'H' CONFIGURATION SN-003 READINESS AND DEPLOYMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000200230007-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 10, 1969
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Relea*&2002/06/13 : CIASMON9$$00724R000 230007-8
IDEALIST
.IDEA-0090-69
Copyjof to
10 January 1969
SUBJECT: "H" Configuration SN-003 Readiness and Deployment
1. Hycon Program Manager for IDEALIST
Project, called e undersigned this morning to give his
assessment of "H" configuration SN-003 readiness. In brief,
they feel and the undersigned concurs, the "H" configuration
has not had the minimum.n of flights established by
Project Headquarters (see 18938 dated 26 December 68) 25X1A
to determine OR'status of SN- 3, i.e., two (2) instrumenta-
tion flights and one (1) interface mission.
2. Flight record for "H" SN-003 is as follows: 25X1A
A. GT 68-596, 31 December 68 (See J1 8318 & 8284) -
This was a. successful interface flig 25X1A
B. GT 69-5, 3 January 69 (See II 8419, In 87790) -
This was to be an instrumentation ight. It was
with a Mission due to air abort was cut
short, only very limited instrumentation was obtained.
Entire photo segment of flight was flown at oblique
setting of 00.3. If malfunction caused this problem,
shop and aircraft tests later failed to find cause.
Possibility exists there could have been intermittent
failure between interface command control (wiring)
and interface.
C. A third mission wa.s.flown 9 January 1969 at
45,000'. Initial readout of tracker material indi-
cates about 90% cloud cover. All personnel involved
in setting this flight up were aware it would not
meet requirement of optimum conditions required.
3. In summary, only the interface requirement has been
met and two (2) instrumentation flights are needed. A thru
focus. flight under optimum conditions is planned for 10 January
1969'. If this is an instrumenta.ted flight, it could, if
successful, meet requirements for one of the instrumentation
flights.
IDEALISTST
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IDEA-0090-69
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4. The thru focus flight of 10 January was set up to
establish best focus so Config "H" SN-003 could be flown
25X1A'' to lIon 14 January, providing 10 January flight indicated
25X1A
bes ocus had been obtained. Although Hycon and the under-
signed were fully aware required OR flights were not completed,
the press of events seem to warrant taking a caldulated risk.
5. On 10 JanuaFy 19 9.a decision was made not to send 25X1A
"H" configuration toon first shipment. SSD/R&D/OSA
A. Two (2) instrumentation 'flights at optimum
conditions (i.e., CAT. II or better WX; vehicle
performing at operational altitude, speed and
producing to spec. so stable platform and proper
environmental conditions prevail). 25X1A
e undertaken prior to ?'H" config SN-003 shipment to
approves znis aecislon a.n recommends the following f1i
B. At. least one (1) flight each using SO-230 and
SO-3404 film. These films are available atlI
(2 rolls SO-230 (suffi.cient for 2 missions),
six rolls of SO-3404 (3 missions)). 'Advantage of
SO-230 is higher resolution (about 30% higher) than
SO-3400 and will give-higher contrast. This is a
slower film than SO-3400 but still well within
exposure speeds of '?H?' configuration. These flights
would also require optimum flight conditions.
6. In summary, it is recommended the following flights
be programmed to "H" configuration SN-003:
A. One (1) instrumentation flight providing the
one flight programmed for 10 January 69 meets all
requirements and is successful and was an instrumenta-
tion flight. If not, an additional instrumentation
flight should be scheduled.
B. At least one (1) flight with SO-230. If time
and schedules favorable, a second flight would be
advantageous. Flights can be-either instrumented or
non-instrumented.
C. At least one (1) flight with SO-3404. A second
flight would give more data. Flights can be
instrumented or non-instrumented.
IDEALIST
SECRET
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IDEA-0090-69
Page 3
7. It is most important to get successful instrumented
flights first. The flights utilizing the SO-230 and SO-3404
emulsions, although important, are secondary. The number
of flights using these emulsions can be varied in order to
meet shipment date to of SN-003.
SSD/R&D/OSA/
Distribution:
Cy 1 - D/O/OSA
2 - SAS/O/OSA
3 - IDEA/O/OSA
4 - D/M/OSA
5 - DD/SA
6 - D/R&D/OSA
7 - SSD/R&D/OSA
8 - SSD/R&D Chrono
9 - RB/OSA
10 - PRD/M/OSA
25X1A
IDEALIST
SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/06/13 CIA-RDP68B00724R000200230007-8