Memorandum of Conference with the President Authored by Andrew J. Goodpaster

UNCLASSIFIED February 13, 1959 MEMORANDUM OF CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT February 10, 1959 Others present: Dr. Killian, Dr. Purcell, Dr. Land General Goodpaster Dr. Killian said the group had come in to report on some recent progress, particularly in advanced reconnaissance devices. The first is an acoustical system for the detection of missiles leaving the atmosphere. This has great promise for monitoring Soviet missile firings. The system is based upon the existence of a "sound duct" which gives extremely high quality results. The President asked why this duct exists, and Dr. Purcell said it is because the tempera- ture of the air decreases up to a certain altitude and then gets higher. At this level, sound tends to stay in the layer of air. The process is to put a small balloon with a listening device at that altitude. Dr. BE Killian said that, from six points located around the world, it would be possible to locate missile firings. The President asked what is the height of this layer, and its thickness, and how the balloons could be kept at the right height. He thought this might be difficult. Dr. Purcell said that the problem is tricky but that the experts think it possible of solution. The layer is roughly at 70,000 feet altitude, but it is of the order of 30, ,000-40,000 feet thick. The President thought the scheme sounded splendid. He was concerned how soon information about it would leak. He thought it should be controlled and managed at a very high level. Dr. Killian said this would be done. He pointed out that there are certain problems in obtaining use of just the right spots around the world; he mentioned Asmara in this connec- tion. The President next commented on the way irresponsible officials and demagogues are leaking security information and presenting a mis- leading picture of our security situation to our people. Some of our senators in particular seem to be doing this. In turn, the munitions makers are making tremendous efforts toward getting more contracts and in fact seem to be exerting undue influence over the Senators. Dr. Killian observed that where we have had a strong central laboratory, DECLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, SEC. 3.4 (b) MR 93-172 BY Lib DATE 10/27/95