Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

interest; and (iii) an evaluation of the capital structure of the corporation so as to assure
the Congress that such structure is consistent with the most efficient and economical operation
of the corporation.
Approved August 31, 1962, 9:51 a.m.
Document I-19
Document title: Edward A. Bolster, Department of State, to Mr. Johnson, Memorandum,
“Space Communication,” May 3, 1962, with attached: “Role of the Department of State in
Space Communication Development.”
Source: Record Group 59, General Records of the Department of State, Archives II,
National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.
As the debate over the organization and ownership of the U.S. communications satellite system heated
up in mid-1962, the question of the relationship of that system to the rest of the world’s communications
entities was also beginning to be addressed. This internal State Department memorandum
summarizes, for an official of the Department’s Economic Bureau (organizational code “E”), the state
of affairs in May 1962.
Memorandum
TO: E - Mr. Johnson DATE: May 3, 1962
FROM: TRC - Edward A. Bolster
SUBJECT: Space Communication
The attached material summarizes the Department’s interest and responsibilities in
the space communications field. As you know, Phil Farley’s office (Special Assistant for
Atomic Energy and Outer Space) is to be abolished soon; responsibility within the
Department for communication satellite matters will probably be transferred to E. I suggest
that you obtain Mr. Farley’s comments on this subject within the next few days, since
he will be leaving in the near future for his assignment in Paris.
Dr. Irvin Stewart, Director of Telecommunications Management, wishes to meet with
you as soon as possible to discuss your mutual interest in certain aspects of communications
policy. I suggest that you arrange such a meeting soon and that we brief you orally
in advance.
You will recall that Senator Pastore told Under Secretary McGhee that he would like
to meet with you at your convenience to discuss the Department’s handling of communications
policy matters.
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