w 

O's. 

'-0 

". 

0 

f',, 

I"', 

OJ 

-0 

I 

w 

)-

1.Il __ _ 

Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05112034 ~l, .. i : , r"" . 

1llfllllllll 1111 lllll lfllllllll 111111111111111111111111111111111 14 00009107D 

iJia f~YlMAt~ 

ijrm·trn~ Syste 

February 28, 1969 

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD 

SUBJECT: Color Photography for Satellite Reconnaissance 

On February 28, ~--~--~~-~-~~~------c"and I attended a 

briefing given by a group of analysts from CIA to the SOC staff. The 

CIA presentation reviewed experience, to date, with different types of 

color film, advantages and disadvantages of color photography for 

intelligence applications, and was accompanied by a large number of 

samples of color photography from U-2 and KH-4 vehicles, and some very 

recent color photography from mission 4316. 

Three types of color were looked at. Color film types designated 

SO 180 and SO 121, and a method called BiColor by which, through the use 

of green and red filters, color effect is given to panchromatic black 

and white film. The SO 180 color film is inf'ra red ecktachrome which 

requires very, very high speed and, at this point in time, seems less 

desirable than the SO 121. 

In the series of photographs shown to the audience, the SO 180 film 

seemed to lend itself best to ecological detail, i.e., assessing crop 

types and yields for economic information, topographical studies, etc. 

The strategic reconnaissance applications to which color photography 

should provide high yield information were technical intelligence of 

nuclear ore mining, processing ~nd test facilities and missile targets 

such as air bases, depots and C installations. The BiColor process 

seems to do better against nuclear facilities and the SO 121 film seems 

to do better against the other type of targets. (In response to my 

question, the analysts answered that they did not yet have sufficient 

information to know explicitly whether certain film was best for specific 

applications). 

Experience, particularly with the KH-4, shows that resolution is 

degraded very substantially with the use of color film. The most success-'~-

ful color photography was gained on flight 4316, 22 11 -24 11 • The KH-4 color 

film resolution is on the order of 4'-5'. 

The general concensus was that the quality of color film needs 

to be improved considerably. I I noted that EKC had accepted 

this task and it was under Mr. Waggershauser's direct cognizance. A 

progress meeting on this subject was being held at EKC today. 

DORIAN Page 1 of 2 pages 

Copy/ of copies 

SAFSL BYE CONTROL 21@5 

Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05112034 

ff, 
Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05112034 Handle via BYEMAN 

Control System 

The surmnary conclusion of the CIA presentation was that 11 the 

question of whether color is of value to strategic intelligence has not 

yet been answered, and in fact it may not be possible to give a clear 

cut yes or no. 11 Their reconnnendation is that more color :photo reconnaissance be acquired and made available to analysts and users; from 

this broader use a better judgement of color :photography and applications 

may be possible. 

I recommend we arrange for this briefing to be given to MO Prog 

Office :personnel. It is interesting, enlightening and may genera e some 

fresh ideas on the subject. 

DORIAN 

Lt Colonel, USAF 

Program & Policies Division 

Approved for Release: 2020/02/07 C05112034 

Page 2 of 2 :pages 

Copy/ of copies 

SAFSL BYE CONTROL DiJn:lltM.