THE HIGH CONTRAST RESOLUTION IN MISSION 8005

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05702A000100050004-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 21, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/19: CIA-RDP78B05702A000100050004-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/19: CIA-RDP78B05702A000100050004-0
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/19: CIA-RDP78B05702A000100050004-0
MEMORANDUM.' : Director, Photographic Xntelligence C
THROUGH: Executive Officer, PIC.
SUBJECT: The High Contrast Resolution in Mission 8005
21 December 1959
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1. Due to abnormally clear atmospheric conditions and the presence of
snow on the ground in limited amounts throughout the track of Mission 8005,
it is estimated that the high contrast resolution of Plosion 8005 is running
better than 90 1/mm and the average high/law contrast resolution is about .
75 1/mm. Shadow detail, etc is of unprecedented value because of the lower
sun angle; this coupled with the fact that this mission also covered what is.
probably the highest density of high priority targets in the Soviet Union
of any project mission.
2. This amount of detail poses a terrific problem In manpower in order
to readout on a timely basis the vital intelligence information contained
therein. The receipt of this mission to a center which is already over-
whelmed with work, plus an ever-growing backlog of requirements, makes us
face a decision of an unprecedented nature. The question ariSes as to
whether we limit the scope of work of the people on board to only the high
priority readout of Mission 8005, or do we continue working at our pres
sent full capacity on old requirements. We obviously cannot do both with
the limited personnel available.
3. Every passing day, because of the clarity of the coverage and
fine details which can be read at an extremely high magnification, we
are finding identification for previously unidentifiable targets on earlier
project missions. I would estimate, at. this time, that it will take six
times as much actual work in PI hours alone, in comparison with any other
single mission. In addition to this workload, new requirements axe being
defined daily because of the now identifiable objects, which were not
available to us in the past.
4. X feel that shortly after the beginning of the year you may well
have to call another. "jam Session" operation which will severIy limit all
other operations in the building. Meanwhile we are still facing the possi..
bility of receiving at this center coverage from two possible sources for
several months. X feel that a policy decision to increase the manpower at
PIC is definitely needed immediately so, that we do not become overwhelmed
with unemploited photography which contains vital answers for the national
estimates.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/19: CIA-RDP78B05702A000100050004-0