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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 

OFFICZ OF THE SECRETARY 

r jui 

MEMORANDUM FOR: DR, McMILLAN 

GENERAL SCHRIEVER 

SUBJECT: MOL Management 

Attached is a study which presents my recommendation 

for a MOL management structure to be implemented immediately 

and remain in effect through the Program Definition Phase. 

As a part of Program Definition, the above management 

arrangements would either be reaffirmed or readjusted for 

Phase II activities. 

In summary, the attached paper provides for a strong,. 

autonomous integrated program implementation office located 

at SSD/Aerospace, headed by a general officer. It provides 

strong centralized integrated total program direction from 

a Washington area office, reporting directly to SAF/SAFUS/ 

DNRO. This office would be headed by General B. A. Schriever 

'as Director, MOL, as an additional duty. He would be 

supported by: (1) a full-time Vice Director and staff 

located in the Washington area; (2) the MOL Advisory 

Committee formed by the NAS,- 

Program review, approval and policy would be provided 

by SAP/SAFUS/DNRO, supported by the MOL Policy Committee as 

currently constituted. 

Details are attached. If you concur, Implementing 

documents will, be prepared. 

!jg/L./EVANP1"/V7— 

Brigadier General, USAF 

Special Assistant for MOL 

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PROBLEM: 

1. To recommend a MOL program management structure 

suitable for Program Definition and Acquisition Phases. 

FACTORS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM: 

2. Present MOL management arrangements* were to be an 

interim organizational structure for the study phase conducted between January and June 1965. 

3. The initial objective of the MOL program is an early 

demonstration of an operationally useful manned high 

resolution optical reconnaissance system capable of 

achieving ground resolution. 

4. Growth to permit incorporation of advanced optical 

sensors, other military mission payloads, longer on-orbit 

life, and DOD/NASA scientific and technological experiments 

must be considered. 

5. Provision for application of manned system optical and 

orbital vehicle components to unmanned high resolution 

reconnaissance systems must be considered. 

6. Security equivalent to that currently provided to NRP 

programs must be applied to the reconnaissance sensors 

incorporated in the MOL. 

7. The USAF has recommended entry into the Program 

Definition Phase and must be prepared to implement its 

recommendations. 

8. There are limited qualified manpower resources within 

the USAF/Aerospace team that. can be applied to the MOL 

program. There may be critical shortages of qualified 

manpower both within government and industry on the. 

optical sensor portion of the program. 

9. The prime resource of qualified manpower and of 

facilities are located at SSD/SAFSP/Aerospace and dictates 

that program implementation be carried out from that 

location. 

*Memo for Deputy Secretary of Defense from SAFUS, dated 

14 January 1965, subj:'MOL Management 

DORIAN 

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DISCUSSION: 

10. In addition to the facts summarized above, there are 

certain assumptions which may be challenged in detail but 

are considered valid in principle. These are discussed 

below. 

11. The MOL program is very important to the USAF. It 

will provide a major new capability in intelligence 

collection. It can also provide the fundamental experience 

and knowledge to evolve other manned and unmanned military 

space capabilities. 

12. The MOL program is technically complex. Its technical 

complexity stems from the equipment precision required to 

accomplish very high resolution photography and the scope 

of technology needed to train, place and sustain man in 

orbit for 30 days or more to maintain and operate the 

precision equipment required. This scope of technology 

necessitates technical interfaces with the NRO, NASA, 

various segments of AFSC, such as the NRD and the R&T Div., 

and a broad industrial team. 

13. The MOL program is competitive. MOL is not, as of now, 

crucial to our national security as was POLARIS and the Air 

Force ballistic missile program. It competes for dollars. 

with other national defense programs. It competes with NASA 

for dollars and may compete for missions. It competes with 

unmanned systems in the reconnaissance field and may become 

competitive in other mission areas. Because it is 

glamourous and costly, various segments of the Air Force, 

as well as other Government agencies, are competing for 

control of the program, either now' or as user/operaters of 

the resulting system. These competitive factors all focus 

in the Washington area and they sum to a need for stable 

management and direction anchdred at as high a level in the 

USAF and Government as is compatible with the technical 

complexity of the program. They also sum to the need for 

continuing analysis of competitive factors, continuing 

information flow to responsible people, and continuing sales 

effort. A most vital part of the sales effort is tight 

management and fiscal control. Slipping schedules and 

overruns provide opportunity for re-examination and reevaluation of the program need and provide ammunition to 

competitors. 

14. At the same time, a careful balance must be kept so 

that the funds expended for MOL serve future USAF needs in 

space as well as growth needs within the reconnaissance 

field itself. Such a balance dictates top-level program 

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direction be given by individuals broadly versed in the many 

military needs to be served. 

15. The MOL program has many potential users. Even in 

the narrowest sense, i.e., that of high resolution optics, 

we have postulated servicing 

a. technical intelligence needs, 

b. crisis management applications, 

c. arms control monitors, 

as well as providing more credible information to the 

intelligence community as a whole on selected intelligence 

targets. In pasSing we speak to providing astronomical 

observations to the snientifin nommunity 

Should our investigations prove the feasibility of SIGINT collection and the 

worth of manned ocean surveillance a new set of users come 

into consideration. Not only do these user needs affect 

the definition and acquisition phase, but they begin to 

dictate the character of a command and control structure 

which must sift and accommodate the various tasks and their 

priority and then transmit the resulting decisions into the 

MOL system for implementation. Such operational organizational arrangements do not need to be deCided now, but 

planning for their solution needs to be provided and the 

MOL urogram direction should include, not preclude, such 

considerations. All of the prime user agencies are either 

headquartered 'or represented in the Washington area. 

16. The MOL program is and will remain in the public view. 

It cannot be conducted on a totally covert basis. A],though 

military missions served by the MOL may be kept secure, man 

in space, his well being and his safety will be subjected 

to public scrutiny. 

17. The foregoing facts and assumptions. point to the need 

for: 

a. Flexible streamlined integrated management for 

both "black" and "white" portions'of the program. 

b. Centralized Washington program direction. 

c. Firm management control and review of the program 

at Secretary of the Air Force level. 

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d. Maximum security compatible with our overt 

program. 

Highly qualified, experienced program management 

personnel. 

f. Careful delineation of the functions and responsibilities of the program direction structure versus the 

program support structure. 

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g. Three discrete management levels with the USAF. 

They are program policy, guidance, and approval; program 

direction; and program implementation. Each of the management levels will be discussed below. 

SAF/SAFUS/DNRO - Program Policy and Guidance 

18. Executive management of the MOL program is assigned 

to SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. MOL activities will be conducted using 

both "white" and "black" channels and procurements. The . 

"black" activities, covering reconnaissance payload aspects 

will be handled under a special code word classification, 

DORIAN, and these activities will be covered by a detailed 

security plan established by DNRO. SAF/SAFUS/DNRO will be 

responsible for all Air Force decisions and directions 

pertaining to the MOL program and will be the normal 

reviewing and committing authority for the Department of 

the Air Force on this program. He will be assisted by the 

MOL Policy Committee who will provide such advice and 

assistance as is required. The SAF/SAFUS/DNRO will 

delegate management responsibility and authority to the 

Director, MOL, to be discharged in accordance with provision of this management plan and other instructions as he 

may issue subsequently. 

MOL Policy Committee 

19. The MOL Policy Committee will be constituted as follows: 

Principal Alternate 

SAP SAFUS 

SAFUS SAFRD 

SAFRD 

SAFFM 

CSAF Vice CoS 

DCS/R&D Deputy DCS/R&D 

Comdr AFSC Deputy Comdr, MSF. 

It will function as an Air Force "Board of Directors" for 

the management of the program and will conduct, in depth, 

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periodic program reviews of the status and progress 

achieved in preparing the MOL development plan. By the 

conduct of such reviews the Chief of Staff, with his 

principal staff assistant, DOS/R&D, can provide, on a 

timely basis, his views, experience and guidance to the 

overall direction of the program. The office of the 

Director, MOL will provide the Secretariat function. 

Director, MOL (SAF-SL) - Program Direction 

20. This individual is the principal operating agent for 

.the direction of the MOL program. He will report directly 

to SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. He is responsible to SAF/SAFUS/DNRO 

to establish, manage and conduct, in accordance with 

SAF/SAFUS/DNRO guidance, all assigned aspects of the MOL 

program, This includes advanced studies, research, 

development and operational employment; pursuit of means 

to improve the operation of manned satellite reconnaissance 

vehicles; utilization of AFS0 personnel and resources, in . 

addition to any resources assigned directly by SAF/SAPUS/ 

DNRO through his primary duty assignment as Commander, AFSC. 

He and the principal part of his Washington- office will be 

located in the Pentagon near the office of SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. 

As an additional duty, he and his staff will serve as 

SAF/SAFUS staff for the MOL program, and will handle 

exclusively all aspects of the Hcl'USAF and other Washington 

area AF staffing of this program, including liaison with 

other Government agencies and processing of special 

clearances for all Washington area personnel. His office 

will 'provide a focal point for timely program status 

information available in comprehensive form for OSAF and 

OSD review. He will be responsible for keeping senior 

members of the Air Staff informed concerning the MOL 

program. Major Air Staff offices (such as DCS/R&D, SAFOI, 

etc.).may provide a well qualified officer for full-time 

duty with Director, MOL. Such officers will assist in 

keeping their parent offices informed and will expedite 

the provision of functional support which the Director, 

MOL may determine necessary for the MOL program. 

21, The Director, MOL will establish a strong, autonomous 

integrated program implementation office located at SSD, 

El Segundo, California, initially from resources of SSD 

and SAFSP. That office will be supported by the Aerospace 

Corporation who will perform the general systems engineering and technical direction role for the MOL program. The 

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specific responsibilities and functions to be performed by 

the West Coast MOL office will be determined by the Director, 

MOL but are expected to include handling of "black" and 

"white" funds; "black" and "white" procurements in unique 

support of MOL and to control special security provisions of 

the entire program except for the Washington area. 

Vice Director, MOL 

22. A full-time general officer, Vice Director, MOL will 

be provided by Commander, AFSC. He will act for the 

Director, MOL in his absence and will be assigned an additional duty position as Deputy Commander (AFSC) for MOL and 

in that capacity is authorized to direct and supervise the 

use of AFSC resources, functional activities and capabilities 

in support of the MOL program. 

MOL Advisory Committee 

23. An MOL Advisory Committee will be established by the. 

NAS to provide nationally eminent scientific advice and 

assistance to the MOL Program Director. Advice and assistance 

will be provided in areas such as: 

a. Identifying high risk areas for special attention 

and alternative solutions. 

b. Identifying solutions to urgent scientific 

problems. 

c. Identifying national scientific resources and capabilities which can support MOL or which MOL should support. . 

d. Serving as a coordinating group to assist in drawing 

upon unique and peculiar national scientific capabilities in 

government, industry, educational institutions, and national 

societies. 

e. Assessing new technical and scientific developments 

for applicability to the MOL effort. 

f. Periodic review and evaluation of the overall 

scientific and technical adequacy of the MOL program. 

Commander, AFSC 

24. Responsibilities of the Commander, AFSC (directly and 

through Commander, SSD): 

a. Overall responsibility. Is directly responsible 

to SAP/SAFUS/DNRO for providing on a continuing basis the 

DORIAN . 

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facilities, resources, and personnel necessary to support 

the conduct of all manned satellite reconnaissance efforts. 

b. Specific responsibilities: 

(1) Providing for SAF-SL direct control of the 

facilities, resources and personnel support required by 

SAF-SL in order to carry out responsibilities assigned by 

SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. 

(2) Reporting to SAP/SAFUS/DNRO any inability to 

provide the support required by SAF-SL or any conflict 

. between SAF-SL-required support and any high priority nonSAF-SL work. 

(3) Freezing the assignment and duties of all 

personnel on the Key Personnel list prepared by SAP-SL and 

approved by SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. 

(4) Manning with qualified personnel on a continuous 

100 per cent basis - all positions on the Key Position List 

prepared by SAF-SL and approved by SAF/SAFUS/DNRO. 

(5) Determination of the military, government 

civilian, and contractor manning required by the SOF (defined 

as the Satellite Control Facility at Sunnyvale, the tracking • 

stations at Vandenberg AFB, Kaena Point, Kodiak, Thule and 

New Boston, and the Recovery Control Group at Hickam AFB). 

Maintaining the approved manning with qualified personnel 

on a continuing 100 per cent basis. Personally selecting, 

on a best qualified basis, with specific approval of SAF/ 

SAFUS/DNRO in each case, all officers assigned to these 

facilities in the grade of Colonel. 

(6) Providing appropriate support by the SOF to 

all approved non-reconnaissance projects on a non-interference 

basis with the manned satellite reconnaissance effort. 

(7) Making appropriate arrangements for the 

coordination of SOF facilities plans with the NRD, and for 

inclusion within these plans of these non-reconnaissance 

facilities planned by the NRD, without assigning control or 

supervision of the SOF to the NRD. 

(8) Compliance of all AFSC elements with security 

provisions, including curtailment of reports and non-mission 

related information, established by SAP-SL in accordance with 

guidance to him by SAP/SAFUS/DNRO. 

DORIAN 

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Deputy Director, MOL - Program Implementation 

25. a. The Deputy Director, MOL will be of general officer 

rank and in addition to his position and duties as Deputy 

Director, MOL will be designated Deputy Commander (SSD) for 

YOL. In this latter as Deputy Commander (SSD) for MOL, he 

will have the authority, with the concurrence of the 

Commander SSD, to direct the resources in unique support of 

the MOL program. 

b. The Deputy Director, MOL is the officer responsible 

for implementing all program activities as directed by the 

Program Director on system procurement, design, development, 

test, evaluation and acquisition. SSD offices will provide 

the required functional assistance to the Deputy Director, 

MOL to fulfill his overall responsibilities. 

c. The Deputy Director, MOL will have full procurement 

authority necessary to conduct both "black" and "white" 

procurement of the MOL program from funds provided him from 

higher authority. These procurements will include contractual 

services for studies conducted by the MOL Washington office. 

d. The Deputy Director, MOL will have full security 

responsibility for both BYEMAN and non-BYEMAN aspects of the 

program in accordance with current directives'and practices 

pertaining to these security control systems. 

e. The Deputy Director, MOL will have exclusive 

responsibility for the development and acquisition of the 

Gemini B recovery vehicle, the mission control of the 

laboratory vehicle, all MOL payloads and program-peculiar 

items both "black" and "white," all MOL flight planning and 

control for individual missions and all MOL technicaVlialson 

at field level with other military services and NASA. 

f. As Deputy Commander, SSD, for MOL he is responsible 

for providing the SSD resources, facilities, and personnel 

to support the conduct of the MOL program. 

g. From funds provided by the Director, MOL, he will 

obtain the following hardware and services from the normal 

SSD offices established to handle these areas: all launch 

and booster vehicles, launch pads and facilities, range 

and tracking station equipments and services. 

DORIAN 

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h. All SSD offices will provide functional support 

as requested by the Deputy Commander (SSD) for MOL but, 

except for such requested support, will not be involved in 

the MOL program management. 

i. All MOL "black" contracts will conform to current 

NRO (SAFSP) practices where common contractors are involved 

and SAFSP'will coordinate on all such contracts prior to 

execution. 

Implementing Documents 

26. a. Letter to DOD on MOL Management; TAB A - DORIAN 

and "white" combined. 

b. SAP Order on Director, MOL: TAB B - DORIAN; TAB 

C - "white." 

c. Statement of Responsibilities and Functions for 

Director, MOL: TAB D - DORIAN; TAB E - "white." 

d. Statement of MOL Responsibilities and Functions 

for Commander AFSC: TAB F - DORIAN and "white" combined. 

e. MOL Program Organization and Manning Documents: 

TAB G - "white." 

f. Delegation of Authority to Deputy Director, MOL, 

for Program Implementation: .TAB H - DORIAN; TAB I - "white." 

g. Delineation of Functions between SAF-SL and SAFSP 

during` Transition Phase: TAB J - DORIAN. 

h. Delineation of Functions between SAF-SL and SAFSS: 

TAB K - DORIAN. 

DORIAN 

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