RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SPACE STATION DRAFT REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R000400550043-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 10, 2009
• Sequence Number: 43
• Publication Date: August 8, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

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EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
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T \(
TALENT-KEYHOLE
August 8, 1983
SUBJECT: Recommendations on the Space Station Draft Report
As requested inl August 4 memorandum, the National
Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has reviewed the draft of the Space Station Report
intended for consideration by the SIG(Space) on August 10. The NRO believes
that the report contains an acceptable discussion of the options proposed for
Presidential consideration regarding a manned space program.
The NRO strongly recommends) _ option three:
defer commitment to a permanently manned space station pending additional de-
finition of requirements, costs, and risks. Selection of option three
requires more complete documentation and justification of space station re-
quirements, missions and the utility of man in space before major hardware
commitments are made. This course of action is consistent with the NRO's pre-
viously stated position, also held by the Department of Defense, that current-
ly there are no identified requirements which require a permanently manned
space station. Selection of option three will provide the benefit of two
other essential actions:
a. Permit better definition of requirements and design concepts so as to
improve confidence in the cost estimates for a manned space station program;
and,
b. Allow NASA to continue to focus on the priority task of making the
Shuttle fully operational and cost effective.
If the Administration strongly believes the U.S. must take some steps towards
developing a permanently manned U.S. presence in space, then the NRO would
advocate selection of option two and its evolutionary development of expanded
STS capabilities and unmanned platforms. Our 20 years experience in space
systems acquisition leads us to conclude that there is great merit in an evo-
lutionary approach that builds on existing capabilities. This approach will
also help us to better understand the role of man in space and the value of
permanent space facilities.
In the NRO view, option one is premature and has high risk associated with
projected costs and competition for scarce resources. Potential adverse eco-
nomic implications for the entire national security space effort in particu-
lar, and the federal budget in general, must not be overlooked.
TALENT-KEYHOLE
Derived from IPM
DECL: OADR
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TALENT-KEYHOLE
In summary, the NRO supports a deferral of a commitment to a permanently
manned space station (option three). However, if it is determined to be in
the national interest to pursue a permanent manned U.S. presence in space, the
NRO would advocate the Shuttle based evolutionary approach proposed in option
two.
cc: DUSD(P)
DUSD(C31)
D/ICS
TALENT-KEYHOLE
CONTROL NO TCS-51721-83
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