Office of the Historian

369. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts1

Washington, February 23, 1962, 6:49 p.m.

1465. For Principal Officer. Department requests you arrange appointment with Foreign Minister or other appropriate official at your discretion to express deep gratification US Government and specifically National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for effective cooperation extended by host country in behalf Project Mercury manned space program. Successful orbital flight of astronaut just concluded due in no small degree presence tracking facilities in host countries. This participation by other lands in American space program deeply appreciated. Posts may wish stress again that Project Mercury is open peaceful scientific experiment designed further man’s exploration of space and results of which available world. Posts may wish note that US will continue conduct its manned space program in open cooperation with other nations to benefit of mankind. You may wish inform officials US proposes launch manned space missions approximately every 60 to 90 days beginning April.

Department pouching text statements made US expressing gratification for participation your country in Project Mercury.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 911.802/2–2362. Official Use Only. Drafted by Emery P. Smith (S/AE); cleared by Kerrigan (NASA), Alf E. Bergesen (BNA), Francis W. Herron (P), H. Freeman Matthews, Jr. (WE), Henry C. Ramsey (S/P), and Theo C. Adams (AF/W); and approved by Robert G. Packard (S/AE).↩