Exchange of astronauts

Ileproduced at the Richard Nixon Presrdential t,ibrary

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MEMORANDUM

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Ti{E PRESIDENf HAS r;i THE WHITE HOUSE

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WASHINGTON

TNFORMATiON/4971

March 15, MEMORANDUM FOR:

THE PRESIDENT

FROM:

HENRY

SUBJECT:

Exchange of Astronauts

1973

A. KISSINCER i'

Adrninistrator Fletcher is fu1ly aware of your interest in international exchanges of astronauts and NASA has provided a brief progress report regarding our opportunities for such exchanges. The report notes NASA

that: Consideration of astronaut participation in the 1973 Skylab flights has not been practical because of the necessarily long training period, but four volunteer aerornedical specialists frorn Gerrnany, Sweden, and the United Kingdorn are expected, to join the Skylab tearn at Houston for two years.

The first foreign astronauts (cosrnonauts) are expected to fly in a NASA spacecraft during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Mission which you and Chairrnan Kosygin agreed will be conducted Ln 1975.

The advent of the Space Shuttle and related orbital projects, in the late 1970rs to early 1980's, will provide the best opportunity for foreign scientif ic or engineering specialists to partidipate, particuIarly since we expect to fly foreign experirnents which would require rnanned rnonitoring or operation.

European participation in the Sortie Lab developrnent should lead to the designation of European crew rnernbers. Other prospective users of the systern rnay also choose to designate crew rnernbers.

However, there will not likely be an interest in other countries in training their nationals as pilots (as contrasted to crew rnernbers).

The strong interest of the US in foreign participation in shuttle usage has been put forward by NASA in discussions with Europe and Japan over the past three years. Further progress will be reported to you.

Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library

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MEMORANDUM

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION/4975

February 9,

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MEMORANDUM FOR:

DR. KISSINGER

FROM: THRU:

MICHAEL A. GUHIN DAVID D. ELLIOTT

SUB

JECT:

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Exchange of Astronauts

Br Juqe 1972 llu4v. Butterfield advised you that the President wants an NSC Staff rnernber to work closely with NASA Adrninistrator Fletcher in the developrnent of a trrnaster plan for international exchanges of astronauts" (Tab C).

Mr. Butterfield asked for a progress reportby July 10. request, has prepared such a report (Tab B).

NASA, at our

There is and probably can be no realrrrnaster planrr as such in this we do and where we do not opportunities e><pect for foreign participation and exchanges.

area. But the report does set forth where

At Tab A is a draft inforrnation rnernorandurn frorn you to the President surnrnarizing the report.

RECOMMENDATION:

That you forward the nrernorandurn for the President (Tab A).

Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presldential Library

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WesHrNeroru,

REPLY TO

ATTN OF:

D.C.

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TOI I'ROM:

l{atj"onal Securit,y Council

Attn: I'Ir. I(ichael Guhin Iy'Assistant Adninistrator for International .Frffairs

SUBJECT: Foreign Astronaut,s

The follolring is a current status report on NA$A,s

plans to further the Presicientrs interest in participation by foreign astronauts in future flighL progirams.

Skylab

As you know, because of the comprehensive training reouired for astronauts for the Skylab missions--similar in character to that, of the Apollo astronauts and lastinq three years or more--it has not been practical to consider astronaut, participation in the 1973 fliqhts.

However, hre have actively sought participation of foreiEn aerorneoical doctors in both the direct mission support and in analysis of the biomedical results of the Slcylab fliqhts. Four such volunteer specialisLs--from Germany, Sweden and tire United Kingdom--are expected to join the Skylab team at Houst"on f or a two-year period.

ASTP

['oreign astronauts (cosrnonauts) are expected to fly for the first time in a NASA spacecraft during the ?rpollo-Soyuz Test Iuiission which the President and Chairman Kosyqin agreed vrill be conducted in 19'15, Once tlie Apollo and Soyuz spacecraf t have rendezvoused and clocked j.n earth orbit, it is planned that astronauts and cosmonauts will exchanqe visits to each otherrs spacecraft. The prirnary purpose of this first mission is to test compatible rendezvous and docking arranqements for future US and Soviet manned spacecraft; beyond this, however, it opens the ivay for possible rescue orrerations and for more extensive cooperation by US and Soviet space f liqirt crews.

Reproduced at the Rrchard Nixon Presidential t.ibrary

shutlle. ang_sgrti'e L3b The advent of the Space Shuttle and related orbital projects, such as the Sortie LabT will require crews with varied backgrounds. Some; typicaL of fast programst will be pilots dedicated to the operational and safety aspects of the spacecraft from take-off to land.ing. Others, scientifj.c or engineering specialistsl will be responsil:le for the investigations to be conducted witi: the various scientific, anplications or t,echnological equipment to be carried into orbit.

Pilots will neeci to be highly integrateo with the shuttle system. They will part,icipate in the design and development as well as in the experimental f light, tests. 'jtre assume that after the shuttle is oi:erationally qualifieci, foreign nationals miEht be considered for pilot training vrherel for example, their countries wished to procure and f1y their ovrn space shuttle. ?he traininq time to aceomplish this Ouring the operational phase is estimated to be about two years, proviciing personnel chosen alreacly have appropriate backgrounds, basic skills1 and experience with high performance aircraft syst,ems. Pilot traininq in the absence of a foreign national shutt"le interest would seem to have no practical application.

Other cres,' members will require considerably less traininq, mostly in the area of nersonal conditioning for the space environment and in the operation of their specialized equipment. This seems a natural and very useful area for foreicrn oarticipat,ion since we ean fully expect to fli' foreign experilrents r./hicl: would require manned rnonitoring

or operation. In particuLar, European participation in the development of the Sortie Lab should provide a highly favorable context for the early designation of European crew members who would be concerned with the use of the Sortie Lab. As the Shuttle and Sortj-e Lab approach operational status in the late 1970rs, other prospective foreign users of the system may similarly choose to oesignate crevn members as an integral part of their planned use of t'he sysLem.

Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library

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These opportunities for foreiqn participation in the Space Siruttle flight activities of the future have been repeatedly described publicly j.n Europe and Japan over

the past three years by

*""fomrurkin ccs NSC/Dr. Elliott

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Reproduced at the Rjchard Nixon Presidential Library

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MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON

June

MEMORANDUM

FOR:

20,

L97Z

DR. HENRY A" KISSINGER

FROM:

ALEXANDER

P. BUrrERtr'rELD )y

SUBJECT:

Exchanges of

Astronauts {

The President wants you to appoint a rnernber of your staff to work closely with Dr. Jarnes tr'letcher, NASA Adrninistrator, in the developrnent of a rnaster plan for international exchanges of Astronauts. Dr" I'letcher knows of the President!s desires and isewaiting a call frorn your staff representative.

Please forward a progress report, through the Staff Secretary,

prior to JuIy 10th.

Thank you.