Handle via BYEMAN 

Centic! 

NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

9 November 2015 TOR KORLI 

CORONA Branch, Deputy for 

Satellite Operations 

NRO Staff 

(BC: Major Francis R. Drake 

Backup: Major Earl W. Burger 

Duty.Subjects: 

The CORONA Branch is responsible to the Deputy for Satellite Operations,-(5)-NRO Staff. for the overall direction of the CORONA "j" and "M" and 

ARGON reconnaissance satellite programs, primarily from payload operational - 

aspects. as applicable towards insuring that intelligence reconnaissance requiremono of the USIB are met in the most expeditious and thorough manner possible 

within system and weather limitations. 

This branch develops camera programs. , orbital inclinations and other 

controlling parameters of reconnaissance payloads. within the capabilities of 

the aerospace vehicle and presents these in briefing form to the Deputy for 

Satellite Operations for his decisions. While CORONA/ARGON payloads are 

co-orbit, prepares briefing; on payload options and assist* the Deputy for 

Satellite Operations in directing the pass-by-pass payload operations. Insures 

that all required operational information is transmitted to system operational 

control elements by established deadlines. 

Action Items: 

For CORONA and M) and ARGON Projects, as applicable. takes 

following actions: 

a.. Prepares Reports Control Manuals. for approval of the 

Deputy for Satellite Operations. . 

b. Conducts general-Fre-mission planning and coordination. 

including conduct of CPX.s. 

c. Schedules and activates all ground, air and orbital operationsedf the controlled range network (CORN). 

d. Coordinates, whew appropriate, to the type mission, with 

activities controlled by other onanizatiomo (such as peripheral reconnaissance, 

etc.). 

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NRO APPROVED FOR RELEASE 

9 November 2015 

401:1-. "&r-6-RE-1— E:z.27.13 BYEMAN 

Fl4rstem 

a. Maintains approved list of personnel to be notified of 

satellite recotmaissance operations, develops procedures for such notification, carries out notification procedures as approved by the Directors 

-(14 NRO. 

f. Transmits satellite launch schedule information in 

accordance with the approved Reports Control Manual. 

g. Maintains mission following capability on a 24-hour basis 

monitoring the general health of the system and the remaining collection 

capability. 

h. Monitors the progress of the intelligence take until it has 

been delivered to the intelligtmce community customers. 

i. In conjunction with the Intelligence Section, conducts 

analyses of degree of success of CORONA Missions in regard to target 

coverage achieved versus target coverage attempted and collates the 

results. Intelligence Section is responsible for final collation. 

j. Conducts post-mission critiques to improve procedures 

and coordination. 

k. Maintains copizance of the orbital status of all satellite 

reconnaissance vehicles in orbit, and records date and location of re-entry. 

1. Recommends to the Deputy for Satellite Operations changes 

in collection capability which would be desirable with supporting analyses 

relating the proposed improved collection capabilities to US IS collection requirements . This will be a coordinated effort with the Intelligence Section, 

but prime responsibility is that of the project officer. 

on Takes necessary emergency action due to re-entry of a 

CORONA satellite reconnaissance vehicle in a location likely to provoke 

undesirable reaction or disclosure. 

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