Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

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[rubber stamped: “1966 NOV 9 AM 11 28”]
Action
R 0913182 NOV 66
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
Info INFO RUFIVC/AMEMBASSY BERN
RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN
RUFHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
RUFHCR/AMEMBASSY PARIS
RUFHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME
RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
RUFHOL/AMEMBASSY THEHAGUE
RUALOT/AMEMBASSY TOKYO
STATE GRNC
BT
[Abbreviations in margin: “E, SS, G, SP, SC, L H, EUR, EA, P, USIA, NSC, INR, CIA, NSA,
DOD, ACDA, SCI STR, MC, GDP, OC, COM, DTM, FCC, NSF, OST, RSR”]
CONFIDENTIAL LONDON 3872
Transfer of U.S. Communications Satellite Technology
REF: STATE 76929, LONDON’S A-1084 OF NOV. 4, 1966
NSA
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 97
1. US policy on the dissemination of information on communications satellite technology
has an impact not only on US objectives regarding a permanent single global communications
satellite system but also on technology as it relates to European well being. It
is the Embassy’s premise that an economically strong, technologically advanced and politically
cohesive Europe is in the US national interest. Economic strength and technological
competence go hand in hand. This is not to say that technological parity in every field
is necessary for strong economies but reasonable competence in most advanced sectors
appears to be a sine qua non for long term competitiveness even though comparative
advantage may lie with one country or another from time to time. This is particularly true
in an environment of reduced trade barriers which exposes the industrial sector to keen
international competition.
2. In this context it is clear that communications satellite technology encompasses a
very narrow slice of technology. The acquisition of greater competence in this field is likely
to have only a marginal impact, in practical terms, on narrowing the over-all technological
gap. By the same token US initiatives in other single sectors of technology, treated
individually, will have minimal effect on the over-all position. However, concentrated
cooperative efforts by the US across the board in all possible areas might lead to a significant
improvement in Europe’s position vis-à-vis the US (and the USSR). But, given the
extent of us investment in R&D in the advanced sectors, it is unlikely that Europe under
any circumstances could [2] eliminate the gap in the foreseeable future. Any substantial
narrowing of the gap will require a major increase in European investment in R&D which