Shades of Gray

by L. Parker Temple

The United States has developed the most expensive and capable reconnaissance satellites the world has ever seen. American satellites can photograph terrorist bases, listen in on radio conversations, sniff out clandestine nuclear tests and spot rocket launches anywhere in the world. The goal of these assets, simply put, is to prevent surprises. In Shades of Gray, Dr. L. Parker Temple III describes the development of these capabilities in unprecedented historical detail and context. He taps recently declassified documents and melds them with his own behind-the-scenes experiences as an Air Force space expert at the Pentagon in the 1980s. In this work, Temple tracks the evolution of space reconnaissance systems from their seeds in the painful lessons of Pearl Harbor through the challenges of today. More than any other book, Shades of Gray places development of these capabilities into their proper context with the overall U.S. space program.

554 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Stephen]

This book isn't the easiest read, but it contains a compelling argument that the standard narrative of the U.S. being caught completely off-guard by the launch of Sputnik 1, and then desperately trying to come from behind technically with an embryonic NASA isn't correct.

Instead, a picture is painted of an Eisenhower administration firmly focused on space as way to obtain desperately desired aerial reconnaissance of the Soviet Bloc beyond the limitations of conventional aeronautical approaches such as the U2 spy plane.

While the frenzied public response to Sputnik was not anticipated by the Eisenhower administration, *not* rushing to beat the Soviets into space—and it was understood in D.C. that Von Braun's Jupiter rockets could easily have sent a token object into orbit before the Russians—meant that Sputnik established the vital "open skies" doctrine that prevails to this day, and which allows satellites to overfly any part of the Earth.

Furthermore, the book makes a strong case that the very creation of NASA (and its very public and civilian activity) was significantly motivated by the desire for a handy distraction from, and cover for, the real high priority U.S. space program: the super secret CORONA spy satellite program, the existence of which was only officially acknowledged in the 1990s. For serious scholars of space history, this book is a must.

[John Mckinstry]

Not chronological, a confusing read, and heavily focused on USAF issues.