Let Russia’s Planes Keep Flying Over US, Just Like Ike Wanted (Michael Krepon, Stimson Center)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a decision to make after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. He could accept the Kremlin’s right to traverse space above the United States or resolve to deny this form of intelligence gathering through military means. Ike chose to accept increased transparency rather than place future leaders of both countries on a collision course toward warfare in space.

http://www.stimson.org/content/let-russias-planes-keep-flying-over-us-just-ike-wanted