PROJECT ARGO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01137A000200060025-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 26, 2010
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: September 23, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000200060025-6
B T-LI) C- .
23 September 196S
i
STAT
Project ARGO
Interest in the `ncaceful uses.' of satellite photography by NPIC uates
from 1960, when imagery was obtained by the first sucessful reconnaissance
satellite. As photography accumulated and the state-of-the-art developed,
there was recognition that, consistent with the restraints imposed by security,
government departments and agencies other than those in the intelligence
community should be aware of the product for its contribution to their back-
ground knowledge, and, potentially, to their special needs. In 1965, a
committee acting under the auspices of the National Security Action 'Memorandum
156, in a review of national policy for satellite reconnaissance, recommended
that measures be devised to give the ''civilian agencies" controlled access to
information from the satellite reconnaissance systems. In 1966, the Special
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology took action to begin
a formal study of the classified photography by. the ''civilian agencies", and
with the approval of the Director of Central Intelligence and the Secretary
of Defense, and in concekt with the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and
Commerce, the Agency for Internation Development and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration, a plan was developed and Project ARGO began in July
1967.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000200060025-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000200060025-6
Proj ect ARGO
A team of resource specialists from the participating agencies and
representing the disciplinary interests of agriculture, geology, hydrology,
geography, marine sciences, map products and engineering proceeded to investi-
gate the nhotogranhy from six camera types from four reconnaissance satellite
systems in terms of the information content and usefulness to the participating
agencies' needs. NPIC provided initial orientation.for the team, material
and technical assistance during the course of the study.
The results of the evaluation, published in February of 1968, recognized
the potential of the material and suggested that some needs of the civilian
agencies might be served as by-products of the present intelligence satellite
collection systems. As a consequence, at the suggestion of the Special Assistant
to the President for Science and Technology, and with the approval of the
Director of Central Intelligence, the ARGO Steering Committee was established
as a Standing, Committee in June 1968, to (1) collect and consolidate the needs
of the `civilian agencies" for photography from the current systems, (2) make
these known to the intelligence cinmunity, and (3) discuss with the intelligence
con,,munity procedures for the handling of the material. NPIC maintains a
liaison representative to this couniittee and provides appropriate technical
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/26: CIA-RDP80TO1137A000200060025-6