U.S. Plans International Space Co-operation

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29089, 29 December 1959, Page 9

U.S. Plans International Space Co-operation

WASHINGTON, December 28, The United States is informally discussing with scientists of several countries, the possibility of international co-operation in the launching of earth satellites and high-altitude rockets.

The “New York Times” reported today that the discussions included the possibility of launchings in home territories. A National Aeronautics and Space Administration spokesman told Reuter that the countries included Britain, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan and France. Agreement has already been reached with Canada, and United StatesBritish agreement was expected when Britain let it be known what kind of payload they would like to see sent up in American rockets. The Director of the N.A.S.A. (Dr. Keith Glennan) is known to feel strongly that space should be an international province and that the United States should cooperate with other countries at whatever level possible. It was recalled that Dr. H. S. W. Massey, of University College, London, headed a British scientific mission to Washington last July which reached a preliminary agreement with the N.A.S.A. and that earlier this month Dr. Glennan offered United States tracking facilities for a Soviet man-in-space programme. The "New York Times” reported today that Dr. Massey was expected to return to the United States in January to work out specific details of a BritishAmerican co-operative pro-

gramme, including British satellite payloads. In a Washington dispatch, the newspaper said: "It is expected that the United States will launch at least three British satellites over the next two to four years. The satellites would be launched by the Scout, an inexpensive rocket being developed by the Space Agency and capable of placing 100 to 2001 b of instruments into orbit.” The newspaper added that because of its relatively low cost—about 500,000 dollars—and its civil designation, the Scout was expected to be used widely in the international programme. It was possible that ultimately the rocket would be provided to other nations for launchings on their own territory, rather than from Cape Canaveral, Florida, or the N.A.S.A.’s rocket flight centre at Wallops Island, Virginia, the "New York Times” said.