Pe . DsAid in NW B:: 7

07'" miaow Inn a)

ri..0 25-'4 IG34. CF

11010110201 we " 222 =X=

one-0918-60

CoPTel_of 6

2 September 1960

SUBJ202: Prima and Seisonlary Cover Stories for the DISCOVIIIIR

(Satellite) Program

This numorandi• is intended to resord the results of discussions

Laid bath at 323) Iteadquarters and ocean support eispounits =warning

primary corer stories for the torthemeing and sithsequent DIECOVIM212

launches and secoadary cover explanations to be used in the event at

1121101113:111h

DISCOVERS' IV will be . =plain* to the general ;Olio and

peas being for the purpose of oanducting as engineering study to

resolve problems of stabilisation eneounterel in =MIME rm. To justify this explanation it should be noted that it is ocenon knowledge

among all those washing in the DISZOVISIR woven that the vddale Old

not Initially position itself correctly in orbit to enable the recovery

sequence to occur. During early orbits the SOS A veldele used exoessive

amounts of gas sad mu as the verge of tinkling. Ibis situation was subsequently corrected but not until aidpeouree of the intimded flight

period. Actual recovery was for same tine not Eqnsted to wear din

to the early lack of stabilisation. glow facts have been able known to the press and thereto= it woad appear logical, from a technical

standpoint, to attempt perfeatice of basicabilisation vitally necessary to woceplish recovery.

3. Ibe following =planation' will be used for subsequent

DISCOVNUM bunches beginning with DISOCNIFINI XVI:

DISCO/2222

DIOCOVISOM

MOONS=

DIOCOVIICIR

DISCO/282R

XVI: Improved MINA engine with two-days of arbit.

=VII: reproved MINA engine with tbree4ays orbit.

XVIII: Rediametric eriasmcts for infrapeed badiground

(Pro4ect MEW . No recovery. CTS)

IN: Saw as xvra.

XX: 101121 "BN and restart engine with four-days orbit.

Page 1 of 11
(4.410i)

cat-o93.8-6o

comr_Lor 6

DIOCCONOR Ea: New development or guldens* system (open

loop, closed loop).

DISCOVERER MI: Ogee ar UI.

DOCOMEEMIlIlll: Biomedical recovery of primate from orbit.

44 It is the consensus of those involved in the COROSOMSCOMIRER

program that to announce an association vith Project SANDS, prior to

launch, muld destroy the security controls 'hick have thus far been

estallehed and have effectively protected the progren. It Is recognised that the original separation °fie-1174. into two programs, ane

being; SEEM (now called SAMOS) and the other, DISCOVERER, was intended

to permit the collection of vital intalligence Informatias under the guise

of research and development,durlag averted required to develop an open

capability. Becnritymessores, taken thus far to separate the two pro-.

grow, one white, the other black, has enabled proper °antral of this

endeavor up to the point of apparent success. To openly announce,

prior to any given that DISCOVER= is testing oon pments of

SAMOS or is in any manner associated vith reconnaissance would invite

open and uncontrollable speculation by the press. each speculation

cotLiveryvell stimulate the interest of osoiresatonal committees

and others rho are concerns& over U.S. efforts in the field of

reconnaissance.

5. Aside fres stimulating the presets/such announcements,

mmerons internel problems wad be created Mdobsuader the present

system, are under adequate control. Them involve the several thousand

IND personal and the hundreds of AT personal vorkiug on the BANGS

program *a vould be privileged, for the first time, tAilOmowdetailed

test objectives lathe DISCOVERER series. Immo* as BANCO components

woad be included in the test Objectives, these individuals mold

insist on having results mode known to' then concerning specific components under test. At the present time, SAMOS engineers are only

info:need that the test objectives are "Advanoedlogineering Tests,"

classified outside of their interests.

6. To =Asia the use of secondary ownwmplammtioma the

following procedures should be followed: In the event of c‘promise

exposing the use of cameras, particularly vithia the Soviet Delon

prior to the laumehing of ',SAMOS, satellite it combo stated thst•t he

=COMM pronsvm, is addition to conducting a research beneficial

to U.S. specs programs, has Indeed tested components ofigrimary

concern to SAMOS. Oaths particular compromising flight, *lima- isft4

AktAtie. model of the SAMOS cane= vas, is fact, floes for the first time in

an effort to determine solar effects upon the camera mechanism as veil

as radiation effects won the fibs. In flights of the DISCOVERER

series, tests have been conducted an the following oampoments of SAMOA:

Page 2 of
cm-0918-6o

Copy...Lot 6

2be basic Begins imp)-

Eorison scanner.

Primary battery supply.

Inverbors and regulators.

Caspuber timer.

Propulsion system (17281DA,9)•

Telemetry' components.

Orbit adjuster.

by

h. Sun position indicator.

i•

f< J. ilia flight oontrols.

If loss or =sprouts* occurs after

vehicle, tag explanation can be that, to

Ør.Nr Eread-bonVcemera vas test-flovn using a

encountered in the previous MOS launch.

this experiment was necessarily reduced

ISM which has a capability of no *ore

tiring of a MOB

operating costs, a os041,14‘44.4.

booster to resolve problems

orbit required far

we of the less costly

four orbit, vhereas

PPAkill•

the ATLAS enables a maxima of thirty days a lbit tae to recovery',

In a meeting with the responsible officers of the ballistic

Missile Division, tea, an 31 Anent and 1 September 1960, they

esphasised the mead for a comets covert separation within

DIMCOVIRSit and SIM programs, and they expressed the ViAl► that any

action contrary to the above recommendation would destroy that *lob

vie have all vorked untiringly to build under oover. rb was noted

that there are certain risks involved in this operation; hoeever, such

risks can be minimised by certain precautionary measures currently

being taken or intended far immediate !implenentation. These are as

follows:

a. lash capsule returning from orbit has tee sink plugs

uhich can be adjusted so thebthe capsule viii sink to ocean

depth within • period of from 2 to 72 haws in the *vent that

air recovery tails and surface vessels are unable to reach the

capsule. 'are time span of actual self-destruction can be

Pass 3 of 4

.;74;177:
--SECREI ciam-o9L8.6o

Copy"Lot 6

contraled wth1nUaits to Whatever thee PIM is desired. the

possibility of rsHaysl by other than the reWiwy teen is stated

as 1-3,000,000 based on pacific adssile reap study just aceipleted.

b. • fail-sefe devise is entemplated for early installabice

to prevent automatic raceme from orbit if the vehicle is not in

the proper recovery position. This requires an ed3ust in the

programme tape which contras the rend:ry cycle. stc.40614-1

:v*04 it. A0AAWAtili 4°44 4144•4' 444.fr

la. Bono safety precautions hare been taken at the launch 4.44,

to retain complete contra of the satellite rani= In the event

destruction is m000sany daring the launch ghase.

,

d.. In the event a capsule is recovered in damaged condition iftertik...

the fact Ma is aboard becomes lawn to the recovery crew, ' a OIL Security Agent will be in the recovery area to sampletaly

de-brief the crew and tabs all necessary precautions to prevent

!tether comprcatse.

e. In the future the WA cassett will be reamed at

lituavvele, California and transported separately to the Marta=

Kodak plant. Ilds will eliminate the removal of a large container

thick nay became obvious under observattet over a long period, of

repeated success. On those occasions, however, then water

recovery is accanplisbm1 and there is widens of moisture in

the capsule, the entire capsule vill be transported to lasts=

Kodak but not until after chsnang the shipping containers from

metal to wood to prevent recegattion•

9. Ileoessary action to implement this program with appropriate

public Information personnel supporting the DISIXN2BIR programviii

be accacliahed by the undersigued pr1niJ7 s approval of the

111PD

Distribution:

Cy 1 - DPD/Cover

2-

3 - ACAPD

4 - 119/Adida

5 - Last *me

6,- DPWRI

1M/Corar:2111/0

Page 4 of 4