IRSSS INPUTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00171R002300090006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2005
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 24, 1979
• Content Type: MF

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OF THE AIR FORCE
ENT
DEPARTM
WASHINGTON 20330
SUBJECT: IRSSS Inputs
24 January 1979
I thought it might be useful to provide you some thoughts on
the subjects of Terms of Reference and Report Outline. Attached
please find both a draft Terms of Reference and a suggested Report
Outline. I believe the Report Outline suggested here follows a
little more logically than the one we discussed in our last meeting
with you. Our group discussed these topics in some detail. While
I know of no substantive disagreements with other members, their
complete concurrence probably should not be assumed at this time.
Charles W. Cook
Deputy Under Secretary
(Space Systems)
Attachment:
1. Draft Terms of Reference
2. Report Outline
NASA, USAF reviews completed
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DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE (IRSSS)
The Integrated Remote Sensing System Study will examine options for integra-
ting current and potential remote sensing systems into a national system.
The initial phase of the study will focus on discovering such cost and
technical advantages that may be achievable through integration at the technical
and functional levels of remote sensing. User sensing requirements will be generated
independently--without regard to current system capabilities, security limitations
or management and funding constraints--to discover what civil, commercial and
military remote sensing needs exist as well as to find meaningful candidates for
integration with civil systems. The study should review current, mid- and long-
term requirements, with each agency applying appropriate weighting factors
on its requirements and providing statements as to the value of the information
desired. Remote sensing will be operationally defined to mean looking down,
from space, at the Earth, the earth's limb, or the near-earth environment.
Current and programmed collection, communication and ground systems
will be arrayed against these requirements and examined technically for integration
potential. R&D Programs tht may be responsive to long-term requirements should
also be identified. Engineering trade-offs, cost saving potentials, and design
ideas will be pursued. Finally, concepts for not-now-programmed integrated
systems that might replace current systems will be reviewed.
After completing the engineering judgment portion of the study, the final
phase will focus on management, funding, security control and organizational
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issues in an attempt to discover what cost and technical advantages might accrue
from programmatic or institutional integration. Consideration will be given to
areas of concern in policy, legislative, international affairs, and organizational
dynamics. Data access and handling problems as well as tasking, priority and
dissemination issues--from peacetime through wartime scenarios--will be dealt
with.
Incompatibilities, if any, between civil and national defense system needs
will be reviewed. Funding and management plans will be discussed to determine
the overall effects of an integrated system.
Candidate applications, systems and sensors will be explained for possible
integration. Determinations will be made as to whether integration would provide
marginal, clear or overwhelming cost and technical advantages.
Consensus recommendations, based on organizational voting, for both technical/
functional and programmatic/institutional integration possibilities will be submitted
to the Policy Review Committee (Space) by August 1, 1979. Those organizations
not agreeing with the majority opinion on specific issues will append exception
language to the recommendation.
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INTEGRATED REMOTE SENSING SYSTEM STUDY
(REPORT OUTLINE)
I. Executive Summary
II. Introduction
a. Origins of the Study
b. Terms of Reference
c. Definitions/assumptions
III. Factors Relevant to Integration
a. Technical Advantages
b. Cost
c. Advantages of Duplication
(1) Cross-Checking
(2) Competition
(3) Survivability/backup
d. Management Approaches
e. Data Policy
f. National Security
g. Foreign Policy
h. Implementation Problems
IV. Possibilities for Integration
a. Remote Sensing Requirements
(1) Non-classified
(2) Classified (in an Annex)
b. Sensor/platform Systems
(1) Current
(2) Programmed
(3) Future
(a) Current (non-integrated) Track
(b) Integrated Approach
c. Data Handling and Analysis
d. Tasking Mechanism
e. Management Arrangements
V. Options (not necessarily mutually exclusive)
a. Continue ad hoc coordination/integration along with encouraging agencies
to achieve cost and technical advantages.
(1) Pros
(2) Cons
b. Integrate at the Subsystem/sensor level for the following candidate
systems: X, Y, Z
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(1) Pros
(2) Cons
c. Integrate at the platform level through creation of a master remote
sensing machine
(1) Pros
(2) Cons
d. Integrate at the management level by merging current space organizations
into a single focal point arrangement
(1) Pros
(2) Cons
e. Others
VI-. Recommendation
a. Decision
b. Implementation Approach
APPENDICES
a. Relevant legislation and policy
b. Remote sensing (classified) requirements
c. Results of related studies.
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