USE OF CHALICE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR GEODETIC PURPOSES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000100100022-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2002
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: February 5, 1959
• Content Type: MF

25X1
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DRAfi'T - RSQ:aem (5 Feby 59)
IF, a
Approved For Release -RDP33-02415A00001100100022-4 a 1.)
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director PIC
l - "K
SUBJECT Use of CHALICE Photography for Geodetic! Conti
Purposes
25X1A9A 1. On 4 February 59
subject as above, dated 27 January 1959
your office and repre-
sentatives of Project Headquarters met to discuss
terest to Project Head wart a-diysC1 CIA/PIC^of the camera
calibration program and turning this function over to ACIC. Following is a
to be borne by CHALICE.
summary of agreements and decisions reached during the course of this meeting:
a. Requirement for focal length calibration of CHALICE cameras.
(1) Cameras presently in use at overseas detachments: Stellar
exposures required to calibrate Project CHALICE cameras at the
overseas detachments are presently being accomplished by Hycon
Special Equipment Section technicians to specifications established
by CIA/PIC. However, even after calibration of presently assigned
cameras has been completed, a continuing requirement will exist to
re-accomplish stellar exposures each time a camera is disassembled
so as to change calibration geometry. The cost of accomplishing
stellar exposures needed to calibrate detachment cameras has to date
been absorbed by Project CHALICE as part of normal detachment
operating cost. Since this function can be handled at the detachment
with minimum expenditure of labor, it was decided that the cost of
future calibration functions of this type at the detachment will continue
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(2) Cameras previously used on penetration missions: Many of the
early CHALICE missions covering areas of particular significance as
concerns geodetic controls were accomplished with the A-2 camera
using the HR-731 lens assembly. These lenses were subsequently
replaced by an improved version. However, the HR-731 lenses and
focus posts of cameras used on the earlier missions were intentionally
retained, intact, at Hycon (Pasadena, California). By re-assembling
the HR-731 lenses and focus posts on a master cone and magazine
assembly, it will be possible to recover interior orientation of the 731
series cameras and, therefore, re-establish geodetic control on missions
which utilized the 731 lens. Since ACIC has primary interest in data
resulting from reconstructing the 731 assemblies, it is felt that they
should bear the expense of this item. This matter will be further
discussed in the paragraph headed "Funding" below.
b. Funding:
(1) It appears that the largest single item of continuing expense will
be the cost of reconstructing dismantled 731 lenses and focus posts at
Hycon. In view of ACIC's proposal to underwrite this expense, recommend
that they be requested to do so. I believe that the funding of this particular
function should be borne by ACIC regardless of whether it is considered
"acceleration" or as a continuation of the work undertaken at Project
CHALICE expense. IC has volunteerd to contact Hycon
to obtain cost figures for this item. As soon as cost
estimates are av iiiable ETA
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discuss the amounts of money involved and the means of accomplishing
necessary transfer of funds, etc. Project Headquarters Contracting
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may be contacted if assistance is needed
in effecting this transfer of funds from the Air Force to Hycon.
c. Security:
(1) It is understood that it will be necessary to provide geographical
coordinates of overseas detachment locations in order to properly
identify stars on stellar negatives. As long as information of this type
is confined to the three ACIC individuals currently possessing CHALICE
clearances, the Project Headquarters Security office poses no objection.
2. I am in general agreement with the remainder of the plan by which you
propose to divest CIA/PIC of the bulk of the camera calibration program.
I would add that if the Air Force is not willing to assume the expense of
further calibration operations at Hycon that the entire camera calibration
program should be re-examined. I have requested Ito serve
as the Project "focal point" to provide any additional assistance PIC may
require in this matter.
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