A Case Study in NASA-DoD - The Black Vault

-10-
The fundamental effect of the concern generated by the
Russian success was recognition within the U.S. Government
that the entire spectrum of space technology had
to be given the same high priority afforded the ballistic
missile program. A high priority space program in turn
called for strong, new government organizations.( 1 1 )
Although President Eisenhower allowed the military to assume a
larger role in launching the first U.S. satellite than that originally
planned, and never apparently really grasped the international political
significance of the Soviet technological successes, he steadfastly
held to the policy that the U.S. space program should be scientific,
peaceful, and under civilian control. President Eisenhower's
view was that space provided no military significance and that it was
important to maintain a clear separation. Furthermore, he was determined
not to disturb the balance between military expenditures and a
healthy nondefense economy, which meant that the space program would
not be fully supported. (9) This position was maintained even in the
face of the negative recommendations of the Gaither Committee that
were published before the launching of Sputnik. The Gaither Committee
had been appointed by Eisenhower in the spring of 1957 to evaluate
proposals for a $40 billion program of civil defense shelters.
committee broadened its charter to produce an overall assessment of
the state of national defense. The committee concluded that "...if
the United States did not change its policies, it was in danger of becoming
a second-class power ... ," a conclusion that President Eisenhower
chose to ignore until forced to consider it by the Sputnik launches. ( 1 2 )
*
Although attempts by Eisenhower to contain the political losses
because of Sputnik were strongly motivated by his personal judgment of
its limited significance, it is also likely that:
The
Eisenhowerts position resulted from careful deliberation--Sputnik
I was convincing evidence of the Soviet
breakthrough in long-range missile power. If Eisenhower
For example, the President told an October 9, 1957, press conference
that "The Russians have only put one small ball in the air."
Repeatedly, the President and his associates asserted that the United
States would not become involved in a "space race" with the Soviets.