2. The ATS program shall remain a truly experimental one in which the maximum experimental use is derived from the useful life of the satellites. In other words, NASA shall make no plans or agreements to turn over the satellites to any other Government agency for operational communication use. 3. NASA shall not use any of the ATS satellites for handling administrative traffic of NASA or the communication traffic of any other U.S. agency. 4. Operations in the ATS program shall not cause harmful interference to any non-Government operations in the bands 3700-4200 and 5925-6425 MHz, now licensed or to be licensed in the future. Among other things, this will probably require NASA to program its operation so as to avoid interference through eclipsing. 5. In view of the experimental and temporary nature of the ATS program, authorizations will be limited to a 2-year period, recognizing that subsequent renewals will be required throughout the life of the program. 6. NASA shall furnish the FCC coordination distance contour maps for transmission and reception at the Rosman and Mojave stations, prepared in accordance with recommendation 1A of the final acts of the space EARC, Geneva 1963, using the parameters applicable to communication satellite earth stations rather than those applicable to space research earth stations. 7. NASA should take steps to insure that any follow-on research after ATS can be accomplished in either the 4- and 6-GHz, or the 7- and 8-GHz (or other appropriate) bands, as the facts then indicate. In respect of point 4 above, it is assumed that NASA would necessarily bear the cost of such programing as would be involved. Sincerely, J. D. O'CONNELL. [Press release] EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Mr. J. D. O'Connell, Director of Telecommunications Management, has advised Mr. James E. Webb, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator, that there is no policy objection to the use of frequencies in the bands 3700 to 4200 and 5925 to 6425 megacycles for the NASA applications technology satellite (ATS) program subject to certain conditions. The DTM made this policy determination after consultation with the FCC and with their concurrence. A review of the ATS frequency assignments was undertaken by the DTM to determine whether there would be any adverse effect due to the use of the bands by ATS and also by the Comsat Corp. for its HS-303 (Early Bird) and possible follow-on programs. The possibility that continuing the ATS in the 4- and 6gigacycle-per-second bands might represent a risk to optimum exploitation of those bands for commercial purposes unless specific arrangements could be made about means for operating ATS without interfering with the commercial utilization. Since frequencies for ATS had been selected long before the existence of any specific commercial development, any change in ATS frequency now would represent a substantive cost and loss of time. In view of all of this, it was determined that it was not desirable to make any frequency change in ATS. Use of the ATS will be such to preclude interference with commercial satellite services. In his letter to Mr. Webb, the DTM stated that his decision that the ATS project could proceed in the 4- and 6-gigacycle-per-second bands, which had been taken in the light of all exidence and after further consultations with the FCC, was subject to the conditions that (1) the authority to use the frequencies is limited to the five satellites planned for the project: (2) the project should remain a truly experimental one, under the sole control and use of NASA throughout its life; (3) the satellites are not to be used to handle administrative Government traffic; (4) harmful interference is not caused to non-Government operations in those bands; and (5) any follow-on research shall have the capability of accomplishment in either the 4- and 6-gigacycle-per-second bands or other appropriate bands, as the facts then indicate. EXHIBIT 11.-REFERRAL OF ATS CONDITIONS TO IRAC, AND FCC STATEMENT AT IRAC MEETING INTERDEPARTMENT RADIO ADVISORY COMMITTEE, Washington, D.C. (Attention of Mr. C. R. Kirkevold, Executive Secretary). MARCH 24, 1965. GENTLEMEN: I refer to certain applications of the National Aeronauties and Space Administration for the use of frequencies in the 4- and 6-GHz bands in its applications technology satellite program (doc. 8303/1-2.3.6/4.9.1). The attached correspondence completed the coordination in this matter. There is no policy objection to the approval by the IRAC of the applications in question, subject to the conditions listed in the letter of the DTM to NASA dated March 19, 1965. Sincerely, W. E. PLUMMER, Director, Frequency Management Division. STATEMENT OBTAINED FROM MR. WATKINS, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS ITEM 15-APRIL 13, 1965 With regard to condition 3 in Mr. O'Connell's letter to Mr. Webb, the text of which is identical with No. 3 of Chairman Henry's letter to Mr. O'Connell, I wish to state for the record that the phrase "administrative traffic" was used in the sense of distinguishing such traffic from experimental transmissions, and not, as is sometimes the case when discussing military communications, “administrative traffic" in contradistinction “operational traffic." EXHIBIT 12.-NASA ACCEPTANCE OF ORIGINAL CONDITIONS FOR ATS OPERATION Mr. JAMES D. O'CONNELL, Director, Telecommunications Management, Office of Emergency Planning, Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. O'CONNELL: This is in reference to your letter of March 19, 1965, to Mr. James E. Webb regarding the NASA applications for the frequency complement required in the applications technology satellite (ATS) program. The NASA field center responsible for the ATS program has been advised of the conditions under which it may proceed with its program and has been directed to conduct these operations in accordance with these stipulations. Sincerely yours, EARL D. HILBURN, Deputy Associate Administrator. EXHIBIT 13.-FCC CLARIFICATION OF POSITION ON USE OF ATS FREQUENCIES, AND DTM REVISION OF CONDITIONS TO NASA FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, Mr. JAMES D. O'CONNELL, DEAR MR. O'CONNELL: This is with further reference to the Commission's letter of March 1, 1965, regarding the use of frequencies in the non-Government bands 3700-4200 and 5925-6425 megacycles per second by the National Aeronantics and Space Administration (NASA) in support of the applications technological satellite (ATS) program. It appears that some question has arisen regarding the third condition suggested by the Commission; namely, NASA shall not use any of the ATS satellites for handling administrative traffic of NASA or the communications traffic of any other U.S. agency. The purpose of this letter is to confirm and reiterate the statement made by the Commission's representative at the IRAC meeting of April 13, 1965; namely, that in using the term "administrative traffic" in this connection the Commission intends to suggest that NASA should use the ATS satellites only for the transmission of experimental traffic related to the ATS program and should not handle any of its administrative or operational traffic. The Commission recognizes that at times special circumstances may arise when other means of communications are not readily available and it may be necessary to use the ATS satellite for such purposes. The condition we suggested was not intended to apply to such special one-shot circumstances nor to prevent the use of the ATS satellite to handle the traffic then involved. If you concur in the foregoing, it would be appreciated if you advise NASA accordingly to prevent any misunderstanding in the future. Yours sincerely, E. WILLIAM HENRY, Chairman. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, Hon. JAMES E. WEBB, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, DEAR MR. WEBB: I refer to my letter of March 19, 1965, which indicated my intent to approve the applications of NASA for the use of frequencies in the 4- and 6-gigahertz bands for its ATS programs, subject to certain conditions set forth in the letter. One of those conditions (No. 3) would preclude NASA from using the ATS satellites to handle its administrative traffic. I am in receipt of a letter from the Federal Communications Commission which referred to the above-mentioned condition and expressed its view that the exclusion of NASA administrative traffic should be construed to include the exclusion of operational traffic as well. Since such was also my own view in the matter, it was arranged that the IRAC action should include a clarification of condition "3" to that effect. The text as it has been amended reads as follows: "NASA shall not use any of the ATS satellites for handling operational or administrative traffic of NASA or the communication traffic of any other U.S. agency." Sincerely, J. D. O'CONNELL. EXHIBIT 14.-ARTICLE EXCERPTED FROM TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTS OF MAY 3, 1965 NASA WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE USING 4 AND 6 GC BANDS FOR ATS PROGRAM, BUT SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, O'CONNELL TELLS WEBB AFTER REVIEW Continued use of frequencies in the 4- and 6-gigacycle bands by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for its Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) program will be allowed, subject to certain conditions, following a review of the situation by James D. O'Connell, Director of Telecommunications Management in the Executive Office of the President, and the FCC, it was learned Friday, April 30. NASA's frequency requirements for the ATS program and the possibility of any adverse effects or potential interference due to the use of the same frequency bands (3700-4200 and 5925-6425 megacycles) by the Communications Satellite Corp. as manager for the international consortium for the Early Bird communications satellite system were the subject of a recent hearing and additional study by Mr. O'Connell's office (Telecommunications, January 18). While ATS was in the research stage, the 4- and 6-gigacycle bands have been used, and consideration had to be given to what might be involved in a switch to the 7- and 8-gigacycle bands when the program moved out of this phase. Among factors that had to be considered was the possibility that continuing the ATS in the 4- and 6-gigacycle bands might represent a risk to optimum and full use of those bands for commercial purposes. Also considered were potential specific arrangements which could be made for operating the NASA ATS program so as to prevent objectionable interference with the commercial utilization. During the course of the review, it was pointed out that frequencies for the ATS program had been selected before the existence of any specific commercial development. NASA also pointed out that ATS hardware is well along in development, and extensive arrangements have been made with interested foreign nations so that they could experiment with ground station equipment which they have or are completing. As a result, it was concluded that any change in the ATS frequency bands now would represent large costs and substantial loss of time, in addition to making it expensive or impracticable for the foreign nations to participate in the experimental program. A determination was made that it would be highly undesirable to make any frequency changes in the ATS at the present time, but it was stated that use of the bands by the ATS will be such as to preclude interference with commercial satellite systems. In a letter to NASA Administrator James Webb, reporting on the results of the studies by the DTM and FCC, Mr. O'Connell said that "considering all the circumstances the ATS project should proceed in the 4- and 6-gigacycle bands as recommended by NASA," but subject to these five conditions: "(1) The authority to use the frequencies is limited to the five satellites planned for the project; (2) the project should remain a truly experimental one under the sole control and use of NASA throughout its life; (3) the satellites should not be used to handle administrative or operational traffic; (4) harmful interference should not be caused to nongovernment operations in those bands; and (5) any follow-on research should have the capability of accomplishment in either the 4- and 6-gigacyle bands or in other appropriate bands as the facts then indicate." As a result, NASA will not be able to make any operational use of the ATS satellites, as was done with Syncom III last year, and it will not be allowed to use any of the ATS satellites for handling traffic in its NASCOM network. EXHIBIT 15.-NASA ACCEPTANCE OF ADDITIONAL CONDITION FOR ATS OPERATIONS Mr. JAMES D. O'CONNELL, Director, Telecommunications Management, Office of Emergency Planning, Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. O'CONNELL: This is in reference to your letter of April 26, 1965, to Mr. James E. Webb regarding the clarification of one of the conditions imposed on NASA's use of the 4-gigacycle-per-second and 6-gigacycle-per-second bands for its ATS program. The additional restriction reflected in this clarification is acceptable to NASA. The field center having responsibility for the program has been advised of this modification and has been directed to conduct all operations accordingly. Sincerely yours, EARL D. HILBURN, Deputy Associate Administrator. APPENDIX 5.-ARTICLE ON MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS EXCERPTED FROM PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTE OF RADIO ENGINEERS, MAY 1962 A SUMMARY OF MILITARY COMMUNICATION IN THE UNITED STATES-1860 TO 19621 (J. D. O'Connell, Fellow, IRE, A. L. Pachynski, Senior Member, IRE, and L. S. Howeth * Summary-Military progress in communications in the United States really started back in 1860, and both before and since the birth of the IRE, it has been inextricably a part of the development of the communications industry, national communications policy, the IRE and scientific research and development in this art. The U.S. Navy played a particularly important part in the development of maritime and coastal radio systems and in the development of early radio wireless policy. In both major wars and increasing rapidly since World War II, the requirements of the military services tor communications to keep pace with successive revolutions in speed, scope, range and nuclear power have increased exponentially, and beyond the capabilities of conventional or commercial systems. The vital significance of adequate communications and the part they play in the success of military operations and weapons systems has been consistently undervalued in the past. The cost of undervaluation and unreadiness in communications has been mounting rapidly in step with orders of magnitude increases in nuclear power and speed of delivery. This year marks half a century of phenomenal progress and growth of the Institute of Radio Engineers. Inextricably involved in this half century of progress of the institute of industry and of science have been the military services of the United States. Any attempt to outline the course of U.S. military communications should include another half century of progress because just before and during our Civil War an idea was born which would grow-the first integrated concept of an organized military communications organization. The record of his achievements and thoughts for the future leaves no doubt that Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Albert J. Myer (later Major Myer, first Army Chief Signal Officer; later Brigadier General Myer, promoter of our National Weather Service and international weather reporting) would be at home in the military communication world of today. Aggressively seizing upon every available technical capability of his time, he stimulated the development of the Beardslee portable electromagnetic telegraph, mobile telegraph wagons, observation balloons for combat surveillance, and an overall communication system with flags and torches. He organized, innovated, trained, administered, promoted, and, most important of all, lit a flame of military interest in the art of communication and endowed an organization with the spirit to keep this flame burning through the years. During this war period the U.S. Navy was also making strides in communication: the two services in an early effort of joint service coordination adopted for the first time the same system of flag and torch signaling and, for a time, instruction in this common system was included in the course at both Annapolis and West Point. The end of the Civil War brought military reaction and decimation of budgets and personnel-elimination of the concepts of research and study of improved 1 Received by the IRE Jan. 29, 1962. Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.); General Telephone and Electronics Laboratories, Menlo Park, Calif. 3 Major General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.); Lenkurt Electric Co., San Carlos, Calif. Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Box 381, Morris Street, Oxford, Md. |