Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

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there can be no important differences between us as to ultimate objectives, and perhaps
we can by discussion at this time advance the attainment of those objectives. Will you
please call me at your convenience.
Attachments
[1]
**********
Dr. T. Keith Glennan, Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
1520 H Street, N.W.
Washington 25, D.C.
Dear Dr. Glennan:
THE HISTORY OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Sincerely yours,
[hand-signed: “F.R. Kappel”]
President
Attachment No. 1
September 15, 1960
During the discussion which Messrs. Botkin, Pierce and I had with you and your people
several weeks ago, we expressed the view that the commercial satellite communication
systems of the future should be owned and operated in this country by communications
carriers. In other words, we believe that existing national policy and practice in the communications
field should be extended to embrace the new medium.
By so doing, it will be possible to achieve efficient integration of the planning, construction,
and operation of overseas cable systems, satellite systems, and other radio facilities,
and also assure the integration of domestic and overseas operations that is so
necessary to the orderly planning and development of telephone service in particular.
Communication with other countries by any medium, of course, requires the cooperation
of the organizations or administrations responsible for furnishing external communication
services in those countries.
It is assumed that there will be some form of Government supervision of the launching
and orbiting of satellites, as well as, of course, regulation of the communication services
rendered and the radio frequencies used. It also seems to us that any international
action which our Government may feel desirable in order to adequately coordinate with
other governments the use of satellites may be taken without Governmental ownership or
management of the facilities required to furnish commercial communications.
During our conversation there was also considerable discussion as to what part of the
work of developing a practical satellite communication system might be undertaken by
commercial communications carriers, and what part of the expense of such work should
be borne by them. At the close of this discussion you asked that we set down our thoughts
on [2] these matters, or, more specifically, state what the Bell System companies’ plans are
for the future and what part they were looking to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration to do. Our present views on this subject are outlined below.
The Bell System now has under way the development of an active satellite and associated
ground radio facilities and would like to proceed with an experimental trial of these