STATEMENT FOR POSSIBLE RELEASE IN EVENT OF PRESS QUESTION ON DARK SATELLITE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79M00098A000400040094-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 94
• Publication Date: February 10, 1960
• Content Type: MF

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/06/14: CIA-RDP79M00098A000400040094-1
Var GUIDED MISSILE AND ASTRONAUTICS INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
10 February 1960
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman. United States Intelligence Board
SUBJECT Statement for Possible Release in Event of
Press Question on Dark Satellite
1. In accordance with the request presented at the USIB meeting of
9 February 1960, the following has been approved by GMAIC for use in
the event that an unclassified statement on the unidentified earth satellite
object is required:
"Currently there are about a dozen man made objects
in orbit around the earth, most of which are of US origin.
Natural objects such as meteors or meteorites, also may
assume an orbit around the earth and become satelloids. The
United States makes continued observations of all objects
orbiting the earth. Our observation systems are triggered
many times each day by meteorites and other natural phenomena
as well as by earth satellites. For some time we have had
under observation a non-transmitting object orbiting the earth
which could be a subassembly of a known space vehicle or it
could be an unannounced space vehicle or a natural satelloid. "
All indications are that this object is inert and poses no threat
to the U. S.
It is noted that no mention of possible Soviet origin is included
herein. If Soviet, it is likely that it was either launched with unu-lual
secrecy or was a failure, or a partial failure, of a Soviet space venture.
In either case the Soviets would be reluctant to accept ownership.
EARL McFARLAND
Colonel, USAF
Chairman
This supersedes the 9 February Memo, same subject.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/06/14: CIA-RDP79M00098A000400040094-1