DEPARTMENTOFTHEAIRFORCE

WASHINGTON

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OFF= OF n Gomm Ssaerweev

Novenber 18, 1963

Dr. Albert D. Magian

Deputy Director (Science & Technology)

Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, D. C., 20505

Dear Bud, ••

The establishment of the Satellite Photography Working .

Group, composed of qualified CIA, DOD and Industry representatives, affords an excellent opportunity to achieve a more • •

basic understanding; of the reasons for the variations in

quality and resolution we have experienced to date with the

CORONA system. The conduct of the initial session on

13 November was well thought out. I am sure that the motivation provided to the Croup will have a definite influence .

over the course of the study efforts.

Your memorandum of 5 NoveMber outlining the organisation,

objectives, personnel selections, and working arrangements did

not reach as in time for me to provide you with cOnsidered.

comments and recommendations prior to the initial meeting. 

I am in general agreement with the overall approach you have

outlined, and in fact am looking forward to the benefits. that

should accrue to the NRY when the Croup completes the study.

There are however a number of points on which I should like.

to comment in morn detail.

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fly

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9:177 It seems tome important in the case of studies, such as.

this one, by outside groups to be sure that the task is well .

enough defined in content and scope that all parties recognise'

what is to be accomplished and can be confident of its

accomplishment in a reasonable length of time. I feel-there-fora
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that the three month's duretion.suggested in your letter is

appropriate, and that this should be made explicit in the

planning of the Group's activities. lie can of course review

this decision as the Group's work continues* as noted again •

later, I suggest that this review certainly made about

mid•January.

in part to assist in delideatimg the task, and in part

for another reason to be noted, I feel that objectives a ' b,

c, and d, as outlined in your msaorandos Should be under;alomm. :

specifically in reference to =ALM and COMMA. This Unita'. .

tion can be reviewed later. At the present time, however, I

think it would be unwise to divert the Group into analysis of !

systems still under development:until they have succeeded in • •

their task as applied to our presently operational systems&

for which both our data and our experience are more complete. •

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In requesting this „tdo not man to restrict access

to the results of OXCART tests to data. In fact,

I think that these 11 help to separate external

influences, such as that of the atmosphere, from factors

internal to the =Alan systems. If further tests

are desirable with OXCART for obtaining comparative

data, these should idered.

1 concur with the objectives f, h, and i as described in .

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your letter. These objectives occupy an area of study which;

it seams to me, has been the subject of such casual converso n

--* tion but very little definitive objective analysis. I believe.

that these three Objectives should receive very serious . .

consideration by the Working Group. •

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The objectives to which I have referred above represent

important work which seems well suited for such a group as you . ..

have selected. The working arrangements also seem amenable

to a serious attempt to reach them. I believe that the Group

should be limited to these particular Objectives, and every •

effort be made to reach them. In particular, I .egree with the

view that I believe you expressed at the opening meeting, that

the objectives listed as e and g should not be specific . :* •

responsibilities of this group. Although the results of the

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Working Croup's efforts may well form the basis of specific

product improvements, as well as dosigM *filmier systems, the

task of determining the specific improvements to on-going •

systems is an WO responsibility which should be assigned to

the responsible MID techcicalseregement unit, with contractor. *.

participation controlled by this unit, and personnel of competing,.

contractors excluded. Similarly, the determination of the design

of new systems is also a task for appropriate HMO technical • personnel, although the results of the Working Croup should be

most helpful in this work.

The arrangements outlined in your letter seem well planned.

I do however question any early need for visits of the Croup to '

preparation, loading, and launching facilities, except perhaps . ..

for general orientation. If there is any adverse offset .on the. .:

performance of the system exerted by the preparation, loading -,-*

and launching activities, it most be exerted by influencing • .. 

some element of the optical path or by disturbing the motion .

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of vehicle or film. It seams to me a first task of the Croupis to gat a quantitative feel of the effects involved, and •...

an understanding of what the sensitive elements of the optical.

and mechanical system really are.

As to staffing and organisation, I think that thellorking

Group shimild be kept as small as possible, and confined tothe very best qualified people. law view, this is necessary;

not only to be consistent with a basic NRO philosophy, which • we continually enforce over strong objections within the •

Department of Defense, but even more fundamentally, to insure

the accomplishment of samethiog of real value. Consistent 4

with my comments contained herein, the SSD rill provide the •

requested personnel support and provide information necessari,

to the work of the Group.

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I have selected Lt Colonel Henry Howard of the 11110 Staff : 2.

and Lt Colonel Leroy Williams of NRO Program A (SPPL) to serve .

as meMbers of the Working Croup. I consider both to be well

qualified for this effort and am confident that ttmy will - •

•• contribute materially.

In regard to the funding of the Group effort, inasmuch as' •

NRO is tasking DD/S&T to accomplish this project, I am agreeable

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to the use of die MR0 funds for the costs associated with

outside consultants only. Accordingly, I hive instructed

the Comptroller, MID, to provide financing directions to

Director of Program B.

I will appreciate your instructing the Group to direct ".

its efforts to objectives a, b, c, de f, he and i as outlined

in your letter and requested herein. I as interested in being .

kept informed of the progress being aide. I suggest that by

15 January 1964 an interim status report be made to Gene Pubini,

you and as for determination of progress for subsequent

orientation of the study.

Sincerely,

BROCKWAY NeNILLAN

Director .

National Reconnaissance Offiik •

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