POSSIBLE NEW CARTOGRAPHIC PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220026-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2013
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: October 21, 1965
• Content Type: MEMO

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In response to DCI's request of 29 September,
attached is NRO's summary repo ft of the NRO
program for improved mapping, charting, and
geodesy. Bud Wheelon's people will be given a
full briefing by NRO staffers on this subject.
There is no DDC/ or DCI action required now.
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?L. K. White
2 5 OCT 1965
(DATE)
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Copy 2..2.1L.
2i OC-1- 1965
MEMORANDUM Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Possible New Cartographic Program
REVERENCE: 1 Letter from ONO dated 13 October 1965
BYE-36909-65
1. The attached memorandum on cartographic
satellites is partially responsive to our inquiry.
Mather than go another round of correspondence,
called Al Plax, who indicated that he would be quite
happy to fill us in on the specifics of the progress
he now has under way. 1 pointed out that we were
more concerned with the substance of his efforts, al-
though we were of course glad to know the extent of
the commitments made by McMillan. General Stewart
is to get in touch with us and offer us a briefing
on the entire subject.
2. 1 recommend that you not take the time to
follow this unless you haves free moment at the right
time.
Attachment
cc: D/DCl/NIPE
DDI
ALBERT D. MELON
Deputy Director
? for
Science and Technology
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UNCLASSIFIED 1---- CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
1
DD /S&T
2
3
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks:
DCI has not seen the attached letter from
Flax. Does Flax's letter clarify the issue
raised in the DCI's letter of 29 September?
If not, please prepare a response for DCI(
signatur e.
cl, i?-?..,,,,1 Al4C-t
Copies have been sent to DD/I and NIPE.
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SEN,BER
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE Q.
CAME
0/Executive Director /HKnoche
18 Oct 65
I UNCLASSIFIED I I CONFIDENTIAL I :
a_SECRETAI
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? ?. -TOP-SECRET
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Dear Red:
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Reference your letter to Dr. McMillan of 29 September 1965 with
regard to mapping, charting, and geodesy.
As you know, the present satellite cartographic and geodetic col-
lection capability has evolved over the last few years primarily in
response to the needs expressed by the Department of Defense. These
needs were met through the ARGON program, and as a secondary mission
on other National Reconnaissance Program satellites.
The recent establishment of the Mapping and Charting Working Group
of COMOR has provided the means for formalizing a national statement
of requirements which includes those expressed by the Services and the
Department of Defense. The DIA recently completed a study of the
"Research and Development Requirements for Satellite Image Forming
Acquisition Systems for Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy." This thorough
analysis included the NRO collection capabilities and DIA correlation of
these capabilities with the requirements. A summary of the map or chart
accuracies desired is attached. Additional DOD coordination is being
accomplished prior to forwarding this requirement formally to USIB/
COMOR.
There is an apparent misunderstanding of the effort presently under-
way within the NRP toward an improved mapping, charting, and geodetic
capability. A modest continuing effort is underway in three areas. A
summary of the present activities in these areas is as follows:
(a) A feasibility study of a satellite with improved mapping,
charting, and geodetic capability is scheduled to be completed in March
1966. This study considers the effect of possible future requirements
and the lens effort described below.
CORONA
FaCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC IFGRADING;
DOD DIR. 5200.10 DO'g;S NOT APPLY
TOP ma
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(b) Study and design of wide-angle, high-resolution lenses,
capable of acquiring the necessary geodetic data and providing the high
fidelity detail necessary for accurate maps and charts. This effort
her with the feasibility studies in (a) above involves
and is presently planned to continue to early 1967.
(c) Two tasks are underway to improve knowledge of the precise
position of the satellite in orbit. The first will result in a more accurate
computer program to determine best fit ephemerides. The second in-
volves consideration of a radar altimeter fpr ninrP accurate determina-
tion of altitude. This effort involves and will be completed
in mid-1966.
Any decision to initiate a new cartographic program must consider
future statements of requirements as well as the performance demon-
strated by the panoramic reseau and the three-inch index camera both
programmed for flight in mid-1966.
.Atch
Admiral W. F. Ra,born
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
CORONA
Sincerely,
ALEXANDER H. FLAX
Director
National Reconnaissance Office
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17 September 1965
Map-Chart Accuracies (90% Assurance)
Requirement ?
Medium Scale
Aeronautical Charts
*Contour 50-75 ft,
Specific Significant,
Features - 20-50 .ft.
Topographic Maps
Contour 25 meters
Large Scale Topo Maps
Contour 5-10 meters
Effective
Distance
? Present System
Accuracies
20-30 miles 100-160 ft.
5-10 miles 40-100 ft. at
10 miles
20 miles 30-50 meters
10-20 miles 10740 meters
* Applicable .to terrain slopes of 15% or less.
1
TOP
T,...),ALI] ,
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tROLIP
aclucicd from automatid
downgrading and doclassification
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FORM No.
RIESLACSS Font's 58.1
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1 MAY Se
Lag WHICH IS OBSOLETS
DOCUMENT CONTROL
SEC. CL.
ORIGIN
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TS
DNRO
DATE OF DOC
DATE REC'D DATE OUT
SUSPENSE D
TO DCI
FROM Alexander 11, Flax
SUBJ.
CORONA &Weans in regard
to Mapping, Cliarting, Ile Geodesy
Cowin
ROUTING
DATE
SENT
ILLEGIB
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