MAPPING, CHARTING, AND GEODESY REQUIREMENTS (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A000500030007-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2004
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: February 17, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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A 15 February 1966 )
17 February 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: United States Intella.geYa.ce Board
SUBJECT: Mapping, C~hartin s and Geodesy Requirements
1. Mapping, charting, ;~,nd geodesy is going through a revolu~
tionary period as a result of:
a. Increasing U, S, needs for mappings chartings
and geodetic information in support of both existing and new
weapons systems and other ~~hanging military requirements9 and
b. The receipt o:f large quantities of data from the
rograms that can be applied
against these increasing requirements.
c. The potential .for achieving a significantly
improved worldwide geodetic system made possible by the
development of earth satellites fo.r geodetic purposes.
d. Technological advances ~.n utilization of satellite
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data.
The collection programs conducted to date have provided substantially
complete coverage of the Sino~Soviet area and approximately nine million
square miles of terrain outside of this area that can be used to produce maps
and charts, but does not meet all mappings cha:r?tings and geodesy requiremerYts,
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In addition to this mapping and charting information, it is anticipated
that the present geodetic type photography already collected, integrated
with existing geodetic measurements, will permit by 196#i the refine~-
went of geodetic locational data on targets to an accuracy of approxi
mately
2< Against this background of both extensive and changing
needs and the acquisition of large volumes of new data meeting part of
the requirements, it is necessary to set forth a new statement of current
and future .requirements in support: of mapping, chartingp and geodesy
for fulfillment by satellite collection systemse These requirements are
directly related to U, S. military needs insofar as they can be predicted
for the present through the 1970 period.. The principal points of these
new requirements aree
a. There is a need to provide improved cove~?age
for medium and small scale maps and charts needed ors a worldm
wide basis. While present and improved KH_g data will go a
long way toward these needs, it is limited in meeting all accuracy
requirements,^ There is a good chance that improvements could
be realized through incorporating georne-kric features, such as
precise frame camera and reseaus in follow~on search systems.
Then, coverage obtained for search purposes may go a long way
toward meeting these MC&(~ requirexrients.
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There is also a need to acquire improved
photography and related data for the production of large scale
maps for military purposes, and to provide the required high
relative accuracy within regional areas, in order to support
the operations of tactical missiles and artillery in largely
hitherto unmapped portions of the world, Current require
ments amount to about ten million square miles outside the
Sino-Soviet area. Improved coverage obtained for search and
medium and small mapping and charting purposes might possibly
meet these needs, However, the increased accuracy required
for large scale maps, and factors of both utilization and ac~
quisition, point toward a th~~rough evaluation of using a separate
system adapted from todayts satellite technology,
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A solution to the problem of world-wide geodetic accuracy
requires photo coverage of a large portion of the woz?ld
outside of the Sino~-Soviet area, in order to provide the
xecessary data to improve t:he World Geodetic System, as
well as relating targets tp the Norld Geodetic System.
Current satellite photo programs integrated with overt
programs cannot assure that both the position and eleva~>
tion requirements can be met by 1970. However, photo
coverage obtained by systems needed for mapping and
charting may provide the solution.
d. Features shown on maps and charts can be
identified for the mast part, from Kl~-~4 satellite photographyp
but certain details and photo imagery such as is now required
on large scale maps of Viet: Nam, ca1:L for a resolution of
Followwon systems.: should provide this detail.
e. Since map chart production is a very time
consuming process, it is u~?gent that an adequate data bank of
photographic coverage and :positioning information be obtained
well in advance of military contingencies that may arise any
where in the world? It will also be necessary to update this
basic map coverage, varyi~zg with changes in manmade features
and militarily imp6rtant areas.
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We are not familiar with all of the problems that may
arise in connection with the design of advanced satellite reconnaissance
systems, but we have discussed with representatives of the NRO a
number of the design features that might be introduced for m~ppi.ng,
charting, and geodesy. A number of the technical needs can be accom-
plished in .more than one way, The~~e various technical points and possi~
ble solutions and trade-offs are discussed in greater detail in Annex A,
This information is based primarily on the viewpoint of the utilization
community, and is not intended to limit acquisition system development
in any way. In the interest of minirriizing time and resources, it is our
hope that requirements can be fulfilled by general purpose reconnaissance
systems provided that certain technical features or improvements can be
incorporated in these systems. On the other hand, we recognize that
unforeseen problems in system design may arias which would make it
impossible, or at least not feasible, for a given reconnaissance system
to satisfy both the requirements for i.ntelligencf~ reconnaissance and the
requirements for mapping, charting, and geodesy, We have requested
the NRO Staff to advise us at the earliest possible date if such a situation
should arise, in order that we might consider our requirements and make
appropriate recommendations in support of a separate system for certain
mapping, charting, and geodesy requ~.rements,
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4. Recommendations:
a. USIB approve the requirements set forth in
paragraph 3 of Annex A and!. forward this paper and Annex A
to the NRO for their use in considering mapping, charting,
and geodesy needs at an ear?ly point in the design of satellite
reconnaissance systems, as soon as possible.
b. The NRO advise COMDR at the earliest feasible
date of any considerations which would prevLent the use~~o~~f general
/~etW .a'wt Lei.(. G~^-G.lY/ ~-2'st f.~
purpose intelligence reconnaissance systems~in fulfilling mapping,
charting, and geodesy requi~.rements.
airman
Commute?: on Overhead Reconnaissance
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