Proposed News Release from the National Academy of Sciences Regarding Soviet Plans to Launch an Earth Satellite as Part of the International Geophysical Year Program

Not for release except by OF 10 June 1957 specific authority of the National Academy of Sciences - S. D. Cornell, EXecutive 3-0100, 146-F-2 Extension 233. o 1957 Proposed News Release from the National Academy of Sciences XOF 68 On learning of the announcement of detailed Soviet plans for the XOF146-F launching of an artificial earth satellite as part of the scientific XOF146-E program of the International Geophysical Year, Dr. Detlev V. Bronk, President of the National Academy of Sciences, which exercises supervision over the scientific aspects of United States participation in the IGY, made the following statement: It XOF 225 "Soviet plans for the launching of an artificial earth satellite as part of the International Geophysical Year program are of great interest to scientists in the United States and throughout the world. We have known for some time that the Soviet Union intended to undertake such a program in connection with the International Geophysical Year. A formal announcement to that effect was made last September by Soviet representatives at a meeting of the international committee that guides the over-all planning for the IGY (Special Committee for the International Geophysical Year). Earlier references to such a program were made in general terms by Soviet scientists in the summer of 1955 shortly after the formal announcement of the United States scientific earth satellite program was made on July 29, 1955 to the international IGY committee. We welcome the release of further details on the Soviet plans at this time. "Both the United States and the Soviet announcements followed the recommendation of the international ICY committee that each participating nation consider whether it could undertake such a program. The committee based its recommendation on its conclusion that measurements of great More