[FPSPACE] Moments in the History of Cosmonautics - 1

[Kosmos327 at aol.com]

A bit of a delay in my reply, but... I encourage those interested in a  
soviet perspective on the Khrushchev/Kennedy "cooperation in space" idea to  read, 
"_Nikita Khrushchev and the Creation of a Superpower_ 
(http://books.google.com/books?id=dQeahlZdM7sC&dq=khrushchev+the+creation+of+a+superpower&pg=PP1&ots=Mx
DmXXDzjp&sig=Xr6P26jUB_Uwep6DGtzrJS4yO3A&prev=http://www.google.com/search?hl=
en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=khrushchev+the+creation+of+a+superpower&btnG=Google+Search&
sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail)   by Sergei Khrushchev.
 
Regards,
 
David L. Rickman
 
http://almaz-ops-105.blogspot.com/
 
In a message dated 4/6/2007 9:09:13 A.M. Eastern  Standard Time, 
epgrondine at hotmail.com writes:

12 NOVEMBER, 1963, THE WHITE HOUSE,  WASHINGTON
National Security Action Memoranda Number 271.
Memoranda for:  James Webb, the Administrator, NASA.
Subject: Cooperation with the USSR on  Outer Space Matters.

I would like you to assume  personally the initiative and central 
responsibility within the Government  fro the development of a program of 
substantive cooperation with the  Soviet Union in the field of outer space, 
including the development of  specific technical proposals.  I assume that 
you will work closely  with the Department of State and other agencies as 
appropriate.
These proposals should be developed with a view to their possible  
discussion with the Soviet Union as a direct outcome of my September 20  
proposal for broader cooperation between the United States and the USSR in  
outer space, including cooperation in lunar landing programs.  All  proposals 
or suggestions originating within the government will be  referred to you for 
your consideration and evaluation.
In addition to developing substantive proposals, I expect that  you will 
assist the Secretary of State in exploring problems of procedure  and timing 
connected with holding discussions with the Soviet Union and in  proposing 
for my consideration the channels which would be most desirable  form our 
point of view.  In this connection the channel of contact  developed by Dr. 
Dryden between NASA and the Soviet Academy of Sciences  has been quite 
effective, and I believe that we should continue to utilize  it as 
appropriate as a means of continuing the dialogue between scientists  of both 
countries.
I would like an interim report  on the progress of our planning by 
December 15.

(signed) John F. Kennedy

The assissination in Dallas a few days later  brought this early initiative 
to an end.







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