(UNTITLED)

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP71B00508R000100030017-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
18
Document Creation Date: 
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 15, 2003
Sequence Number: 
17
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
November 3, 1965
Content Type: 
OUTLINE
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PDF icon CIA-RDP71B00508R000100030017-6.pdf753.57 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2003/09/30 :' CIA-RDP71 B0 AD WHEELON EF (11/3/65) 25X1A A. ROLE OF THE MCIRCUTIVE COMMITTEE: An Executive Committee shall be established to formulate, guide, and regulate the NRP. It will con- sist of the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence. /2`t will provide a final decision forum for the National Reconnaissance Program .7 The Executive Committee shall: 1. E*amine the reconnaissance requirements provided by USIB against technical and fiscal capabilities, so an to establish an appropriate level of effort for the NRP. In this role it will rely largely on cost effectiveness and technical feasibility analyses prepared by the DNR and the component elements of the N$ Organiza. tion. 2. Approve or modify the consolidated NR Program and its budget as forwarded by the DNR. 3. Initiate and assign responsibility for research and preliminary design studies in CIA and/or DOD for new systems through the DNR in response to USIB requirements. NRO and Navy review(s) completed. Approved For Release 2003/09/30: CIA-RDP71 BO 25X1A hOD 1 j Approved For Release 2003f09/30-- UAA-fk P71 B00508R900100030017-6 4. Allocate development responsibility for specific reconnaissance problems to DOD or CIA, and establish guidelines for mutual support where appropriate. It shall be free to use technical advisory groups as necessary. 5. Assign operational responsibilities to either DOD or CIA for various types of manned overg.light missions, subject to the concurrence, as appropriate, of the 303 Committee. 6. Review periodically the essential features of the major program elements of the NRP. B. ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE: To insure the coordination of CIA and DOD recon- naissance activities and to provide a single point of integration for the planning and budgeting of the National Reconnaissance Program, a Director of National Reconnaissance will be appointed by the Secretary of Defense with the concurrence of the Director of Central intelligence, who will report to the Executive Committee on all matters affecting the NRP. Specifically, he will: 1. Be kept fully and completely informed 25X1A Approved For Release 2003/09/30: CIA-RPP71 B00~08R000100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/30 :-CIA-F2bP71B00508R000100030017-6 of all reconnaissance activities in CIA and 2. Coordinate CIA and DOD use of the space launching, tracking and recovery facilities. 3. Coordinate film processing of CIA and DOD activities so as to make best use of the primary Eastman-Kodak facility at Rochester, the backup Air force capability at Westover, and field processing centers. 4. Prepare a coordinated and consolidated NRP budget for examination and approval by ExCom. This budget will be based on submissions from appropriate elements of CIA and DOD. 5. Ensure the flow of funds from the NRP appropriations to CIA and appropriate DOD ele- ments in lump sum transfers each fiscal year. Incremental funding from reserve or reprogramming sources will be used only for supplemental pro- grams approved by ExCom. S. Deal with the operating head of the CIA or his designated alternate on all matters 25X1A Approved For Release 2003/09/30 CIA-RDP71 B005081R000100030017-6 Approved For Retease 2003/09/30 : CAA- DP7 1300508R 0100030017-6 of policy, coordination, or guidance. He will not exercise command control over operating elements of CIA or its personnel. 7. Assume such command responsibilities over DOD elements of the NRP as the Secretary of Defense may designate. He will establish suitable lines of coordination with those line components which do not respond directly to him. 8. Sitwith the USIB for the matters affecting the NAP. 9. Appear before the 303 C ommittee with appropriate operating elements of CIA or DOD to secure approval for overhead reconnaissance One. C. RESEARCH AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN: 1. Research on reconnaissance technology and preliminary design of new systems will be encouraged and supported in both CIA and DOD. It will be supported by a lump sum allocation from NRP funds to each group in like measure at a level to be established each year by the Executive Committee. 25X1j4 Approved For Release 2003/09/30: CIA-RDP71 B00508R00g100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508RQ00100030017-6 25X1A 2. A prescribed fraction of these resources.- perhaps 20% to 40'%---will be earmarked for support of basic research on reconnaissance technology* to stimulate and assure the future vigor of this field. CIA and DOD will keep each other fully informed of such progress to avoid unwitting duplication and encourage joint exploitation of new techniques. 3. Preliminary design and small technical feasibility demonstrations of new reconnaissance systems will also be funded from this innovation resource. Such work can grow out of requirements passed down through the USIB/EXCOR/DNR chain, proposing solutions to outstanding needs or im- provements to existing capabilities, or can re- sult from spontaneous initiative in the CIA and DOD participating elements 25X1A However, it is important that the DNR and ExCom receive each month a comprehensive re- port on the initiation, status, or conclusion of such efforts. In this way, competitive study forts will be recognized, approved or discouraged, and synchronized for later decision actions. ..3_ *(i. e. , films, lens figuring, readout links, Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030 fop i ILLEGI~ Approved For Release 2003/09/0 tIA-RDP71Bp0508RaO0100030017-6 4. It is intended that theme funds and their products represent the flexible cutting edge of the reconnaissance program. They should not be used to fund actual development or opera- tional activities. D. SYSTEMS DE'V`ELOPMENT 1. When a new system concept has been sufficiently well defined and its technical feasibility established to the satisfaction of proponents, the DNR, the ExCom and its advisors, it would be included in the inventory of the NRP. At this point, it should receive necessary funding from line items in the budget identified with these systems, These funds would then be allocated to CIA and/or DOD, to whom specific developmental responsibility has been assigned by the ExCom. 2. The operating element of CIA and/or DOD assigned development responsibility for a, new system will be responsible for selecting and supervising capable contractors, for estab- lishing such systems engineering support as they deem necessary and rendering periodic reports on program progress to the DNR and ExCom. ILLEGIB Approved For Release 2003/09/30 :6CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508ROD0100030017-6 3. Satellite reconnaissance systems are characterized primarily by the payload /cameras, spacecraft, data recovery system7 as well as by their boosters. The interface between the launch system and payload is often crucial and the planning for compatible checkout and launch facilities, boosters, tracking, and recovery needs to proceed with the payload development. The DNR will establish and facilitate lines of technical and programmatic communications between the groups in CIA and DOD responsible for payload development and the satellite sup- port elements of the Air Force. The DNR will be responsible for the success of this interface, an well as the compatibility and coordination of the totality of payload Interfaces with the Air Force. The responsible agency may call on other elements of the NRO for support (Contract- ing, security, technical, etc.) as needed, but will carry the responsibility and authority for the success of the program in th R&D phase. ILLEGIB Approved For Release 2003/09/30 ; CIA-,FDP71 B005089000100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/06130 : CIA-RdP7'1 B00508R000100030017-6 A normal phase of satellite development programs is the initial flight testing in orbit and engineering proof of the completed payload system. Theme flight tests will be the primary responsibility of the payload developing group in CIA or DES, subject only to the compatibility of such operations with the operational missions and other flight teats coordinated by the DNR. n specific terms, this means that the test planning, mission profile and engineering super- vision /not range safetyL7 of the flight would lie with the developers. They would be expected to include as many intelligence targets as were consistent with the primary development so that any film recovered would have intelligence value. However, the planning and control of such flights-- once scheduled by the DNR--would fall primarily to the developing group. When a system had been successfully demonstrated and declared opera- tionally reliable, it would enter the operational phase. ILLEGIB Approved For Release 20Q3/g0/30 :CIA2[P71 B00508R00 100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/b9'/30 : CIA[-RbP71 B00508R000100030017-6 1. ROUTINE OPERATIONAL PHASE: 1. When the satellite payload has been successfully developed, it becomes a part of the operational assets of the NIP. The payloads together with appropriate boosters, launchers and tracking stations represent the NRP capability to obtain orbital photography, and accordingly represent part of an orderly program to acquire such intelligence in response to USIB require- ments, target lists and priorities.' The BNa must play the central role in planning this pro- gram. It involves far-sighted budgeting for payload production an well as booster procurement and modification. It involves judicious scheduling of operational launches from fixed resources, in addition to development flight tests. It requires a plan with sufficient flexibility to respond to changing world situations and the corresponding intelligence needs. It is a complex managerial task for which a single individual must in the last analysis be responsible. Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RPP71 B09508R00010 ILLEGIB Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508R900100030017-6 2. Both the long range requirements for satellite missions and the shifting targets for specific flights come properly from the intelligence community in which all elements of the Government have voice. The community has named COMOR as the staff to provide these requirements in an orderly way, subject to approval by USIB. 3. The Satellite Operations Center is the next step in that sequence of events. Its function is to plan specific mission coverage in light of COMOR target requirements. It does so by first studying the spectrum of orbital choices available. These are supplied by various groups on the West Coast and represent specific launch vehicle propulsion capabilities, current range safety restrictions, etc. These feasible orbits are then computer analyzed in Washington to optimize target coverage in light of sun angle, predicted weather conditions and target priorities. An orbit to selected and camera programs established for this mission. Approved For Release 2003/09/30 ,,CIA-RQP...71 B00508Rq - 25X1A P T 25X1A 25X1 D 25X1A 25X1A 25X1A Approved For Release 2003/09/4q j,. :IA-RQP '1 Bg0508F 0100030017-6 This is basically an intelligence function. This process works somewhat differently for T- I search payloads. In the case of CORONA coverage, the SOC has played a historic, central role. are transmitted to the assembly, integration and checkout where the cameras, film, spacecraft and reentry vehicle are mated and programmed. The assembled payload is then taken to Vandenburg, and after further checkout, launched into orbit by the Air Norco and its contractors. Until the spring of 1963, the Satellite Operations Center was involved solely in CORONA and ARGON and was located at CIA Headquarters next to COMOR and in immediate communication with the West Coast facilities. It was moved to the Pentagon so as to control etc. LANYARD, 25X1 NRO 25X1 The SOC is an intelligence function NRO Approved For Release 2003/09/30: CIA-RDP71 Bq aj 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/09/ " .CIA-RDP ,1,3 0508RG00100030017-6 qt a ! F. which should be at the center of intelligence activities, communicating detailed intelligence requirements to the launch site for the regularly scheduled missions. /Pick up Para 4 next page? 25X1A Approved For Release 2003109130: CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6 ~ 0 W. -110 Approved For Release 2003/09/ ` A- DP71 BOp508R900100030017-6 25X1 D 25X1A 4. The individual satellite payloads are quite different, both in concept and operation. Different teams of contractors and Government supervision produce and bring them to condition for launch as integrated payloads. It seems desirable to continue the present system of providing separate assembly, integration and checkout facilities for the individual systems and contractor teams.. Quite different types of test equipment are required. In practice this means separate buildings at ''AFB. In CORONA and ARGON, this is acc+c n fished first at the d then finally at Vandenburg.prior to booster mating. Payload components are bought off-at the factory and Government responsibility extends forward to the launching.-with ample contractor support. It is therefore necessary that the individual payload assembly, integration, and checkout facilities at ''AFB be administered by the CIA or DOD component responsible for the payload. Approved For Release 2003/09/30: CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/4 IAc713 0508R9fl0100030017-6 5. Although most of the responsibility of the developing team is fulfilled when P. satellite payload is declared operational, there are persuasive arguments for extending this responsi- bility indefinitely into the operational phase. The most compelling argument is that payloads systems are being continually improved--and should be. The remarkable improvement of CORNOA from monoscopic to stereo and then to doubled film capacity via double recovery vehicles is an example. Furthermore, theme are extremely delicate instruments and no two systems are really alike, and the continuity from factory to launch of the contractor- Government team responsible is vital. This does ,llr'lt~~,~/ mean that the camera contractor or CIA should fire a THOR or ATLAS. It doesmean that there is no point in the production, launch and recovery sequence when you can safely eliminate the payload team completely from the operation. The CORONA program recognized this and has representa- tives of CIA and its contractors present at each 1 `, # step of an operational mission--but with varying ILLEGIB Approved For Release 200310 CIA-RDP71 B00508R00 ~y 0( T Approved For Release 2003109/30: CIA-R 1 B00508R000100030017-6 degrees of authority. 6. Once a satellite payload is launched in orbit, it enters a crucial period of real time tracking, monitoring and control. Tracking and telemetry recording from low altitude photographic is accomplished by the Air Force stations. This data is transmitted to the Satellite Operations Center ,4~ CL ~& LIE where the operation is run. In the case of CORONA, a CIA representative is part of the team r. _ F~ -~G'r! V"1.ti1'ZES ~..1` Q C~'`+'1. -~"Z c px.~=a ~..f~^~"Z E:'h.., n which continuously monitors the AGENA/payload combination in orbit and makes decisions to recover if a malfunction is suspected. They also transmit camera program changes received from the SOC to the satellite so as to take advantage of changing weather. Fw e believe that this participation is natural and desirable; it is an essential ingredient to the mission and 25X1A Approved For Release 2003/09/30.: CIA-F EP7..-1f~O:Q508R000100030017-6 25)1 NR 0 1 25X1 25)1 NRO; Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6 25X1 D 25X1 D 25X1A a strong support to the DNR in discharging his responsibilities for successful operational missions. It is clear that all of these systems have a common launching site and similar boosters. The on-orbit control and readout varies considerably, but involves an appropriate mixture of groups for each task. 7. Processing intelligence data received from reconnaissance satellites divides into two subjects: SIGINT and photographic. Magnetic tape recordings of SItINT data relayed from satellites goes eventually to NSA where it is analyzed with the help of other /, Approved For Release 2003/ 9/ 0 : fig - 1 B00508R000100030017-6 Approved For Release 2003/09/3?_:.,CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6 ments of the intelligence community Costly SAC and to a lesser extent CIA). Photographic film recovered physically from satellites requires developing and duplication before it is transmitted to NPIC and other consumers. 25X1 A and continues to fund or FT 6%) a special processing facility at Eastman-Kodak's laboratories in Rochester, N. Y..Ocir,ecause j 25X1A 25X1A of enormous research and technical base,O represents the primary developing facility for photo- graphic emulsions. The Air Force has created and funds for FT $~) a competitive facility manned by k35O uniformed Air Force personnel at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts (ASPPL). Thus far, there is little dispute about the relative quality of the two groups and ASPPL has confined l T c- f t~~er to making duplicate positives and doing image quality evaluation which is quite helpful. However, both EK and CIA are concerned by NRO actions to trim progressively the EX capacility th*A a sub- stitution is i I This was raised explicitly during the past month and Dr. McMillan asked in a belligerent way if this was of concern to CIA. It certainly is in view of the vast importance 17 Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 BOO508R0001 CIA has established 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 80050814000100030017-6 of superior original processing, and it is proposed that EK's unique capability and facility be re-established as the prime processing center, not subject to progressive erosion. 25X1A Approved For Release 2003/09/30 : CIA-RDP71 B00508R000100030017-6