs/6C./Fi:>
INR:ltlolff(in draft
L/UNA :GAldrich(in draft}jl SCI :RFPacl<ard(in draft~ 10/UNP - Mr.
DOD/ISA :DAnderson(if\1 draft)
NASA :DMorx-1s (in substance)
.
;!t-
<,J!.:,. S/S-0:JBri~
·
SECRET-EXDIS
Armitage
/!.;:{draft)Page 86
""' 0 SECRET ~ ,_ O ,.. G l(JisMticotion j Department of Sta te ""•n• o• .+ \ TELEGRAM f - P ECLASSJF!E,? c;' ro \ Authority Jl!l'O _o~~ ~~ 58 ! ) ~------ 7 ACTION, Amembassies BANGUI, BLANTYRE, BRUSSELS, BUJIMBURA, OAR es S[\LAAM FORT LAMY KHARTOUM, KIGALI, KINSHASA, LONDON, LUSAKA: NAIROBI, OTTAWA, PARIS, REYKJAVIK, ROME, TANANARIVE, TRIPOLI, and TUNIS - AmConsul Generals GENOA, LOURENCO MARQUES, LUBUMBASHI and PALERMO Pr.iority Request all posts repor,t any indications in press or from oral reports or sightings of entry into atmosphere or landing of "space debris 11 on July 6 . -- ~ "Space debri s" could have been desc,r,ibe.d as meteorite, crashed plane, or satelli te, etc. Local reports might not be accurate as to time. Washington estimates indi cate t itne of impact probably between 1700 and 1800 GMT along trajectory fz,om Mozambique and Malawi oYer Chad and Libya t o United Ki ngdom, Iceland and Canada. Recovery of any material from such space debris woul d be oi great sci.entific i nterest to USG. Posts should not inform or initiate action with local government but should follow- up on leads as expeditiously as possible. Report priority. Avoid public comment. End f,lO\-INSOlt'. .J 'ORAJ'TING OA TE TEl. ex T' 7 /9/70 22585 INR/DDC - W Coerr 00D/SA'FSS - 1.t. r.nl _ A. M.1,&ina
Page 87
) SECRET 044 PAGE 01 KATHMA 0 1450 1503~77 87•82 - I - -1)£CLASSJF1E0 2, AuthorilY //1/i) '.it, l"f l 2 ACT ION PM•03 INFO OCT•01 ss -20 NEA•08 NSC-10 NSCE•00 '1S~E•00 OOOE•00 .::::~I• t.~-~~50 W R 1•112sz MAY 70 , ~ ~~E~BASSY KATHMANDU YO SECSTATE WASHDC 7761 , !MOJS IIIOFORN DEPT PLEASE PASS DEFENSE SUBJ: SPACE FRAGMENTS REF't STATE 059303 - 5 f , , ' .. (N" 06 CJAE •00 085922 :• AMBASSADOR HAS AGA I N DISCUSSED M~TTER WITH FOREIGN SECRETAR) (HANAL WHO: AF' TER CHECKING QUESTlON AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL, RE• SPONOEO VERBALLY THAT HE SAW NO REASON WHY GON SHOULD NOT REPEi NOT AGREE TO MAKE AVAILABLE AT LEAST SOME SPACE FRAGMENTS FOR ANALYSIS, HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, GON DES ! ~E WHOLE MATTER BE HANDLED AS HI GHLY CONFIOENT!AL• 2• DCM CALLEO ON KHANAL • S I MMEDI ATE DEPUTY• ~P~C!AL SECRETAR Y RAJBHANDARY , MAY 14 TO DISCUSS SPECIF I CS, RAJ8HANDARY SHOWED 01 F IVE OBJECTS PLUS ASSOCIA TED DEBRIS WHICH APPE AR TO BE ITEMS DESCRI BED IN F I RST' PARA OF AUGUST 26, 1968 '' REPORT OF EXAM!NAT: OF SPACE OBJ ECTS CONDUCTED AT SI NGHA DURBAR DURING PERI OD AUGU! • 22 • 26, 1968 BY A UNI TED STATES TE CHNICAL TF.AM•" ITEMS ARE • I• , AND 31 ''CONICAL IT EM AND TWO P I ECES OF CORRUGATED MATERIAL FROI EXHAUST NOZZLES OF ROCKET ENGINES" • 41 ''FLECTRICAL CONNECTOR Fl A CONT ROL CIRCUIT''t S t ''OBLONG METALLIC AND NON•METALLIC ITEM FROM AN ANTENNA COMPONENT, '' !LATTER r ·•o ITEMS PACKAGED I N CARDBOARD BOXES WI l'H ABOUT A POUND 01 DEBRIS• I
Page 88
D epart1ne11t of State TELEGRAM SECRET PAGE 02 KATHMA 01•s0 ,503i7z 3 • RAJBHAhOARY OBVIOUSLY UNW [LLl~G PART •! TM ?TEM O~l OR WlTH All OF E?THER ITEMS rwc OR THRrE AS LIS'EO •BOVE , DCM PROPOSED, AO REF'ERENCU~, S(•:"~r\1 c,;-~ f'OUR ,;;q r ;v - 0 o•·~o VERTICAL SLICE OF El THER !TEN TWO OR ITEft TMRfE •~R SN(OM£NT TC us o, UNDERSTANO : NG [T WOULD BE CONSUeED av •'ALYSJS A~D ,or RETUR,ED , RAJBHANDA~Y THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SATISFACTORY, Q£ 1TEYS FOUR ANO F!VE, R;.~P~.~~,oy OSYJQU~• v L~'i'll!NG MAVE 30N PART WJTH THEM PERMANENTLY aur REACTED FAVORABLY TO SUGG(STIO~, ALSO AO Q~F~R£~0~~, ,~.~ THEY e~ sr~T TO us FOR ANALVS!S ON UNOERSTANO!~G T1-1£Y lofOULO er ."?[~llOt,.C-') "SUE&ST-.,;T• Lt_V !~TACT", WJT~ FURTMEq U~0(~$T-~~!~G THAT ·~~nc • FO OFPP <OULO ALSO BE LOANED TO U$G ON $AMF. PAS!S• • • SMOULD EMBASSY PROCEED ON SASS OF OUR TO ao, •S SU3GESr•n •BOvE• i• SA •,R HOw SHOULD WE REQUEST RE1fNTION OF ITEMS •OUR !SSTRUCT!ONS? LAISE l-OECI..ASS!Flf.O A Ull>orit Y pl ft) 'j · 'I 2 --· - \ ••VE PROPOSALS ,. " ""E~!OO ANn •IVE? ANY FURTHER
Page 89
.~.
(25}
.,,.
Of.PARTI-4ENT OF STATE
SI' /t
/- C ~il'11@ '1l~M
••
AR4
O,ig:nol to be Fllod In
Oeeon1rolhod Plloa,
FILE DESIGNATION
••• ..,
LIHITBD OFFICIAL
USE
A•7
NO.
•
,o
HAN0LIM0 INOICATOfil
I
,r;-
TO
:Amconsul MARTINIQUE
••o
15
--; -
-
~
I
l)f.CLASSI fl EO
~,,,
j
Au1hori1y /1 '·. 1 ,. 22
!fay · 6 6 111 PH •to
L.,.,_ z
•
' ••• ..,
FROM
,Department of State
DATE:
1
'l
'
T•
, ... SUBJECT :Space Object Recovered
, N?Y q~ REF
,Martinique A-8, February 6, 1970
.,.
0
.<.s.
lfhe tentative identification of the space object, as
7
,.. IC >7' V~< stated in State 030284 has been confirmed.
The object
•
J
is a portion of a shroud from an Atlas launch vehicle •
•
I 01$TRIDUT10N These shrouds are jettisoned after launch from Cape
Kennedy under controlled conditions and impact in the
ocean with a wide safety margin.
Some parts are on
occasion buoyant and may drift great distances .
Algae
and barnacles on the object indicate it has been afloat
for a considerable time,
The cooperation of the Consulate and the local authorities
~ '"'°·
lnlllolt is appreciated.
ROGBRS
(")
0 ...,
-< ...
,-
0
I ...,
CD "'
•n:
'1/J -Page 90
IJNCLASS W I T H D R A W A L N O T I C B Box, 2973 [ - DF.Cl.ASSf11lf.D I Aucbori1y}UI'() '/, '1 52 - ·--· -- I TAB#: 4 1 / 2 / C / ___ ___ co;iss/ ;;si cw.SS/ SPECM1'R RBGRADBD: C ACCBSS RESTRICTED The ' item identified below has been withdrawn trom this file : Folder Title: SP 1 - 1 US-USSR Document Date : 12/ 11/71 Document. Ser.#: INTEL RBPORT FR TO rn the review of thi s file this item was removed because access to it is restricted. Restrictions on records in the National Archives are stated general and specific record group restriction statements which are availal for examination. The item i dentified above has been withdrawn because it contai ns: x Security Classified Information NND: 969052 -·--- WITHDRAWN: 10/01/98 by: SB FOIA RBTRIBVAL # : 969052 02973 00004
Page 91
Date 3 S. As • ussA ROUTING os.to. Sot/ Eula cot/ ROO" PHONE NO, .eeo, FOIA(b) (3) - SO USC 403g CIA
Page 92
--=
.......... ·-·- .... ____ _
OIUCTOUtt Of
INfUIIOtHC(
COUNTRY ussa
SU&JOCT
OA:TE OF
,. ,•. :•
. .
"
·- -
r- .
'-.:.ltelligence lnfor"mation· ·.tleport
'
.,
thh -'••kl "'"'01,., .,.,.,_~ .,,__,_, ..,_. "•~ O.f.,.,_ ,.f "'- ~- ito,o, -1~
""- -kt~ of .._ (,,i.,.. .. t o.,,. Tltt. 1i, U.S.C. kor n~ .,..., 1'•, ..,. ., _ _,,.:.,.
.. •• .... h ll-
of whMI I" .,.,. .,.. _, to 0" ~,,.., ,..,_ h .,...,-;w....i _t,,y '-""•
C•O:oH-P- t-D-1•"•1-t-A-L
'
..
PLACE &. OAlE ACQ. av SOURCE
IN
RMATION : ..
' SOURCE
.
. . . .
l.
'.' ~-\
.~. l
· .
. ,· . . '
•
~ .. . .
.... .
'
t
•
• .
•
•
•
' .,
2 .
Conccrntns: antlrodlotton drug•, Yu C Crlgorle.v ,co'?_fil:'00~ thee the Sovhu
h .--ve indeed c:Offlplctcd human to>cicologlcol toe , on • uch a c:oepound, but lt
· ·:
hoe nevo'l' been uacd on o coaoon1_1.ut in •poc:c.
11tc)' probably do l'\Ot know
,..
".•
..
the p1'1CCi8C r.'ICC:httnl!'lm by vhich lC- "{unctt.on,, but they thlnk thot f.t COGbf.nca
' ·_. ..
' I
.I
with aomotl1t.na within tho cell.'to inc-reAU thC! cell's1 t:olcrance..V: . ;.rJ1.~.J,cion •• :;'
- •· It WO\ll-d ·not• be- eq.rct1ve~_t1g•.ins~ a ~u i.vo udJ,tf~n do&c,
Crtgor,lcv hu
."· :: .. 'l.(
ahown thoc· in doge it hae no therapeutic voluo •nd fuoction•_onty __ ,
/.llf
::::::
1
:::~::::~::~;:-:; ·~=:.~-:~~-:~:~--:~~ b:~,~~-=- lower body
, , I
3
'
ncg:otivc prceouro t:h(ln their US coll~•sue• teen to bo,
While t-hoy bcllove'·
&
,
thot it i• o foctor in pr,otcctlng tho l ndf..vldual , they do not cond~•r it
•n eifecttvc oub•ttt\ltC for cxorcl•o ond carth•nO!ul srovtt:y •
)
,,
• • • \!
' . .
I
l s:&• 8•U• 'l'c t • lc•bPage 93
.. '
. . ''
·-'Yl .
,
. :.I .
•
I
I ,
'
. . . j
' .. ' .
... ; ..
..
• •
.!- .
' \ . : ..
•,. ,
.I ..
• • •
.; ~.:i ~
. ;,,_
·{
.•... , . -::
. . .
.
I
' -,
. '
; .
\
I
••
Soyuz•9 cosmonauts Nlkoleyev ad
"M'on.:,in-Spncc" Conference
Tl n Sevae~y~nov both Ottcndt-d th~ Yerevan
hove nov completely t:cco~cred !r&.n the
'•
5.
6,
ct:fcc,~s of their fl 1.&ht. •
tey
'Che Soviets are empho,t 1
h
•
reseor.ch hos detnon&tt'lot:d n:h t t e :tudy of hypoxic occllC13t;on. 'their
f
1
·
3
0 optotion to hl&h caoun~alnous tcrroln
Ot:
nst, ncc, con ieiport a mcos•Jt:C of increased toleroncc of hypoxia '
T'hcy.,l~ave conducted enologoue nudics of cold tolerance and C•tolero~ce
l'
obt.ii,f!l 1\& comparoble results. While thU 1.•ork ic undoubt,cdly volid
'
the q~-~r~t tons l question ts "i1ether or not the ge l n of hal.£ 8 ,C or ; fcv
de1;re,s Justifies spend lng three to four ""ecl(s livi ng tnd · exerc ls fog on
a ht.gti' mountain.
tc seems likely thot 1119st specf.ollstt "'ill decide that
the ~newer is no .
ShOf.k~d by the Soyuz-11 dUut'cr, Sovlct of'Mclol8 probably ticel that
chei.r ·spocccroft c.Jcsign cng1necrins· ovst now drop back to the bui.c
cheor~tical phase of it8 cycle, since they ha"c explof.t~d; ~heir present
hordwOrc co its m.txlmum potential for progress. ('mu certainly ls a
rf.,nc~
0
fri'ecor bch
t
r.
t lntere,::t {n lnforr..otf.on exclHtngc - , •
.:Joint dO&ki g~p;:g..c.c,du&,es,, etc. )
Wh lle Li e ac nt s
l~c
oz. n o . ave. ,
h~ fi fcrcd no odver8e change• in status or prestige fr.om th~ cr.,gedy, 1.t
.
wouhJ ' Oc unUkcly that any search (or sc:ipegoot s vould extend beyond the
. .
• I
r nnk8 of ho"C-dwt1re c,,ginecrs, olncc theirs, .,ppRTCf!t'l,y, is the orco o.f
.•.
·
s ill th rcoppr:it.sol brought on·by the dee.th# U undcrttondably /'""•.'t
f-,Uure .
t::
,
e
h
h t
,,cnc.r ol. It hos served to ct'i,s,gcr the bcloted rcollr.otldon ht •1t dt c 1r
-1
0
•
-
f
1ss1on objcetlvC':> h36 dontc~ously ouutirippc t C i; es gn
• \.,•.
.,
pursv:1.t o
m
.
·
:L ccrl
. os ca coutsc fort c
1 ov \.'OU
o
{:,
~n&, n
C_l(ploit the· t"ctl'!oining "potcnttn·l" Of tl\etr ~rescnt tcchnolo&)',
...
(pcl::!\fPS vith a mlS$iOn llnking four s.oy~z , carryi.nt 8-12 cosmon:i~CS) -..:.=_=l_ =----
whil.tf: ottcn1ptlns to ochlcvc the ncccuory quontur:1 Junip ln•,pocccroft
:· .,
t.le~.l&\l eni;) nccct.n& throu&h n cocubln;urion o f info"Cfflat lon cxchon~cs "'lt·h endi · .
I
I The. erincip:il contr.ibutlon the
SoviC~3 could m~kc to ~h1ch an exchange vould stem f.rO!I\ their more. cxtcasiVe. #
rcoCOl)Ch Oil scLE#t cncr.otin& tffe suppOt:t-Systcias',:··such ·01: chat dcnlt.ng' .....
with fh•~Orcllo .,nd. othc-r olgve .
Th(!?C. ~esc11rch,ee, l.~ ho\l'cvcr, ~oncern not
only ,Oxyg.cnJ but olso encOCIIP.~.•.8 ~om• ,PJ0.8,rOfl!S .concerned,.wlth food •. •
. .
·-
•
:..1Record
- Author / institution
- U.S. Department of State (NARA RG 59); photographed and posted by governmentattic.org
- Date
- 1967-1972
- Source type
- Declassified official records (State Department cables)
- Used for
- State and Defense cables on the MOONDUST channel for recovering foreign space objects, e.g. Nepal 1968 (p. 5) and New Zealand 1972 (p. 41). Hosted on this site.
- Limitations
- Space-debris recovery traffic only: 'Blue Fly' and 'unknown origin' do not appear in this set, and the 1961 AFCIN memo that defines the projects was not found as a scan.
Link
https://www.governmentattic.org/54docs/ProjMoondust1967-1972.pdf